Cook County's composite score of 72.8 positions it in the top 21% of U.S. counties, well above the national median of 50.0. Exceptional affordability and low taxes drive this strong national performance.
2 / 5
Slightly above Georgia average
At 72.8, Cook County exceeds Georgia's state average of 70.9, ranking among the more livable counties statewide. The county performs solidly within its state peer group.
3 / 5
Outstanding affordability and tax rates
Cook County delivers a cost score of 82.2 with median home values of just $123,000 and rents at $901 monthly. The tax score of 79.2 and 0.820% effective tax rate make it one of Georgia's most financially favorable counties.
4 / 5
Limited wage and career growth
An income score of 16.1 reflects a median household income of only $50,133, indicating constrained economic opportunity. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data are not yet available for a comprehensive assessment.
5 / 5
Ideal for value-seeking retirees
Cook County attracts retirees, remote workers, and families seeking maximum affordability with minimal tax burden in south Georgia. The tradeoff: limited local employment and career advancement opportunities.
Cook County's composite score of 72.8 positions it in the top 21% of U.S. counties, well above the national median of 50.0. Exceptional affordability and low taxes drive this strong national performance.
Slightly above Georgia average
At 72.8, Cook County exceeds Georgia's state average of 70.9, ranking among the more livable counties statewide. The county performs solidly within its state peer group.
Outstanding affordability and tax rates
Cook County delivers a cost score of 82.2 with median home values of just $123,000 and rents at $901 monthly. The tax score of 79.2 and 0.820% effective tax rate make it one of Georgia's most financially favorable counties.
Limited wage and career growth
An income score of 16.1 reflects a median household income of only $50,133, indicating constrained economic opportunity. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data are not yet available for a comprehensive assessment.
Ideal for value-seeking retirees
Cook County attracts retirees, remote workers, and families seeking maximum affordability with minimal tax burden in south Georgia. The tradeoff: limited local employment and career advancement opportunities.
Score breakdown
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🏛79.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Cook County's 0.820% effective rate ranks below the national median of 0.92%, placing it in the bottom 30% of U.S. counties for tax burden. Annual median property taxes of just $1,009 run 62% below the national median of $2,690, reflecting the county's modest property values of $123,000.
Georgia's affordable south Georgia choice
Cook County's 0.820% rate sits below Georgia's state average of 0.898%, ranking it among the state's 159 counties with lighter tax loads. The median tax of $1,009 is 34% lower than Georgia's $1,529 average.
Beats Coffee and rivals Crisp
Cook County's 0.820% rate undercuts neighboring Coffee County (0.807%) by a hair and sits well below Crisp County (1.156%). Among south Georgia's rural counties, Cook offers some of the lowest effective rates available.
Median home costs $1,009 yearly
A typical Cook County home valued at $123,000 generates $1,009 in annual property taxes. Mortgaged homes owe $1,301 including debt service; outright owners pay $786.
Small savings add up over time
Even in Cook County's low-cost market, homeowners should verify their assessed value against recent comparable sales or appraisals. A 10% assessment reduction on a $123,000 home saves over $100 annually—meaningful in rural areas where household incomes are tighter.
Cook County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.6% significantly exceeds both the national average and Georgia's state average of 18.6%, signaling affordability stress despite modest absolute rent costs. At a median household income of $50,133, Cook households spend a larger wage share on housing than typical U.S. families.
Among Georgia's least affordable counties
Cook County's 21.6% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the state's poorest affordability outcomes, placing it in Georgia's bottom tier for housing accessibility. Despite rents of $901—still below state median—the income-to-rent mismatch creates genuine stress for working families.
Cook's rent stress exceeds South Georgia peers
Cook's $901 rent tops both Coffee County ($713) and Colquitt County ($779), while its significantly lower income creates the region's highest rent-to-income burden at 21.6%. This positions Cook as the least affordable option in the South Georgia cluster.
Ownership offers 28% cost savings pathway
Cook homeowners pay just $651 monthly—$250 less than renters—on median home values of $123,000, presenting a compelling ownership incentive for qualified buyers. This 28% ownership discount could substantially ease affordability pressures compared to renting.
