countyscore
57.1
County Score
Disaster Risk 92.7Cost of Living 91.5Safety 80

County Report Card

About Atkinson County, Georgia

Exceeding National Livability Standards

Atkinson County secures a composite score of 56.0, notably higher than the national median of 50.0. This score puts the county in a strong position relative to thousands of peers across the country.

A Top Performer in Georgia

At a 56.0 composite score, Atkinson significantly outperforms the Georgia state average of 46.7. It stands out as a high-ranking option for residents looking for stability within the Peach State.

Exceptional Safety and Environmental Stability

The county excels at risk management with a score of 92.7 and maintains high personal safety at 80.0. These strengths are paired with incredible housing value, reflected in a Cost Score of 90.1.

Addressing Healthcare and Income Gaps

Economic and health metrics present the largest hurdles, with scores of 2.2 and 4.0 respectively. A median household income of $38,438 and a low Water Score of 8.9 suggest infrastructure and earning potential require long-term investment.

The Verdict: A Haven for Peace and Value

This county is perfect for retirees or remote workers who value safety and extremely low living costs above all else. While local wages are low, the sense of security and bargain-priced housing offer a unique appeal.

2040608010051.491.580462492.78.935.8Tax51.4Cost91.5Safety80Health4Schools62Income4Risk92.7Water8.9Weather35.857.1/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Atkinson County DNA

Foverall

How Atkinson County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Atkinson County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (92.7/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (8.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
51.4
Cost
91.5+43.5
Safety
80+25
Health
4-46
Schools
62+8
Income
4-47
Risk
92.7+45.7
Water
8.9-49.1
Weather
35.8-20.200000000000003
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Atkinson County?

Many homeowners in Atkinson County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$79,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$657/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$79,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$26,280/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $42,347/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

36.3

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Coffee County
Georgia
48
Berrien County
Georgia
41.5
Lanier County
Georgia
40.9
Ware County
Georgia
55.7
Bacon County
Georgia
51.5
Irwin County
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42.6
Clinch County
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50.2
Cook County
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Deep Dives

Atkinson County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Atkinson County

via TaxByCounty

Atkinson keeps taxes well below national norms

Atkinson County's effective rate of 0.883% matches nearly all U.S. counties' typical range, but homeowners pay just $674 annually—far below the national median tax of $2,690. This translates to roughly 75% savings compared to the average American homeowner.

Slightly above Georgia average

At 0.883%, Atkinson County's effective rate edges above Georgia's state average of 0.898%, yet its median tax bill of $674 remains $855 below the state median of $1,529. This seeming paradox reflects Atkinson's lower property values compared to statewide averages.

Competitive with surrounding counties

Atkinson County (0.883%) sits between Appling County (0.846%) and Bacon County (1.022%) in the regional tax rate hierarchy. With a median home value of $76,300, Atkinson offers attractive affordability for Southeast Georgia buyers.

Annual tax on typical Atkinson home

The median $76,300 home in Atkinson County carries roughly $674 in annual property taxes. With mortgage and insurance, that grows to approximately $910 per year—a manageable expense for rural Georgia homeowners.

Appeals can reduce your assessment

If your Atkinson County property assessment seems high, you have the right to challenge it for free. Many homeowners successfully lower their taxable assessments by appealing to the county assessor's office with comparable property sales data.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Atkinson County

via IncomeByCounty

Atkinson earns 49% below U.S. median

Atkinson County's median household income of $38,438 ranks among Georgia's lowest, falling nearly $36,300 short of the national median of $74,755. This significant gap reflects limited employment diversity and wage opportunities in this rural Southeast Georgia county.

Lowest earner in rural cluster

Atkinson County's median household income of $38,438 ranks in the bottom 20% statewide, well below Georgia's county average of $60,488. The county faces economic headwinds shared by several rural counties in the region.

Trailing adjacent rural counties

Atkinson's $38,438 median is the lowest among its Southeast Georgia neighbors, ranking $4,872 below Appling County and $11,872 below Bacon County. Economic development initiatives could help close this gap with slightly more prosperous nearby counties.

Rents remain manageable despite low income

Atkinson's 19.4% rent-to-income ratio keeps housing costs affordable, falling well short of the 30% benchmark for financial stress. At $76,300, the median home value makes homeownership achievable for most working families in the county.

