With a composite score of 73.6, Colquitt County places in the top 18% of U.S. counties, far exceeding the national median of 50.0. Its exceptional affordability and reasonable taxes drive this strong national standing.
2 / 5
Above Georgia state average
Colquitt's score of 73.6 surpasses Georgia's average of 70.9, ranking the county among the state's more livable communities. The county consistently outperforms the state baseline across multiple livability dimensions.
3 / 5
Exceptional housing affordability
Colquitt County boasts a cost score of 84.8, with median home values at just $121,400 and monthly rents of $779. The tax score of 77.9 and 0.866% effective tax rate complement the county's affordability advantage.
4 / 5
Low incomes constrain opportunity
An income score of 15.8 corresponds to a median household income of only $49,691, limiting economic mobility and career advancement. Comprehensive data on schools, safety, health, and environmental factors is not yet available.
5 / 5
Perfect for retirees and remote workers
Colquitt County attracts retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing low cost of living over job opportunities in southwest Georgia. The county delivers maximum affordability with minimal tax strain.
With a composite score of 73.6, Colquitt County places in the top 18% of U.S. counties, far exceeding the national median of 50.0. Its exceptional affordability and reasonable taxes drive this strong national standing.
Above Georgia state average
Colquitt's score of 73.6 surpasses Georgia's average of 70.9, ranking the county among the state's more livable communities. The county consistently outperforms the state baseline across multiple livability dimensions.
Exceptional housing affordability
Colquitt County boasts a cost score of 84.8, with median home values at just $121,400 and monthly rents of $779. The tax score of 77.9 and 0.866% effective tax rate complement the county's affordability advantage.
Low incomes constrain opportunity
An income score of 15.8 corresponds to a median household income of only $49,691, limiting economic mobility and career advancement. Comprehensive data on schools, safety, health, and environmental factors is not yet available.
Perfect for retirees and remote workers
Colquitt County attracts retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing low cost of living over job opportunities in southwest Georgia. The county delivers maximum affordability with minimal tax strain.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛77.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Colquitt County's 0.866% effective rate falls shy of the national median of 0.92%, landing in the bottom 40% of U.S. counties. Annual median property taxes of $1,051 run 61% lower than the national median of $2,690, matching the county's lower property values of $121,400.
Slightly above Georgia's average
Colquitt County's 0.866% rate edges above Georgia's state average of 0.898%, placing it in the middle tier of the state's 159 counties. The median tax bill of $1,051 remains $478 below Georgia's average of $1,529.
Higher than Coffee and Cook counties
Colquitt County taxes are 0.059 percentage points higher than Coffee County (0.807%) and 0.046 points above Cook County (0.820%), the two most affordable neighbors. Crawford County to the north carries a comparable 0.842% rate.
Median home costs $1,051 yearly
A typical Colquitt County home valued at $121,400 generates $1,051 in annual property taxes. With mortgage debt service factored in, owners pay $1,270; without, they pay $845.
Contest inflated valuations
Rural Georgia counties sometimes lag in assessment updates, leaving older homes valued above comparable recent sales. Filing a tax appeal in Colquitt County is free and can reverse years of overpayment if your assessment is out of date.
Colquitt County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.8% aligns closely with national norms, and at $779 monthly, renters pay roughly half what national median rent suggests. A median household income of $49,691 supports these modest housing costs, making Colquitt accessible to working families across income tiers.
Slightly above Georgia's affordability average
Colquitt's 18.8% rent-to-income ratio edges just above Georgia's state average of 18.6%, positioning it in the moderate affordability zone across the state. At $779 monthly rent, it's still 16% cheaper than Georgia's median and serves as a rural alternative to pricier regions.
Middle ground in South Georgia rental market
Colquitt's $779 rent falls between Coffee County's bargain $713 and Cook County's $901, offering a reasonable middle option for South Georgia renters. All three maintain similar income levels, but Colquitt balances affordability with more developed infrastructure.
Ownership offers modest 19% cost advantage
Colquitt homeowners pay $632 monthly—$147 less than renters—on median home values of $121,400, creating a meaningful incentive for those able to qualify for mortgages. Housing costs consume roughly 19% of median household income under either tenure.
