CountyScore

Clarke County

Georgia · GA

#140 in Georgia
62.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Clarke County, Georgia

Clarke ranks solidly above median

Clarke County's composite score of 65.8 sits 32% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 80th percentile nationwide. The county ranks among the better performers on livability across all U.S. counties.

Just below Georgia's state average

With a score of 65.8, Clarke falls modestly beneath Georgia's state average of 70.9 but remains solidly competitive. The county positions itself in the upper half of Georgia's livability rankings.

Tax rates and housing balance well

Clarke County offers a tax score of 77.0 with an effective rate of 0.899%, paired with a cost score of 69.5 that reflects moderate affordability. Median rent stands at $1,162/month and median home values at $271,900—accessible for many households.

Income levels fall notably short

Clarke's income score of 17.5 reflects a median household income of $52,267, significantly lagging state and national averages. Data on safety, health, schools, and water quality remain unavailable, limiting the full livability assessment.

Suits modest-income balanced seekers

Clarke County appeals to individuals and families seeking reasonable tax rates and moderate housing costs without requiring substantial income. The county offers a middle-ground livability profile for cost-conscious households.

Score breakdown

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

Tax77Cost69.5SafetyComing SoonHealth63.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.5Risk33.1WaterComing Soon
🏛77
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠69.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼17.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡33.1
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 Clarke County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

DeSoto County
Florida
62.5
Median income: $50,868
Marion County
Florida
62.5
Median income: $58,535
McDonough County
Illinois
62.5
Median income: $50,434
Morgan County
Illinois
62.5
Median income: $65,175
Scott County
Iowa
62.5
Median income: $76,363

Deep Dives

Clarke County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Clarke County

via TaxByCounty

Clarke County mirrors national patterns

Clarke County's effective tax rate of 0.899% sits just above the national median of 0.84%, placing it in the 58th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $2,444 falls slightly short of the national median of $2,690, despite median homes valued near the national average at $271,900.

Nearly identical to Georgia average

Clarke's 0.899% effective rate essentially matches Georgia's state average of 0.898%, making it a typical county by state standards. At $2,444, the median tax bill runs 60% above Georgia's state median of $1,529, reflecting Clarke's more urban character and higher home values.

Clarke aligns with Chatham closely

Clarke County's metrics are nearly identical to nearby Chatham County (0.901% rate, $2,463 median tax), with both counties serving as regional economic anchors. Both stand in stark contrast to rural neighbors like Chattooga County, where taxes are significantly lower.

Expect roughly $2,450 annually

A homeowner with Clarke's median home value of $271,900 pays approximately $2,444 per year in property taxes. The county's straightforward assessment practice keeps costs predictable for both mortgaged and mortgage-free properties.

Appeal if your home lost value

Clarke County's real estate market has shifted over recent years, and some assessed values may not reflect current conditions. If your home has lost market value since your last assessment, filing an appeal with the Clarke County assessor could reduce your annual tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Clarke County

via CostByCounty

Clarke's affordability crisis is real

Clarke County's 26.7% rent-to-income ratio ranks among America's worst, far exceeding the U.S. average of roughly 21%. On a median household income of just $52,267, residents here surrender over one-quarter of earnings to rent alone.

Georgia's toughest rental market

Clarke County's 26.7% rent-to-income ratio—the state's highest—dwarfs Georgia's 18.6% average by over 8 percentage points. Median rent of $1,162 runs $235 above state average, hitting hardest on Athens-area renters with lower-than-average incomes.

Clarke vs. region: an affordability outlier

Clarke's $1,162 rent matches or exceeds most peers despite having the lowest median household income ($52,267) in this comparison. Even Chattahoochee ($1,235) and Chatham ($1,382) residents earn more, making Clarke's rental burden uniquely punishing.

Renters squeezed, owners stretched

Renters dedicate 26.7% to housing—the worst ratio regionally—while homeowners pay 26.6% on ownership costs, offering little relief. The $271,900 median home value exceeds income-earning potential, locking renters out of affordable homeownership.

Clarke requires careful housing strategy.

Unless you earn well above Clarke's $52,267 median or plan to own, this Athens-based county presents genuine affordability headwinds. Consider nearby Chattooga (19.8% ratio) or negotiate remote work flexibility to offset Clarke's punishing rent burden.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Clarke County

via IncomeByCounty

Clarke falls short of national income standard

Clarke County's median household income of $52,267 lags the U.S. median of $74,755 by $22,488, or 30%. The shortfall reflects Clarke's character as a college town where household income is suppressed by student populations and academic-sector wages.

