CountyScore

Chattooga County

Georgia · GA

#91 in Georgia
66.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Chattooga County, Georgia

Chattooga ranks in top quarter

Chattooga County's composite score of 74.7 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by nearly 50%, placing it in the 86th percentile nationally. The county outranks roughly nine of every ten U.S. counties on overall livability.

Georgia's top-tier performer

With a score of 74.7, Chattooga surpasses Georgia's state average of 70.9 and ranks among the state's highest-performing counties. It demonstrates that strong livability doesn't require urban density or premium incomes.

Unbeatable affordability and low taxes

Chattooga County delivers exceptional value with the highest cost score of 87.0 in this group—median rent is just $789/month and median home values stand at $98,700. The tax score of 78.2 and effective rate of 0.855% ensure minimal tax burden.

Income potential significantly limited

The county's income score of 14.6 is the lowest profiled here, with median household income at just $47,785. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unavailable, which would help contextualize the full livability experience.

Perfect for cost-minimizing retirees

Chattooga County is ideal for retirees on fixed incomes, remote workers with stable earnings, and families prioritizing maximum purchasing power. The county demonstrates that exceptional affordability and low taxes can deliver outstanding livability for those not seeking high-wage employment.

Score breakdown

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

Tax78.2Cost87SafetyComing SoonHealth53.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome14.6Risk45.7WaterComing Soon
🏛78.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼14.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤53.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡45.7
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 Chattooga County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Cochise County
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Median income: $58,970
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66.8
Median income: $57,266
Piatt County
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66.8
Median income: $87,516
Hamilton County
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66.8
Median income: $61,929
Livingston County
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66.8
Median income: $101,315

Deep Dives

Chattooga County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Chattooga County

via TaxByCounty

Chattooga offers lowest rates regionally

Chattooga County's effective tax rate of 0.855% sits below the national median of 0.84% and lands in the 49th percentile nationally. With a median home value of $98,700, the typical tax bill reaches just $844—far below the national median of $2,690.

Below Georgia average in both metrics

Chattooga's 0.855% effective rate trails Georgia's state average of 0.898%, making it one of the state's more tax-friendly counties. The median property tax of $844 is roughly 55% below Georgia's state median of $1,529, reflecting the county's rural setting and modest home values.

Cheapest option in the region

Chattooga's 0.855% rate is the lowest among its peers, edging below Chattahoochee (0.990%) and Clay County (1.044%). Even though nearby homes have similar values around $99,000, Chattooga residents pay measurably less in property taxes.

Budget under $850 annually

Homeowners in Chattooga with the median property value of $98,700 pay approximately $844 per year in property taxes. Adding mortgage and insurance considerations brings the estimate to around $1,054 annually.

Even low bills deserve review

Just because Chattooga's taxes are among Georgia's lowest doesn't mean your specific assessment is accurate. Reviewing your property valuation every few years and appealing if your home has declined in value can save you money regardless of county averages.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Chattooga County

via CostByCounty

Chattooga offers rare affordability relief

Chattooga County's 19.8% rent-to-income ratio sits below the U.S. average of roughly 21%, offering breathing room for renters. With median rents of just $789 monthly and a median household income of $47,785, this rural county punches above its weight on affordability.

Georgia's most affordable rental county

Chattooga's 19.8% rent-to-income ratio edges closer to Georgia's 18.6% state average than most counties, making it one of the state's most renter-friendly markets. Median rent of $789 undercuts the state average by $138, delivering rare value in Georgia's housing market.

Chattooga: the regional rental bargain

At $789 monthly, Chattooga rents run well below Chatham ($1,382), Chattahoochee ($1,235), and Clarke ($1,162), while matching the affordability of Clay and Clinch. The $98,700 median home value ranks among the region's lowest, making Chattooga a genuine haven for budget-conscious families.

Modest incomes, modest rents—the match works

With $47,785 median household income and $789 rent, Chattooga residents allocate just 19.8% to housing, leaving more for other needs. Homeowners face slightly higher proportions at 11.9% of income for monthly costs, but the $98,700 median value stays within reach.

Chattooga's your move if affordability matters.

This rural northwest Georgia county delivers genuine housing relief compared to state averages and regional peers. Renters and buyers alike find Chattooga a rare affordable option, though job opportunities may require commuting to larger metros.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Chattooga County

via IncomeByCounty

Chattooga lags far behind national earnings

At $47,785, Chattooga County's median household income trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by nearly $27,000, or 36%. This significant gap reflects persistent economic challenges in rural northwest Georgia and highlights the income divide between urban and rural America.

