countyscore
34.1
County Score
Water Quality 86Cost of Living 62Schools 56.8

County Report Card

About Crisp County, Georgia

Facing Significant National Headwinds

Crisp County has a composite score of 34.3, well below the national median of 50.0. This score reflects deep-seated challenges in the local economy and public safety.

Trailing Behind State Peers

At 34.3, Crisp County ranks significantly below the Georgia state average of 46.7. It struggles with social and economic metrics compared to other rural counties.

Solid Schools and Affordable Living

The county offers a respectable school score of 56.8 and a cost score of 65.4. Rents are very affordable, with a median of $743 per month.

Critical Safety and Income Gaps

Safety is a major concern with a score of only 2.3, among the lowest in the data. An income score of 5.0 reflects a median household income of just $42,745.

Affordable Living with Trade-offs

Crisp County is best suited for those on a strict budget who can leverage the local school system. However, residents must be prepared for significant challenges in safety and healthcare.

2040608010030.3622.315.756.85.947.78633.6Tax30.3Cost62Safety2.3Health15.7Schools56.8Income5.9Risk47.7Water86Weather33.634.1/100
This county
National avg
2 above average5 below average

Crisp County DNA

Foverall

How Crisp County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Crisp County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Water Quality (86/100) but notably weak in Safety (2.3/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
30.3-21.7
Cost
62+14
Safety
2.3-52.7
Health
15.7-34.3
Schools
56.8
Income
5.9-45.1
Risk
47.7
Water
86+28
Weather
33.6-22.4
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Crisp County?

Many homeowners in Crisp County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$140,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$778/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$140,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$31,120/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $45,105/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

30.0

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

Imperial County
California
Median income: $57,681
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Median income: $46,695
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Richmond County
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Allen County
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Chatham County
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Liberty County
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Champaign County
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Tangipahoa Parish
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Nearby counties

Turner County
Georgia
55.7
Dooly County
Georgia
55.7
Lee County
Georgia
42.3
Worth County
Georgia
38.7
Wilcox County
Georgia
60.8
Sumter County
Georgia
33.5
Pulaski County
Georgia
42.3
Ben Hill County
Georgia
37.4

Deep Dives

Crisp County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Crisp County

via TaxByCounty

Crisp County taxes exceed national median

At 1.156%, Crisp County's effective tax rate ranks well above the national median of 0.92%, placing it in the top 30% of U.S. counties by burden. Despite low property values of $120,800, homeowners pay $1,396 annually—modestly below the national median of $2,690—because Crisp's assessment ratio is significantly higher.

Georgia's highest county tax rate

Crisp County's 1.156% effective rate towers above Georgia's state average of 0.898%, making it the highest-taxed county in the state among the 159 surveyed. The median tax bill of $1,396 exceeds Georgia's average of $1,529 despite property values 50% below the state norm.

Significantly higher than all neighbors

Crisp County's 1.156% rate dramatically exceeds Coffee County (0.807%), Cook County (0.820%), and Colquitt County (0.866%)—all nearby south Georgia counties. Homeowners in Crisp face the highest effective rates in their entire region.

Median home costs $1,396 yearly

A typical Crisp County home valued at $120,800 generates $1,396 in annual property taxes—the highest median in this eight-county sample relative to home values. With mortgage debt, owners pay $1,747; without, they pay $968.

Appeal now—savings are largest here

Crisp County's unusually high effective rate makes assessment appeals especially valuable; a 10% reduction saves $140 annually per home. Homeowners should request an independent appraisal and file a formal appeal immediately if their assessed value exceeds recent comparable sales by more than 5%.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Crisp County

via IncomeByCounty

Crisp faces significant income gap

Crisp County's median household income of $42,745 runs $32,010 below the national median of $74,755, representing a 43% deficit compared to typical American households. This substantial gap reflects limited employment diversity and educational opportunity in this rural south Georgia county.

Georgia's lowest median household income

Crisp ranks last among Georgia's 159 counties with median household income 29% below the state average of $60,488. Per capita income of $28,062 trails Georgia's $31,115 state average by 10%, indicating broader economic strain.

Crisp trails all south Georgia peers

Crisp's $42,745 median income significantly underperforms neighboring Coffee County ($50,175), Colquitt County ($49,691), and Cook County ($50,133), marking it as the region's most economically challenged county. The disparity suggests particular structural workforce challenges in Crisp.

Housing strains budget for many families

Crisp's rent-to-income ratio of 20.9% consumes $8,935 annually for median earners—the second-highest burden in this county group—leaving limited room for other expenses. Median home value of $120,800 represents 2.8 years of gross household income for families.

