CountyScore

Bartow County

Georgia · GA

#121 in Georgia
64.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Bartow County, Georgia

Above-average national livability

Bartow County scores 69.4 out of 100, notably exceeding the national median of 50.0. The county demonstrates solid livability fundamentals across the country.

Slightly below state average

At 69.4, Bartow County falls just short of Georgia's state average composite score of 70.9. The county represents moderate livability relative to other Georgia communities.

Highest incomes available

Bartow County leads these eight counties with a median household income of $79,431 and the highest income score of 35.2. The tax score of 81.9 and effective rate of 0.725% provide the best tax efficiency in this group.

Housing costs highest overall

The cost score of 68.6 reflects the highest median home value at $262,200 and rent at $1,202 per month. Data on schools, health, safety, and environmental factors are not yet available.

Best for premium-earning families

Bartow County suits high-income professionals and families seeking the best incomes and lowest tax rates, with capacity to afford premium housing. The exceptional earnings and tax efficiency make it ideal for ambitious families prioritizing economic and professional advancement.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81.9Cost68.6SafetyComing SoonHealth62.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome35.2Risk34.7WaterComing Soon
🏛81.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠68.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼35.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤62.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡34.7
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 Bartow County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Amador County
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64.7
Median income: $81,526
Colusa County
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64.7
Median income: $75,149
Mono County
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64.7
Median income: $86,953
Clinton County
Iowa
64.7
Median income: $65,177
Missoula County
Montana
64.7
Median income: $71,246

Deep Dives

Bartow County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Bartow County

via TaxByCounty

Bartow County: exceptional tax efficiency

Bartow County's 0.725% effective rate ranks among America's lowest-taxed counties, placing it in the top 10% nationally. A median home valued at $262,200 generates just $1,901 in annual taxes—28% below the national median of $2,690, despite higher-than-average home values.

Well below Georgia's average rate

Bartow County's 0.725% rate stands 19% below Georgia's state average of 0.898%, making it one of the state's most tax-efficient counties. Its median tax of $1,901 trails the state median of $1,529 by only $372, even on homes worth $262,200—a notable advantage for higher-value properties.

Superior rates for North Georgia region

Bartow County (0.725%) offers lower rates than Barrow (0.832%) while maintaining higher median home values of $262,200. Combined with proximity to Atlanta growth corridors, Bartow delivers compelling tax efficiency for suburban buyers.

Premium location, favorable tax bill

A median $262,200 home in Bartow County incurs roughly $1,901 in annual property taxes—an excellent value for a suburban county this close to Atlanta. With mortgage and insurance, owners pay approximately $2,181 yearly.

Regular assessment checks pay dividends

Bartow County's favorable rates don't guarantee accurate assessments; periodic reviews comparing your home to recent neighborhood sales remain worthwhile. Even small assessment reductions on $260,000+ properties generate meaningful annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Bartow County

via CostByCounty

Bartow leads Georgia's affordability pack

Bartow County's 18.2% rent-to-income ratio is the best among these eight Georgia counties and near the national average, buoyed by the highest median household income at $79,431. At $1,202 in median rent on the strongest wages statewide, Bartow delivers premium Georgia housing with proportional income support.

Top tier of Georgia affordability

Bartow County's 18.2% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Georgia's most affordable counties in this dataset, edging below the state average of 18.6%. The county's $79,431 median income is the highest in this group, signaling an economically strong North Georgia market.

Atlanta-area champion with best wages

Bartow County's $1,202 median rent and $262,200 median home value match Barrow County's North Georgia profile, but Bartow's $79,431 median income is the dataset's highest. This wage premium makes Bartow the region's most balanced housing market despite premium price tags.

Strong incomes offset premium rents

Bartow County residents earning $79,431 median income allocate $1,202 monthly to rent—18.2% of gross household earnings, a comfortable ratio. Homeowners with $1,176 monthly mortgage costs on $262,200 median homes benefit from the county's strong wage base, keeping affordability on track.

