countyscore
37.4
County Score
Water Quality 86Cost of Living 82.7Disaster Risk 74.6

County Report Card

About Ben Hill County, Georgia

Falling Behind the National Average

Ben Hill County earns a composite score of 37.7 out of 100, placing it well below the national median of 50.0. This score reflects significant economic and health-related headwinds compared to the rest of the country.

Struggling to Match State Performance

The county trails the Georgia state average composite score of 46.7 by nine points. It sits in the lower tier of Georgia's 159 counties, largely due to depressed income metrics and health outcomes.

Affordability and Stability are Key

Housing affordability is a major draw, evidenced by a high cost score of 81.8 and a median gross rent of just $692. The county also excels in environmental stability, boasting a water score of 86.0 and a low-risk score of 74.6.

Economic and Health Gaps

The income score is nearly at the bottom of the scale at 2.5, with a median household income of $39,081. Safety and health outcomes also lag significantly behind, scoring 4.2 and 8.8 respectively.

A Budget-Friendly Rural Option

This county best suits retirees or remote workers who prioritize low housing costs over local job markets. Families with high healthcare needs may find the local infrastructure more challenging than neighboring areas.

2040608010030.482.74.28.849.13.374.68636.6Tax30.4Cost82.7Safety4.2Health8.8Schools49.1Income3.3Risk74.6Water86Weather36.637.4/100
This county
National avg
3 above average5 below average

Ben Hill County DNA

Foverall

How Ben Hill County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Ben Hill County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (82.7/100) but notably weak in Safety (4.2/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
30.4-21.6
Cost
82.7+34.7
Safety
4.2-50.8
Health
8.8-41.2
Schools
49.1
Income
3.3-47.7
Risk
74.6+27.599999999999994
Water
86+28
Weather
36.6-19.4
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Think property taxes are too high in Ben Hill County?

Many homeowners in Ben Hill County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$112,700

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$688/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$112,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$27,520/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $41,758/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

35.0

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Irwin County
Georgia
42.6
Wilcox County
Georgia
60.8
Turner County
Georgia
55.7
Telfair County
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Tift County
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Coffee County
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Dodge County
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Crisp County
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Deep Dives

Ben Hill County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Ben Hill County

via TaxByCounty

Ben Hill's Tax Rate Sits Above National Median

Ben Hill County's effective tax rate of 1.061% runs higher than Georgia's average of 0.898% and well above the national median of 0.87%. This puts the county in roughly the 60th percentile nationally—higher than most American counties, though not among the steepest.

A Middle Performer Among Georgia Counties

Ben Hill ranks in the upper-middle tier of Georgia's 159 counties by effective tax rate. The county's $1,216 median property tax is below the state average of $1,529, reflecting its lower median home values of $114,600 compared to the statewide median.

Higher Taxes Than Most Regional Peers

Ben Hill's 1.061% rate exceeds neighboring Berrien County (0.989%) and Bleckley County (1.082% but lower absolute taxes). Among the eight-county sample, only Brooks County at 1.281% and Brantley County at 1.120% tax at notably steeper rates.

A $114,600 Home Costs $1,216 Annually

The typical Ben Hill County homeowner with a $114,600 property pays $1,216 in annual property taxes. Owners with mortgages typically pay $1,390 due to escrow requirements; those without mortgages pay $943.

Your Assessment Might Be Too High

Many homeowners across Georgia discover their properties are overassessed during county reassessments. Ben Hill residents should verify their home's assessed value against recent sales of comparable properties and consider filing a formal appeal if they believe their assessment is inflated.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Ben Hill County

via IncomeByCounty

Ben Hill lags far behind national income

Ben Hill County's median household income of $39,081 falls 48% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it among the lowest-earning counties nationally. This gap signals economic challenges that require targeted workforce development and business investment to close.

One of Georgia's lowest-income counties

At $39,081, Ben Hill ranks in the bottom tier among Georgia's 159 counties, earning $21,407 less than the state median of $60,488. Only a handful of Georgia counties report lower household incomes.

Income trails all neighboring counties

Ben Hill's $39,081 median income falls short of every adjacent county, including Berrien ($50,414) and Bleckley ($53,005). The disparity suggests Ben Hill faces distinct economic headwinds compared to its regional peers.

Rent consumes manageable but tight share

At 21.3%, Ben Hill's rent-to-income ratio sits within acceptable bounds, though it edges above the ideal 20% threshold. With limited household income, residents have little cushion for other expenses like healthcare, childcare, and transportation.

Build emergency savings before investing

Ben Hill residents earning $39,081 should prioritize establishing a 3–6 month emergency fund before pursuing investments. Once that foundation is secure, even modest monthly contributions to retirement accounts can compound significantly over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Ben Hill County

via CrimeByCounty

Crime Levels Exceed National Benchmarks

Ben Hill County faces a total crime rate of 3,739.3 per 100,000 residents, which is significantly higher than the national average of 2,385.5. Despite these figures, the county maintains a safety score of 94.1 out of 100.

