CountyScore

Barrow County

Georgia · GA

#110 in Georgia
65.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Barrow County, Georgia

Good national standing

Barrow County scores 67.5 out of 100, substantially above the national median of 50.0. The county demonstrates solid livability on a national scale.

Slightly below Georgia average

At 67.5, Barrow County scores below Georgia's state average composite score of 70.9. The county represents a more modest livability profile compared to its state peers.

Strong incomes and low taxes

Barrow County has the second-highest median household income of $77,477 with an income score of 34.0. The tax score of 78.9 and effective rate of 0.832% provide reasonable tax efficiency for high-earning households.

Housing affordability concern

The cost score of 67.4 is the lowest among these counties, with median gross rent at $1,197 and home values at $255,200—creating a mismatch for cost-conscious residents. Data gaps in health, safety, schools, and risk limit full livability evaluation.

Suits high earners with flexibility

Barrow County appeals to well-employed professionals and families with strong incomes who can absorb higher housing costs. The solid incomes and reasonable tax burden outweigh the premium pricing for those prioritizing career opportunities over budget considerations.

Score breakdown

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

Tax78.9Cost67.4SafetyComing SoonHealth63.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome34Risk54.4WaterComing Soon
🏛78.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠67.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼34
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡54.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Barrow County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Grady County
Georgia
65.4
Median income: $54,312
Tattnall County
Georgia
65.4
Median income: $52,351
Vanderburgh County
Indiana
65.4
Median income: $60,938
Barber County
Kansas
65.4
Median income: $57,615
Mitchell County
Kansas
65.4
Median income: $58,233

Deep Dives

Barrow County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Barrow County

via TaxByCounty

Barrow County taxes below U.S. average

Barrow County's 0.832% effective rate sits comfortably below the national median of 0.88%, landing in the lower-tax quartile nationwide. Its median tax of $2,124 on a $255,200 home remains significantly below the national median of $2,690, saving homeowners roughly $566 annually.

Near Georgia's statewide average rate

Barrow County's 0.832% rate is just 8% below Georgia's state average of 0.898%, positioning it close to typical statewide conditions. Its median tax of $2,124 exceeds the state median of $1,529 by $595, reflecting Barrow's higher median home values.

Mid-range taxes in North Georgia

Barrow County (0.832%) rates between Banks County (0.630%) and Bartow County (0.725%), reflecting moderate tax efficiency for the North Georgia region. With median homes valued at $255,200, Barrow appeals to buyers seeking suburban growth areas with reasonable tax rates.

Suburban home values, moderate taxes

A median $255,200 home in Barrow County generates roughly $2,124 in annual property taxes. With mortgage and insurance, typical owners pay approximately $2,246 yearly, reflecting the county's suburban character and moderate tax environment.

Appeals make sense for higher-value homes

Barrow County homeowners with properties near $255,000+ should particularly scrutinize their assessments, as small rate errors compound with higher home values. A successful appeal on a quarter-million-dollar home could save hundreds annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Barrow County

via CostByCounty

Barrow maintains middle-class balance

Barrow County's 18.5% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably near the national average, underpinned by a median household income of $77,477 that exceeds the national median. At $1,197 in median rent, Barrow represents higher-cost Georgia housing supported by meaningfully higher wages.

Near-perfect Georgia average alignment

Barrow County's 18.5% rent-to-income ratio sits just below Georgia's state average of 18.6%, positioning it as a textbook Georgia market. The county's $77,477 median income is the second-highest in this dataset, nearly matching the national median income of $74,755.

Atlanta-area pricing and wages

Barrow County's $1,197 median rent and $255,200 median home value sit alongside Bartow County's comparable pricing, marking a clear divide from rural Southeast Georgia. With $77,477 median income, Barrow residents earn substantially more than rural counties, justifying higher housing costs.

Prosperity supports higher housing costs

Barrow County residents earning $77,477 median income allocate $1,197 monthly to rent—18.5% of gross household earnings, a sustainable proportion. Homeowners with $1,260 monthly mortgage costs on $255,200 median homes reflect a higher-income market comfortable with premium pricing.

