Bacon County scores 72.1 out of 100, nearly 45 percent above the national median of 50.0. The county demonstrates reliable livability fundamentals on a national scale.
2 / 5
Slightly above Georgia average
At 72.1, Bacon County marginally exceeds Georgia's state average composite score of 70.9. The county holds steady performance among its Georgia counterparts.
3 / 5
Highest income of the group
Bacon County leads these eight counties with a median household income of $50,310 and an income score of 16.2. The cost score of 85.0 and median home value of $104,100 maintain solid affordability for this income level.
4 / 5
Tax burden slightly elevated
The effective tax rate of 1.022% is the highest among these counties, resulting in a tax score of 73.5. Data gaps persist for health, safety, schools, and environmental metrics, limiting fuller assessment of livability factors.
5 / 5
Sweet spot for working families
Bacon County suits working families seeking a balance between affordability and income potential. The highest median income combined with reasonable housing costs and manageable taxes creates an attractive middle-ground option in rural Georgia.
Bacon County scores 72.1 out of 100, nearly 45 percent above the national median of 50.0. The county demonstrates reliable livability fundamentals on a national scale.
Slightly above Georgia average
At 72.1, Bacon County marginally exceeds Georgia's state average composite score of 70.9. The county holds steady performance among its Georgia counterparts.
Highest income of the group
Bacon County leads these eight counties with a median household income of $50,310 and an income score of 16.2. The cost score of 85.0 and median home value of $104,100 maintain solid affordability for this income level.
Tax burden slightly elevated
The effective tax rate of 1.022% is the highest among these counties, resulting in a tax score of 73.5. Data gaps persist for health, safety, schools, and environmental metrics, limiting fuller assessment of livability factors.
Sweet spot for working families
Bacon County suits working families seeking a balance between affordability and income potential. The highest median income combined with reasonable housing costs and manageable taxes creates an attractive middle-ground option in rural Georgia.
Score breakdown
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🏛73.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Bacon County's 1.022% effective rate is above the national median of 0.88%, placing it in the higher-taxed quarter of American counties. However, the median tax bill of $1,064 remains far below the national median of $2,690, thanks to lower property values.
Highest rate in this county group
Bacon County's effective rate of 1.022% stands notably above Georgia's state average of 0.898%. Its median tax of $1,064 approaches the state median of $1,529, signaling higher tax pressure than most Georgia counties examined here.
Most tax-heavy in Southeast Georgia region
Bacon County's 1.022% rate exceeds all neighboring counties in this analysis, including Appling (0.846%) and Atkinson (0.883%). Combined with a median home value of $104,100—higher than immediate neighbors—Bacon County residents face elevated property tax burdens.
Higher rates mean higher bills here
A median $104,100 home in Bacon County generates roughly $1,064 in annual property taxes—the highest median bill among Southeast Georgia counties analyzed. With mortgage and insurance, owners pay approximately $1,092 yearly.
Assessment review is especially valuable here
Given Bacon County's higher tax rates, a successful assessment appeal could save you significant money annually. Request a reassessment if comparable properties in your neighborhood sell for less than your home's current assessed value.
Bacon County's 18.8% rent-to-income ratio sits just below the national average, supported by a median household income of $50,310 that's higher than Appling and Atkinson neighbors. At $789 in median rent, Bacon represents a middle ground between Southeast Georgia's cheaper and pricier rental markets.
Slightly better than Georgia average
Bacon County's 18.8% rent-to-income ratio edges below Georgia's state average of 18.6%, ranking among the state's better-performing rural counties. The county's median rent of $789 sits closer to the state average of $927, suggesting a more balanced local market.
Middle ground between Atkinson and Baker
Bacon County's $789 median rent falls between cheaper Atkinson ($620) and pricier Baker ($643 nearby), while its $50,310 median income exceeds both neighbors. This positioning makes Bacon a moderate option within the region's rural housing landscape.
Rent takes nearly a fifth of paychecks
Bacon County residents earning $50,310 median income spend $789 monthly on rent—exactly 18.8% of gross household income. Homeowners with $608 monthly mortgage costs on $104,100 median-valued homes keep housing expenses in check relative to regional peers.
