CountyScore

Decatur County

Georgia · GA

#132 in Georgia
63.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Decatur County, Georgia

Decatur County Significantly Outperforms Nationally

With a composite score of 71.4, Decatur County beats the national median of 50.0 by more than 40%, positioning it among America's more livable counties. This strong national standing reflects solid fundamentals in taxes and housing affordability.

Edges Out Georgia's State Average

Decatur County's 71.4 score slightly exceeds Georgia's state average of 70.9, placing it just above the middle of Georgia's county rankings. This near-average performance within the state shows consistency with broader Georgia trends.

Affordable Housing Drives Livability Score

Decatur County shines with a cost score of 81.5, offering median home values of just $146,200 and gross rent of $860/month—among Georgia's most affordable options. The tax score of 76.2 and effective rate of 0.925% further enhance financial accessibility for working families.

Income Levels Fall Significantly Behind

The income score of 16.3 with a median household income of $50,485 is the county's clear weak point, ranking lowest among these eight counties. Unknown safety, health, school, and water metrics create additional blind spots in evaluating overall livability.

Best for Budget-Conscious, Lower-Income Households

Decatur County is custom-built for families and individuals prioritizing maximum affordability—low-income workers, first-time homebuyers, and those on tight budgets will find genuine value here. If housing and tax burden top your priorities, this county delivers exceptional financial relief.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax76.2Cost81.5SafetyComing SoonHealth56.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.3Risk24.1WaterComing Soon
🏛76.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼16.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤56.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡24.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Decatur County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Jefferson County
Alabama
63.7
Median income: $64,589
Clay County
Florida
63.7
Median income: $86,094
Putnam County
Florida
63.7
Median income: $47,256
Lowndes County
Georgia
63.7
Median income: $55,887
Montgomery County
Illinois
63.7
Median income: $61,863

Deep Dives

Decatur County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Decatur County

via TaxByCounty

Decatur taxes slightly above national average

At 0.925%, Decatur County's effective rate exceeds the national median of 0.89%, landing in the top 40% of U.S. counties. Yet the median tax bill of $1,353 remains well below the national median of $2,690, thanks to lower home values.

Above-average tax rate for Georgia

Decatur's 0.925% rate ranks slightly above Georgia's 0.898% state average, placing it in the upper-middle tier of Georgia's 159 counties. Despite modest home values ($146,200 median), the county's rate edges higher than most peers.

Decatur taxes higher than surrounding counties

Nearby Dodge County charges 0.954% and Dougherty County charges 1.393%, but Decatur's 0.925% sits in between. When compared to the state average, Decatur homeowners feel the difference most acutely relative to their lower property values.

Your annual Decatur property tax bill

On a median home valued at $146,200, the typical Decatur homeowner pays $1,353 annually in property taxes. This amount remains consistent whether the property carries a mortgage or not, reflecting the straightforward rate structure.

Challenge your Decatur assessment today

In a county with above-average rates, overassessment stings even more—and appeals are common. Contact Decatur County's assessor's office to request a formal reassessment and potentially reclaim hundreds in annual tax savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Decatur County

via CostByCounty

Decatur's housing affordability faces real strain

At 20.4%, Decatur County's rent-to-income ratio ranks significantly above Georgia's state average of 18.6% and the national norm, indicating housing pressure. With a median household income of just $50,485—well below the national median of $74,755—residents here stretch smaller paychecks to cover housing.

Among Georgia's least affordable counties

Decatur County ranks near the bottom of Georgia counties for affordability, with housing costs consuming an outsized 20.4% of median income. The county's $860 monthly rent exceeds the state average, creating real strain for residents in this rural southwest Georgia community.

Decatur caught between cheaper and pricier

Decatur's $860 rent falls between the bargain rates of Dodge ($688) and Dooly ($761) counties and the steeper costs of urban Dougherty County ($905). Despite modest local incomes, Decatur's housing costs are comparatively high for its region.

Housing eats into lean household budgets

A renter in Decatur devotes roughly $860 monthly to housing while the median household earns $50,485 annually—meaning over 20% of gross income flows to rent alone. Homeowners faring better at $750 monthly, but both scenarios leave limited resources for other essentials.