Balanced affordability in rural South Georgia
Colquitt County offers rural charm with moderate affordability, splitting the difference between Coffee's rock-bottom rents and Cook County's higher costs. Consider it if you want South Georgia living costs without sacrificing community amenities entirely.
Colquitt County's median household income of $49,691 falls $25,064 short of the national median of $74,755, ranking among lower-income U.S. counties. This persistent gap reflects limited job diversity and educational opportunity in this agricultural south Georgia region.
Bottom tier among Georgia counties
Colquitt ranks in Georgia's lower-income quartile with median household income 18% below the state average of $60,488. Per capita income of $27,073 also trails the Georgia state average of $31,115 by 13%.
Colquitt mirrors south Georgia income patterns
Colquitt's $49,691 median income closely resembles Coffee County ($50,175) and Cook County ($50,133), suggesting shared economic conditions across this rural region. All three counties face limited employment diversity and outmigration pressure.
Affordable housing relative to income
Colquitt's rent-to-income ratio of 18.8% indicates housing affordability—just $9,341 annually for median earners, well under the 30% benchmark. Median home value of $121,400 represents roughly 2.4 years of household income, among Georgia's most accessible markets.
Start investing despite modest income
Colquitt County residents earning $49,691 can still build wealth through consistent saving and low-cost index investing via employer 401(k) plans or Roth IRAs. Leverage your county's affordable housing and living costs to free up savings capacity.
Life expectancy in Colquitt stands at just 71.6 years, nearly five years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. More than one in four residents (26.5%) report poor or fair health—the highest rate in this data set—far exceeding the national average of 18%.
Georgia's Lowest Health Rankings
Colquitt's 71.6-year life expectancy is 1.7 years below Georgia's average, while its 26.5% poor/fair health rate is among the state's worst. The county faces entrenched health inequities that require coordinated investment in prevention, access, and provider recruitment.
Hardest-Hit County in Southwest Georgia
Colquitt's 71.6-year life expectancy ties neighboring Coffee County as the lowest in this region, with both counties struggling far below state norms. Unlike neighbors with better primary care access, Colquitt's 37 providers per 100,000 residents represents one of the state's most severe provider shortages.
Uninsured & Underserved
Nearly one in five Colquitt residents (19.8%) go without health insurance, stranding thousands without access to preventive or emergency care. Though mental health providers number 91 per 100,000 (above some neighbors), the county's 37 primary care providers per 100,000 create dangerous gaps in basic medical access.
Finding Coverage in Colquitt County
With nearly 20% uninsured and provider shortages limiting options, Colquitt residents need to know about available support programs and coverage pathways. Contact 1-800-318-2596 or visit healthcare.gov today—coverage can be the first step toward better health outcomes.
Colquitt County's composite risk score of 70.55 places it in the relatively low risk category, yet it exceeds Georgia's state average of 39.49 by 78%—a substantial margin. The county's hazard exposure spans multiple weather phenomena, with hurricane and tornado risks particularly pronounced. Preparedness here means planning for diverse threats.
Upper-middle risk among Georgia counties
Colquitt County ranks in the upper-middle tier statewide with its 70.55 composite score, driven strongly by hurricane risk of 90.86 and tornado risk of 85.37. Wildfire risk of 68.99 and earthquake risk of 56.49 round out a multi-hazard exposure profile. Few Georgia counties face such balanced risk across so many disaster types.
Slightly riskier than Coffee County nearby
Colquitt County (70.55) edges out Coffee County (59.61) to the north, both representing south Georgia's moderate-to-elevated risk zone. Cook County (34.83) to the west is substantially safer, while Columbia County to the northeast (76.84) carries marginally greater peril. Colquitt sits in a belt of counties vulnerable to Gulf-spawned tropical systems.
Hurricanes and tornadoes lead the list
Hurricane risk of 90.86 makes tropical systems Colquitt's primary threat—residents should monitor the Atlantic basin from June through November and have evacuation routes identified. Tornado risk of 85.37 is equally serious; spring severe weather can produce damaging winds and dangerous rotation without much warning.
Flood insurance is strongly recommended
Given hurricane risk of 90.86, Colquitt residents should obtain flood insurance immediately, as standard homeowners policies exclude water damage—particularly critical during tropical cyclones. Ensure your roof and foundation can withstand high winds, and consider a safe room or reinforced shelter given tornado risk of 85.37.