countyscore
22
County Score
Water Quality 86Weather & Climate 37Property Tax 33.2

County Report Card

About Bibb County, Georgia

Significant Gaps vs National Trends

Bibb County faces a steep climb with a composite score of 21.5, significantly trailing the national median of 50.0. This low ranking suggests systemic challenges across safety, health, and economic stability.

Lagging Behind State Peers

Bibb County ranks among the lowest in Georgia, falling over 25 points behind the state average of 46.7. While it serves as a regional hub, its scores in safety and infrastructure pull down its overall ranking.

Reliable Water Infrastructure

The county's highest mark is its water score of 86.0, indicating high-quality utilities. Beyond this, its income score of 16.3 is bolstered by a median household income of $50,747, which is mid-range for the region.

Pressing Safety and Cost Concerns

Public safety is a critical area for improvement, with a dimension score of 1.7. Additionally, a low cost score of 28.4 reflects a high rent-to-income ratio for many residents.

A Hub Needing Revitalization

Bibb County is best for individuals who need to be near the regional medical or legal services of Macon and can navigate urban challenges. It offers the amenities of a city but requires careful selection of neighborhoods for safety and value.

2040608010033.229.41.714.622.313.921.58637Tax33.2Cost29.4Safety1.7Health14.6Schools22.3Income13.9Risk21.5Water86Weather3722/100
This county
National avg
1 above average8 below average

Bibb County DNA

Foverall

How Bibb County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Bibb County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Safety (1.7/100), though Water Quality (86/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
33.2-18.799999999999997
Cost
29.4-18.6
Safety
1.7-53.3
Health
14.6-35.4
Schools
22.3-31.7
Income
13.9-37.1
Risk
21.5-25.5
Water
86+28
Weather
37-19
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Bibb County

Whether buying or refinancing in Bibb County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

See Today's Rates

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$174,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,066/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$174,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$42,640/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $51,234/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

33.9

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
Compare Bibb County with Caldwell County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Caldwell County
Texas
Median income: $69,758
22
Clayton County
Georgia
Median income: $59,806
22.1
Shelby County
Tennessee
Median income: $63,767
22.6
Brazos County
Texas
Median income: $58,553
22.8
Ector County
Texas
Median income: $71,536
21.2
Hays County
Texas
Median income: $89,097
22.8
McLennan County
Texas
Median income: $66,643
22.8
Potter County
Texas
Median income: $53,249
20.9

Nearby counties

Jones County
Georgia
48.1
Crawford County
Georgia
42.4
Monroe County
Georgia
56.2
Twiggs County
Georgia
54.1
Peach County
Georgia
32.2
Houston County
Georgia
38
Lamar County
Georgia
45.8
Baldwin County
Georgia
32.8

Deep Dives

Bibb County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Bibb County

via TaxByCounty

Bibb County Taxes Higher Than Most Americans

Bibb County's effective tax rate of 1.101% ranks in the upper 70th percentile nationally, well above the 0.87% national median. At 22.5% above Georgia's state average of 0.898%, Bibb is among the higher-taxing counties in the nation.

Bibb Ranks in Georgia's Upper Tax Tier

Bibb County's 1.101% rate places it in the top quartile of Georgia's 159 counties. The $1,826 median property tax is 19% higher than Georgia's state average of $1,529, driven by a median home value of $165,800.

The Steepest Rates Among Regional Peers

At 1.101%, Bibb County's tax rate exceeds all but two counties in this eight-county comparison: Brooks County (1.281%) and Brantley County (1.120%). Bibb's $1,826 median tax is the second-highest after Bryan County's $2,501.

A $165,800 Home Costs $1,826 Annually

The typical Bibb County homeowner with a $165,800 property pays $1,826 in annual property taxes. Mortgage-holding owners typically pay $2,173; those without mortgages pay $1,311.

Check Your Assessment During the Appeal Window

Given Bibb's elevated tax rates, homeowners should carefully review their assessed values during the annual assessment cycle and appeal window. Even modest adjustments to your assessment can yield meaningful annual savings on your tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Bibb County

via IncomeByCounty

Bibb's income gap mirrors Georgia's challenge

Bibb County's median household income of $50,747 is 32% below the U.S. median of $74,755. As Macon's home county, Bibb represents a mid-sized urban economy still struggling to match national income benchmarks.

Lower-middle rank despite urban anchor

Bibb's $50,747 median falls $9,741 short of Georgia's $60,488 state median, placing it in the lower half of Georgia's 159 counties. Even with Macon's institutional presence, county-wide income remains below state average.

Comparable to rural peers despite urban presence

Bibb ($50,747) outpaces Ben Hill ($39,081) and Brantley ($47,801) but trails Bulloch ($56,832) and Bleckley ($53,005). Bibb's income profile resembles rural counties more than urban economies, reflecting concentrated poverty in pockets.

Rising housing costs squeeze household budgets

Bibb's rent-to-income ratio of 24.3% exceeds the healthy 20% threshold, signaling housing cost strain on residents. Combined with modest median income, this pressure leaves households with limited discretionary spending.

