Scoring 68.4 on the livability index, Dawson County exceeds the national median of 50.0 by more than a third, demonstrating solid performance across measured dimensions. This above-median ranking reflects a county with meaningful economic vitality and reasonable living costs.
2 / 5
Slightly Below Georgia's State Average
At 68.4, Dawson County falls slightly short of Georgia's 70.9 state average, placing it in the middle tier of Georgia counties. While not the top performer, it remains a competitive option among the state's 159 counties.
3 / 5
Strong Incomes Paired with Low Taxes
Dawson County's standout feature is its income score of 41.5, with a median household income of $88,986—significantly above both state and national medians. Combined with a tax score of 84.5 and an effective tax rate of 0.632%, the county offers an attractive profile for middle- to upper-income households.
4 / 5
Housing Costs Rise with Economic Vitality
The cost score of 63.0 reflects higher housing prices: median home values of $351,900 and gross rent of $1,425/month, among the priciest in this county group. Safety, health, school quality, and water metrics remain unmeasured, leaving some livability questions unanswered.
5 / 5
Ideal for Affluent Families Seeking Balance
Dawson County appeals to higher-income professionals and families willing to pay premium prices for a county with strong earning potential and tax efficiency. If you value economic opportunity and can afford elevated housing costs, Dawson offers a well-rounded, prosperous community.
Scoring 68.4 on the livability index, Dawson County exceeds the national median of 50.0 by more than a third, demonstrating solid performance across measured dimensions. This above-median ranking reflects a county with meaningful economic vitality and reasonable living costs.
Slightly Below Georgia's State Average
At 68.4, Dawson County falls slightly short of Georgia's 70.9 state average, placing it in the middle tier of Georgia counties. While not the top performer, it remains a competitive option among the state's 159 counties.
Strong Incomes Paired with Low Taxes
Dawson County's standout feature is its income score of 41.5, with a median household income of $88,986—significantly above both state and national medians. Combined with a tax score of 84.5 and an effective tax rate of 0.632%, the county offers an attractive profile for middle- to upper-income households.
Housing Costs Rise with Economic Vitality
The cost score of 63.0 reflects higher housing prices: median home values of $351,900 and gross rent of $1,425/month, among the priciest in this county group. Safety, health, school quality, and water metrics remain unmeasured, leaving some livability questions unanswered.
Ideal for Affluent Families Seeking Balance
Dawson County appeals to higher-income professionals and families willing to pay premium prices for a county with strong earning potential and tax efficiency. If you value economic opportunity and can afford elevated housing costs, Dawson offers a well-rounded, prosperous community.
Score breakdown
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🏛84.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Dawson County's 0.632% effective rate runs below the national median of 0.89%, placing it in the bottom 20% of U.S. counties for tax burden. Despite higher home values here ($351,900 median), the median tax bill of $2,224 remains competitive nationally.
Second-lowest tax rate in Georgia
At 0.632%, Dawson ranks second-lowest among Georgia's 159 counties, just 0.008 percentage points above Dade. The county's rate sits nearly 0.27 percentage points below Georgia's 0.898% state average.
Dawson offers competitive regional rates
Neighboring Dade County matches Dawson's low-tax appeal at 0.624%, while Douglas County to the south charges 0.793%. Dawson's strength lies in combining low rates with significantly higher home values, attracting upscale buyers seeking tax efficiency.
Your annual Dawson property tax bill
On Dawson's median home value of $351,900, the typical homeowner pays $2,224 annually. With a mortgage, that rises to $2,489; without one, it drops to $1,621.
Appeal your Dawson property assessment
Even low-tax counties see overassessment; many Dawson homeowners pay more than they should. Requesting a reassessment from the county assessor's office could uncover errors and lower your tax obligation.
Dawson County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.2% sits above both the national average and Georgia's state average of 18.6%, signaling tighter housing affordability. Though residents earn a robust $88,986 median household income—well above the national median of $74,755—housing costs here consume a larger share of that paycheck.
Middle-of-pack affordability for Georgia
Dawson County's 19.2% rent-to-income ratio places it in the moderate range among Georgia counties, neither as affordable as rural counties nor as strained as metro areas. The $1,425 median monthly rent reflects growing demand in this north Georgia mountain community.