Decatur requires careful financial planning

If relocating to rural Georgia, compare Decatur's tight housing ratio to nearby Dodge or Dooly counties, where similar rural lifestyles carry lower rent burdens. Only consider Decatur if your income significantly exceeds the county median, or if non-housing factors make it worth the trade-off.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Decatur County

via IncomeByCounty

Decatur trails national income significantly

Decatur County's median household income of $50,485 falls $24,270 short of the national median of $74,755, representing a 32% gap. The county ranks among lower-earning regions nationally, reflecting persistent economic headwinds in rural south Georgia.

Among Georgia's lowest-income counties

Decatur's $50,485 median household income ranks substantially below Georgia's $60,488 state average, trailing by nearly $10,000. The county clusters with Georgia's most economically disadvantaged regions, requiring targeted economic development attention.

Struggling alongside similar rural peers

Decatur residents earn roughly $8,451 less than Dade County and only slightly more than Dodge County's $50,152. The county faces shared economic challenges with nearby rural neighbors, though all three lag Dawson and Douglas counties dramatically.

Rent stretches household budgets

Decatur's 20.4% rent-to-income ratio pushes toward the affordability ceiling, meaning rental costs consume a significant portion of typical household earnings. With median home values under $150,000, homeownership offers more financial relief than renting for budget-conscious families.

Start small, build momentum steadily

Decatur households earning $50,485 should prioritize modest emergency funds before investing, targeting $500–$1,000 in liquid savings first. Employer benefits like matching 401(k) contributions offer free money growth, and even $25 monthly toward savings compounds meaningfully over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Decatur County

via HealthByCounty

Decatur faces significant health challenges

Decatur County residents have a life expectancy of just 71.0 years, 5.1 years below the U.S. average and 2.3 years below Georgia's average. Nearly 24% report poor or fair health—the highest rate among these eight counties—compared to the national average of 14.8%.

Decatur ranks among Georgia's lowest

With a life expectancy of 71.0 years, Decatur County ranks near the bottom of Georgia's 159 counties, signaling significant health disparities. The county's 23.8% poor/fair health rate is among the state's worst, reflecting chronic barriers to healthcare and health equity.

Struggling compared to surrounding counties

Decatur's 71.0-year life expectancy trails Dade County (73.0 years) by 2 years and lags far behind Dawson County (76.9 years). The county faces steeper health challenges than Dodge County as well, with higher rates of poor health despite comparable provider availability.

Rural Decatur needs more healthcare support

Decatur has only 34 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and limited mental health infrastructure, leaving many residents without nearby care options. With 14.0% uninsured, the combination of limited providers and coverage gaps creates real barriers to accessing needed services.

Insurance is your first step forward

If you're uninsured in Decatur County, enrollment through the Health Insurance Marketplace or Georgia Medicaid is urgent—coverage opens doors to preventive care, screenings, and treatment that can improve your long-term health. Don't wait; take action this month to protect yourself and your family.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Decatur County

via RiskByCounty

Decatur faces elevated national disaster risk

Decatur County scores 75.86 on composite risk, nearly double the national average and placing it in the Relatively Low category. The county's location in southwest Georgia and proximity to coastal weather patterns creates above-average exposure to multiple hazard types.

Among Georgia's riskier counties

Decatur's 75.86 score significantly exceeds Georgia's state average of 39.49, ranking the county in the upper tier of Georgia risk. This elevated position reflects the county's vulnerability to hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding.

Riskiest county in its immediate area

Decatur stands out among southwest Georgia neighbors, scoring substantially higher than Dodge County (44.75) and Dooly County (14.95) to the north. The county's coastal proximity and relative flatness distinguish it from neighboring inland counties.

Hurricanes and tornadoes dominate the threat picture

Hurricane risk reaches 90.53—Decatur's highest hazard and among the highest in the state—while tornado risk scores 80.82. Flood risk (76.97) rounds out the major threats, making Decatur vulnerable to multiple severe weather events.

Comprehensive coverage is essential for Decatur

Decatur residents must carry robust homeowners insurance with hurricane, tornado, and wind coverage, and should carefully evaluate flood insurance given the 76.97 flood risk score. Securing window protection, roof reinforcement, and backup power systems offers practical protection against the county's primary hazards.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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