countyscore
49.6
County Score
Cost of Living 87.3Water Quality 86Disaster Risk 79.3

County Report Card

About Clinch County, Georgia

Aligning with national median scores

Clinch County scores 49.6, placing it almost exactly at the national median of 50.0. This suggests a balanced livability profile that reflects the middle-of-the-road American experience.

Exceeding the Georgia state average

Clinch's score of 49.6 puts it ahead of the Georgia state average of 46.7. This indicates that the county performs better than many of its state neighbors, particularly in cost and safety.

Superior affordability and safety

An exceptional cost score of 87.3 is driven by a very low median home value of $86,300. The county also provides a secure environment with a risk score of 79.3 and a solid water score of 86.0.

Health and tax burdens

The county struggles with a low health score of 5.7 and a tax score of 17.4. An effective tax rate of 1.396% is high relative to the state, which may affect those on fixed incomes.

Great for low-cost living

Clinch is an ideal destination for those seeking a quiet, low-risk rural lifestyle with very high housing affordability. It is best for individuals who can manage higher property tax rates in exchange for some of the lowest home prices in the region.

Score breakdown

Tax17.4Cost87.3Safety61.1Health5.7Schools55.7Income26.7Risk79.3Water86Weather34
🏛17.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡61.1
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤5.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓55.7
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡79.3
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧86
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤34
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱27.2
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

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Hamilton County
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Deep Dives

Clinch County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Clinch County

via TaxByCounty

Clinch County's rates are exceptional

Clinch County's effective tax rate of 1.396% ranks in the 85th percentile nationally, far exceeding the national median of 0.84%. Despite median home values of only $86,300, this aggressive rate produces a median tax bill of $1,205—a heavy burden on rural property owners.

Georgia's highest tax rate county

At 1.396%, Clinch County's effective rate is the highest among all Georgia counties examined, towering above the state average of 0.898%. The median property tax of $1,205 exceeds Georgia's state median of $1,529 proportionally to the county's extremely high rate, creating significant financial pressure on residents.

Clinch far exceeds all regional peers

Clinch County's 1.396% rate dramatically outpaces every neighboring county examined, including Clay (1.044%), Chattahoochee (0.990%), and Chattooga (0.855%). Rural Clinch residents face tax rates nearly 40% higher than their neighbors, despite living in homes worth less than the regional average.

Heavy tax burden on modest homes

A Clinch County homeowner with the median property value of $86,300 pays approximately $1,205 in annual property taxes. With mortgage and insurance considerations, that figure climbs to around $1,468 per year.

Appeal now to reduce burden

Clinch County's extraordinarily high tax rate makes aggressive assessment challenges essential for residents. Documenting comparable sales, getting an independent appraisal, and filing a formal appeal with the Clinch County assessor are critical steps to potentially lower one of Georgia's heaviest property tax burdens.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Clinch County

via CostByCounty

Clinch County rent: the lowest of all

Clinch County's 10.9% rent-to-income ratio is among America's most affordable, less than half the U.S. average of roughly 21%. At just $505 monthly rent on a $55,549 median household income, residents here enjoy extraordinary housing relief.

Georgia's second-most affordable rental market

Clinch County's 10.9% rent-to-income ratio nearly ties Clay County (14.2%) as Georgia's most affordable, vastly below the state average of 18.6%. Median rent of $505 ranks lowest in this eight-county comparison, delivering unmatched renter value in rural southeast Georgia.

Clinch vs. peers: extreme affordability

At $505 monthly, Clinch rents undercut all regional peers—even beating Clay's $578—while earning more than Clay residents. The $86,300 median home value ranks among the region's most affordable, creating genuine purchase opportunities for modest-income buyers.

Housing costs: barely a budget line

Renters spend just 10.9% of income on rent, an exceptional benchmark that leaves over 89% for savings, food, and other needs. Homeowners dedicate 14.3% to ownership, so both renting and buying remain within reach for working families.

Clinch County: Georgia's hidden gem.

If housing affordability is your top priority, Clinch County offers the state's rarest combination: lowest rents and strong purchasing power. Rural south Georgia demands acceptance of isolation, but residents who can work remotely find unmatched financial freedom here.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Clinch County

via IncomeByCounty

Clinch earns 26% less than U.S. median

Clinch County's median household income of $55,549 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by $19,206, or 26%. This gap is typical of rural southeastern counties, reflecting limited job diversity and lower wage scales in small-town economies.

Below Georgia's average but stable

Clinch's $55,549 median falls $4,939 below Georgia's state average of $60,488, placing it in the lower-middle tier of Georgia counties. Per capita income of $24,906 is notably lower than Georgia's $31,115 average, indicating concentrated earnings among fewer workers.

Mid-tier earnings in rural cluster

Clinch ranks fourth among the eight counties studied, exceeding Chattooga ($47,785), Clay ($48,715), Clarke ($52,267), and Chattahoochee ($59,221), but trailing Chatham ($69,575) and dramatically lagging Cherokee ($105,442). The position reflects Clinch's rural character with limited urban economic anchors.

