countyscore
48.6
County Score
Water Quality 86Cost of Living 84.5Disaster Risk 81.7

County Report Card

About Brantley County, Georgia

Nearly Hitting the National Mark

Brantley County's composite score of 48.6 is just a hair below the national median of 50.0. It represents a solid middle-ground for American livability.

Outperforming the Georgia Average

Brantley County beats the Georgia state average of 46.7, marking it as a preferred destination in the region. It offers a better balance of costs and safety than many nearby counties.

Exceptional Value and Safety

The county is remarkably affordable, with a cost score of 84.5 and a median home value of only $91,800. It also provides a very stable environment, scoring 81.7 for low environmental risk and 86.0 for water quality.

Income and Healthcare Needs

The primary drawback is the income score of 10.8, reflecting a median household income of $47,801. Healthcare access also trails other metrics, with a health score of 16.1.

Best for Budget Homeowners

This county is a haven for those who want to own a home outright or keep living expenses at a minimum. It is particularly well-suited for families who enjoy outdoor stability and a lower-density lifestyle.

Score breakdown

Tax29.9Cost84.5Safety42.3Health16.1Schools58.8Income10.8Risk81.7Water86Weather39.4
🏛29.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼10.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡42.3
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤16.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓58.8
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡81.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧86
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤39.4
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱24.2
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

Pierce County
Georgia
35.2
Ware County
Georgia
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Wayne County
Georgia
44.7
Camden County
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Glynn County
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Charlton County
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Bacon County
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Deep Dives

Brantley County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Brantley County

via TaxByCounty

Brantley's Tax Rate Ranks in Top Quartile Nationally

Brantley County's effective tax rate of 1.120% places it in the upper 75th percentile nationally, well above the 0.87% national median. At 24.7% above Georgia's 0.898% average, Brantley is among America's higher-taxing counties.

Brantley Ranks in Georgia's Top Tier

Brantley's 1.120% rate lands in the top 15% of Georgia's 159 counties by effective tax rate. Though the $1,028 median property tax is 33% below the state average of $1,529, this reflects lower median home values of just $91,800.

Among the Steepest-Taxing Counties Regionally

Brantley's 1.120% rate trails only Brooks County (1.281%) among this eight-county group. It exceeds Ben Hill (1.061%), Berrien (0.989%), Bleckley (1.082%), and both Bulloch (0.778%) and Bryan (0.789%).

A $91,800 Home Costs $1,028 Annually

The typical Brantley County homeowner with a $91,800 property pays $1,028 in annual property taxes. Owners with mortgages pay $1,669; those without mortgages pay $782.

Challenge Your Assessment if It Seems High

Given Brantley's steep effective tax rate, homeowners should scrutinize their assessments against recent comparable sales. Filing a formal appeal during the county's assessment challenge period can help you reduce an inflated valuation and lower your annual tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Brantley County

via CostByCounty

Brantley keeps housing costs modest

Brantley County residents spend 17.9% of household income on rent, nestling between Georgia's 18.6% state average and the national comfort zone. The county achieves this balance with $47,801 median household income and $714 monthly rent—among the region's lowest.

Brantley undercuts Georgia affordability average

At 17.9%, Brantley's rent-to-income ratio sits slightly below Georgia's state average of 18.6%, marking it as an affordable option statewide. Monthly rent of $714 ranks among Georgia's cheapest, supporting the county's overall housing accessibility.

South Georgia's budget-friendly option

Brantley's $714 rent matches the lowest in this regional cluster, undercutting Ben Hill ($692 is slightly lower) while maintaining better affordability metrics than Bibb. The county's housing costs rival Berrien and Bleckley while supporting lower overall incomes.

Renters gain the affordability edge

Renters pay just $714 monthly while homeowners commit $586 on median homes valued at $91,800—the region's lowest property values. At $47,801 annual income, Brantley households dedicate less than 18% to housing costs.

Brantley targets budget-conscious relocators

If minimizing housing costs matters most, Brantley's $714 rent and $91,800 median home values lead the region. Compare carefully with Ben Hill and Bleckley to see which county's income levels and overall cost structure fit your relocation timeline.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Brantley County

via IncomeByCounty

Brantley's income falls well below national norm

Brantley County's median household income of $47,801 sits 36% below the U.S. median of $74,755. This substantial gap reflects Brantley's rural character and limited large-employer base.

Lower tier among Georgia counties

At $47,801, Brantley ranks below Georgia's state median of $60,488 by $12,687, placing it in the lower third of the state's 159 counties. Limited diversification in the local economy constrains household income growth.