Pricier than surrounding rural counties
Dawson's $1,425 rent significantly outpaces nearby Dade County ($843) and Dodge County ($688), reflecting its proximity to Atlanta and appeal as a mountain retreat. Yet it remains more affordable than DeKalb County ($1,591), making Dawson a middle ground for those seeking mountain living without full metro costs.
Higher incomes support higher housing costs
Dawson residents with $88,986 median household income manage $1,425 monthly rent and $1,265 homeowner costs reasonably well, though at 19% of gross income. The county's strong income base—highest among the peer set—is essential to sustaining these housing price points.
Dawson appeals to higher earners
If you earn above Georgia's median and want mountain scenery with modern amenities, Dawson's $351,900 median home value and strong job market justify the higher rent-to-income ratio. Compare Dawson to similar mountain communities in other states to see whether its growth trajectory and lifestyle offset housing costs.
Dawson County's median household income of $88,986 outpaces the national median of $74,755 by nearly $14,200, ranking the county well above typical American earning power. This 19% advantage positions Dawson among the nation's stronger-performing counties economically.
Georgia's income champion in this group
Dawson's $88,986 median household income significantly exceeds Georgia's $60,488 state average by $28,498—nearly 47% higher. The county ranks among Georgia's most prosperous counties, driven by strong suburban growth and higher-income resident concentration.
Far ahead of surrounding counties
Dawson households earn $30,000 more annually than Dade County and nearly $39,000 more than Decatur County. This remarkable income gap reflects Dawson's distinct economic character as an affluent exurban community distinct from its neighbors.
Housing costs rise with wealth here
Despite high incomes, Dawson's 19.2% rent-to-income ratio remains affordable, though median home values of $351,900 are substantially elevated. Higher-income households here typically spend more on premium housing while maintaining financial flexibility.
Dawson residents have wealth-building edge
With median incomes near $89,000, Dawson households can aggressively fund investment accounts, diversified portfolios, and real estate holdings. Tax-advantaged strategies like backdoor Roth conversions and 529 college savings plans become accessible wealth-multiplication tools.
Dawson County residents live to 76.9 years—3.6 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.1 years and 3.6 years above Georgia's state average. Only 14.6% report poor or fair health, well below the national average of 14.8%.
Dawson ranks among Georgia's healthiest
At 76.9 years, Dawson County boasts one of Georgia's highest life expectancies, ranking in the top tier statewide. The county's 14.6% poor/fair health rate is among the state's best, reflecting strong community health outcomes.
Healthier than nearby Dade County
Dawson's 76.9-year life expectancy exceeds neighboring Dade County by 3.9 years and Decatur County by 5.9 years. With 67 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Dawson also offers significantly better healthcare access than its rural neighbors.
Strong provider presence supports wellness
Dawson County offers 67 primary care providers and 101 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, among Georgia's highest concentrations. Just 14.0% lack insurance, creating conditions where preventive care and mental health support reach most residents.
Keep your health coverage strong
Dawson's strong health outcomes reflect high insurance rates and consistent healthcare access—maintain this advantage by renewing coverage annually. If your situation changes, quickly explore options through the Health Insurance Marketplace to avoid gaps in care.
Dawson County scores just 21.88 on composite risk—placing it in the Very Low category and well below the national average. This makes Dawson one of Georgia's and the nation's least disaster-prone counties, though no location is risk-free.
Georgia's second-lowest risk county
Dawson's 21.88 score ranks it among Georgia's safest counties, significantly below the state average of 39.49. Only a handful of Georgia counties maintain lower composite risk than Dawson.
Safest in its region
Dawson's neighbors include Dade County (33.21, Very Low) and Forsyth County to the south, with Dawson maintaining the lowest risk in its immediate area. The county's high elevation and distance from major flood zones contribute to this favorable profile.
Tornadoes require most attention here
Tornado risk reaches 51.46 in Dawson, its highest hazard, though still moderate compared to other Georgia counties. Earthquake risk (50.86) and wildfire risk (33.46) follow, with flood and hurricane risks remaining minimal at 33.94 and 36.75 respectively.
Keep tornado coverage in your policy
Dawson homeowners should maintain standard homeowners insurance with wind and tornado coverage, and develop a family severe weather plan. The county's low overall risk means you can focus resources on tornado preparedness rather than multiple hazard mitigation strategies.