CountyScore

Coffee County

Georgia · GA

#94 in Georgia
66.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Coffee County, Georgia

Coffee scores well nationally

Coffee County's composite score of 75.5 puts it well above the national median of 50.0, ranking in the top 16% of U.S. counties. This strong performance is driven by exceptional affordability and reasonable tax rates.

Above average for Georgia

At 75.5, Coffee County exceeds Georgia's state average of 70.9, placing it among the more livable counties statewide. The county ranks in the upper tier for overall livability in its state.

Affordability and low taxes

Coffee County shines with a cost score of 87.2 and median home values of just $125,700—less than half the national average. The tax score of 79.6 and 0.807% effective tax rate add to the county's financial appeal.

Limited income opportunities

The income score of 16.1 reflects a median household income of only $50,175, indicating limited wage growth and career advancement prospects. Safety, health, school, and water data are not yet available, limiting the full picture of quality of life.

Ideal for budget-conscious families

Coffee County appeals to cost-conscious households and retirees on fixed incomes seeking rural Georgia living with minimal tax burden. Trade affordability for limited economic opportunities and a smaller local job market.

Score breakdown

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

Tax79.6Cost87.2SafetyComing SoonHealth51.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.1Risk40.4WaterComing Soon
🏛79.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼16.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤51.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡40.4
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 Coffee County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Broomfield County
Colorado
66.6
Median income: $121,025
Pueblo County
Colorado
66.6
Median income: $62,250
Wayne County
Georgia
66.6
Median income: $49,562
Tippecanoe County
Indiana
66.6
Median income: $58,622
Wayne County
Indiana
66.6
Median income: $56,652

Deep Dives

Coffee County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Coffee County

via TaxByCounty

Coffee County taxes rank low nationally

Coffee County's effective rate of 0.807% sits below the national median of 0.92%, placing it in the bottom 35% of U.S. counties for tax burden. Median property taxes here are just $1,014 annually—62% lower than the national median of $2,690—reflecting the county's more modest home values of $125,700.

Middle of Georgia's tax pack

At 0.807%, Coffee County ranks roughly in the middle of Georgia's 159 counties, slightly below the state average of 0.898%. The county's median tax bill of $1,014 falls well below Georgia's average of $1,529, thanks to lower property values rather than preferential assessment rates.

Lower than surrounding southeast counties

Coffee County's 0.807% rate undercuts neighboring Cook County (0.820%) and Crisp County (1.156%), making it a relatively affordable corner of south Georgia. Colquitt County (0.866%) nearby carries slightly higher rates, despite similar home values.

Median home costs $1,014 yearly

A typical Coffee County home valued at $125,700 generates $1,014 in annual property taxes. Mortgaged properties owe $1,264 including school debt; outright owners pay $672.

Appeal if your home is overvalued

Even in lower-value markets, assessment errors happen—properties are often appraised above recent sale prices or comparable homes. A quick appeal review could cut your bill by 5-10% if your home is overassessed.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Coffee County

via CostByCounty

Coffee County beats national affordability test

Coffee County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.1% sits comfortably below the national average, and its median household income of $50,175—while 33% below the U.S. median—supports relatively modest housing costs. At just $713 monthly, Coffee renters spend far less in absolute dollars than their national counterparts.

Among Georgia's most affordable counties

Coffee County ranks well within Georgia's affordable tier, with a 17.1% rent-to-income ratio below the state average of 18.6% and rent 23% lower than the statewide median. This rural South Georgia county offers some of the state's best housing value for lower-income households.

Competitive pricing in rural South Georgia

Coffee's $713 monthly rent undercuts Colquitt County ($779) and Cook County ($901), positioning it as the rental bargain of this rural cluster. All three counties maintain similarly modest incomes, but Coffee delivers the lowest housing-cost burden.

Homeownership costs less than renting

Coffee homeowners pay just $559 monthly—$154 cheaper than renters—making purchase a legitimate affordability advantage for qualified buyers with median home values of $125,700. This 22% ownership savings suggests strong buyer incentives in this rural market.