Consider ownership or neighboring alternatives
Cook County's high rent burden suggests exploring homeownership options if you qualify, or comparing nearby Coffee County ($713 rent) and Colquitt County ($779 rent) for improved affordability. Remote work relocation here requires careful budget analysis given housing-income ratios.
Cook County's median household income of $50,133 falls $24,622 below the national median of $74,755, reflecting limited local employment diversity. This gap positions Cook among lower-income U.S. counties with constrained economic opportunity.
Below-average Georgia earnings
Cook County ranks in Georgia's lower-income tier with median household income 17% below the state average of $60,488. Per capita income of $25,003 similarly underperforms Georgia's $31,115 state average by 20%.
Cook mirrors Coffee and Colquitt incomes
Cook's $50,133 median income clusters with neighboring Coffee County ($50,175) and Colquitt County ($49,691), confirming consistent economic conditions across this south Georgia subregion. All three counties face similar workforce challenges and income constraints.
Tight housing affordability challenge
Cook County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.6% marks the highest among Georgia's lower-income counties, consuming $10,829 annually for median earners. Median home value of $123,000 still represents 2.5 years of gross household income—a stretch for many local families.
Prioritize emergency funds first
Cook County residents earning $50,133 should focus first on building three- to six-month emergency reserves before pursuing investments. Maximize any employer 401(k) match and consider automatic IRA contributions to build wealth gradually despite modest income.
Cook residents have a life expectancy of 71.8 years, more than four years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Nearly one in four residents (24.5%) report poor or fair health, compared to the national average of 18%, revealing significant health disparities.
Among Georgia's Lowest Health Rankings
Cook's 71.8-year life expectancy trails Georgia's 73.3-year average by 1.5 years, while its 24.5% poor/fair health rate far exceeds state norms. The county faces persistent health challenges that require sustained investment in preventive care and provider access.
A Pattern of Rural Health Challenges
Cook's 71.8-year life expectancy places it among the lowest in rural south Georgia, alongside neighbors Coffee County (71.6) and Colquitt County (71.6). With just 52 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Cook shares the provider shortage crisis affecting rural Georgia.
Limited Coverage & Provider Access
One in six Cook residents (17.4%) lack health insurance, nearly 2.4 percentage points above Georgia's average, restricting access to preventive and emergency care. Mental health providers number just 57 per 100,000 residents, limiting behavioral health services for residents struggling with addiction, depression, or anxiety.
Healthcare Options for Cook County
With 17.4% of Cook residents uninsured and provider shortages limiting options, coverage programs offer a lifeline to better health. Call 1-800-318-2596 or visit healthcare.gov to explore Medicaid eligibility and marketplace plans designed to make healthcare affordable.
Cook County's composite risk score of 34.83 places it in the very low category and actually sits slightly below Georgia's state average of 39.49—a notable distinction in a hazard-prone state. This relative safety spans multiple hazard types, though hurricane exposure remains elevated. Cook County residents enjoy substantially lower disaster risk than most of their state.
Significantly safer than most Georgia counties
Cook County's 34.83 composite score ranks it among Georgia's safest counties, particularly due to low flood risk (26.97) and tornado risk (53.02). Even earthquake risk (43.92) remains below many counties statewide. Cook County represents one of Georgia's safer natural disaster profiles.
Safest county in the immediate region
Cook County (34.83) stands as a notable outlier of safety compared to Coffee County (59.61), Crisp County (52.29), and Colquitt County (70.55)—making it substantially safer than surrounding areas. This advantage makes Cook an increasingly attractive location for risk-conscious residents in south Georgia. The county's low composite score is unusual for the region.
Hurricane risk the primary consideration
Hurricane risk of 86.23 is Cook County's main hazard concern, though this remains lower than in neighboring counties to the east and south. All other hazards—tornado, flood, earthquake, wildfire—score well below typical statewide levels. Residents should focus preparedness efforts primarily on tropical system preparedness.
Standard coverage likely adequate here
Cook County's very low composite risk of 34.83 means standard homeowners insurance may provide sufficient coverage for most residents, though hurricane risk of 86.23 warrants careful policy review during Atlantic basin season. Flood insurance is optional for most properties given flood risk of 26.97—among Georgia's lowest. Annual policy reviews remain wise practice.