Bleckley County's composite score of 71.2 significantly surpasses the national median of 50.0, landing it in the upper 42nd percentile nationally. This central Georgia county demonstrates strong rural livability fundamentals.
2 / 5
Slightly Ahead of Georgia's Average
With a score of 71.2, Bleckley ranks just above Georgia's state average of 70.9, placing it squarely in the state's competitive middle tier. The county holds its ground among peer rural communities.
3 / 5
Balance of Affordability and Income
Bleckley combines solid cost competitiveness (84.1 score, $765/month rent) with the highest income level in this county group at $53,005 median household income (18.0 score). The county maintains reasonable taxes at 1.082% effective rate.
4 / 5
Incomplete Livability Picture Persists
Safety, health, schools, and environmental data remain unavailable for Bleckley, making a comprehensive assessment difficult. Without these dimensions, residents miss critical context for family and long-term planning decisions.
5 / 5
Best for Balanced Rural Living
Bleckley suits working families and established professionals seeking stable, affordable rural life with reasonably competitive incomes. The county appeals to those prioritizing economic balance over either extreme affordability or high earnings.
Bleckley County's composite score of 71.2 significantly surpasses the national median of 50.0, landing it in the upper 42nd percentile nationally. This central Georgia county demonstrates strong rural livability fundamentals.
Slightly Ahead of Georgia's Average
With a score of 71.2, Bleckley ranks just above Georgia's state average of 70.9, placing it squarely in the state's competitive middle tier. The county holds its ground among peer rural communities.
Balance of Affordability and Income
Bleckley combines solid cost competitiveness (84.1 score, $765/month rent) with the highest income level in this county group at $53,005 median household income (18.0 score). The county maintains reasonable taxes at 1.082% effective rate.
Incomplete Livability Picture Persists
Safety, health, schools, and environmental data remain unavailable for Bleckley, making a comprehensive assessment difficult. Without these dimensions, residents miss critical context for family and long-term planning decisions.
Best for Balanced Rural Living
Bleckley suits working families and established professionals seeking stable, affordable rural life with reasonably competitive incomes. The county appeals to those prioritizing economic balance over either extreme affordability or high earnings.
Score breakdown
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🏛71.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Bleckley County's effective tax rate of 1.082% exceeds the national median of 0.87% by 24%, landing in approximately the 65th percentile nationally. It also runs 20% above Georgia's state average of 0.898%.
Bleckley Ranks in the Upper-Middle Tier
With a 1.082% rate, Bleckley occupies the upper third of Georgia's 159 counties. The $1,438 median property tax exceeds the state average of $1,529 by about 6%, reflecting a median home value of $132,900.
Higher Taxes Than Most Surrounding Counties
Bleckley's 1.082% rate exceeds Berrien County (0.989%), Ben Hill (1.061%), and both Bulloch and Bryan counties. Only Brooks County (1.281%) and Brantley County (1.120%) tax at notably higher rates in this regional sample.
A $132,900 Home Costs $1,438 Annually
The median Bleckley County homeowner with a $132,900 property pays $1,438 in annual property taxes. Mortgage-holding owners pay $1,870; those without mortgages pay $1,271.
Review Your Assessment for Potential Overvaluation
Bleckley homeowners facing elevated tax bills should examine their assessed values against comparable home sales in the county. If your assessment exceeds what similar properties recently sold for, file an appeal during the county's designated window to seek a reduction.
Bleckley County residents spend just 17.3% of household income on rent, below both Georgia's 18.6% state average and the national comfort zone. With $53,005 median household income and $765 monthly rent, the county delivers one of the region's healthiest housing-to-income ratios.
Bleckley beats Georgia's affordability test
At 17.3%, Bleckley's rent-to-income ratio ranks among Georgia's best, sitting comfortably below the state average of 18.6%. The county manages this feat while keeping rents reasonable at $765 monthly.
The region's affordability champion
Bleckley's 17.3% rent ratio outperforms all nearby counties in this cluster, from Ben Hill (21.3%) to Bibb (24.3%). At $765 monthly rent, it undercuts Bibb while offering better income levels than Ben Hill.
