Brooks County's composite score of 68.1 exceeds the national median of 50.0, positioning it in approximately the 36th percentile nationally. This south Georgia county demonstrates viable rural livability despite regional challenges.
2 / 5
Below Georgia's Average
With a score of 68.1, Brooks falls noticeably below Georgia's state average of 70.9, ranking it in the lower-middle tier of the state's counties. The county lags most of its peers in this group.
3 / 5
Affordability Remains a Draw
Brooks offers solid cost competitiveness with a score of 83.0, median rent at $752/month, and home values around $118,100. These affordable entry points attract budget-conscious relocations to rural Georgia.
4 / 5
Higher Taxes Weigh the Score Down
Brooks's tax score of 66.2 reflects the highest effective tax rate in this group at 1.281%, directly pulling down its overall livability ranking. Income scores of 14.5 (median household: $47,656) further limit economic opportunity.
5 / 5
For the Truly Cost-Conscious
Brooks County suits those who can navigate higher tax burdens in exchange for very low housing costs in a rural setting. It works best for retirees on fixed incomes or those with external income sources who can absorb the tax disadvantage.
Brooks County's composite score of 68.1 exceeds the national median of 50.0, positioning it in approximately the 36th percentile nationally. This south Georgia county demonstrates viable rural livability despite regional challenges.
Below Georgia's Average
With a score of 68.1, Brooks falls noticeably below Georgia's state average of 70.9, ranking it in the lower-middle tier of the state's counties. The county lags most of its peers in this group.
Affordability Remains a Draw
Brooks offers solid cost competitiveness with a score of 83.0, median rent at $752/month, and home values around $118,100. These affordable entry points attract budget-conscious relocations to rural Georgia.
Higher Taxes Weigh the Score Down
Brooks's tax score of 66.2 reflects the highest effective tax rate in this group at 1.281%, directly pulling down its overall livability ranking. Income scores of 14.5 (median household: $47,656) further limit economic opportunity.
For the Truly Cost-Conscious
Brooks County suits those who can navigate higher tax burdens in exchange for very low housing costs in a rural setting. It works best for retirees on fixed incomes or those with external income sources who can absorb the tax disadvantage.
Score breakdown
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🏛66.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Brooks County's effective tax rate of 1.281% ranks in the top 10% nationally, nearly 47% above the national median of 0.87%. This places Brooks among the highest-taxing counties in the entire United States.
Brooks Leads Georgia in Effective Tax Rate
At 1.281%, Brooks County's rate far exceeds Georgia's 0.898% state average—a 42.8% premium. Brooks ranks at or near the top of Georgia's 159 counties for effective property tax rates.
Distinctly Higher Taxes Than All Regional Peers
Brooks County's 1.281% rate substantially exceeds every other county in this eight-county sample. The next-highest, Brantley County, taxes at 1.120%; Bibb follows at 1.101%; Brooks is an outlier in this region.
A $118,100 Home Costs $1,513 Annually
The typical Brooks County homeowner with a $118,100 property pays $1,513 in annual property taxes. Owners with mortgages face $1,957; those without mortgages pay $1,183.
Aggressive Assessment Review Could Save Significantly
Brooks County's unusually high tax rate makes it especially important for homeowners to verify their assessments are accurate. Comparing your assessed value to recent comparable home sales and filing an appeal if overvalued could yield substantial annual tax savings.
Brooks County residents spend 18.9% of household income on rent, marginally above Georgia's 18.6% state average yet well within the healthy range. The county's $47,656 median household income runs nearly $27,000 below the national average, yet housing remains manageable.
Brooks ranks near Georgia's middle ground
At 18.9%, Brooks' rent-to-income ratio sits just slightly above Georgia's state average, positioning it as reasonably affordable statewide. Monthly rent of $752 hovers near the state average of $927, creating a balanced housing market.
Standard pricing in south Georgia cluster
Brooks' $752 rent falls squarely in the middle of this regional group, comparing closely to Bleckley ($765) and Berrien ($771). The county sits well below Bibb ($1,026) while offering slightly higher rents than Ben Hill and Brantley.
