Baldwin County

Georgia · GA

#78 in Georgia
67.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Baldwin County, Georgia

Substantially above national norm

Baldwin County scores 73.2 out of 100, considerably exceeding the national median of 50.0. The county ranks solidly in national livability standings.

Above-average Georgia county

At 73.2, Baldwin County outpaces Georgia's state average composite score of 70.9. The county demonstrates strong performance relative to other Georgia communities.

Best tax rates in the group

Baldwin County boasts the lowest effective tax rate of 0.742% and a tax score of 81.4. The median household income of $55,413 is solid, and the tax efficiency creates meaningful financial advantages for residents.

Higher housing costs trade-off

The cost score of 80.4 and median home value of $164,700 represent higher housing expenses compared to the other counties in this group. Limited data on health, safety, schools, and risk factors leaves gaps in the full livability picture.

Ideal for tax-savvy professionals

Baldwin County suits working professionals and upper-middle-class families who prioritize tax efficiency and are comfortable with moderate housing costs. The exceptional tax rates combined with respectable income levels create an appealing package for those seeking financial optimization.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax81.4Cost80.4SafetyComing SoonHealth58.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.6Risk50WaterComing Soon
🏛81.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠80.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼19.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
58.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
50
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Baldwin County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Baldwin County

via TaxByCounty

Baldwin's low rate ranks in top tier nationally

Baldwin County's 0.742% effective rate ranks among America's lowest-taxed counties, placing it in the top 10% nationally. A median home valued at $164,700 generates only $1,222 in annual taxes—still well below the national median of $2,690.

Georgia's most favorable rate in this group

Baldwin County's 0.742% effective rate significantly undercuts Georgia's state average of 0.898%, making it one of the state's most tax-friendly counties. Its median tax of $1,222 sits $307 below the state median, despite higher-valued homes than rural peers.

Clear tax advantage over region

Baldwin County (0.742%) offers substantially lower rates than all analyzed neighbors, including Appling (0.846%), Atkinson (0.883%), and Bacon (1.022%). For Mid-Georgia residents, Baldwin provides exceptional tax efficiency.

Lowest taxes on typical home

On a median $164,700 home, Baldwin County residents pay approximately $1,222 annually—the lowest median bill in this county group relative to property value. With mortgage and insurance, annual costs rise to about $1,381 for typical homeowners.

Even low-tax counties have appeal opportunities

Baldwin County's favorable rates don't eliminate assessment errors; overvalued properties still occur here. If your assessed value seems inflated compared to recent neighborhood sales, a free appeal could lower an already reasonable tax bill further.

Cost of Living in Baldwin County

via CostByCounty

Baldwin straddles middle-class affordability

Baldwin County's 18.7% rent-to-income ratio sits just above the national average, supported by a median household income of $55,413 that exceeds most rural peers. At $865 in median rent and $164,700 median home value, Baldwin represents a step up into more developed Georgia markets.

Balanced Georgia housing market

Baldwin County's 18.7% rent-to-income ratio matches Georgia's state average almost exactly, positioning it squarely within the state's mainstream housing landscape. The county's $55,413 median income sits above the rural cluster but trails suburban Georgia counties significantly.

Gateway to higher-cost Georgia

Baldwin County's $865 median rent and $164,700 home value mark a clear jump from the rural Southeast Georgia cluster to the south. Compared to nearby Baker ($643 rent, $120,100 homes), Baldwin offers a transitional market with meaningfully higher incomes to match.

Housing takes a healthy chunk

Baldwin County residents earning $55,413 median income allocate $865 monthly to rent—18.7% of gross household earnings. Homeowners with $818 monthly mortgage costs on $164,700 median homes pay proportionally more, reflecting Baldwin's position as a more developed Georgia market.

Baldwin bridges rural and suburban Georgia

If you're upgrading from rural Georgia, Baldwin County offers moderate housing costs aligned with state averages and notably higher incomes than Southeast Georgia counties. Its $164,700 median home value represents significant appreciation potential compared to neighboring rural markets.

Income & Jobs in Baldwin County

via IncomeByCounty

Baldwin earns 26% below nation

Baldwin County's median household income of $55,413 falls $19,342 short of the U.S. median of $74,755, positioning it below the national average but substantially ahead of its rural Georgia neighbors. The county's relative strength reflects the presence of Milledgeville and its institutional economy.

