CountyScore

Candler County

Georgia · GA

#79 in Georgia
67.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Candler County, Georgia

Candler leads this Georgia sample

Candler County's composite score of 73.2 tops all eight counties here and beats the national median of 50.0 by 23.2 points. This rural county punches above its weight in national livability rankings.

Top performer in Georgia sample

At 73.2, Candler County scores 2.3 points above Georgia's average of 70.9, placing it in the state's upper tier. Among these eight sample counties, Candler ranks first.

Unbeatable housing affordability

Candler County matches Calhoun's exceptional cost score of 87.5, with median monthly rent just $706 and median home values of $135,600. This combination makes Candler extraordinarily affordable for rural Georgia.

Income constraints and limited visibility

The income score of 16.3 reflects a median household income of $50,431, among the lowest in the sample. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality are not yet available.

Champion of rural affordability

Candler County is a standout for rural-focused families and retirees seeking maximum purchasing power in Georgia. It delivers top-tier affordability for those prioritizing cost over services or amenities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73Cost87.5SafetyComing SoonHealth45.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.3Risk88.5WaterComing Soon
🏛73
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼16.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤45.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡88.5
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 Candler County with another county →

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Deep Dives

Candler County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Candler County

via TaxByCounty

Candler's tax burden below national average

Candler County's effective tax rate of 1.041% sits above the national median, yet at $1,412 annually on a median $135,600 home, residents still pay roughly 47% less than the national typical tax of $2,690. This reflects Candler's lower property values offsetting its above-average rate.

Notable gap above Georgia's average rate

Candler County's 1.041% effective rate significantly exceeds Georgia's state average of 0.898%, ranking it among the higher-tax counties statewide. The median tax of $1,412 sits nearly at the state median of $1,529, despite Candler's lower median home value of $135,600.

Highest rate in this eight-county region

Candler County's 1.041% rate is the second-highest in this comparison group, exceeded only by Calhoun County's 1.152%, making it notably more expensive than neighbors Burke, Butts, and Charlton. Buyers considering Candler should budget accordingly for ongoing property tax obligations.

Median Candler home costs $1,412 yearly

If you own a median $135,600 home in Candler County, expect to pay approximately $1,412 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, escrow payments push the total to around $1,765, making Candler one of the pricier options in the region despite lower home values.

Assessment review essential at higher rates

With effective rates above 1%, small assessment errors in Candler County translate into sizable annual costs, making a periodic review of your property value essential. Georgia homeowners have the right to appeal assessments through the board of equalization if they believe their home is overvalued.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Candler County

via CostByCounty

Candler renters enjoy below-average housing costs

Candler County renters spend 16.8% of income on housing, well below Georgia's 18.6% average and the national 20% mark. At $50,431 median household income against a national median of $74,755, Candler residents earn less but spend a lighter share on rent at just $706 monthly.

Candler ranks solidly for affordability statewide

Candler County's 16.8% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below Georgia's 18.6% average, placing it among the state's more affordable counties. Its median rent of $706 falls well below the state average of $927, offering genuine relief for budget-minded renters.

Candler undercuts most neighbors on rent

Candler's median rent of $706 beats Burke ($763), Charlton ($895), and Butts ($952), though it exceeds Calhoun's $638. Home values at $135,600 sit below Butts ($227,800) and Camden ($233,900) but above Burke ($107,800) and Calhoun ($82,200).

Ownership offers slight advantage over renting

Candler renters pay $706 monthly while homeowners spend $545—a $161 gap favoring ownership and representing 13.6% of income. At $50,431 median household income, the typical household allocates about one-sixth of earnings to rent or one-tenth to mortgage, leaving room for other priorities.

Candler balances affordability and value

Consider Candler County if you want a small Georgia town with reasonable rents ($706), modest home values ($135,600), and below-state-average housing burden. It sits in the sweet spot between ultra-affordable Calhoun and pricier Butts, making it a solid compromise for rural Georgia living.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Candler County

via IncomeByCounty

Candler income trails nation by 33%

Candler County's median household income of $50,431 falls $24,324 short of the national median of $74,755, representing a 33% earnings gap. This significant shortfall limits purchasing power and asset-building capacity for typical Candler households.