Ownership costs exceed renting burden
Renters pay $752 monthly while homeowners spend $787 on median homes valued at $118,100. At $47,656 annual income, Brooks households dedicate roughly 19% to rent but nearly 20% to ownership costs.
Brooks offers middle-road housing options
Relocating renters should compare Brooks favorably against Bleckley and Berrien for similar affordability, while potential homebuyers might find better values in Ben Hill or Brantley. The county works well for those seeking standard south Georgia housing without extreme budget constraints.
Brooks County's median household income of $47,656 falls 36% short of the U.S. median of $74,755. This income gap places Brooks among the lowest-earning counties nationally and reflects broader rural economic stagnation.
Among Georgia's lowest-income counties
Brooks's $47,656 median income trails Georgia's state average of $60,488 by $12,832, ranking in the lower third of all 159 Georgia counties. Economic diversification challenges limit wage growth for residents.
Income comparable to region's most struggling
Brooks ($47,656) nearly matches Brantley ($47,801) but lags most other neighbors, outpacing only Ben Hill ($39,081). The county's modest income reflects shared rural economic pressures across south Georgia.
Housing affordability provides financial cushion
Brooks's rent-to-income ratio of 18.9% sits slightly below the healthy 20% benchmark, offering residents manageable housing costs. This affordability helps households navigate limited income with greater stability.
Start small but start now with investing
Brooks residents earning $47,656 should commit even $50–100 monthly to a diversified investment fund; time matters more than initial size. Begin with employer retirement plans or low-fee index funds to build wealth despite modest earnings.
At 73.9 years, Brooks County residents live 0.6 years less than the U.S. average of 74.5 years—among Georgia's best performers. However, the 26.7% poor or fair health rate remains elevated, suggesting hidden health challenges despite strong life expectancy.
Georgia's life expectancy champion
Brooks's 73.9-year life expectancy exceeds Georgia's state average of 73.3 years by 0.6 years, making it one of Georgia's healthiest counties by this metric. Yet the 26.7% poor or fair health rate—higher than the state trend—reveals health disparities beneath the surface.
Life expectancy leader, health burden outlier
Brooks (73.9 years) leads all neighboring counties in life expectancy, exceeding Brantley (71.5 years) and matching Bleckley's performance. However, Brooks's 26.7% poor health rate is the region's worst, suggesting that mortality patterns don't fully capture daily health struggles.
Limited providers, but stable coverage
Brooks has just 18 primary care providers and 43 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, among Georgia's sparsest networks. The 15.1% uninsured rate matches Georgia's state average, yet access remains challenged by provider scarcity in this geographically isolated county.
Secure coverage in Brooks County
Brooks's 15.1% uninsured rate reflects broader state patterns, but coverage gaps compound limited local provider availability. Check healthcare.gov to ensure you and your family have insurance in a county where provider access already requires planning.
Brooks County's composite risk score of 42.11 slightly exceeds the national average, with a Very Low overall rating. The county faces somewhat above-typical natural disaster exposure compared to U.S. communities broadly.
Above-average risk within Georgia
Brooks scores 42.11, modestly exceeding Georgia's state average of 39.49, placing it in the upper half of Georgia's risk distribution. The county represents a transition zone between Georgia's safest and more vulnerable areas.
Riskier than Ben Hill, comparable to Berrien
Brooks (42.11) ranks higher than Ben Hill (25.41) and Bleckley (25.67) but closely mirrors Berrien County (39.31). This positions Brooks as a moderate-risk county in south Georgia's rural landscape.
Hurricane and tornado exposure tops the list
Brooks faces significant hurricane risk (86.02) and elevated tornado risk (58.56), which together dominate its hazard profile. Wildfire risk (56.36) also exceeds state averages, while earthquake and flood risks remain comparatively modest.
Wind and storm coverage must be current
Brooks residents should ensure their homeowners insurance includes comprehensive wind and hail coverage given the county's elevated hurricane and tornado exposure. Review your policy annually and consider a higher coverage limit if you live in a storm-prone area of the county.