Housing costs stay in healthy proportion
Renters pay $765 monthly while homeowners spend $696 on median homes valued at $132,900. At $53,005 annual income, Bleckley households dedicate less than one-fifth of earnings to housing.
Bleckley offers smart relocation value
Families seeking genuine affordability with solid incomes should prioritize Bleckley over higher-cost Bibb or lower-income Ben Hill. The county balances reasonable rents with household earnings that stretch your housing dollars furthest.
Bleckley County's median household income of $53,005 remains 29% below the U.S. median of $74,755, but ranks among the stronger earners in this county cluster. This solid regional position reflects Bleckley's diverse agricultural and small-business base.
Lower-middle tier in Georgia standings
Bleckley's $53,005 median income trails Georgia's state average of $60,488 by $7,483, placing it in Georgia's lower-middle band of 159 counties. This positioning reflects a stable rural economy with modest but steady income.
Regional income leader among county peers
Bleckley ($53,005) outearns five of its neighboring counties, including Ben Hill ($39,081), Brantley ($47,801), and Brooks ($47,656). Only Bulloch ($56,832) surpasses Bleckley in this immediate region.
Lowest housing burden in the region
Bleckley's rent-to-income ratio of 17.3% is the healthiest among these eight counties, offering residents genuine affordability. This favorable ratio allows households to save and invest more than peers in higher-cost areas.
Turn affordability into long-term gains
Bleckley households earning $53,005 benefit from rare affordability—use this advantage to maximize retirement account contributions and build investment portfolios. Consistent monthly investing, even in modest amounts, compounds dramatically over 20–30 year horizons.
At 72.2 years, Bleckley County residents live 2.3 years less than the U.S. average of 74.5 years. The 19.6% poor or fair health rate is among Georgia's best, suggesting more effective health management and lower chronic disease burden in this rural community.
Georgia's healthier rural counties
Bleckley's 72.2-year life expectancy is just 1.1 years below Georgia's state average of 73.3 years, placing it in the upper half of Georgia counties. The 19.6% poor or fair health rate is significantly better than most rural peers, indicating stronger community health.
Health leader among rural south Georgia
Bleckley (72.2 years) outpaces Ben Hill (69.7 years), Berrien (71.2 years), and Bibb (70.6 years), and its 19.6% poor health rate is the region's best. The county demonstrates that rural areas can achieve above-average health outcomes with sustained community effort.
Modest provider access, strong health outcomes
Bleckley has just 24 primary care and 24 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—among the county's lowest provider densities—yet still achieves superior health metrics. The 12.3% uninsured rate is Georgia's best, suggesting that strong insurance uptake and preventive care culture offset limited provider supply.
Maintain Bleckley's coverage momentum
Bleckley's 12.3% uninsured rate shows what's possible when residents prioritize coverage. If you're among the uninsured, visit healthcare.gov to join the community's health-conscious majority.
Bleckley County's composite risk score of 25.67 places it well below the national average, with a Very Low rating. This rural south-central county experiences among the lowest natural disaster exposure in the United States.
Georgia's most protected county
Bleckley's 25.67 score ranks it as one of Georgia's lowest-risk counties, substantially below the state average of 39.49. The county's minimal overall exposure makes it statistically one of the safest places in Georgia for natural disasters.
Bleckley rivals Ben Hill as safest in region
Bleckley (25.67) essentially ties Ben Hill County (25.41) as the safest counties in south-central Georgia, both dramatically outperforming Bibb County (78.50) to the north. This positioning reflects Bleckley's rural character and distance from major flood and storm corridors.
Wildfire and earthquake risks exceed modest baselines
Bleckley's wildfire risk (48.98) and earthquake risk (50.00) are its highest individual scores, though both remain below state and national averages. Tornado and hurricane exposure remain minimal at 28.40 and 73.80 respectively.
Standard coverage likely sufficient
Bleckley residents can reasonably rely on basic homeowners insurance with standard wind and hail coverage—specialized flood or earthquake policies are not urgently necessary given the county's low exposure. Periodic policy reviews ensure your coverage remains adequate as property values change.