Barrow is Atlanta's affordable suburb

If you're seeking North Georgia living without Atlanta's premium prices, Barrow County offers near-national-average affordability ratios with meaningfully higher incomes and home values. Compare Barrow's $255,200 homes to neighboring Bartow—both offer Atlanta-area access with balanced housing economics.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Barrow County

via IncomeByCounty

Barrow exceeds national average

Barrow County's median household income of $77,477 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by $2,722, placing it firmly in the upper-income tier nationally. This achievement reflects robust employment opportunities driven by major regional employers and population growth.

Top 5% earner in Georgia

At $77,477, Barrow County's median household income ranks among Georgia's highest, exceeding the state county average of $60,488 by $16,989. The county ranks in the top 5% of Georgia's 159 counties for household earning capacity.

Strongest earner regionally

Barrow County's $77,477 median household income significantly outpaces all comparable counties, exceeding Banks County ($68,830) by $8,647 and Bartow County by a narrow $1,954. The county leads the examined region in household earning power.

Strong income supports housing

Barrow County's 18.5% rent-to-income ratio demonstrates solid housing affordability despite higher home values. With a median home value of $255,200, households earning near the county median can comfortably afford homeownership while building substantial equity.

Aggressive wealth-building strategy

Barrow County residents with above-median incomes should maximize 401(k) contributions, open HSAs, and invest in taxable accounts through regular automated transfers. This multi-account approach compounds growth and creates pathways to substantial net worth within 20-30 years.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Barrow County

via HealthByCounty

Best life expectancy in the group

Barrow County leads this eight-county analysis with a life expectancy of 74.9 years, nearly 2 years above the U.S. average of 76.9 years. Only 17.7% report poor or fair health—the lowest rate in this group and well below the 17.8% national average. These figures signal a healthy population with effective disease prevention and management.

Above Georgia's average statewide

At 74.9 years, Barrow County's life expectancy exceeds Georgia's state average of 73.3 years by 1.6 years, placing it among the state's healthier counties. The 17.7% poor/fair health rate is the lowest in this comparison and below the state baseline, indicating exceptional population health. The 15.6% uninsured rate nearly matches Georgia's 15%, showing equitable coverage.

Region's healthiest county

Barrow's 74.9-year life expectancy surpasses all regional peers, including Bartow (73.9) and Banks (73.9). Its 17.7% poor/fair health rate is the lowest in the group by a wide margin, reflecting strong chronic disease prevention. Balanced provider access—22 primary care per 100K and 43 mental health per 100K—supports comprehensive care locally.

Lean staffing, strong outcomes

Barrow achieves the best health outcomes in this analysis with moderate primary care capacity (22 per 100K) and adequate mental health providers (43 per 100K). The 15.6% uninsured rate is nearly equal to Georgia's average, meaning coverage is broadly accessible. This suggests residents are using preventive care and managing health proactively despite lean provider numbers.

Continue building on health success

Barrow's strong health outcomes reflect community commitment to wellness—maintain that momentum by keeping coverage current and promoting preventive care. Uninsured residents should enroll in plans to protect against unexpected health crises and access preventive screenings that keep communities healthy. Coverage plus prevention equals the formula behind Barrow's success.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Barrow County

via RiskByCounty

Barrow faces above-average national risk

Barrow County scores 45.61 on the composite risk scale, rating relatively low but exceeding Georgia's state average of 39.49. The county experiences elevated exposure to tornado and earthquake hazards that push its overall vulnerability profile higher.

Barrow ranks in Georgia's higher-risk counties

At 45.61, Barrow ranks above the Georgia state average and in the upper-middle tier of risk among the state's 159 counties. Approximately one-third of Georgia communities face comparable or greater natural disaster exposure.

Riskier than Banks, safer than Bartow

Barrow's 45.61 score places it between safer neighbors like Banks (12.40) and higher-risk Bartow (65.27). The county faces notably higher exposure than Banks but somewhat less than Bartow's more volatile hazard mix.

Tornado and flood are primary threats

Barrow's highest risk score is tornado exposure at 66.38, substantially above state and national averages and representing the county's dominant hazard. Flood risk follows at 58.08; these two hazards drive Barrow's elevated composite score more than any other factors.

Tornado sheltering and flood coverage are critical

Barrow residents should ensure homeowners policies include wind and hail coverage to address the 66.38 tornado risk. Flood insurance is essential; at 58.08, Barrow faces substantially elevated flood exposure warranting separate coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program or private providers.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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