Carolyn is from Roanoke, Virginia. She has a bachelors of arts degree in history and economics from Yale University, a masters of public administration from the University of Southern California, and a doctor of philosophy in public administration of Syracuse University. She lives with her husband, Jeff, in Suwannee, Georgia.

Prior to Congress, Carolyn worked at Georgia State University as an Associate Professor, and as a Director to the Center for State and Local Finance. She previously worked at the Association for Budgeting and Financial Management and the Georgia Senate Budget and Evaluation Office. She also worked for Sarah J. Siwek and Associates and Senator Ron Wyden as a Legislative Assistant.

Carolyn Bourdeaux is currently the Representative for Georgia's 7th Congressional District. She was elected in 2020, and began serving her first term in January of 2021. She serves on the House Committee on Small Business, and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.