countyscore
63.5
County Score
Safety 97.5Water Quality 86Property Tax 71.6

County Report Card

About Dade County, Georgia

Well Above the National Median

Dade County secures an impressive 63.5 composite score, significantly outperforming the national median of 50.0. This score places the county among the upper tier of livable areas across the country.

A Top Performer in Georgia

The county stands well above the Georgia state average composite score of 46.7. It offers a higher baseline quality of life compared to many of its regional neighbors.

Exceptional Safety and Low Taxes

Public safety is a primary draw here, reflected in an outstanding safety score of 97.5. Residents also benefit from a favorable 71.6 tax score, supported by a low effective tax rate of 0.624%.

Room for Economic and Health Growth

The income score sits at 35.3 with a median household income of $58,936, trailing national standards. Health outcomes also present a challenge for the community, currently scoring 38.8.

Ideal for Secure Rural Living

This county is a perfect fit for retirees or remote workers who prioritize personal safety and low taxes. It offers an affordable, secure lifestyle with a median home value of only $166,600.

2040608010071.660.897.538.841.535.366.88667.8Tax71.6Cost60.8Safety97.5Health38.8Schools41.5Income35.3Risk66.8Water86Weather67.863.5/100
This county
National avg
6 above average3 below average

Dade County DNA

D+overall

How Dade County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Dade County scores above average across most dimensions. It's a well-balanced county with particular strength in Safety (97.5/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
71.6+19.599999999999994
Cost
60.8+12.799999999999997
Safety
97.5+42.5
Health
38.8-11.200000000000003
Schools
41.5-12.5
Income
35.3-15.700000000000003
Risk
66.8+19.799999999999997
Water
86+28
Weather
67.8+11.799999999999997
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Compare mortgage rates in Dade County

Whether buying or refinancing in Dade County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$166,600

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$843/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$166,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$33,720/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $58,936/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

6.2

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

Lincoln County
Kentucky
Median income: $50,862
63.5
Ontonagon County
Michigan
Median income: $51,844
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Mora County
New Mexico
Median income: $50,178
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Cannon County
Tennessee
Median income: $58,092
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Fremont County
Idaho
Median income: $72,767
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Whitley County
Indiana
Median income: $75,790
63.4
Humboldt County
Iowa
Median income: $66,994
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Hart County
Kentucky
Median income: $49,653
63.6

Nearby counties

Walker County
Georgia
55
Catoosa County
Georgia
47.3
Marion County
Tennessee
50.5
Chattooga County
Georgia
46.3
Hamilton County
Tennessee
35.7
DeKalb County
Alabama
62
Whitfield County
Georgia
40.2
Jackson County
Alabama
61.9

Deep Dives

Dade County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Dade County

via TaxByCounty

Dade's taxes rank among nation's lowest

At 0.624%, Dade County's effective tax rate sits well below the national median of 0.89%, placing it in the bottom 15% of U.S. counties. A homeowner paying the national median property tax of $2,690 would pay just $1,039 here—a savings of $1,651 annually.

Lowest-taxed county in Georgia

Dade's 0.624% rate is the lowest among Georgia's 159 counties, nearly 0.3 percentage points below the state average of 0.898%. Homeowners here pay just 68% of what the typical Georgia household pays in property taxes.

Dade taxes significantly undercut region

Neighboring Dawson County taxes at 0.632%, while Douglas County charges 0.793%—all substantially lower than the state average. Dade's combination of low rate and modest home values ($166,600 median) creates one of Georgia's most affordable property tax environments.

Your annual Dade property tax bill

On a median home valued at $166,600, the typical Dade homeowner pays $1,039 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $1,380; without one, it drops to $698.

Verify your Dade property assessment

Even at Georgia's lowest tax rate, many homeowners remain overassessed by county appraisers. Filing a formal appeal with Dade County's assessor's office could lower your assessed value and reduce your annual tax bill further.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Dade County

via CostByCounty

Dade's rent bite stays below national average

Dade County residents spend 17.2% of their income on rent, a healthier ratio than the national norm and well below the state average of 18.6%. With a median household income of $58,936—below the national median of $74,755—Dade still manages to keep housing costs manageable relative to what people earn here.

Among Georgia's most affordable counties

Dade ranks near the top of Georgia counties for housing affordability, with one of the lowest rent-to-income ratios in the state. The county's $843 median monthly rent undercuts the state average of $927, giving renters real breathing room in their budgets.

Dade edges out comparable counties

Compared to nearby Dawson County ($1,425/month rent) and DeKalb County ($1,591/month), Dade's $843 rent is dramatically lower, though incomes are also more modest. For renters prioritizing affordability over urban amenities, Dade delivers exceptional value.

