CountyScore

Calhoun County

Georgia · GA

#69 in Georgia
68
County Score

County Report Card

About Calhoun County, Georgia

Calhoun ranks well above national peers

Calhoun County's composite score of 72.4 beats the national median of 50.0 by 22.4 points, placing it in the top 45% of U.S. counties. Strong affordability drives this competitive national standing.

Above-average performer statewide

At 72.4, Calhoun County scores 1.5 points above Georgia's average of 70.9, putting it in the upper half of state rankings. The county ranks among Georgia's more livable options.

Exceptional housing affordability

Calhoun County's cost score of 87.5 is the highest in this sample, supported by median home values of just $82,200 and monthly rents of $638. These figures make it one of Georgia's most budget-friendly counties.

Tax burden and income expectations

The effective tax rate of 1.152% is higher than some peers, resulting in a tax score of 69.9. With a median household income of $55,714 and income score of 19.8, earning potential remains constrained, and health, safety, and school data are unavailable.

Perfect for extreme budget-stretchers

Calhoun County is ideal for families or individuals who make affordability their top priority, willing to accept higher tax rates and lower incomes for rock-bottom housing costs. It's Georgia's answer for those living on the thinnest margins.

Score breakdown

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

Tax69.9Cost87.5SafetyComing SoonHealth51.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.8Risk83.7WaterComing Soon
🏛69.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼19.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤51.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡83.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Calhoun County with another county →

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Deep Dives

Calhoun County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Calhoun County

via TaxByCounty

Calhoun's rate is highest compared to nation

Calhoun County's effective tax rate of 1.152% ranks significantly above the national median, making it one of the higher-tax counties even though the actual dollar amount stays modest. At $947 annually on a median home valued at $82,200, the rate reflects lower home prices offsetting what would otherwise be a substantial tax burden.

Calhoun ranks among Georgia's highest rates

Calhoun County's 1.152% effective rate substantially exceeds Georgia's state average of 0.898%, placing it in the upper tier of Georgia counties by effective rate. Despite the high rate, the median tax of $947 falls below the state median of $1,529 due to Calhoun's depressed property values.

Noticeably higher than surrounding counties

Calhoun County's 1.152% rate towers above nearby Burke (0.907%) and Charlton (0.908%), and it's the highest rate among all eight comparison counties in this region. The elevated rate is a key consideration for anyone buying property or relocating within the area.

Median Calhoun home costs $947 yearly

If you own a median-valued $82,200 home in Calhoun County, expect to pay approximately $947 in annual property taxes. With mortgage escrow, that increases to around $1,143, still a manageable amount but worth factoring into your housing budget.

High rates make assessments worth reviewing

In higher-rate counties like Calhoun, even small assessment errors compound quickly—a $5,000 overvaluation adds roughly $58 to your annual bill. Filing an appeal with the Calhoun County assessor's office is free and could return significant savings if your home is overvalued.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Calhoun County

via CostByCounty

Calhoun offers Georgia's best rent affordability

Calhoun County renters spend just 13.7% of income on housing—a full 6 percentage points below Georgia's 18.6% average and well under the national 20% benchmark. With median rents at $638 and household income at $55,714, Calhoun delivers rare breathing room in the housing market.

Calhoun ranks among Georgia's most affordable

Calhoun County's 13.7% rent-to-income ratio places it in Georgia's top tier for housing affordability, far outpacing the state average. Its $638 median rent sits $289 below the state average of $927, making it a standout option for budget-conscious renters.

Calhoun beats every neighbor on rent price

Calhoun's median rent of $638 undercuts all surrounding counties: Burke ($763), Candler ($706), Charlton ($895), and Butts ($952). With the lowest home values in the region at $82,200, Calhoun offers exceptional value across both rental and ownership markets.

Housing leaves room in the budget

At $638 monthly rent and $631 monthly ownership costs, Calhoun residents dedicate just 13.7% to rent or 13.6% to mortgages. The $55,714 median household income stretches further in Calhoun than nearly any other county in Georgia, freeing up dollars for savings and other needs.

