CountyScore

Catoosa County

Georgia · GA

#58 in Georgia
68.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Catoosa County, Georgia

Catoosa punches above the national norm

Catoosa County's composite score of 72.7 beats the national median of 50.0 by 22.7 points, placing it in the top 45% of U.S. counties. This Northern Georgia county delivers solid national-class livability.

Outperforms Georgia's statewide average

At 72.7, Catoosa County scores 1.8 points above Georgia's average of 70.9, ranking it in the state's upper tier. The county is among Georgia's more desirable locations.

Tax efficiency and healthy incomes

Catoosa County's tax score of 82.9 reflects an effective rate of 0.689%—among the nation's lowest. The income score of 30.7 backed by median household income of $72,425 rounds out strong financial fundamentals.

Housing affordability a mixed picture

The cost score of 75.6 masks moderate affordability pressures: median home values of $214,200 and monthly rents of $953 are higher than many peers. Health, safety, school, and environmental data remain unavailable.

Premium choice for affluent families

Catoosa County appeals to higher-income families seeking Northern Georgia access, strong tax benefits, and stable middle-to-upper-class living. It's an excellent option for those balancing taxes, income, and location.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.9Cost75.6SafetyComing SoonHealth68.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.7Risk35.4WaterComing Soon
🏛82.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠75.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡35.4
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 Catoosa County with another county →

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Deep Dives

Catoosa County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Catoosa County

via TaxByCounty

Catoosa's taxes rank below national median

Catoosa County's effective tax rate of 0.689% is significantly lower than the national median, and at $1,475 annually on a median home, residents pay roughly 45% less than the national typical property tax of $2,690. The county offers attractive tax conditions for homeowners in higher-value properties.

Second-lowest rate in Georgia

Catoosa County's 0.689% effective rate ranks second-lowest in Georgia, trailing only Carroll County's 0.624% and well below the state average of 0.898%. The median tax of $1,475 closely mirrors the state median despite Catoosa's lower rate, reflecting the county's solid median home value of $214,200.

Highly competitive rates in the region

Catoosa County's 0.689% rate ranks second-best in this eight-county comparison, surpassed only by Carroll County, and substantially beats higher-rate neighbors like Calhoun (1.152%) and Candler (1.041%). The county's position near Chattanooga adds appeal for commuters seeking lower tax burdens.

Median Catoosa home costs $1,475 yearly

If you own a median $214,200 home in Catoosa County, expect to pay approximately $1,475 in annual property taxes. With mortgage escrow included, homeowners typically remit around $1,605 per year, benefiting from one of the region's most favorable tax rates.

Verify assessments even at lower rates

Catoosa County's favorable rates should not discourage you from reviewing your property assessment annually against recent comparable home sales. Challenging an inflated assessment could yield hundreds in annual savings, and the appeals process is straightforward and cost-free.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Catoosa County

via CostByCounty

Catoosa renters enjoy better-than-average burden

Catoosa County renters spend 15.8% of income on housing—4.2 percentage points below Georgia's 18.6% average and well under the national 20% benchmark. With a median household income of $72,425 and rents at $953 monthly, Catoosa residents combine solid earning power with lighter housing costs than most peers.

Catoosa ranks among Georgia's easier markets

Catoosa County's 15.8% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the Georgia average of 18.6%, placing it among the state's more affordable options. Its median rent of $953 runs slightly above the state average of $927 but delivers outstanding value relative to the income available.

Catoosa offers the best affordability ratio nearby

Catoosa's 15.8% rent-to-income ratio beats Butts (19.3%), Carroll (18.6%), and Camden (19.3%), while its median rent of $953 undercuts only Calhoun ($638). Home values at $214,200 sit below Carroll ($227,500) and Butts ($227,800), offering price relief in a higher-earning market.

Ownership costs barely exceed rents here

Catoosa renters pay $953 monthly while homeowners spend $1,021—a modest $68 gap representing 15.8% of rent income and 14.1% of owner income. At $72,425 median household income, both rental and ownership remain comfortably affordable compared to many peers.

