Appling County scores 74.8 out of 100 on the CountyScore composite index, placing it substantially above the national median of 50.0. This strong national showing puts the county in the upper half of livability rankings across the United States.
2 / 5
Top-tier ranking in Georgia
At 74.8, Appling County ranks above Georgia's state average composite score of 70.9. The county demonstrates solid livability fundamentals compared to its peers across the state.
3 / 5
Affordability is the main draw
Appling County excels in cost and tax efficiency, with a cost score of 87.7 and median home value of just $81,400—well below state and national averages. The effective tax rate of 0.846% keeps the overall tax burden manageable for residents.
4 / 5
Income and services need attention
The county's income score of 11.9 reflects a median household income of $43,728, notably below state and national benchmarks. Data on health, safety, schools, and environmental factors remains limited, which could reveal additional development priorities.
5 / 5
Best for budget-conscious families
Appling County suits families and retirees prioritizing low housing costs and minimal tax burden over high incomes or urban amenities. The affordable real estate and stable tax environment create a solid foundation for those seeking economic stability in a rural setting.
Appling County scores 74.8 out of 100 on the CountyScore composite index, placing it substantially above the national median of 50.0. This strong national showing puts the county in the upper half of livability rankings across the United States.
Top-tier ranking in Georgia
At 74.8, Appling County ranks above Georgia's state average composite score of 70.9. The county demonstrates solid livability fundamentals compared to its peers across the state.
Affordability is the main draw
Appling County excels in cost and tax efficiency, with a cost score of 87.7 and median home value of just $81,400—well below state and national averages. The effective tax rate of 0.846% keeps the overall tax burden manageable for residents.
Income and services need attention
The county's income score of 11.9 reflects a median household income of $43,728, notably below state and national benchmarks. Data on health, safety, schools, and environmental factors remains limited, which could reveal additional development priorities.
Best for budget-conscious families
Appling County suits families and retirees prioritizing low housing costs and minimal tax burden over high incomes or urban amenities. The affordable real estate and stable tax environment create a solid foundation for those seeking economic stability in a rural setting.
Score breakdown
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🏛78.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.846%, Appling County's effective tax rate sits well below the national median of 0.88%, placing it in the lower third of U.S. counties. Homeowners here pay just $689 annually on the median property, compared to the national median of $2,690—a difference of nearly $2,000 per year.
Below Georgia's statewide average
Appling County ranks favorably within Georgia, with an effective rate of 0.846% versus the state average of 0.898%. The county's median tax bill of $689 trails the state median of $1,529 by $840, making it one of Georgia's more affordable counties to own property.
Among the region's lowest-taxed
Appling County's 0.846% rate is lower than neighboring Atkinson County (0.883%) and Bacon County (1.022%). Combined with modest home values averaging $81,400, Appling offers some of Southeast Georgia's most favorable property tax conditions.
Median home, median tax bill
On a typical $81,400 home in Appling County, owners pay roughly $689 in annual property taxes. For homeowners with mortgages, that figure rises to around $1,058 when factoring in escrow and insurance—still well below statewide norms.
Check if you're overassessed
Many Georgia homeowners discover they're paying taxes on inflated assessments. If you believe your Appling County home's assessed value is too high, a formal appeal costs nothing and could lower your annual bill significantly.
At 19.5%, Appling County's rent-to-income ratio sits just above the national average, meaning renters here spend a slightly larger share of paychecks on housing than most Americans. The county's median rent of $711 is substantially cheaper than the national median, but so is median income at $43,728 versus the national $74,755.
Slightly worse than Georgia average
Appling's 19.5% rent-to-income ratio edges above Georgia's state average of 18.6%, placing the county in the middle range of affordability statewide. Median rent here is $216 below the state average, though wages lag further behind the state's economic profile.
More affordable than Atkinson next door
Appling County residents pay $711 in median rent compared to $620 in nearby Atkinson County, making Appling slightly pricier despite similar affordability ratios. Bacon County to the south offers higher rents ($789) alongside higher incomes, suggesting different economic markets within the region.
Rents eat up a fifth of income
With a median household income of $43,728, the typical Appling renter spends $711 monthly on rent—about 19.5% of gross income. Homeowners fare slightly better, with median mortgage costs of $529 monthly on homes valued at $81,400, leaving more breathing room in household budgets.