Below average for Georgia

Clarke's $52,267 median sits $8,221 below Georgia's state average of $60,488, placing it in the lower-middle tier of the state's counties. Per capita income of $31,915 slightly exceeds Georgia's average ($31,115), reflecting the University of Georgia's influence on the local economy.

Middling earnings in diverse company

Clarke outearns Chattooga ($47,785) and Clay ($48,715) but trails Chatham ($69,575) and Chattahoochee ($59,221). The variation reflects Clarke's unique position as a university hub, which lifts some incomes while the student population depresses the median.

High housing cost stress in college town

Clarke's rent-to-income ratio of 26.7% is the highest in this county cluster, indicating substantial housing pressure on households earning $52,267. The contradiction is stark: median home value reaches $271,900—far exceeding what local median incomes can reasonably support—pricing out many year-round residents.

Navigate housing market strategically

Clarke households face outsized housing costs relative to income; consider first-time homebuyer programs, modest starter homes, or multi-unit properties that generate rental income. Even with constrained discretionary income, consistent savings and avoiding high-interest debt can gradually build equity and wealth over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Clarke County

via HealthByCounty

Clarke exceeds national life expectancy

Clarke County's 77.3-year life expectancy surpasses the U.S. average of 76.1 years, reflecting better-than-average longevity. However, 20.8% of residents report poor or fair health, suggesting significant health burden alongside longer lifespans.

Well above Georgia's health baseline

At 77.3 years, Clarke County's life expectancy beats Georgia's 73.3-year state average by 4 full years. The county ranks among Georgia's top performers in longevity, though health disparities remain.

Regional health leader with standout resources

Clarke's 77.3-year life expectancy outpaces Clayton (73.8 years) and Chattooga (70.6 years) by meaningful margins. The county shines in mental health infrastructure with an exceptional 357 providers per 100K—among the highest in the state.

Good insurance, excellent mental health access

Clarke County's 14.6% uninsured rate sits just below Georgia's 15.0% state average, and 82 primary care providers per 100K offer solid access. The county's 357 mental health providers per 100K—likely driven by the University of Georgia's healthcare programs—make behavioral care readily available.

Make coverage count in Clarke County

With 14.6% of Clarke residents uninsured, there's room to improve reach in a county with excellent health resources. Visit healthcare.gov to find plans and take advantage of Clarke's robust network of mental health and primary care providers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Clarke County

via RiskByCounty

Clarke balances moderate and elevated risks

Clarke County's composite risk score of 66.95 places it above the national average with a relatively low risk rating, reflecting a mixed hazard profile. Tornado (79.42), hurricane (71.34), and earthquake (83.33) risks are all notable, while wildfire exposure (25.64) is minimal. The county's central Georgia location creates exposure to multiple hazard types without coastal vulnerability.

Above-average risk for Georgia

Clarke's 66.95 composite score exceeds Georgia's state average of 39.49 by nearly 70 percent, placing it in the upper-middle tier of state county risk. Earthquake risk (83.33) is particularly elevated for inland Georgia, reflecting the county's proximity to Appalachian seismic zones. Tornado risk (79.42) aligns with the state's general convective weather exposure.

Moderate risk within central Georgia

Clarke's 66.95 score exceeds Chattooga (54.36) and Chattahoochee (2.04) but falls below Cherokee (85.27) and Chatham (97.42) in the broader regional context. The county occupies a moderate-risk position in central Georgia, with earthquake exposure slightly higher than typical for the region. This profile distinguishes Clarke from both its low-risk western neighbors and high-risk eastern/northern peers.

Earthquake and tornado, with hurricane distant

Earthquake risk (83.33) is Clarke's most notable hazard, ranking high for Georgia and reflecting the county's position near Appalachian fault zones, though major seismic events remain historically rare. Tornado risk (79.42) follows closely, with spring severe weather a routine concern. Hurricane risk (71.34) is elevated but reflects distant impacts rather than direct coastal exposure.

Earthquake and tornado awareness matter most

Confirm your homeowners policy includes wind/hail coverage for tornado risk (79.42), and consider flood insurance if your property sits near mapped floodplains or the Oconee River. While earthquake risk (83.33) is higher than most Georgia counties, standard homeowners policies exclude seismic damage—separate earthquake insurance is available but typically optional unless in a mapped risk zone. Secure heavy furniture and water heaters to foundation bracing as practical earthquake mitigation.

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.