Atkinson County scores 74.3 out of 100, significantly outpacing the national median of 50.0. The county ranks among the more livable regions across the country based on available indicators.
2 / 5
Above Georgia's average
At 74.3, Atkinson County exceeds Georgia's state average composite score of 70.9. The county demonstrates consistent livability relative to other Georgia communities.
3 / 5
Lowest rents in the state
Atkinson County excels in affordability with a cost score of 88.5 and the lowest median gross rent at just $620 per month. The tax score of 77.4 and effective rate of 0.883% further reinforce the county's appeal to budget-conscious residents.
4 / 5
Limited income and data gaps
The income score of 8.5 reflects a median household income of $38,438, the lowest among these eight counties. Critical data on health, safety, schools, and risk factors remains unavailable, leaving a broader livability picture incomplete.
5 / 5
Ideal for minimum-budget seekers
Atkinson County appeals most to individuals and families with modest incomes who need the absolute lowest housing and tax costs. The exceptionally affordable rent and housing market make it attractive to those prioritizing financial breathing room over employment opportunities or services.
Atkinson County scores 74.3 out of 100, significantly outpacing the national median of 50.0. The county ranks among the more livable regions across the country based on available indicators.
Above Georgia's average
At 74.3, Atkinson County exceeds Georgia's state average composite score of 70.9. The county demonstrates consistent livability relative to other Georgia communities.
Lowest rents in the state
Atkinson County excels in affordability with a cost score of 88.5 and the lowest median gross rent at just $620 per month. The tax score of 77.4 and effective rate of 0.883% further reinforce the county's appeal to budget-conscious residents.
Limited income and data gaps
The income score of 8.5 reflects a median household income of $38,438, the lowest among these eight counties. Critical data on health, safety, schools, and risk factors remains unavailable, leaving a broader livability picture incomplete.
Ideal for minimum-budget seekers
Atkinson County appeals most to individuals and families with modest incomes who need the absolute lowest housing and tax costs. The exceptionally affordable rent and housing market make it attractive to those prioritizing financial breathing room over employment opportunities or services.
Score breakdown
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🏛77.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
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.
Atkinson County's 19.4% rent-to-income ratio is among the nation's tightest, reflecting both low rents ($620) and even lower incomes ($38,438). This county ranks as one of the least affordable places in America relative to earning power, despite headline rents that appear cheap nationwide.
Georgia's toughest rental market
Atkinson's 19.4% rent-to-income ratio is the second-highest in our regional analysis, exceeding Georgia's state average of 18.6% despite the lowest median rent in this group at $620. The county's median income of $38,438 is the lowest among these eight counties, creating outsized housing burden.
Cheapest rents, lowest wages
Atkinson County offers the lowest median rent ($620) across this eight-county cluster, undercutting nearby Appling ($711) and Bacon ($789). However, it also has the lowest median household income at $38,438, making renters stretch further to cover housing costs.
Nearly a fifth goes to housing
Atkinson residents earning a median of $38,438 annually pay $620 in monthly rent, consuming 19.4% of gross income—above the state average. Homeowners with median costs of $587 monthly still face affordability pressures on median home values of $76,300.
Best for homebuyers seeking lowest values
Atkinson County appeals to budget-conscious homebuyers eyeing the region's lowest median home value ($76,300), though renters should note the tightest income-to-rent ratio here. Compare housing options with surrounding Appling and Bacon counties before deciding—wages matter as much as rent prices.
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.
Atkinson County's life expectancy of 69.1 years ranks among the lowest in the nation, roughly 7.8 years below the U.S. average of 76.9 years. More than one in four residents (28.3%) report poor or fair health—the highest rate in this eight-county group and far above the 17.8% national average. These numbers reflect deep and systemic health disparities demanding immediate action.
Georgia's lowest life expectancy
Atkinson County ranks at the bottom of Georgia's 159 counties for life expectancy, trailing the state average of 73.3 years by over four years. The county's 28.3% poor/fair health rate is among the worst statewide, signaling concentrated health challenges that require targeted intervention. No other county in this analysis faces such steep health headwinds.
Significantly worse than surrounding areas
Atkinson's 69.1-year life expectancy is substantially lower than neighboring Appling (71.5), Bacon (69.5), and Bacon counties. Its 28.3% poor/fair health rate far exceeds all regional peers, putting residents at heightened risk. Data on provider access is currently unavailable, making it unclear whether limited care capacity compounds these disparities.
Uninsured rates compound health risk
Atkinson has the highest uninsured rate in this group at 20.7%, nearly 6 percentage points above Georgia's 15% average. Limited data on provider availability makes it difficult to assess local care capacity, but the combination of no insurance and potential provider shortages leaves residents particularly vulnerable. Addressing both insurance access and provider availability is critical.
Insurance is your health lifeline
Uninsured Atkinson residents should immediately explore Medicaid eligibility, ACA marketplace plans, and rural health clinic options that often provide sliding-scale care. Contact the Georgia Department of Community Health or visit healthcare.gov to begin enrollment—many residents qualify for subsidized coverage. This step directly improves your health outcomes and financial security.
With a composite risk score of just 7.32, Atkinson County ranks in the very low category and sits well below Georgia's state average of 39.49. This county faces substantially less natural disaster exposure than typical U.S. communities.
Atkinson ranks among Georgia's safest counties
Atkinson's score of 7.32 places it in the bottom quartile for risk across Georgia's 159 counties. Few counties in the state enjoy lower composite risk than Atkinson, making it one of Georgia's most naturally resilient areas.
Safest county in its region by far
At 7.32, Atkinson significantly outperforms nearby Bacon (20.58) and Baker (9.76) counties in overall risk resilience. This relative safety extends across most hazard categories, giving residents substantially lower exposure than adjacent communities.
Despite Atkinson's overall safety, hurricane risk scores 78.10—far exceeding all other hazards and representing the county's most significant vulnerability. Wildfire and tornado risks remain well below state averages at 43.42 and 28.75 respectively.
Hurricane coverage is your essential protection
Atkinson's exceptionally low risk profile means basic homeowners insurance typically suffices, but residents must ensure hurricane and wind coverage given the 78.10 hurricane score. Standard policies often exclude these coastal weather impacts, so verify your coverage now.