Among Georgia's lowest-income counties

Chattooga's $47,785 median falls $12,703 below Georgia's state average of $60,488, positioning it in the lowest quartile of the state's 159 counties. The per capita income of $23,391 is 25% lower than Georgia's state average, signaling limited economic opportunity.

Struggling alongside rural peers

Chattooga earns modestly more than Clay County ($48,715) but significantly trails Chattahoochee ($59,221) and Chatham ($69,575). The pattern reveals Chattooga's position at the lower end of northwest Georgia's economic spectrum.

Affordable homes, stretched budgets

A rent-to-income ratio of 19.8% is relatively healthy, suggesting rental affordability in the county. However, the median home value of $98,700 still requires careful financial planning for families earning under $48,000 annually to accumulate a down payment.

Maximize low-cost wealth-building tools

For Chattooga households, employer retirement plans and tax-advantaged savings accounts offer the most accessible path to building wealth. Start with even small monthly contributions to a 401(k) or IRA; over decades, compound growth can transform modest incomes into substantial nest eggs.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Chattooga County

via HealthByCounty

Chattooga lags far behind national health

At 70.6 years, Chattooga County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.1 years by more than 5 years—a significant health gap. Combined with a 24.3% poor/fair health rate, the county faces compounding health challenges.

Among Georgia's most struggling counties

Chattooga's 70.6-year life expectancy falls 2.7 years below Georgia's 73.3-year state average, placing it among the lowest in the state. The county's health burden reflects deep structural disparities in access and outcomes.

Significant health gap with healthier neighbors

Chattooga's 70.6 years of life expectancy trails nearby Cherokee (79.4 years) and Chattahoochee (75.4 years) by substantial margins. The county's severe primary care shortage at just 8 per 100K—compared to Chattahoochee's 166 per 100K—explains some of these disparities.

Uninsured and undersupplied

With 16.7% of residents uninsured and just 8 primary care providers per 100K population, Chattooga faces a perfect storm of healthcare barriers. The county's limited mental health capacity at 40 per 100K means many residents struggle to access behavioral care.

Coverage is urgent here

Chattooga's 16.7% uninsured rate puts nearly 1 in 6 residents at financial and medical risk—above Georgia's average. Visit healthcare.gov immediately to explore subsidies and plans; many Chattooga residents qualify for lower costs based on income.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Chattooga County

via RiskByCounty

Chattooga faces moderate disaster risk

Chattooga County's composite risk score of 54.36 places it slightly above the national average, with a relatively low risk rating that reflects mixed hazard exposure. Tornado risk (84.54) is the standout concern, while earthquake (67.59) and flood (59.51) risks are moderate. Hurricane exposure (51.77) is limited, as the county's northwestern location shields it from coastal storms.

Middle-ground risk within Georgia

At 54.36, Chattooga's composite score exceeds Georgia's state average of 39.49, placing it in the upper-middle tier of county risk. The county's tornado and earthquake risks particularly stand out relative to state norms. Chattooga's position in northwest Georgia shapes its hazard profile toward seismic and convective storm exposure rather than coastal threats.

Higher risk than most surrounding counties

Chattooga's 54.36 score surpasses nearby Chattahoochee (2.04) and Clay (8.46), though it sits below Cherokee (85.27) and Clarke (66.95). The county occupies a moderate-risk niche in the region, with tornado exposure particularly elevated compared to far-western neighbors. This variation underscores the importance of hyperlocal hazard awareness across northwest Georgia.

Tornadoes lead with earthquake secondary

Tornado risk (84.54) is Chattooga's dominant hazard, with the county sitting in a region prone to spring severe weather and occasional strong rotating storms. Earthquake risk (67.59) ranks second, reflecting the county's proximity to Appalachian fault zones, though major seismic events remain rare. Flood risk (59.51) adds a third concern for creek-side and low-lying properties.

Focus on wind and water coverage

Standard homeowners insurance covers tornado damage, but confirm your policy includes comprehensive wind and hail protection given the county's 84.54 tornado score. Flood insurance through NFIP should be considered for properties in mapped floodplains or near creek bottoms. A safe room or basement shelter offers invaluable protection during the county's tornado season (April–June).

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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