CountyScore

Cherokee County

Georgia · GA

#146 in Georgia
62
County Score

County Report Card

About Cherokee County, Georgia

Cherokee excels above national median

Cherokee County's composite score of 64.1 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 28%, placing it in the 78th percentile nationwide. The county demonstrates above-average livability compared to most U.S. counties.

Slightly below Georgia's average

Cherokee's score of 64.1 falls just under Georgia's state average of 70.9, situating it in the upper-middle tier of the state's counties. The county remains competitive despite this modest variance.

Income and low taxes standout

Cherokee County excels with the highest income score of 52.2 in this group and a median household income of $105,442—substantially above state and national averages. The tax score of 82.5 and effective rate of 0.701% represent the lowest tax burden among these counties.

Housing costs command premium

The cost score of 53.2 reflects significant housing expenses, with median rent at $1,703/month and median home values at $389,800—the highest in this cohort. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data are not yet available.

Best for affluent, tax-conscious families

Cherokee County suits high-earning households seeking premium tax efficiency and strong income potential in a prosperous community. The county offers a comfortable lifestyle for those whose incomes can absorb its higher housing costs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.5Cost53.2SafetyComing SoonHealth72.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome52.2Risk14.7WaterComing Soon
🏛82.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠53.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼52.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡14.7
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 Cherokee County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Bryan County
Georgia
62
Median income: $94,234
Marion County
Illinois
62
Median income: $60,839
Johnson County
Kansas
62
Median income: $107,261
Delaware County
New York
62
Median income: $60,226
Aransas County
Texas
62
Median income: $61,754

Deep Dives

Cherokee County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Cherokee County

via TaxByCounty

Cherokee keeps taxes low on pricey homes

Cherokee County's effective tax rate of 0.701% ranks in the 35th percentile nationally, significantly below the national median of 0.84%. Despite median home values of $389,800—far above the national average of $281,900—the median tax bill is $2,734, just slightly above the national median of $2,690.

Georgia's best deal for affluent buyers

Cherokee's 0.701% effective rate is the lowest among all counties examined, well below Georgia's state average of 0.898%. With expensive homes averaging $389,800, residents benefit from a favorable tax structure that keeps median taxes at just $2,734—a steal compared to state peers.

Cherokee stands out for its value

Cherokee's 0.701% rate dramatically undercuts nearby Clayton County (0.893%) and Clarke County (0.899%), while homes in Cherokee are significantly more expensive. This combination makes Cherokee a tax haven for affluent homeowners in the greater Atlanta region.

Higher homes, moderate tax bills

A Cherokee homeowner with the median-valued $389,800 home pays approximately $2,734 in annual property taxes. With mortgage and insurance factors, that figure rises to roughly $2,966 per year.

Protect your tax advantage with appeals

Cherokee's low tax rate is a significant competitive advantage, but it only works if your assessed value reflects reality. Review your assessment regularly and file an appeal if your property's market value has shifted, ensuring you maintain the most favorable tax outcome.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Cherokee County

via CostByCounty

Cherokee: affluent but not overextended

Cherokee County's 19.4% rent-to-income ratio actually beats the U.S. average of roughly 21%, despite median rents of $1,703 monthly. With the state's highest median household income at $105,442, Cherokee residents earn enough to absorb higher housing costs comfortably.

Georgia's wealthiest, most balanced county

Cherokee stands out with Georgia's highest median household income ($105,442) paired with a reasonable 19.4% rent-to-income ratio, well below the state's 18.6% average. This northwest Atlanta suburb successfully balances premium housing costs against high earning power.

Cherokee commands premium—earned it

Cherokee rents of $1,703 rank highest regionally, but median household income of $105,442 dwarfs all peers—$35,867 above Chatham's and $46,221 above Clarke's. The $389,800 median home value is the region's highest, yet remains manageable given Cherokee's affluent demographics.

High income absorbs high housing costs

Renters spend 19.4% on rent while homeowners dedicate 17.8% to monthly ownership costs—both proportions well-managed on $105,442 median income. Cherokee's housing market reflects suburban Atlanta demand, with premium values justified by strong household earnings.

Cherokee for those chasing Atlanta growth.

If you earn $100K+ and value northwest Atlanta proximity, Cherokee's premium pricing aligns with income. The balanced rent-to-income ratio signals this upscale suburb absorbs housing costs better than most U.S. counties, making it a rational choice for affluent professionals.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cherokee County

via IncomeByCounty

Cherokee earns 41% above U.S. median

Cherokee County's median household income of $105,442 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by a remarkable $30,687. This performance places Cherokee among the nation's most affluent counties and reflects its status as a wealthy suburban enclave north of Atlanta.