Consider Appling for rural Georgia living
If you're relocating to rural Georgia, Appling offers below-state-average rents and moderate homeownership costs, though wages are lower statewide. Compare housing costs here to neighboring Atkinson and Bacon counties to find your best fit within Southeast Georgia's affordability landscape.
Appling County's median household income of $43,728 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by nearly $31,000 annually. This income gap places Appling among the lower-earning counties nationally, reflecting limited high-wage job opportunities in the region.
Below Georgia's county average
At $43,728, Appling's median household income falls 28% short of Georgia's state county average of $60,488. The county ranks in the lower third of Georgia's 159 counties for household earning power.
Modest earnings among rural peers
Appling County earns $6,582 more than nearby Atkinson County ($38,438) but $6,582 less than Bacon County ($50,310). Within this cluster of rural Southeast Georgia counties, Appling sits firmly in the middle tier.
Housing remains affordable here
Appling's 19.5% rent-to-income ratio is healthy—well below the 30% affordability threshold—meaning renters spend a manageable share of earnings on housing. With a median home value of $81,400, homeownership is accessible to working families earning close to the county median.
Build wealth on modest income
Even with lower regional earnings, Appling households can strengthen finances by maximizing employer retirement plans and exploring low-cost investment accounts. Start small with automated savings; even $50 monthly compounds significantly over decades.
Appling County residents live an average of 71.5 years, about 5.5 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.9 years. One in five residents (22.2%) report poor or fair health, compared to the national rate of 17.8%. These gaps signal ongoing health challenges that deserve attention and resources.
Below Georgia's average lifespan
At 71.5 years, Appling County's life expectancy falls nearly two years below Georgia's state average of 73.3 years. The county ranks in the lower half statewide for health outcomes, with room for improvement in chronic disease prevention and healthcare access. Closing this gap requires coordinated effort across the community.
Healthier than nearby Atkinson
Appling County's 71.5-year life expectancy outpaces neighboring Atkinson County (69.1 years) but trails Bacon County (69.5 years when adjusted). The county's 22.2% poor/fair health rate sits between Atkinson's 28.3% and Bacon's 23.9%, suggesting moderate health status in the region. Primary care access at 43 providers per 100K is solid compared to regional peers.
Insurance gaps complicate care access
Nearly one in five Appling residents (18.7%) lack health insurance, nearly 4 percentage points above Georgia's 15% average. The county has adequate primary care providers (43 per 100K) but limited mental health capacity (103 per 100K), creating barriers for residents seeking behavioral health support. This mix leaves many decisions about basic healthcare to chance and ability to pay.
Explore coverage options today
Uninsured residents in Appling County should investigate Medicaid eligibility, marketplace plans during open enrollment, and community health center sliding-scale programs. Visiting healthcare.gov or calling 1-800-318-2596 takes just minutes and can connect you to affordable coverage. Coverage transforms access—take the first step this week.
Appling County scores 50.22 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the relatively low category but well above Georgia's state average of 39.49. The county faces higher-than-typical exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly hurricane and earthquake risks that elevate its overall profile.
Appling ranks in the upper half of Georgia counties
Among Georgia's 159 counties, Appling's composite risk score of 50.22 places it in the riskier half of the state. This reflects above-average vulnerability compared to most Georgia neighbors, driven primarily by coastal weather hazards.
More exposed than most surrounding counties
Appling faces notably higher risk than nearby Atkinson (7.32) and Bacon (20.58) counties. At 50.22, Appling's score is significantly elevated, making it one of the more vulnerable areas in its region despite sharing similar geography with lower-risk neighbors.
Hurricane and wildfire pose greatest threats
Hurricane risk dominates Appling's profile at 90.91, substantially higher than any other hazard type and reflecting vulnerability to tropical systems. Wildfire and earthquake risks round out the top concerns at 52.93 and 52.99 respectively, requiring year-round preparedness.
Prioritize hurricane and wind coverage now
Appling residents should ensure homeowners policies include hurricane and wind damage coverage, given the 90.91 hurricane risk score. Consider flood insurance as a separate policy since standard homeowners coverage typically excludes flood damage; the county's 24.05 flood risk warrants protection planning.