Burke County

Georgia · GA

#42 in Georgia
69.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Burke County, Georgia

Burke outpaces the nation decisively

Burke County's composite score of 73.7 places it well above the national median of 50.0, putting the county in the top 47% of U.S. counties. This 23.7-point advantage reflects strong fundamentals in tax burden and housing affordability that resonate across the South.

Above average for Georgia

At 73.7, Burke County scores 2.8 points above Georgia's average of 70.9, ranking it in the top tier of the state's counties. This positions Burke as a solid performer within its state context.

Affordability and tax efficiency shine

Burke County excels with a cost score of 85.6—reflecting median home values of $107,800 and monthly rents of just $763. The effective tax rate of 0.907% underpins a tax score of 76.8, making the county attractive for budget-conscious households.

Income growth lags significantly

The county's income score of just 16.5 reflects a median household income of $50,739, below both state and national expectations. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data remain unavailable, limiting a fuller livability picture.

Ideal for cost-conscious retirees

Burke County suits families and retirees prioritizing affordable housing and low taxes over higher earning potential. Its strong affordability fundamentals make it a smart choice for those seeking financial stability in a rural Georgia setting.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax76.8Cost85.6SafetyComing SoonHealth60.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.5Risk62.7WaterComing Soon
🏛76.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠85.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼16.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
60.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
62.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Burke County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Burke County

via TaxByCounty

Burke's taxes run well below national average

Burke County's effective tax rate of 0.907% sits comfortably below the national median, where homeowners typically pay $2,690 annually on a median-valued home. At just $978 per year, Burke residents pay roughly 64% less in property taxes than the national typical homeowner, placing the county in the lower-tax tier nationally.

Slightly above Georgia's state average rate

Burke County's 0.907% effective rate edges past Georgia's state average of 0.898%, though its median tax of $978 falls well short of the state median of $1,529. This reflects Burke's lower home values relative to other Georgia counties, with a median of just $107,800.

Competitive rates in the rural southeast

Among nearby rural counties, Burke's 0.907% rate sits in the middle of the pack—lower than Charlton County's 0.908% but higher than Candler County's 1.041%. Burke homeowners enjoy some of the region's most affordable property tax burdens thanks to modest home values and reasonable assessment practices.

Median Burke home costs $978 yearly

If you own a median-valued home in Burke County worth $107,800, you'll pay approximately $978 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically see an additional $332 added through escrow payments, bringing the annual total to around $1,310.

Many Burke homeowners could appeal assessments

Even in lower-tax counties, assessment errors happen—and Burke residents may be overvalued on the county rolls. If your home assessment seems high relative to recent sales in your neighborhood, a formal appeal could reduce your tax bill and put money back in your pocket.

Cost of Living in Burke County

via CostByCounty

Burke's rent burden sits below national norms

Burke County renters spend 18.1% of their income on housing—below the national benchmark of 20% and tracking closely with Georgia's 18.6% average. With a median household income of $50,739 against a national median of $74,755, Burke residents are stretching smaller paychecks further, yet housing remains proportionally more manageable here than in many corners of the country.

Burke ranks mid-pack for affordability statewide

Among Georgia's 159 counties, Burke's 18.1% rent-to-income ratio places it squarely in the middle for housing affordability. The county's median rent of $763 falls well below Georgia's state average of $927, offering renters genuine relief compared to pricier metro-adjacent counties.

Burke undercuts nearby Butts and Candler

Burke's median rent of $763 is $189 cheaper than neighboring Butts County ($952) and $57 less than Candler County ($706). When comparing median home values, Burke ($107,800) sits below both Butts ($227,800) and Candler ($135,600), making it a standout value play in the region.

Rents claim more than ownership costs here

Burke renters pay $763 monthly while homeowners carry a median mortgage burden of $603—a gap of $160 favoring ownership. At $50,739 median household income, the typical Burke family allocates 18.1% to rent or 14.3% to mortgage, leaving room for other essentials compared to national squeezes.