Catoosa balances affordability with earning power

If you earn near $72,000 and want the easiest housing burden in your income range, Catoosa County delivers Georgia's best rent-to-income ratio among higher-earning communities. It outpaces neighbors Carroll and Butts on affordability while matching their earning power, making it an underrated choice.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Catoosa County

via IncomeByCounty

Catoosa matches national income benchmark

Catoosa County's median household income of $72,425 virtually equals the national median of $74,755, differing by just 3.1% and placing it among Georgia's elite-earning counties. Typical Catoosa households earn $22,000+ more annually than the lowest-income counties in this cohort.

Catoosa leads Georgia in median earnings

Catoosa's $72,425 income surpasses Georgia's state median of $60,488 by nearly $12,000, positioning it at the top tier of the state's counties. This leadership reflects Catoosa's strong labor market and economic opportunity.

Catoosa tops the eight-county cohort

Catoosa's $72,425 slightly edges Catoosa ($72,425) to become the highest-earning county in this eight-county group. Catoosa and Carroll represent the economic leaders, with incomes $24,000 above the lowest-earning peers.

Catoosa offers strong housing affordability

Catoosa's 15.8% rent-to-income ratio is the second-best among these counties, indicating renters enjoy substantial affordability. With median home values of $214,200, homebuyers earning the county median can qualify for conventional mortgages with low debt ratios and stable payments.

Catoosa households maximize wealth potential

Catoosa's combination of strong income and favorable housing costs creates an ideal foundation for aggressive wealth-building through diversified investments. Residents can comfortably allocate 25%+ of income to retirement savings, home equity acceleration, and portfolio growth, positioning themselves for generational financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Catoosa County

via HealthByCounty

Catoosa Among Georgia's Healthiest

Catoosa County residents live 75.3 years on average—3.9 years longer than the U.S. average of 71.4 years and 2.0 years above Georgia's 73.3-year state average. With just 15.8% reporting poor or fair health, well below the national average of 21%, Catoosa demonstrates how integrated healthcare access creates better population health.

Top-Tier Life Expectancy and Coverage

Catoosa County's 75.3-year life expectancy ranks among Georgia's highest, while its 12.2% uninsured rate significantly beats the state average of 15.0%, ensuring most residents can access care. The 15.8% poor/fair health rate further reflects lower chronic disease burden compared to state norms.

Regional Health Powerhouse

Catoosa County's 75.3-year life expectancy exceeds neighboring Walker County (74.1 years) and Whitfield County (73.9 years), while its 57 primary care providers per 100,000 residents far surpass regional peers. This provider density and high insurance coverage create a virtuous cycle of preventive care and better health outcomes.

Highest Primary Care Capacity Here

Catoosa County has 57 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the highest in this eight-county group—plus 151 mental health providers per 100,000, creating comprehensive healthcare access. With only 12.2% uninsured, Catoosa residents can fully utilize this provider network for prevention and disease management.

Maintain Your Health Coverage

Catoosa County's excellent health outcomes depend on high insurance coverage and abundant providers; ensure you don't become the 1 in 8 without coverage. Check your plan at Healthcare.gov or call 211 Georgia to enroll or renew coverage and keep your family healthy.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Catoosa County

via RiskByCounty

Catoosa faces significantly above-average risk

Catoosa County's composite risk score of 64.63 substantially exceeds Georgia's 39.49 state average, placing it in the Relatively Low category with elevated exposure. The county confronts higher-than-typical natural disaster risks across multiple hazard types.

Among Georgia's riskier counties statewide

Catoosa ranks in the upper tier of Georgia's natural disaster risk counties, with a score well above the state average. The county's positioning reflects genuine multi-hazard vulnerability rather than isolated exposure.

Catoosa riskier than most regional peers

At 64.63, Catoosa trails only Carroll County (70.45) in this grouping and significantly exceeds safer neighbors like Burke (37.31), Butts (20.52), and Candler (11.58). The county sits in a notably vulnerable zone for natural disasters.

Tornado and earthquake dominate the threat landscape

Catoosa's tornado risk of 84.51 and earthquake risk of 78.72 are among its most serious hazards, reflecting the county's mountainous terrain and active weather patterns. Flood risk at 65.04 compounds concerns, particularly in valley and creek bottoms.

Robust wind and earthquake coverage essential

Catoosa homeowners should prioritize comprehensive wind and hail coverage to address tornado risk, with earthquake coverage as a critical add-on given the 78.72 earthquake risk. Flood insurance is strongly recommended for properties in or near designated flood zones.

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.