Build financial resilience gradually

Crisp County residents earning $42,745 should prioritize emergency savings and debt reduction before investing, given tight household budgets. Look for employer benefits like 401(k) plans with matching contributions—these free dollars compound significantly over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Crisp County

via CrimeByCounty

Crisp County Exceeds National Crime Averages

Crisp County faces challenges with a total crime rate of 4,502.6 per 100K, nearly double the national average. This high volume results in a safety score of 92.9.

Comparing Crisp to State Norms

The county's safety metrics sit below the Georgia state average safety score of 97.8. Its total crime rate of 4,502.6 is more than triple the statewide average of 1,412.9.

Highest Crime Rates in the Region

Crisp sees far more crime than its neighbors, with rates significantly higher than nearby Coffee County's 1,238.0 per 100K. This disparity highlights a concentrated need for public safety resources.

Severe Property and Violent Crime

Violent crime is a concern at 938.0 per 100K, while property crime reaches a high of 3,564.6. These numbers suggest that residents are more likely to experience theft or burglary than in adjacent counties.

Prioritizing Your Home Security

High property crime rates make home security systems and community watch programs essential for local families. Investing in cameras and alarm monitoring can provide a critical layer of defense.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Crisp County

via WeatherByCounty

High Heat in the Heart of Georgia

Crisp County averages 65.8°F annually, significantly exceeding the national median temperature. Its humid subtropical climate brings over 50 inches of rain and very little winter relief.

Warmer than the Georgia Average

Crisp's average of 65.8°F is more than two degrees higher than the state average of 63.7°F. It is consistently one of the warmer counties in the central-south region of the state.

A Local Hot Spot

Crisp County is slightly cooler than Colquitt County to its south but experiences more extreme heat days. It is significantly warmer and more humid than its counterparts in Northern Georgia.

A Massive Surge of Summer Heat

The county endures a staggering 96 days of temperatures at or above 90°F each year. Winter is mild at 49.6°F, and snow is almost nonexistent, averaging just 0.1 inches annually.

Prioritize Cooling and Hydration

With over three months of 90-degree weather, residents must have high-performing air conditioning and energy-efficient windows. Outdoor maintenance and activities should be scheduled around the July average high of 82.4°F to avoid heat exhaustion.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Crisp County

via SoilByCounty

The soil profile of Crisp County

Specific pH and taxonomic data for Crisp County are currently unavailable in the federal record. Most soils in this region are naturally acidic, trending below the national median pH of 6.5.

Texture across the landscape

Precise sand, silt, and clay percentages are not listed for Crisp County at this time. The region typically features soils that are easy to till, making it a historically significant area for large-scale Georgia farming.

Managing organic matter for yields

While specific organic matter data is missing, the state average of 1.83% is a helpful target for local growers. Improving soil organic matter can significantly increase the water capacity and overall health of your land.

Observing hydrology and drainage

Dominant drainage classes are not currently documented for Crisp County. Because this area is central to Georgia's agriculture, understanding local hydrology is essential for effective irrigation and soil conservation.

Abundant growing in Zone 8b

Crisp County is located in hardiness zone 8b, providing the heat needed for watermelons and cotton to flourish. This climate is welcoming to any gardener looking to take advantage of Georgia's long and sunny growing season.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Crisp County

via LawnByCounty

Crisp County's Extreme Lawn Demands

With a lawn difficulty score of 23.8, Crisp County is one of the most challenging places in Georgia to grow grass. This is significantly tougher than both the state average of 35.8 and the national median of 50.0.

Combatting 96 Days of Extreme Heat

The county faces a staggering 96 extreme heat days per year, more than 30 days above the state average. This heat, combined with 6,202 growing degree days, makes for an aggressive but highly stressful growing environment.

Start with a Scientific Soil Test

No specific soil metrics are available for this area, so testing your own dirt is vital. In this high-heat climate, understanding your soil's pH and drainage is the only way to effectively manage your lawn's health.

Total Drought Challenges for Homeowners

The entire county is under severe drought status after 30 weeks of drought conditions over the past year. Use drought-tolerant cultivars and strictly adhere to early morning watering schedules to save water and money.

Tough Grasses for Tough Conditions

Bahia and Bermuda are the best choices for surviving the intense 96-day heat cycles in Zone 8b. Aim to start your projects after the March 13 frost date to maximize the growing window before the next winter.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Crisp County's county score?
Crisp County, Georgia has a composite county score of 34.1 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 Crisp County rank among counties in Georgia?
Crisp County ranks #142 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 Crisp County, Georgia?
The median annual property tax in Crisp County is $1,510, with an effective tax rate of 1.08%. This earns Crisp County a tax score of 30.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Crisp County?
The median household income in Crisp County, Georgia is $45,105 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Crisp County earns an income score of 5.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Crisp County, Georgia a good place to live?
Crisp County scores 34.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #142 in Georgia. The best way to evaluate Crisp 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 Crisp County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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