Renters and owners fare well here

A renter in Dade spends about $843 monthly while homeowners carry roughly $699 in mortgage costs—both sustainable relative to the $58,936 median household income. This means roughly 17% of income flows to rent, leaving families resources for food, healthcare, and savings.

Consider Dade for rural affordability

If you're relocating to Georgia and prioritize low housing costs, Dade County offers genuine affordability with manageable rent-to-income ratios and home values around $166,600. Compare this county to pricier metropolitan options like DeKalb to see where your budget stretches furthest.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Dade County

via IncomeByCounty

Dade's income falls short nationally

Dade County's median household income of $58,936 trails the national median of $74,755 by nearly $16,000. This 21% gap means the typical Dade household earns substantially less than most American families, though the county still outperforms many rural peers nationwide.

Middle ground in Georgia

Dade's $58,936 median household income slightly underperforms Georgia's $60,488 state average by about $1,550. The county ranks in the middle tier among Georgia's 159 counties, neither among the wealthiest nor the most economically challenged.

Outearning Decatur and Dodge counties

Dade residents earn $8,451 more annually than Decatur County and $8,784 more than Dodge County, its closest neighbors. However, Dade falls well behind Dawson County's $88,986 median, highlighting sharp income disparities across northwest Georgia.

Housing costs are manageable here

At 17.2%, Dade's rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, meaning housing remains reasonably accessible. With median home values around $166,600, homeownership is attainable for median-income households without severe financial strain.

Build security with what you have

Dade households earning $58,936 can prioritize high-yield savings accounts or employer 401(k) matches to grow wealth steadily. Even modest contributions compound significantly over time—starting with just $100 monthly toward retirement or investments can build substantial cushions.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Dade County

via CrimeByCounty

Dade County maintains a perfect safety score

Dade County earns a perfect safety score of 100.0, far surpassing the national average of 2,385.5 crimes per 100K residents. With a total crime rate of 0.0 per 100K in 2022, it represents an extreme outlier in national safety metrics.

A leader in Georgia safety metrics

The county's reported crime rate is significantly lower than the Georgia state average of 1412.9 per 100K. Its 100.0 safety score places it well above the state average score of 97.8.

Outperforming neighboring crime averages

While neighboring counties face various rural crime challenges, Dade reports 0.0 incidents across its two reporting agencies. This data suggests a uniquely quiet environment compared to the broader North Georgia region.

Zero reported violent or property crimes

Both violent and property crime rates are currently reported at 0.0 per 100K. While these figures indicate an exceptionally safe area, they also reflect a very specific data snapshot for the year 2022.

Maintaining a secure home in Dade

Even with perfect safety scores, basic home security remains a wise investment. Simple measures like motion-activated lighting help ensure the county stays among the safest in the country.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Dade County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Focused Single-District Rural Infrastructure

Dade County operates four public schools: two elementary, one middle, and one high school. This single-district system serves a total of 2,063 students across its coordinated campus network.

Matching National Graduation Benchmarks

The county maintains a graduation rate of 87.0%, perfectly matching the national average. While per-pupil expenditure of $7,404 mirrors the state average, the composite school score of 52.8 sits just below the Georgia mark of 53.4.

Centralized Enrollment in One District

The Dade County school district manages all local public education with no charter schools currently in operation. Dade Elementary School stands as the largest institution in the county, enrolling 771 students.

Town and Rural Learning Environments

Learning takes place in a mix of town and rural settings, with schools averaging 516 students each. Families choose between larger hubs like Dade County High and smaller environments like Davis Elementary, which serves 249 students.

Researching Homes in a Stable School System

Families seeking a tight-knit educational community often prioritize homes within this stable single-district county. Exploring real estate near these established schools ensures children are part of a system with deep community roots.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Dade County

via RiskByCounty

Dade's disaster risk stays well below average

Dade County scores 33.21 on composite risk, placing it in the Very Low category and significantly below the national average. This county faces fewer natural disaster threats than most U.S. counties, though residents should still prepare for the hazards that do occur locally.

Safer than Georgia overall

At 33.21, Dade ranks well below Georgia's statewide average of 39.49, making it one of the state's lower-risk counties. This favorable standing reflects the county's geographic position and terrain relative to major hazard zones across Georgia.

Neighborhood risk varies significantly

Dade's neighbors include Dawson County (21.88, Very Low) to the east and DeKalb County (94.27, Relatively Moderate) to the south—a dramatic range showing how local geography shapes disaster exposure. Even within northwest Georgia, risk profiles shift sharply county to county.