Calhoun is Georgia's affordability champion

If housing affordability is your priority, Calhoun County is hard to beat in Georgia: lowest rents in the region, affordable home values, and the lightest housing burden statewide. Compare it against nearby Burke and Candler, but Calhoun's numbers tell a clear story of exceptional value.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Calhoun County

via IncomeByCounty

Calhoun lags national earnings by 25%

Calhoun County's median household income of $55,714 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by roughly 26%, or $19,041 annually. Despite this gap, Calhoun's earnings exceed many of its rural Georgia neighbors, reflecting modest but real economic activity.

Mid-tier standing in Georgia

Calhoun ranks near Georgia's state median of $60,488, positioning it in the state's middle band of counties. The $4,774 shortfall reflects Calhoun's modest but respectable earnings relative to the broader state economy.

Calhoun outperforms lowest-earning peers

Calhoun's $55,714 income exceeds both Charlton ($48,534) and Candler ($50,431) counties but trails the $59,221 of Butts County. Calhoun represents the median tier among its immediate rural Georgia neighbors.

Housing affordable in Calhoun

Calhoun's 13.7% rent-to-income ratio is the strongest among these eight counties, indicating renters carry minimal housing burden. With median home values of just $82,200, homeownership is significantly more accessible than in neighboring counties, freeing income for other needs.

Calhoun's affordability unlocks savings

Low housing costs in Calhoun create a unique opportunity to redirect savings toward investments and wealth-building. Households here can realistically target 15–20% of income for retirement savings, emergency funds, and long-term assets without sacrificing basic security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Calhoun County

via HealthByCounty

Calhoun's Life Expectancy Slight Advantage

Calhoun County residents live 73.5 years on average, exceeding both the U.S. average of 71.4 years and Georgia's state average of 73.3 years by a narrow margin. However, 30.6% of Calhoun residents report poor or fair health—the highest rate among these eight counties and well above the national average of 21%.

Longest Lifespan, Poorest Reported Health

Calhoun County's paradox shows a 73.5-year life expectancy slightly above Georgia's 73.3-year average, yet 30.6% report poor or fair health, suggesting residents struggle with chronic disease and disability despite living longer. The 15.4% uninsured rate marginally exceeds Georgia's 15.0% average, limiting health access.

High Disease Burden in Region

Calhoun County's 30.6% poor/fair health rate significantly exceeds neighboring Early County (25.2%) and Decatur County (22.8%), indicating concentrated health challenges in Calhoun. With only 18 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Calhoun has fewer doctors than nearby counties to manage this burden.

Scarce Primary Care, Limited Mental Health

Calhoun County has only 18 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—among the lowest in this group—making it harder for residents to access routine checkups and disease management. With 37 mental health providers per 100,000 and a 15.4% uninsured rate, many residents lack both primary and behavioral health support.

Insurance Opens Door to Prevention

Nearly 1 in 6 Calhoun County residents are uninsured, and with limited primary care access, many miss early detection of chronic diseases driving the county's high poor health rates. Enroll in a health plan through Healthcare.gov or call 211 Georgia to connect with affordable coverage and local providers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Calhoun County

via RiskByCounty

Calhoun sits well below national standards

Calhoun County's composite risk score of 16.32 is less than half Georgia's 39.49 average, placing it in the Very Low category. The county ranks among the safest jurisdictions for natural disaster exposure in the nation.

Georgia's safer side of the map

Calhoun is among Georgia's lowest-risk counties overall, with a score well below the state average. The county enjoys unusually strong protection against most major natural hazards.

Calhoun among the region's safest

At 16.32, Calhoun rivals Candler County (11.58) as one of the area's most protected counties. The contrast is stark when compared to higher-risk neighbors like Carroll County (70.45) and Catoosa County (64.63).

Hurricane is the primary hazard here

Calhoun's hurricane risk score of 78.72 stands out as notably elevated compared to its other hazard scores. Tornado risk at 43.00 and wildfire risk at 29.33 remain secondary concerns.

Hurricane coverage is essential

Calhoun residents should prioritize comprehensive wind and hurricane coverage, especially if they own older homes with vulnerable roofing. Standard homeowners insurance covers basic wind damage, but specialized hurricane coverage may offer broader protection.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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