Berrien County's composite score of 72.0 places it significantly ahead of the national median of 50.0, putting the county in approximately the 44th percentile nationally. This south Georgia county proves that small-town living can deliver strong overall livability.
2 / 5
Just Above Georgia Average
With a score of 72.0, Berrien ranks marginally above Georgia's state average of 70.9, positioning it in the upper-middle range of the state's counties. The county holds steady with other established rural communities across the region.
3 / 5
Tax Efficiency Leads the Way
Berrien excels with a tax score of 74.5 and an effective rate of just 0.989%—the lowest among these eight counties. Strong affordability rounds out the package, with a cost score of 84.1 and rent at $771/month.
4 / 5
Income Growth Lags Behind
The county's income score of 16.3 reflects a median household income of $50,414—solidly below state and national averages. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unavailable, leaving some livability dimensions unmeasured.
5 / 5
Ideal for Tax-Smart, Value-Seeking Residents
Berrien attracts people seeking the lowest tax burden combined with genuine affordability in a rural setting. It works best for established workers, retirees, or remote professionals who prioritize financial efficiency over higher local incomes.
Berrien County's composite score of 72.0 places it significantly ahead of the national median of 50.0, putting the county in approximately the 44th percentile nationally. This south Georgia county proves that small-town living can deliver strong overall livability.
Just Above Georgia Average
With a score of 72.0, Berrien ranks marginally above Georgia's state average of 70.9, positioning it in the upper-middle range of the state's counties. The county holds steady with other established rural communities across the region.
Tax Efficiency Leads the Way
Berrien excels with a tax score of 74.5 and an effective rate of just 0.989%—the lowest among these eight counties. Strong affordability rounds out the package, with a cost score of 84.1 and rent at $771/month.
Income Growth Lags Behind
The county's income score of 16.3 reflects a median household income of $50,414—solidly below state and national averages. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unavailable, leaving some livability dimensions unmeasured.
Ideal for Tax-Smart, Value-Seeking Residents
Berrien attracts people seeking the lowest tax burden combined with genuine affordability in a rural setting. It works best for established workers, retirees, or remote professionals who prioritize financial efficiency over higher local incomes.
Score breakdown
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🏛74.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Berrien County's effective tax rate of 0.989% sits modestly above the national median of 0.87%, placing it near the 55th percentile nationally. While Georgia's state average is 0.898%, Berrien runs slightly higher, reflecting local funding priorities.
Berrien Ranks in Georgia's Mid-Range
With a 0.989% effective rate, Berrien occupies the middle band of Georgia's 159 counties. Its $1,139 median property tax falls nearly 26% below the state average of $1,529, partly because median home values here reach only $115,200.
Among the Most Tax-Friendly in the Region
Berrien's 0.989% rate is the lowest among its immediate peers in this eight-county sample, beating Ben Hill County (1.061%), Bleckley (1.082%), and several others. Only Bulloch County (0.778%) and Bryan County (0.789%) tax at lighter rates.
A $115,200 Home Costs $1,139 Annually
The median Berrien County homeowner with a $115,200 property pays $1,139 in yearly property taxes. With a mortgage, expect $1,329; without, you'll pay $798.
Appeal Your Assessment if Values Seem Off
Berrien homeowners should compare their assessed values against recent arm's-length sales of similar homes in the area. If your assessment appears out of line with the market, filing an appeal with the county assessor's office is a straightforward way to potentially reduce your tax bill.
Renters in Berrien County spend just 18.4% of household income on rent, near Georgia's state average of 18.6% and well within the healthy range. The county's $50,414 median household income falls significantly below the national average of $74,755, yet housing costs remain manageable.
Georgia's affordability goldilocks zone
Berrien's 18.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks it among Georgia's more affordable counties, sitting just below the state average. At $771 monthly rent, the county splits the difference between Georgia's cheapest and priciest housing markets.
Middle ground for south Georgia renting
Berrien's $771 rent positions it squarely between Ben Hill ($692) and Bibb ($1,026), offering a balanced housing market. The county's affordability edges out nearby Bleckley ($765) and Brooks ($752) despite comparable costs.