Tornadoes and earthquakes pose biggest threats

Dade's tornado risk scores 74.05, its highest hazard, while earthquake risk reaches 56.39—both driven by the county's position near the Cumberland Plateau. Flood risk (37.34) and hurricane risk (38.13) remain secondary concerns, though neither should be ignored.

Secure your property against severe weather

Dade residents should prioritize tornado and wind coverage in their homeowners or renters policies, and consider reinforcing safe rooms or basements. A conversation with your insurance agent about earthquake coverage and flood risk—even at lower probability—can protect your investment in this relatively safe county.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Dade County

via WaterByCounty

Perfect Compliance Grade for Dade Drinking Water

Dade County maintains a Grade A for drinking water with zero health violations over the last five years. Its violation rate of 0.0 per 100,000 residents far outperforms the Georgia state average of 152.5. Residents can trust that local utilities are meeting all Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

Watershed Health Outperforms Georgia State Average

Only 21.4% of assessed water bodies in Dade County fail Clean Water Act standards, significantly better than the state average of 48.4%. The 2022 reporting cycle identifies fecal coliform and fish bioassessments as the primary causes of impairment for these 6 water bodies. Most of the 28 assessed areas remain in healthy condition.

Targeted Monitoring at Three Local Sites

Water quality experts track 3 specific sites across the county, recording 556 measurements over the last 5 years. Monitoring efforts focus primarily on physical characteristics, inorganics, and metals. This small but consistent data footprint provides a baseline for local stream health.

Lookout Creek Flows Below Typical Levels

The USGS gauge on Lookout Creek near New England currently records a discharge of 95 cfs. This flow is only 38% of the long-term mean of 250 cfs for this time of year. The lower volume reflects dry conditions across the 146 square mile drainage area.

Prioritize Watershed Awareness and Drought Monitoring

Since drinking water compliance is excellent, residents should focus on protecting the 21.4% of streams facing fecal contamination. The current low streamflow suggests a need for water conservation to maintain source water stability. Always check local advisories before fishing in impaired reaches identified in the ATTAINS report.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Soil Quality in Dade County

via SoilByCounty

Awaiting Local Soil Data

pH levels and taxonomic classifications for Dade County are currently unmeasured in our database. While the national median pH is 6.5, most Georgia counties trend toward more acidic levels.

Understanding Local Texture

Specific percentages for sand, silt, and clay are not yet recorded for this area. We recommend a simple ribbon test to identify if your soil is clay-heavy or sandy.

Building Your Soil Health

Organic matter and water capacity data remain unavailable for this county. Residents can boost their soil's potential by adding compost to meet the national 2.0% organic matter benchmark.

Planning for Water Flow

Documented drainage classes and hydrologic groups are currently absent for Dade County. Understanding how water moves across your land is essential for preventing erosion during heavy rains.

Success in Zone 7b

The county sits in Hardiness Zone 7b, supporting a variety of temperate-climate plants. Local gardeners find great success with apples and berries in this cooler corner of Georgia.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Dade County

via LawnByCounty

Dade County Lawns Outperform the State Average

Dade County earns a lawn difficulty score of 46.7, making it easier to maintain turf here than in much of Georgia. While the state average sits at a tough 35.8, this Zone 7b county nearly reaches the national median score of 50.0.

Ample Rainfall Meets Mild Mountain Heat

The county receives 53.7 inches of annual precipitation, providing plenty of natural hydration for thirsty grass. With only 44 extreme heat days per year compared to the state average of 65, lawns here face less summer stress than southern neighbors.

Prepare Your Ground for Optimal Growth

While local soil data is currently limited, standard Georgia practices recommend testing for the ideal pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. Homeowners should focus on aeration to ensure that the 53.7 inches of rain can penetrate deeply into the root zone.

Navigating Severe Drought Periods in Dade

Over the past year, the county spent 16 weeks in drought conditions, and currently 52.6% of the area faces severe drought. Maintaining a taller grass height during these dry spells helps shade the soil and preserve precious moisture.

Strong Turf Choices for Zone 7b

Tall Fescue and Zoysia are top performers in this climate because they can handle the cooler winters of northern Georgia. These varieties capitalize on the county's high rainfall to stay green throughout the long growing season.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dade County's county score?
Dade County, Georgia has a composite county score of 63.5 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 Dade County rank among counties in Georgia?
Dade County ranks #3 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 Dade County, Georgia?
The median annual property tax in Dade County is $1,039, with an effective tax rate of 0.62%. This earns Dade County a tax score of 71.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Dade County?
The median household income in Dade County, Georgia is $58,936 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Dade County earns an income score of 35.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Dade County, Georgia a good place to live?
Dade County scores 63.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #3 in Georgia. The best way to evaluate Dade 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 Dade County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.