Upper-middle earner statewide

Baldwin County's $55,413 median household income nearly matches Georgia's county average of $60,488, placing it in the state's upper-middle tier. The county ranks in the top half of Georgia's 159 counties for household earning power.

Strong performance vs rural cluster

Baldwin County's $55,413 median household income outpaces Bacon County ($50,310) by $5,103 and exceeds Appling County ($43,728) by $11,685. This strength positions Baldwin as an economic anchor in Central Georgia's rural corridor.

Solid housing affordability profile

Baldwin's 18.7% rent-to-income ratio indicates healthy housing affordability, well below the 30% stress threshold. At $164,700, the median home value is substantially higher than neighboring counties, reflecting institutional demand and community stability.

Build equity through homeownership

Baldwin County households earning near the median should aggressively pursue homeownership to build equity and benefit from appreciation trends. Combine this foundation with retirement account maximization and diversified investments to accelerate wealth accumulation.

Health in Baldwin County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy near national average

Baldwin County residents live an average of 72.7 years, just over 4 years below the U.S. average of 76.9 years. One in five (21.9%) report poor or fair health, below the national average of 17.8% but still elevated. The county demonstrates moderate health outcomes with room for improvement in chronic disease management.

Slightly below Georgia average

At 72.7 years, Baldwin County's life expectancy trails Georgia's state average of 73.3 years by just 0.6 years, placing it in the middle tier statewide. The 21.9% poor/fair health rate is below the national average and better than most counties in this group, signaling relatively stronger health status. The county's 15.3% uninsured rate closely mirrors the state's 15% average.

Among region's healthier communities

Baldwin's 72.7-year life expectancy outpaces Bacon (69.5), Atkinson (69.1), and Appling (71.5), placing it among the healthier counties regionally. Its 21.9% poor/fair health rate is among the lowest in this group, indicating better population health. Strong mental health provider access (214 per 100K) supports behavioral health—a major contributor to overall wellness.

Strong provider access, near-average coverage

Baldwin offers 43 primary care providers per 100K and exceptionally strong mental health capacity at 214 per 100K—nearly double most peers. The 15.3% uninsured rate is nearly identical to Georgia's state average, meaning coverage is available but not universal. This combination of robust provider supply and reasonable insurance access creates a solid foundation for health.

Secure coverage to unlock full access

Baldwin's uninsured residents should enroll in marketplace plans or Medicaid using healthcare.gov or local health department resources—the county's strong provider network means coverage immediately opens care access. For insured residents, annual wellness visits with your primary care provider maximize the mental health and preventive services available locally. Coverage plus prevention creates lasting health gains.

Disaster Risk in Baldwin County

via RiskByCounty

Baldwin faces above-average national risk

Baldwin County scores 50.03 on the composite risk scale, rating relatively low but sitting above Georgia's state average of 39.49. The county experiences elevated exposure across multiple hazard types, reflecting a more complex risk landscape than most U.S. counties.

Baldwin ranks in Georgia's higher-risk tier

Baldwin's 50.03 score places it well above the Georgia state average and in the upper half of risk among the state's 159 counties. Only a minority of Georgia communities face comparable cumulative natural disaster exposure.

More vulnerable than most adjacent counties

Baldwin's 50.03 score significantly exceeds typical neighbors, rivaling Appling (50.22) as one of the region's highest-risk areas. The county's multi-hazard exposure sets it apart from and above surrounding communities in overall vulnerability.

Wildfire, flood, and earthquake form triple threat

Baldwin faces elevated risk across three major categories: wildfire (66.92), flood (63.20), and earthquake (73.09), each among the county's highest scores. Tornado risk at 51.94 and hurricane exposure at 68.34 complete a diverse hazard portfolio requiring comprehensive preparedness.

Multi-hazard coverage essential for Baldwin residents

Baldwin residents must secure both standard homeowners insurance with wind coverage and separate flood insurance, given flood (63.20) and wildfire (66.92) risks. Review your earthquake coverage options as well; at 73.09, Baldwin faces substantial seismic exposure compared to most Georgia counties.

ByCounty Network

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