Bartow is North Georgia's best value

If you're relocating to North Georgia, Bartow County delivers the region's best wage-to-housing ratio at 18.2% while maintaining the highest median income at $79,431. Compare Bartow's $262,200 median homes to neighboring Barrow—Bartow's slightly better affordability ratio makes it worth considering first.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Bartow County

via IncomeByCounty

Bartow leads region nationally

Bartow County's median household income of $79,431 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by $4,676, ranking it firmly above the national average. This strong performance reflects diverse employment opportunities and vibrant economic growth in Northwest Georgia.

Georgia's top earner tier

At $79,431, Bartow County's median household income ranks among the highest in Georgia, exceeding the state county average of $60,488 by $18,943. The county secures a top-5% position among all 159 Georgia counties for household earnings.

Highest earner in examined group

Bartow County's $79,431 median household income leads all examined counties, surpassing Barrow County ($77,477) by $1,954 and Banks County ($68,830) by $10,601. The county represents the earnings pinnacle of this eight-county analysis.

Income comfortably covers housing

Bartow's 18.2% rent-to-income ratio shows excellent housing affordability despite the highest median home value of $262,200 in this group. Households earning near the county median can confidently pursue homeownership while maintaining financial flexibility.

Build substantial long-term wealth

Bartow County residents should embrace comprehensive wealth-building: maximize retirement accounts, invest surplus income in diversified funds, and consider real estate as a secondary investment vehicle. These strategies can realistically generate multi-million dollar net worth within two decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Bartow County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy above U.S. average

Bartow County residents live an average of 73.9 years, just 3 years below the U.S. average of 76.9 years—better than most counties in this group. Only 18.5% report poor or fair health, below the national average of 17.8%, indicating a relatively healthy population. These metrics suggest effective chronic disease management and good healthcare access.

Above Georgia's state average

At 73.9 years, Bartow County's life expectancy exceeds Georgia's state average of 73.3 years by 0.6 years, placing it in the upper tier statewide. The 18.5% poor/fair health rate is among the lowest in the state and this comparison, signaling above-average population health. The 15.5% uninsured rate nearly equals Georgia's 15% average.

Tied for second in eight-county group

Bartow's 73.9-year life expectancy matches Banks's and trails only Barrow's 74.9 years. Its 18.5% poor/fair health rate is second-best in the group after Barrow, indicating strong population health management. Superior mental health capacity (135 per 100K) supports behavioral health—a critical component of overall wellness.

Balanced care, solid insurance access

Bartow offers 37 primary care providers per 100K and excellent mental health capacity at 135 per 100K, providing residents robust care options. The 15.5% uninsured rate is near the state average, meaning most residents have insurance pathways available. This combination of provider supply and coverage access supports the county's above-average health outcomes.

Keep coverage active, stay healthy

Bartow residents with insurance should maintain current coverage and use preventive services to sustain the county's strong health trajectory. Uninsured residents should enroll through healthcare.gov, employer plans, or Medicaid—the county's robust provider network means coverage immediately unlocks comprehensive care. Coverage plus prevention sustains Bartow's healthy community.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Bartow County

via RiskByCounty

Bartow faces the region's highest risk level

Bartow County scores 65.27 on the composite risk scale, rating relatively low but significantly exceeding Georgia's state average of 39.49. The county faces cumulative natural disaster exposure above 65% of U.S. communities, driven by multiple high-risk hazards.

Bartow ranks among Georgia's riskiest counties

At 65.27, Bartow places well above the Georgia state average and in the upper tier of risk among the state's 159 counties. Only the most hazard-exposed Georgia communities score higher, making Bartow one of the state's most vulnerable areas.

Riskiest county in its broader region

Bartow's 65.27 score substantially exceeds all nearby counties including Barrow (45.61), Banks (12.40), and most others in north Georgia. The county stands out as an elevated-risk area requiring heightened preparedness and insurance protection.

Tornado, flood, and earthquake drive high risk

Bartow's tornado risk of 87.05 ranks among Georgia's highest, followed by substantial flood (67.84) and earthquake (81.04) exposure. Wildfire at 62.18 and hurricane at 50.15 round out a diverse and significant multi-hazard profile.

Comprehensive multi-hazard insurance is essential

Bartow residents must prioritize wind and hail coverage in homeowners policies to address the 87.05 tornado risk and consider a safe room or shelter investment. Flood insurance is critical; at 67.84, Bartow's flood exposure demands separate NFIP or private coverage as a non-negotiable protection measure.

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.