Safety Score Trails Georgia Average

The county's safety score of 94.1 sits below the Georgia state average of 97.8. This indicates that Ben Hill is currently less safe than many of its counterparts across the state.

Ben Hill Compared to Local Neighbors

At 3,739.3, Ben Hill's crime rate is much higher than nearby Berrien County, which reports a rate of 2,061.9. It also more than doubles the state average total crime rate of 1,412.9.

Property Offenses Drive Local Crime Data

Property crime dominates the local landscape at 2,970.5 per 100,000 people. Violent crime is also elevated at 768.8, which is more than double the national violent crime average of 369.8.

Securing Your Property in Ben Hill

High property crime rates make home security a top priority for local residents. Consider installing motion-sensor lights and smart cameras to protect your home from theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Ben Hill County

via WeatherByCounty

Deep South Heat Well Above National Norms

Ben Hill County’s 66.3°F annual temperature is much higher than the national median. This climate is characterized by prolonged heat and very mild winters.

Ranking High Among Georgia’s Warmest

At 66.3°F, Ben Hill is nearly 3 degrees warmer than the Georgia state average of 63.7°F. It ranks as one of the consistently warmer counties in the state's interior.

Drier Conditions Than the State Average

The county receives 47.6 inches of rain annually, which is drier than the statewide average of 51.4 inches. Its temperature profile is identical to Baker and Appling counties.

Intense Summer Heat and Snow-Free Winters

High summer heat is a defining feature, with 76 days over 90°F and a July average of 82.5°F. Winter remains very mild with a 51.2°F average and no measurable annual snowfall.

Focus on Summer Energy Efficiency

Energy budgets should focus heavily on air conditioning to manage 76 days of extreme heat. With zero annual snow, winter gear requirements are minimal, focusing more on rain protection.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Ben Hill County

via SoilByCounty

Awaiting Soil Taxonomy Classification

Ben Hill County currently lacks a specific taxonomic order or pH reading in the central registry. Most regional soils trend acidic, falling well below the national 6.5 pH median.

Unknown Soil Texture Profile

Specific percentages for sand, silt, and clay are not yet recorded for this county. Gardeners should perform a jar test to see if their local soil is sandy or heavy with clay.

Building Fertility Locally

Organic matter and water capacity data remain unlisted for this area. To ensure success, aim to supplement your soil until it exceeds the state average of 1.83% organic matter.

Planning for Local Drainage

The database does not provide a dominant drainage class or hydrologic group for the county. Local builders and farmers should observe water movement on-site before starting any major projects.

Long Seasons in Zone 9a

Hardiness zone 9a provides a long, warm window for growing citrus and sweet potatoes. Start your garden today to take full advantage of this favorable South Georgia climate.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Ben Hill County

via LawnByCounty

Challenging conditions in Ben Hill County

Ben Hill County earns a lawn difficulty score of 30.6, making it tougher to maintain than the national average of 50.0 and slightly trailing the Georgia state average of 35.8. This USDA Hardiness Zone 9a region requires specific warm-season turf strategies to thrive in southern Georgia's climate.

Intense heat drives mowing needs

The county endures 76 extreme heat days per year, significantly exceeding the state average of 65 days. While 47.6 inches of annual precipitation falls within the ideal range for grass, 6,298 growing degree days mean turf grows rapidly and requires frequent mowing.

Unknown soil requires professional testing

Specific local data for soil pH and texture is currently unavailable for Ben Hill County. Homeowners should conduct a local soil test to ensure their lawn isn't drifting far from the 6.0-7.0 ideal pH range. Proper testing identifies exactly which nutrients or lime applications your specific lot needs.

Severe drought impacts entire county

Current data shows 100% of the county is experiencing severe drought conditions, having faced 28 weeks of drought over the last year. To protect your investment, water deeply but infrequently in the early morning to minimize evaporation and fungal growth.

Start your Zone 9a lawn today

Warm-season grasses like Centipede or St. Augustine are ideal for this climate once the last frost passes around March 2nd. Aim to establish your sod or seed well before the first fall frost hits in late November. With a long growing season, these varieties offer the best resilience against the local heat.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ben Hill County's county score?
Ben Hill County, Georgia has a composite county score of 37.4 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Ben Hill County rank among counties in Georgia?
Ben Hill County ranks #131 among all counties in Georgia on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Ben Hill County, Georgia?
The median annual property tax in Ben Hill County is $1,210, with an effective tax rate of 1.07%. This earns Ben Hill County a tax score of 30.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Ben Hill County?
The median household income in Ben Hill County, Georgia is $41,758 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Ben Hill County earns an income score of 3.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Ben Hill County, Georgia a good place to live?
Ben Hill County scores 37.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #131 in Georgia. The best way to evaluate Ben Hill County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Ben Hill County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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