Exceptional housing affordability

Clinch's rent-to-income ratio of 10.9% is the lowest in any county studied, meaning renters spend just one-tenth of earnings on housing. The median home value of $86,300 is remarkably affordable, requiring less than 1.6 years of gross income—among the most attainable home prices in the region.

Homeownership as primary wealth strategy

Clinch County households have an extraordinary advantage: the median home price of $86,300 requires only modest savings to achieve ownership. With disciplined monthly savings, families can accumulate down payments in 3-5 years, then build wealth through home equity appreciation and mortgage paydown.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Clinch County

via CrimeByCounty

Clinch County is Exceptionally Safe

Clinch County reports a total crime rate of 893.8 per 100,000 residents, which is less than half the national average of 2,385.5. It earns a high safety score of 98.6.

Beating the Georgia Safety Average

Clinch outperforms the rest of the state with a safety score of 98.6, higher than the Georgia average of 97.8. Its total crime rate of 893.8 is much lower than the state average of 1,412.9.

Peaceful Environment in South Georgia

The county’s violent crime rate of 178.8 is significantly lower than the Georgia state average of 248.1. Clinch maintains a much quieter profile than many of its more populated neighbors.

Low Risk for Violent Crime

Property crimes occur at a rate of 715.0 per 100,000 residents, while violent crime remains low at 178.8. This data shows that residents face a very low risk of physical harm compared to state norms.

Basic Precautions Work in Clinch

Residents can maintain high safety levels by practicing simple deterrents like locking cars and installing porch lights. Even in very safe areas, these basic steps prevent opportunistic property theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Clinch County

via HealthByCounty

Clinch County faces severe health crisis

At 69.8 years, Clinch County residents live more than 6 years less than the U.S. average of 76.1 years—a dramatic health gap. With 28.2% reporting poor or fair health, Clinch faces one of the nation's highest health burdens.

Georgia's most struggling county

Clinch's 69.8-year life expectancy falls 3.5 years below Georgia's 73.3-year average—among the state's lowest. The county's 28.2% poor/fair health rate is the highest in this dataset, reflecting severe and systemic health challenges.

A regional health emergency

Clinch's 69.8 years trails every other county in this analysis, including struggling Chattooga (70.6 years) and Clay (72.6 years). With just 15 primary care providers and 15 mental health providers per 100K, Clinch has virtually no healthcare infrastructure.

Uninsured and medically abandoned

Clinch County's 18.5% uninsured rate—the highest in this data—means nearly 1 in 5 residents lack coverage and access. With only 15 primary care providers per 100K, residents often drive hours for basic care, creating a healthcare desert.

Get covered now—it's urgent

Clinch County's 18.5% uninsured rate demands immediate action: uninsured residents face medical debt, delayed care, and worse health outcomes. Visit healthcare.gov today; Clinch residents may qualify for substantial subsidies and Medicaid expansion coverage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Clinch County

via SchoolsByCounty

The Heart of a Rural Community

Clinch County supports a focused three-school system that serves a total of 1,251 students. The infrastructure is perfectly balanced with one elementary, one middle, and one high school. This layout provides a clear and consistent academic path for all children in the county.

Leading the State in Graduation Rates

Clinch County achieves an exceptional 92.0% graduation rate, far exceeding the national average of 87.0% and the state average of 88.1%. This performance is achieved with a per-pupil spend of $7,214, which is roughly in line with Georgia norms. The county's school score of 55.0 is also notably higher than the state average.

Consistency in a Single District

All schools in the county fall under the Clinch County district, which manages the entire local student body of 1,251. There are no charter schools in the area, resulting in a unified educational approach for all residents. This centralized system contributes to the county's high graduation performance.

Small-Town Feel with Rural Roots

The school experience is defined by its rural and town locales, with an average school size of 417 students. Clinch County Elementary is the largest site with 535 students, while the High School serves 426. Schools here serve as major community hubs, reflecting the area's close-knit social fabric.

Top Performance in a Quiet Setting

If graduation success is your top priority, Clinch County is one of Georgia's hidden gems. The high graduation rate and solid school scores make it an excellent choice for families seeking quality education in a rural environment. Look for homes near the central town to remain close to all three community schools.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Clinch County

via RiskByCounty

Clinch enjoys very low overall risk

Clinch County's composite risk score of 20.74 places it well below the national average with a very low risk rating, indicating minimal exposure to most natural hazards. Tornado (29.93), earthquake (36.10), and flood (29.04) risks are all low, while wildfire risk (54.17) is moderate but manageable. Hurricane risk (82.27) stands out but reflects distant tropical impacts rather than coastal vulnerability.

Georgia's safest inland county

Clinch's 20.74 composite score ranks it third safest in Georgia, behind only Chattahoochee (2.04) and Clay (8.46), roughly half the state average of 39.49. The county's flood, tornado, and earthquake risks are all well below state averages. Clinch's southeastern location and rural character create an exceptionally stable natural hazard environment.

Safest in rural southeast Georgia

Clinch's 20.74 score trails only the ultra-low-risk Chattahoochee (2.04) and Clay (8.46) in its broader region, sitting well below Chattooga (54.36) and all metro counties. Within southeastern Georgia's rural profile, Clinch ranks among the safest locations. This geographic advantage reflects the county's isolation from major urban hazard zones and metropolitan flooding corridors.