Income among lowest in immediate region

Brantley ($47,801) underperforms most neighbors except Ben Hill ($39,081) and Brooks ($47,656), which are nearly identical. Only Bleckley ($53,005), Berrien ($50,414), and Bulloch ($56,832) report meaningfully higher incomes.

Affordable housing supports family stability

Brantley's rent-to-income ratio of 17.9% is healthier than the 20% benchmark, giving residents room to maneuver financially. The county's low median home value of $91,800 further supports housing accessibility.

Maximize employer benefits and employer matches

Brantley residents earning $47,801 should prioritize fully capturing any employer 401(k) matching—free money that accelerates retirement savings. Pair this with an IRA to build comprehensive wealth-building coverage even on modest income.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Brantley County

via CrimeByCounty

Brantley County is Highly Secure

Brantley County boasts a very low total crime rate of 1,309.0 per 100,000, far below the national average of 2,385.5. The county maintains an impressive safety score of 97.9.

Outperforming the Georgia Safety Average

With a safety score of 97.9, Brantley County is safer than the Georgia state average of 97.8. This positions the county as one of the more peaceful areas in the region.

Low Crime Compared to State Trends

Brantley's rate of 1,309.0 is lower than the Georgia state average of 1,412.9. It also shows significantly less activity than neighboring Bulloch County's 1,601.0.

Minimal Violent Crime Reported Locally

Violent crime is very rare here, with a rate of 121.5 per 100,000. Property crime is also low at 1,187.5, which is nearly half the national property crime average.

Maintaining a Secure Home Environment

While crime is low, maintaining basic security like deadbolt locks and exterior lighting helps preserve this safety. Being proactive ensures the county remains a low-crime area.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Brantley County

via HealthByCounty

Brantley's life expectancy below U.S. average

At 71.5 years, Brantley County residents live 3 years less than the U.S. average of 74.5 years. The 22.4% poor or fair health rate reflects elevated chronic disease and health challenges typical of rural southeastern Georgia.

Georgia's least insured rural county

Brantley's 71.5-year life expectancy trails Georgia's state average of 73.3 years by 1.8 years, placing it in the lower-middle tier statewide. However, Brantley's 17.9% uninsured rate is Georgia's highest, creating a coverage crisis that compounds health vulnerabilities.

Lowest insured, lowest provider access

Brantley (71.5 years) sits between Berrien (71.2 years) and Bleckley (72.2 years) on life expectancy, yet its 17.9% uninsured rate far exceeds neighbors—nearly 50% higher than Bleckley's 12.3%. The county's sparse provider network (17 primary care, 27 mental health per 100,000) compounds access barriers.

Severe coverage and access shortfall

Brantley has Georgia's lowest provider availability (17 primary care providers per 100,000) paired with its worst uninsured rate (17.9%), creating a dual crisis for health-seeking residents. Even routine preventive care is difficult to access, leaving residents vulnerable to preventable chronic disease.

Brantley needs coverage action now

Nearly one in five Brantley residents lacks health insurance—a critical gap in this rural county with limited providers. Visit healthcare.gov or Georgia's marketplace immediately to secure coverage and protect your family's health.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Brantley County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Rural Network Focused on Early Education

Brantley County supports 3,403 students across 7 public schools, with a strong emphasis on primary years through its three elementary and three middle schools. The county operates a single high school for the entire student population, all under the management of one school district. This structure creates a unified community identity for all high school graduates.

Strong Graduation Success on a Budget

Brantley County achieves an impressive 94.0% graduation rate, far surpassing both state and national benchmarks. Despite this high performance, per-pupil spending is just $6,912, which is lower than the Georgia average of $7,405. The school score of 55.4 further confirms that the county is delivering quality education above state norms.

Unified and Traditional District Leadership

The Brantley County school district oversees all 3,403 students with no charter schools currently in operation. The district focus remains entirely on traditional public schooling across its seven campuses. This centralized approach ensures that all students transition together into the county's single high school.

An Entirely Rural Schooling Experience

Every single school in Brantley County is located in a rural setting, offering a consistent and peaceful environment for all 3,403 students. Schools are generally small, with an average enrollment of 486 students across the county. Brantley County High School is the hub of the community, serving as the largest campus with 902 students.

Quiet Living with Proven Academic Results

If you are seeking a rural lifestyle without sacrificing academic quality, Brantley County is a standout choice. The 94% graduation rate is a powerful indicator of a school system that effectively supports its students. Finding a home in this district offers your family the stability of a high-performing, traditional educational environment.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Brantley County

via RiskByCounty

Brantley sits at nation's safest extreme

Brantley County scores just 18.29 on the composite risk scale, placing it among the lowest-risk counties nationally with a Very Low rating. This coastal-plain community experiences minimal exposure to the full spectrum of natural hazards.