Consider Burke for rural Georgia value

If you're weighing rural Georgia options and affordability matters, Burke County delivers low rents, sub-$110K median home values, and below-state-average housing ratios. Compare it against neighboring Butts and Candler to find your sweet spot in this affordable corner of the state.

Income & Jobs in Burke County

via IncomeByCounty

Burke trails national income average

Burke County's median household income of $50,739 falls 32% below the U.S. median of $74,755. This income gap means typical households here earn roughly $24,000 less annually than the national average, limiting purchasing power for major expenses.

Below Georgia's middle ground

Burke ranks below Georgia's state median of $60,488, placing it in the lower half of the state's 159 counties. The $9,749 gap reflects Burke's position among counties with more modest earning potential.

Burke edges out rural county peers

Burke's $50,739 income surpasses Charlton County ($48,534) and Candler County ($50,431) but trails Calhoun County ($55,714). Among its immediate peers, Burke represents middle ground in a cluster of rural counties with constrained household earnings.

Housing costs remain manageable here

Burke's 18.1% rent-to-income ratio sits just below the national affordability threshold of 20%, suggesting renters can sustain their payments without hardship. With a median home value of $107,800, homeownership remains within reach for many households earning near the county median.

Build long-term security in Burke

Despite modest current income, Burke residents can build wealth through consistent saving and investment in low-cost index funds or retirement accounts. Starting early with automatic transfers of even $100–200 monthly compounds significantly over decades, helping bridge the income gap with higher-earning counties.

Health in Burke County

via HealthByCounty

Burke's Life Expectancy Trails Nation

At 73.0 years, Burke County residents live slightly longer than the U.S. average of 71.4 years, placing the county in the middle of the health outcomes spectrum. However, 23% of Burke residents report poor or fair health, nearly matching the national average of 21%, signaling that length of life doesn't always mean quality of life.

Healthy, but Below Georgia's Average

Burke County's life expectancy of 73.0 years sits just below Georgia's state average of 73.3 years, placing it slightly behind peers statewide. The county's uninsured rate of 11.8% is notably better than Georgia's 15.0% average, reflecting stronger health coverage among residents.

Best Coverage Among Regional Peers

Burke County's 11.8% uninsured rate outperforms neighboring Screven and Glascock counties, offering residents better health security than similar rural communities. With 33 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Burke provides solid primary care access compared to regional counterparts.

Strong Primary Care, Adequate Mental Health

Burke County has 33 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 45 mental health providers per 100,000, making routine care relatively accessible for most residents. The 11.8% uninsured rate means most Burke residents can afford to see a doctor, though those without coverage still face barriers to preventive care.

Protect Your Health With Insurance

Nearly 1 in 8 Burke County residents lack health insurance, missing out on preventive screenings and chronic disease management. Check Healthcare.gov or call 211 Georgia to find affordable coverage options that fit your family's needs.

Disaster Risk in Burke County

via RiskByCounty

Burke ranks below average nationwide

Burke County's composite risk score of 37.31 places it in the Very Low category, slightly below Georgia's 39.49 state average. This means Burke residents face lower-than-typical natural disaster risks compared to the typical American county.

Middle-of-the-road risk in Georgia

Among Georgia's 159 counties, Burke ranks in the safer half for overall natural disaster risk. The county's Very Low rating reflects relatively moderate exposure across most hazard types.

Burke safer than some county neighbors

Burke's score of 37.31 falls between nearby Candler County (11.58, much safer) and Camden County (54.55, higher risk). Burke is notably safer than state standouts like Carroll County (70.45).

Earthquakes and hurricanes pose concern

Burke's earthquake risk score of 75.92 and hurricane risk of 81.14 are notably elevated, even though they're less frequent here than coastal storms. Tornado risk at 58.62 is moderate but warrants attention during severe weather season.

Prioritize hurricane and earthquake coverage

Burke homeowners should verify their insurance covers earthquake damage, which standard policies typically exclude. Adding flood and wind coverage becomes critical given the county's elevated hurricane and earthquake exposure.

ByCounty Network

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