Hurricane is the only significant hazard

Hurricane risk (82.27) is Clinch's sole elevated concern, reflecting distant tropical storm impacts rather than direct coastal vulnerability; the county lies 150+ miles inland from the Atlantic. Tornado (29.93), flood (29.04), and earthquake (36.10) risks are all minimal. Residents face an unusually benign natural hazard environment for most practical planning.

Standard coverage handles most risks

Standard homeowners insurance at competitive rates provides adequate protection for Clinch properties, given the county's minimal flood, tornado, and earthquake exposure. Flood insurance is optional unless you own property in a mapped floodplain—check FEMA maps to confirm. The county's very low overall risk profile means insurance costs can reflect the region's true safety status, freeing resources for other investments.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Clinch County

via WeatherByCounty

Consistent Warmth in the Deep South

Clinch County averages 66.2°F annually, far exceeding the national median temperature for U.S. counties. Its classic humid subtropical climate ensures a long growing season fueled by nearly 50 inches of rain.

One of Georgia’s Warmest Regions

At 66.2°F, Clinch County is significantly warmer than the Georgia state average of 63.7°F. It ranks among the hottest counties in the state, driven by its proximity to the Florida border.

Hotter than its Northern Neighbors

Clinch County maintains a warmer profile than Coffee County to its north, which averages 66.0°F. While neighbors like Colquitt share this heat, Clinch stands out for having zero recorded annual snowfall.

Endless Heat and Nonexistent Snow

Summer dominates the calendar with 88 days reaching 90°F or higher and a July average of 81.0°F. Winters are exceptionally mild at 51.6°F, and the county typically sees no snow at all during the year.

Focus on Hydration and Air Conditioning

The high volume of extreme heat days requires robust cooling solutions for homes and vehicles. With 49.3 inches of rain and no snow, residents should invest in high-quality rain gear rather than winter clothing.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Clinch County

via SoilByCounty

Deep South Soil Profiles

Specific pH levels and taxonomic orders are not currently available for Clinch County. Local land typically follows the Georgia average pH of 5.26, which is lower than the 6.5 national median.

Soil Composition and Texture

The current dataset lacks specific sand, silt, and clay percentages for this region. Because these factors control workability and drainage, on-site testing is the most reliable way to understand your soil.

Fertility and Organic Matter

Data for organic matter and Available Water Capacity (AWC) is currently missing for the county. Aim to build your soil toward the 1.83% state organic matter average to maximize your growing potential.

Hydrology in the Flatlands

The dominant drainage class is not recorded, making local observation critical in this low-lying region. Understanding how water moves is vital for success in both agriculture and rural construction.

Gardening in Zone 9a

Clinch County’s 9a hardiness zone is excellent for blueberries and other subtropical varieties. Start your planting journey now to take advantage of the deep south's exceptional warmth.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Clinch County

via LawnByCounty

Clinch County's Challenging Southern Climate

Clinch County faces a tough lawn difficulty score of 27.2, reflecting the harsh conditions of its 9a Hardiness Zone. This is notably more difficult than the Georgia average of 35.8 and significantly harder than the national 50.0 median. Homeowners must be prepared for an environment that prioritizes heat-hardy landscaping.

Intense Heat and Long Growing Cycles

Clinch endures 88 extreme heat days annually, far surpassing the state average of 65 days. Coupled with 6,254 growing degree days, your lawn will be in an active state of growth for most of the year. While 49.3 inches of rain is near the national ideal, it often evaporates quickly under the punishing South Georgia sun.

Understanding the Foundation of Your Yard

Specific soil data for pH and texture is unavailable, making on-site analysis a requirement for a healthy lawn. In Zone 9a, soils often require extra organic matter to help retain moisture against the 88 days of extreme heat. Always check your soil's drainage capacity to ensure that heavy rains don't lead to root rot in the humidity.

Fighting Severe Drought in South Georgia

Clinch County has faced 28 weeks of drought over the past year, with the entire county currently under severe drought conditions. In this environment, choosing drought-tolerant turf is not just a preference—it is a necessity for lawn survival. Efficient irrigation and drought-aware mowing heights are your best tools during these extended dry periods.

Grass Selection for the Deep South

St. Augustine and Bahia grasses are the most resilient options for the unique 9a climate of Clinch County. The last frost typically occurs early on March 11th, giving you a massive window for growth that extends until mid-November. Start your lawn projects early in the spring to ensure establishment before the 88 days of extreme heat arrive.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Clinch County's county score?
Clinch County, Georgia has a composite county score of 49.6 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Clinch County rank among counties in Georgia?
Clinch County ranks #63 among all counties in Georgia on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Clinch County, Georgia?
The median annual property tax in Clinch County is $1,205, with an effective tax rate of 1.40%. This earns Clinch County a tax score of 17.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Clinch County?
The median household income in Clinch County, Georgia is $55,549 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Clinch County earns an income score of 26.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Clinch County, Georgia a good place to live?
Clinch County scores 49.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #63 in Georgia. The best way to evaluate Clinch County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Clinch County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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