Small wins build long-term security

Atkinson residents earning near the county median should prioritize emergency savings before investing—aim for three months of expenses in a high-yield savings account. Once that cushion exists, even modest monthly investments in low-fee index funds can create meaningful wealth over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Atkinson County

via CrimeByCounty

Atkinson County Ranks Among America's Safest

With a safety score of 99.3, Atkinson County is remarkably secure compared to national standards. Its total crime rate of 471.9 per 100K is roughly one-fifth of the national average of 2,385.5.

Exceeding Georgia's Safety Averages

Atkinson County's safety score of 99.3 significantly outperforms the Georgia state average of 97.8. The local crime rate of 471.9 is nearly three times lower than the state's average of 1,412.9.

Leading the Pack in South Georgia

Atkinson County stands out as a regional leader in safety, with a crime rate of 471.9 per 100K. This is considerably lower than neighbor Appling County, which sits at 1,648.5 per 100K.

Low Risk Across All Categories

Violent crime is rare here, with a rate of just 96.8 per 100K compared to the U.S. average of 369.8. Property crime is also minimal at 375.1, suggesting a high level of community trust.

Maintaining a Secure Property

Despite low local crime rates, maintaining awareness through community watch programs and basic locks is always prudent. Protecting your home ensures these record-low statistics continue for years to come.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in Atkinson County

via SoilByCounty

The Foundation of Atkinson's Earth

Soil taxonomic and pH data for Atkinson County is currently limited in the federal survey. Local gardeners often find acidic conditions typical of the region, diverging from the national median pH of 6.5.

Texture and Soil Composition

Data regarding the specific mix of sand, silt, and clay is currently unavailable for this county. Knowing your soil's texture is the first step toward improving drainage and nutrient retention on your land.

Local Fertility Benchmarks

Organic matter and available water capacity metrics are not currently logged for Atkinson. Aiming for the state average of 1.83% organic matter provides a good starting point for soil improvement efforts.

Hydrology and Land Use

Official drainage and hydrologic group classifications are missing from the current county profile. Careful observation of how water moves after heavy rain can help you plan effective drainage solutions.

Planting in Hardiness Zone 9a

Atkinson belongs to Hardiness Zone 9a, offering a warm environment for many perennial species. This climate allows for early spring planting and a late fall harvest for most home gardeners.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Atkinson County

via LawnByCounty

Navigating Atkinson's Zone 9a lawn challenges

Atkinson County earns a lawn difficulty score of 37.5, which is slightly more favorable than the Georgia state average of 35.8. Despite this, it remains harder to maintain than the national median of 50.0 due to the demands of its warm Hardiness Zone 9a climate. Gardeners here benefit from slightly better conditions than their neighbors in Appling County.

Balancing rainfall and extreme Georgia heat

Annual precipitation averages 47.5 inches, sitting comfortably within the ideal 30-50 inch range for healthy turf. However, 84 extreme heat days per year can quickly stress grass and lead to browning without supplemental irrigation. Watch your watering schedule closely during the sweltering July peak, when average temperatures hit 81.4°F.

Building a healthy soil base

While detailed local soil data is currently limited, your lawn likely needs a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 to flourish. Testing your soil for drainage capacity is essential, as stagnant water can lead to root rot in the high humidity of southern Georgia. Proper aeration and the addition of organic compost can improve the foundation for any new grass.

Weathering severe drought conditions

The county is currently 100% covered by severe drought conditions and has faced 27 weeks of drought in the last year. Focus on water conservation by timing your irrigation for the early morning to minimize evaporation loss. Consistent monitoring is vital since water stress is the primary threat to lawn health in this region.

Selecting the right turf for Atkinson

Warm-season grasses like Bermuda or Zoysia are excellent choices for the long growing season in Zone 9a. Because frost dates vary, ensure you wait until the soil is consistently warm before laying sod or seeding. With proper selection and moisture management, you can maintain a vibrant green space despite the regional climate pressures.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Atkinson County's county score?
Atkinson County, Georgia has a composite county score of 57.1 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Atkinson County rank among counties in Georgia?
Atkinson County ranks #19 among all counties in Georgia on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Atkinson County, Georgia?
The median annual property tax in Atkinson County is $625, with an effective tax rate of 0.79%. This earns Atkinson County a tax score of 51.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Atkinson County?
The median household income in Atkinson County, Georgia is $42,347 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Atkinson County earns an income score of 4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Atkinson County, Georgia a good place to live?
Atkinson County scores 57.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #19 in Georgia. The best way to evaluate Atkinson County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Atkinson County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.