Georgia's highest-income county cluster

At $105,442, Cherokee ranks among Georgia's elite counties by income, nearly $45,000 above the state average of $60,488. The per capita income of $47,337 is 52% higher than Georgia's state average, indicating broad-based prosperity across the county.

Dominates the regional income landscape

Cherokee's $105,442 median income vastly outpaces all neighboring counties: Chatham ($69,575), Chattahoochee ($59,221), Chattooga ($47,785), Clarke ($52,267), Clay ($48,715), Clayton ($58,507), and Clinch ($55,549). The $35,821 advantage over Chatham underscores Cherokee's position as Georgia's premier suburban income center.

Affluence with modest housing burden

Cherokee's rent-to-income ratio of 19.4% is the healthiest among comparable counties, meaning housing costs consume less than one-fifth of household earnings. However, the median home value of $389,800 still requires substantial wealth accumulation, making it attainable primarily for dual-income and high-earning households.

Advanced wealth strategies for affluent households

Cherokee households earning $105,442 have capacity to pursue sophisticated wealth-building: tax-efficient investing, diversified portfolios, and estate planning. Allocate 15-25% toward retirement and investment accounts, and consider working with a financial advisor on tax optimization and long-term wealth preservation strategies.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Cherokee County

via HealthByCounty

Cherokee County leads the nation in longevity

Cherokee County residents live to 79.4 years on average—more than 3 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.1 years. Just 15.5% report poor or fair health, indicating robust community health.

Georgia's longevity champion

Cherokee's 79.4-year life expectancy far exceeds Georgia's state average of 73.3 years—a remarkable 6.1-year gap. The county ranks among Georgia's healthiest, with some of the lowest poor/fair health rates in the state.

Far healthier than surrounding regions

Cherokee's 79.4-year life expectancy towers over nearby Chattooga (70.6 years) and Clayton (73.8 years) by 5–9 years. The county's 15.5% poor/fair health rate and 12.5% uninsured rate reflect a well-resourced, generally affluent community.

Strong coverage and good provider access

Cherokee County's 12.5% uninsured rate beats Georgia's 15.0% state average, and 41 primary care providers per 100K ensure accessible routine care. Mental health support is also solid at 129 per 100K, giving residents a full range of behavioral health options.

Stay covered in a healthy county

Even in high-performing Cherokee, 12.5% of residents remain uninsured—potentially due to employment gaps or cost concerns. Renew or enroll in coverage at healthcare.gov to maintain the health stability Cherokee communities enjoy.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Cherokee County

via RiskByCounty

Cherokee faces elevated multi-hazard risk

Cherokee County's composite risk score of 85.27 places it well above the national average with a relatively moderate risk rating. Tornado risk (94.82) and flood risk (88.52) are particularly pronounced, while earthquake (78.94) and wildfire (58.78) risks are also notable. This northern Georgia suburban county faces a diverse mix of natural hazards.

Among Georgia's higher-risk counties

Cherokee's 85.27 composite score significantly exceeds Georgia's state average of 39.49, placing it in the upper tier of county risk within the state. The county's tornado (94.82) and flood (88.52) risks are among Georgia's highest. Cherokee's position in fast-growing north Georgia amplifies exposure, as development increasingly extends into hazard-prone areas.

Riskier than nearby suburban counties

Cherokee's 85.27 score exceeds Clarke (66.95) and Chattooga (54.36), though it trails Chatham (97.42) and nearly matches Clayton (86.74). Within the Atlanta metro region, Cherokee stands out for elevated tornado and flood exposure. Proximity to metro Atlanta's flooding corridors and Georgia's severe weather zone drives the county's above-average composite score.

Tornadoes and flooding top the list

Tornado risk (94.82) is Cherokee's dominant hazard, with the county sitting squarely in Georgia's spring severe weather corridor—expect frequent severe thunderstorms and occasional strong rotation. Flood risk (88.52) ranks close behind, particularly along the Etowah River and in rapid-growth suburban drainage areas. Combined, these two hazards account for most of the county's risk profile.

Tornado shelter and flood insurance priority

Ensure your homeowners policy includes comprehensive wind and hail coverage for tornado protection, then prioritize flood insurance through NFIP for any property within a mapped floodplain or near stream corridors. With a 94.82 tornado score, identifying a safe room or basement shelter is essential for your family's spring safety plan. Review evacuation routes and community warning systems with household members annually.

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.