Bacon offers balanced rural Georgia living
If you're seeking rural Georgia with better wage-to-housing balance, Bacon County's affordability metrics rank above Atkinson and Appling while remaining below state averages. Check surrounding counties' home values and rents—Bacon's $104,100 median home value offers middle-tier pricing in this region.
Bacon County's median household income of $50,310 falls $24,445 short of the U.S. median of $74,755. Though below the national average, Bacon outearns its rural Georgia peers, suggesting more stable local employment.
Middle-tier earner within Georgia
At $50,310, Bacon County's median household income exceeds Georgia's county average of $60,488 by a modest $10,178, placing it in the state's middle range. The county performs better than 40% of Georgia counties on household earnings.
Strongest earner in its cluster
Bacon County's $50,310 median household income leads its rural Southeast Georgia neighbors, outpacing both Appling ($43,728) and Atkinson ($38,438) counties by $6,582 and $11,872 respectively. This relative strength suggests more diversified local economic opportunities.
Housing costs well within reach
Bacon County's 18.8% rent-to-income ratio demonstrates healthy affordability, with renters spending far less than the 30% benchmark. A median home value of $104,100 makes single-family homeownership realistic for households earning near the county median.
Leverage stability for long-term growth
Bacon County's relative stability compared to neighboring counties creates opportunity for wealth-building—households can confidently open retirement accounts and explore homeownership as inflation hedges. Combine these strategies with regular contributions to compound returns over 20+ years.
Bacon County residents average 69.5 years of life, about 7.4 years below the U.S. average of 76.9 years. Nearly one in four (23.9%) report poor or fair health, exceeding the national rate of 17.8%. These gaps indicate significant health challenges rooted in chronic disease, healthcare access, or socioeconomic factors.
Well below Georgia's average
At 69.5 years, Bacon County's life expectancy falls nearly 3.8 years short of Georgia's state average of 73.3 years, placing it in the lower tier statewide. The county's 23.9% poor/fair health rate is notably elevated compared to the state, reflecting concentrated health challenges. Improving outcomes requires sustained focus on prevention and access.
Slightly better than Atkinson county
Bacon's 69.5-year life expectancy marginally edges Atkinson's 69.1 years but trails Appling's 71.5 years. The county's 23.9% poor/fair health rate falls between Atkinson's elevated 28.3% and Appling's 22.2%. Primary care access (45 per 100K) is adequate, but mental health providers are extremely sparse (9 per 100K), the lowest in this group.
Moderate uninsured, weak mental health access
Bacon's uninsured rate of 17.2% exceeds Georgia's 15% average, affecting one in six residents. While primary care availability is reasonable, mental health provider capacity at just 9 per 100K is critically low—residents needing behavioral health support face long waits or travel burdens. This gap likely contributes to poor overall health ratings.
Get insured and connected to care
Bacon County residents without coverage should enroll in a plan through healthcare.gov, Georgia Medicaid, or community health centers offering sliding-scale fees. Having insurance opens access to preventive care, mental health services, and chronic disease management that reduce emergency visits and improve outcomes. Take action this month—coverage is affordable and available.
Bacon County's composite score of 20.58 places it firmly in the very low risk category, nearly half Georgia's state average of 39.49. The county faces significantly less natural disaster exposure than most American communities.
Bacon ranks among Georgia's safer counties
At 20.58, Bacon County places well below the state average and in the lower third of Georgia's 159 counties by risk. This favorable standing reflects relatively robust natural disaster resilience compared to most of the state.
Lower risk than Appling, comparable to Baker
Bacon's 20.58 score is substantially safer than nearby Appling (50.22) while comparing favorably to Baker County (9.76). Within its region, Bacon represents a middle ground—safer than northern neighbors but with slightly elevated risk from specific hazards.
Wildfire and hurricane are dual concerns
Wildfire risk dominates Bacon's profile at 56.58, followed by hurricane exposure at 84.36—both substantially above the county's otherwise low baseline. Tornado risk remains moderate at 37.53, requiring some seasonal preparedness but remaining below state averages.
Even with Bacon's favorable overall risk profile, the 84.36 hurricane score demands strong wind and hurricane coverage in your homeowners policy. Bundle flood insurance separately; wildfire risk at 56.58 means considering whether defensible space around your home is adequate.