Georgia's safest county by far

Brantley's 18.29 score represents Georgia's lowest composite risk—substantially below the state average of 39.49. No other major Georgia county matches Brantley's level of natural disaster protection.

Notably safer than surrounding counties

Brantley (18.29) substantially outperforms Berrien County (39.31) and Brooks County (42.11) in the same region. Even nearby Bleckley (25.67) and Ben Hill (25.41) counties face higher composite risk than Brantley.

Wildfire poses the highest concern

Brantley's wildfire risk of 67.78 is its most significant hazard exposure, though still below state wildfire averages. All other hazards—flooding (20.20), tornadoes (30.66), and earthquakes (41.67)—score exceptionally low.

Basic homeowners insurance generally adequate

Brantley's low overall risk profile means most residents can rely on standard homeowners policies with conventional wind and hail coverage. Property owners in heavily forested areas may want to verify wildfire-related coverage is included, but specialized disaster insurance is not critically urgent for most of the county.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Brantley County

via WeatherByCounty

Deep south warmth and humidity

Brantley County averages 65.5°F annually, placing it significantly above the median temperature for the United States. The climate is characterized by long, hot summers and brief, mild winters.

Warmer than the typical Georgia county

At 65.5°F, the county is nearly two degrees warmer than the Georgia average of 63.7°F. It represents the consistently high thermal floor of the state's southeastern corner.

Consistent heat across the region

Brantley's 76 extreme heat days mirror nearby Brooks County, showing regional consistency in summer intensity. While specific local precipitation data is limited, the area typically follows the state's humid patterns.

Mild winters and 76 heat days

The summer average reaches 79.4°F, fueled by over two months of temperatures exceeding 90°F. Winters are exceptionally mild, with a January average of 49.6°F and virtually no snow.

Focus on year-round humidity control

With a winter average of 51.2°F, heavy winter gear is rarely necessary. Instead, residents should invest in moisture control for homes to combat the persistent humid subtropical air.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Brantley County

via SoilByCounty

Coastal Plain Soil Secrets

Brantley County's specific soil taxonomic order and pH level are not yet recorded in the registry. Like much of the Coastal Plain, these soils often require lime to reach the national 6.5 pH median.

Sandy Texture Likely

No specific measurements for sand, silt, or clay are available for this county. Given the regional geography, growers likely deal with high sand content that provides fast drainage but low nutrient storage.

Fertility Awaits Discovery

Organic matter and water capacity data are currently missing, leaving the county's fertility potential an open question. Using the state average of 1.83% organic matter as a baseline can help guide your soil building.

Water Management Needs

Drainage classes and hydrologic groups are not currently listed for Brantley County. Observing how your landscape handles heavy rain is the most practical way to plan your garden or foundation.

Year-Round Growing in 9a

Hardiness zone 9a offers a nearly year-round growing season for many plants. From blueberries to winter greens, this warm climate provides a resilient foundation for any grower.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Brantley County

via LawnByCounty

Tough growing conditions in Brantley

Brantley County faces a difficult lawn score of 24.2, nearly half the national median of 50.0. This Zone 9a environment requires dedicated maintenance and specific plant choices to overcome local environmental stressors.

High heat fuels the growing season

With 76 days of extreme heat and 6,026 growing degree days, the environment supports rapid plant growth. Residents must manage their lawns carefully to ensure high temperatures don't scorch the turf during peak summer months.

Soil data limited for Brantley

No specific soil pH or texture data is available for the county. Most Georgia lawns benefit from a soil test to check for the typical sandy textures that often lead to fast drainage and nutrient leaching.

Full county coverage of severe drought

The county has endured 24 weeks of drought this year, and 100% of its area is currently in a severe drought stage. Prioritize watering newly established lawns and consider using rain barrels to supplement your irrigation needs.

Plant after the late March frost

Wait until after the last spring frost on March 25th to begin your lawn installation in Zone 9a. St. Augustine and Bahia grass are excellent choices that can survive the heat before the first frost returns around November 15th.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Brantley County's county score?
Brantley County, Georgia has a composite county score of 48.6 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 Brantley County rank among counties in Georgia?
Brantley County ranks #67 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 Brantley County, Georgia?
The median annual property tax in Brantley County is $1,028, with an effective tax rate of 1.12%. This earns Brantley County a tax score of 29.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Brantley County?
The median household income in Brantley County, Georgia is $47,801 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Brantley County earns an income score of 10.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Brantley County, Georgia a good place to live?
Brantley County scores 48.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #67 in Georgia. The best way to evaluate Brantley 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 Brantley County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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