Prioritize debt reduction before wealth building

Bibb residents earning $50,747 should first address high housing costs and consumer debt before investing aggressively. Once rent or mortgage obligations normalize, redirecting that savings into diversified investments positions households for long-term security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Bibb County

via CrimeByCounty

Crime Rates Significantly Above National Levels

Bibb County experiences a high total crime rate of 5,320.2 per 100,000 residents, more than double the national average of 2,385.5. This results in a safety score of 91.6 out of 100.

State Safety Rankings Show Gaps

With a safety score of 91.6, Bibb County ranks significantly lower than the Georgia state average of 97.8. This suggests a higher risk profile compared to the majority of Georgia counties.

Bibb County Stands Out Regionally

Bibb's total crime rate of 5,320.2 is nearly triple the rate of neighboring Bleckley County at 2,070.4. It is also nearly four times the state average of 1,412.9.

Severe Violent and Property Crime Rates

Violent crime is a major concern at 1,473.6 per 100,000, nearly four times the national average. Property crime is also high, reaching 3,846.6 per 100,000 people.

Prioritizing Comprehensive Home Security

The high incidence of both violent and property crime warrants advanced security measures. Residents should consider professionally monitored alarm systems and reinforced door frames.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Bibb County

via WeatherByCounty

Warmer than the national average

Bibb County maintains an annual average temperature of 65.4°F, which is nearly 12 degrees warmer than the national median. This humid subtropical climate is defined by mild winters and significant annual precipitation of 46.9 inches.

Heat levels above the state norm

The county's average temperature sits nearly two degrees higher than the Georgia state average of 63.7°F. It ranks among the warmer central Georgia counties, reflecting its position below the Piedmont fall line.

A dryer profile than coastal neighbors

With 46.9 inches of annual rain, Bibb is slightly drier than the statewide average of 51.4 inches. It shares a similar thermal profile with nearby counties, though its urban center can intensify summer heat.

Eighty-five days of extreme summer heat

Summers are intense, with 85 days reaching 90°F or higher and a July average of 82.5°F. Winters remain very mild, averaging 49.4°F with limited recorded snowfall data.

Prioritize cooling and hydration

High-efficiency HVAC systems are essential to manage the nearly three months of extreme heat. Residents should plan outdoor activities around the 47.6°F January mornings to avoid the humidity of the afternoon.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Bibb County

via SoilByCounty

Forested Alfisols and Acidic pH

Bibb County features Alfisols, which are moderately weathered soils common in forested regions. The average pH of 5.24 is more acidic than the national 6.5 median but matches the Georgia average of 5.26.

Gravelly Sandy Loam Mix

The soil is a gravelly sandy loam, containing 66.0% sand and 13.1% clay. This mixture ensures easy workability and provides good aeration for deep plant roots.

Moderate Nutrient Retention

Organic matter levels sit at 1.46%, trailing the state average of 1.83%. The soil's water capacity of 0.109 in/in is also slightly lower than the state average, meaning plants may need extra irrigation.

Well-Drained with Runoff Risk

The landscape drains well, which protects roots from the dangers of oversaturation. However, the Hydrologic Group D classification indicates that heavy rains may result in significant surface runoff.

Perfect for Peaches in 8b

Hardiness zone 8b supports iconic Georgia crops like peaches and pecans. The combination of well-drained soil and long summers makes this a fantastic place to start a backyard plot.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Bibb County

via LawnByCounty

Moderate difficulty in central Georgia

Bibb County scores 33.0 for lawn difficulty, which is fairly typical for the state average of 35.8 but well below the national median. Situated in Hardiness Zone 8b, your lawn must survive cold snaps and intense summer sun.

Extreme heat challenges Bibb lawns

The county faces a staggering 85 extreme heat days annually, much higher than the state average of 65. Although 46.9 inches of annual rain is near the national ideal, those scorching days quickly deplete soil moisture.

Acidic sandy loam requires lime

The soil is a gravelly sandy loam with an acidic pH of 5.24, well below the 6.0-7.0 ideal for most turf. You will likely need lime applications to balance the acidity and improve nutrient uptake in these well-drained soils.

Abnormally dry conditions persist

While only 24.9% of the county is in severe drought, 100% remains abnormally dry after 21 weeks of drought this past year. Using mulch in landscape beds and maintaining a higher mowing height can help retain essential soil moisture.

Time your planting for March

For Zone 8b, Bermuda or Zoysia grasses thrive once the risk of spring frost ends around March 21st. Establish your lawn early in the season so it can develop deep roots before the first fall frost arrives in early November.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bibb County's county score?
Bibb County, Georgia has a composite county score of 22 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 Bibb County rank among counties in Georgia?
Bibb County ranks #159 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 Bibb County, Georgia?
The median annual property tax in Bibb County is $1,801, with an effective tax rate of 1.03%. This earns Bibb County a tax score of 33.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Bibb County?
The median household income in Bibb County, Georgia is $51,234 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Bibb County earns an income score of 13.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Bibb County, Georgia a good place to live?
Bibb County scores 22/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #159 in Georgia. The best way to evaluate Bibb 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 Bibb 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.