Among Georgia's lower-earning counties

Candler ranks well below Georgia's state median of $60,488, placing it in the state's lower tier of counties. The $10,057 shortfall reflects Candler's constrained economic activity relative to state averages.

Candler ranks near lowest of peer group

Candler's $50,431 income edges slightly above Charlton ($48,534) and Burke ($50,739) but significantly trails higher-earning neighbors like Camden and Catoosa. Candler belongs among the lower-earning cluster of these eight counties.

Rent remains reasonable in Candler

Candler's 16.8% rent-to-income ratio indicates renters carry modest housing burden, below the 20% affordability threshold. With median home values of $135,600, homeownership requires careful financial planning but remains achievable for many households.

Strategic saving critical in Candler

Candler residents should prioritize automating savings of at least 10–15% of income into tax-advantaged accounts and emergency funds. Even modest, consistent investments compound significantly; starting with $200 monthly in a retirement account can accumulate $100,000+ over 20 years.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Candler County

via HealthByCounty

Candler Faces Severe Life Expectancy Gap

Candler County residents live just 67.8 years on average—3.6 years below the U.S. average of 71.4 years and a troubling 5.5 years below Georgia's state average of 73.3 years. With 26.7% reporting poor or fair health and 20.2% uninsured, Candler faces compounding health challenges rare among Georgia counties.

Georgia's Lowest Life Expectancy

Candler County's 67.8-year life expectancy is significantly below every other county in this analysis and far below Georgia's 73.3-year state average. The 20.2% uninsured rate—the highest here—exceeds Georgia's 15.0% average by 5.2 percentage points, leaving 1 in 5 residents without health security.

Crisis in Health Outcomes

Candler County's 67.8-year life expectancy trails neighboring Evans County (71.5 years) and Jenkins County (70.2 years) by 3-4 years, signaling acute health system failure. The combination of low life expectancy, high uninsured rate (20.2%), and limited primary care (18 per 100K) creates a health emergency.

Critical Gaps in Healthcare Access

Candler County has only 18 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, forcing many residents to travel for basic care, while 20.2% are uninsured and cannot afford treatment. With 90 mental health providers per 100,000, behavioral health capacity exists, but uninsured residents cannot access it.

Urgent: Get Covered Now

Candler County's health crisis demands immediate action—1 in 5 residents lack health insurance, and life expectancy has dropped 5+ years below state average. Call 211 Georgia or visit Healthcare.gov immediately to enroll in coverage; free assistance is available, and coverage could help extend and improve your life.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Candler County

via RiskByCounty

Candler among America's safest counties

Candler County's composite risk score of 11.58 is less than one-third of Georgia's 39.49 state average, placing it in the Very Low category. The county ranks among the most protected jurisdictions in the nation from natural disasters.

Georgia's lowest-risk county tier

Candler stands near the very bottom of Georgia's risk rankings, enjoying exceptional protection across most natural hazard categories. The county represents one of the state's safest places to live regarding disaster exposure.

Candler leads the safety rankings locally

At 11.58, Candler is the safest county in this regional grouping, followed by Calhoun (16.32) and Charlton (26.72). The contrast grows starker when compared to higher-risk neighbors like Carroll County (70.45).

Hurricane and earthquake are secondary concerns

Candler's hurricane risk of 78.35 and earthquake risk of 53.12 represent its highest hazard exposures. Tornado risk at 32.82 and flood risk at 12.44 remain well below state and national benchmarks.

Standard insurance typically sufficient

Candler homeowners can rely on standard homeowners insurance for most protection needs, with basic wind and hail coverage addressing the county's low tornado risk. Consider optional earthquake coverage as a low-cost addition if desired.

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.