Rural Georgia value for budget-conscious relocators

Coffee County delivers genuine affordability for remote workers or retirees seeking lower living costs without the urban-suburban premiums of metro Atlanta. With rent under $713 and ownership under $559, your paycheck stretches significantly further here than in neighboring counties.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Coffee County

via IncomeByCounty

Coffee lags national income benchmarks

Coffee County's median household income of $50,175 trails the national median of $74,755 by nearly $25,000, placing it well below the typical American household. This $25,580 gap reflects limited local economic opportunity and lower average educational attainment.

Below-average Georgia income

Coffee County ranks in the lower half of Georgia counties, with median household income 17% below the state average of $60,488. Per capita income of $23,567 similarly underperforms Georgia's state average of $31,115.

Coffee aligned with south Georgia peers

Coffee County's $50,175 median income closely matches neighboring Colquitt County ($49,691) and Cook County ($50,133), reflecting consistent economic conditions across south-central Georgia. All three counties face similar workforce and income challenges.

Modest income, manageable housing costs

Coffee County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.1% remains healthy at $8,575 annually on median income, well below the 30% affordability threshold. However, median home values of $125,700 still represent 2.5 years of gross income for many households.

Building savings starts small here

With median household income at $50,175, Coffee County residents should prioritize emergency savings and lower-cost retirement vehicles like IRAs before pursuing higher-risk investments. Even modest monthly contributions compound significantly over time—start wherever you can and increase as income grows.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Coffee County

via HealthByCounty

Coffee County Faces Major Health Challenges

Coffee residents have a life expectancy of just 71.6 years, nearly five years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Nearly one in four residents (24.4%) report poor or fair health, compared to the national rate of 18%, indicating significant wellness gaps.

Well Below Georgia's Health Average

Coffee's 71.6-year life expectancy falls 1.7 years short of Georgia's 73.3-year average, placing the county among the state's lowest-performing regions. The 24.4% poor/fair health rate is 6.4 percentage points higher than state norms, reflecting chronic health disparities.

Struggling Alongside Rural Counties

Coffee shares similar health struggles with neighboring Crisp County (70.1 years) and Colquitt County (71.6 years), all well below the state average. With just 53 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Coffee residents face limited local options compared to urban counties.

Healthcare Desert with High Uninsured Rates

Nearly one in five Coffee residents (19.1%) lack health insurance, more than 4 percentage points above Georgia's average, making care unaffordable for thousands. Mental health providers number just 35 per 100,000 residents—among the state's lowest—leaving residents struggling to access behavioral health services.

Breaking the Coverage Gap in Coffee County

With nearly 20% of residents uninsured, Coffee County faces a public health crisis that coverage expansion could help reverse. Call 1-800-318-2596 or visit healthcare.gov to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, and assistance programs designed for rural Georgians.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Coffee County

via RiskByCounty

Coffee County moderately elevated risk

Coffee County's composite risk score of 59.61 puts it in the relatively low category—but still 51% above Georgia's state average of 39.49, indicating meaningful disaster vulnerability. The county faces a broad spectrum of hazards rather than one dominant threat. This balanced risk profile warrants thoughtful preparedness planning.

Middle-of-the-pack risk among Georgia counties

Coffee County ranks in the moderate range statewide with a composite score of 59.61, notably driven by hurricane risk of 89.70 and tornado risk of 75.51. While not among Georgia's most vulnerable counties, Coffee's exposure to tropical systems and severe convective weather is significant. The county's wildfire risk of 68.16 adds another consideration.

Similar risk to peer counties southward

Coffee County (59.61) sits between Colquitt County (70.55) to the south and Crisp County (52.29) to the west, representing a typical risk profile for south-central Georgia. Nearby Cook County (34.83) is noticeably safer, while Columbia County (76.84) to the north carries greater peril. Coffee's position reflects exposure to tropical systems affecting the region.

Hurricane and tornado season threats

Hurricane risk of 89.70 makes tropical systems Coffee's foremost concern—late summer and fall require heightened attention to storm tracking and evacuation orders. Tornado risk of 75.51 compounds the threat during spring severe weather; having a designated shelter and family communication plan is essential.

Flood and wind coverage are priorities

Coffee County residents should secure separate flood insurance given the combination of hurricane risk (89.70) and tornado risk (75.51), as standard policies exclude flood damage. Verify your homeowners policy covers wind and hail damage, and consider reinforcing roof fasteners and installing storm shutters given tropical storm exposure.

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.