Balanced housing burden across tenures
Renters average $771 monthly while homeowners pay $689 on median homes valued at $115,200. At $50,414 annual income, Berrien households dedicate roughly 18% to rent and similar proportions to mortgage payments.
Berrien balances cost and community
Relocating families seeking affordability without rock-bottom housing should examine Berrien closely against Bleckley and Ben Hill. The county offers mainstream rental and ownership options at prices that don't overwhelm typical household budgets.
Berrien County's median household income of $50,414 sits 33% below the U.S. median of $74,755. While this gap is significant, Berrien performs better than many rural Georgia counties.
Middle-lower rank within Georgia
Berrien's $50,414 median income falls $10,074 short of Georgia's state median of $60,488, ranking it in the lower-middle segment of the state's 159 counties. This positioning reflects Berrien's rural character and limited urban economic centers.
Income above some neighbors, below others
Berrien ($50,414) outearns Ben Hill ($39,081) and Brooks ($47,656) but trails Bleckley ($53,005) and Bulloch ($56,832). This mixed performance reflects varied economic structures across the region.
Affordable housing supports household stability
Berrien's rent-to-income ratio of 18.4% is among the healthiest in this county cluster, well below the 20% benchmark. Residents enjoy more breathing room for savings and other essential expenses.
Leverage lower costs for wealth building
Berrien's affordable housing environment creates an opportunity for households to redirect savings into retirement and investment accounts. Even on a $50,414 income, consistent contributions to a 401(k) or IRA can build meaningful wealth over decades.
At 71.2 years, Berrien County residents live roughly 3.3 years less than the U.S. average of 74.5 years. The 22.7% poor or fair health rate underscores persistent health risks that shorten lifespans in this rural community.
Below Georgia's health benchmarks
Berrien's 71.2-year life expectancy trails Georgia's state average of 73.3 years by 2.1 years, placing it among lower-performing counties statewide. The 22.7% poor or fair health rate exceeds state patterns, indicating concentrated health vulnerabilities.
Mixed outcomes among rural peers
Berrien (71.2 years) falls between Ben Hill County (69.7 years) and Bleckley County (72.2 years), showing that nearby rural counties experience varied health trajectories. Berrien's 22.7% poor health rate mirrors Brantley County's 22.4%, suggesting shared regional challenges.
Limited primary care, stronger mental health access
Berrien has just 22 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—significantly below the rural median—making routine medical care harder to access. Mental health providers at 49 per 100,000 are more abundant, though the shortage of primary care remains a daily barrier for preventive health.
Explore health insurance options now
Berrien's 15.1% uninsured rate matches Georgia's state average, yet gaps remain. Visit healthcare.gov or your state marketplace to check Medicaid expansion eligibility and affordable coverage plans suited to your family's needs.
Berrien County's composite risk score of 39.31 places it at approximately the national average, with a Very Low overall rating. This county experiences moderate natural disaster exposure compared to the broader United States.
Right at Georgia's risk midpoint
Berrien's 39.31 score matches Georgia's state average of 39.49, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's risk distribution. The county faces neither exceptional nor minimal natural hazard exposure within Georgia's context.
More vulnerable than Ben Hill, safer than Brooks
Berrien (39.31) sits between Ben Hill County (25.41) to the west and Brooks County (42.11) to the south. Among south Georgia's comparable rural counties, Berrien represents a moderate-risk profile.
Hurricane exposure dominates the risk profile
Berrien's hurricane risk score of 86.65 is exceptionally high and represents the county's primary natural hazard concern—well above wildfire (53.66) and tornado (58.08) risks. This reflects Berrien's position in the coastal plain region susceptible to tropical systems.
Prioritize hurricane and wind insurance now
Berrien residents face significant hurricane risk and should verify that wind and hail coverage is included in their homeowners policy—many insurers exclude or limit these in high-risk zones. Review your deductibles carefully, as storm damage can escalate quickly along coastal Georgia pathways.