Dodge County Scores Solidly Above National Baseline
With a composite score of 73.5, Dodge County exceeds the national median of 50.0 by nearly 50%, demonstrating strong overall livability fundamentals. This upper-tier national ranking reflects exceptional housing affordability despite lower income levels.
2 / 5
Tops Georgia's Average by Healthy Margin
Dodge County's 73.5 score surpasses Georgia's state average of 70.9, placing it squarely in the top tier of Georgia counties for livability. This above-average performance makes it a competitive choice within the state.
3 / 5
Exceptional Housing Affordability Stands Out
Dodge County boasts the highest cost score among these eight counties at 86.5, with median home values of just $108,700 and gross rent of $688/month—the lowest in the group. The tax score of 75.4 and effective rate of 0.954% add to the financial accessibility.
4 / 5
Income Remains the County's Achilles Heel
The income score of 16.1 with a median household income of $50,152 is among the lowest across all eight counties, indicating limited earning potential. Missing safety, health, school, and water data prevents complete livability assessment.
5 / 5
Perfect for Ultra-Budget-Conscious Households
Dodge County is ideal for low-income families, retirees on fixed incomes, and anyone making financial survival their top priority—housing and taxes are genuinely minimal here. If you can live on a modest income and value extreme affordability above all else, Dodge County delivers unmatched value.
Dodge County Scores Solidly Above National Baseline
With a composite score of 73.5, Dodge County exceeds the national median of 50.0 by nearly 50%, demonstrating strong overall livability fundamentals. This upper-tier national ranking reflects exceptional housing affordability despite lower income levels.
Tops Georgia's Average by Healthy Margin
Dodge County's 73.5 score surpasses Georgia's state average of 70.9, placing it squarely in the top tier of Georgia counties for livability. This above-average performance makes it a competitive choice within the state.
Exceptional Housing Affordability Stands Out
Dodge County boasts the highest cost score among these eight counties at 86.5, with median home values of just $108,700 and gross rent of $688/month—the lowest in the group. The tax score of 75.4 and effective rate of 0.954% add to the financial accessibility.
Income Remains the County's Achilles Heel
The income score of 16.1 with a median household income of $50,152 is among the lowest across all eight counties, indicating limited earning potential. Missing safety, health, school, and water data prevents complete livability assessment.
Perfect for Ultra-Budget-Conscious Households
Dodge County is ideal for low-income families, retirees on fixed incomes, and anyone making financial survival their top priority—housing and taxes are genuinely minimal here. If you can live on a modest income and value extreme affordability above all else, Dodge County delivers unmatched value.
Score breakdown
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🏛75.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.954%, Dodge County's effective rate exceeds the national median of 0.89%, placing it in the top 35% of U.S. counties for tax burden. However, the median tax bill of $1,037 remains far below the national median of $2,690 because homes here are significantly less valuable.
Above-average Georgia tax rate
Dodge's 0.954% rate ranks in the upper-middle tier of Georgia's 159 counties, sitting 0.056 percentage points above the state average of 0.898%. The county's combination of higher rates and lower home values creates an unusual affordability profile.
Dodge taxes exceed nearby southern Georgia
Nearby Decatur County charges 0.925% and Dooly County charges 1.243%, bracketing Dodge's rate. Despite its above-average rate, Dodge's median home value of $108,700 keeps actual tax bills lower than wealthier counties across the state.
Your annual Dodge property tax bill
On a median home valued at $108,700, the typical Dodge homeowner pays $1,037 annually. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $1,308; without one, it drops to $596.
Check if you're overassessed in Dodge
Rural Georgia counties like Dodge often see inconsistent appraisals; some homes are valued well above comparable sales. Filing an appeal with the county assessor's office is straightforward and could reduce your annual bill by 10-20%.
Dodge County's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio is among the lowest in the nation, well below both the national norm and Georgia's state average of 18.6%. At just $688 monthly rent against a $50,152 median household income, Dodge delivers genuine housing affordability for rural Georgia families.
Dodge ranks among Georgia's best deals
With the lowest rent-to-income ratio in this eight-county peer set, Dodge County stands out as one of Georgia's most affordable housing markets. The county's modest $688 median rent and low home values around $108,700 make homeownership accessible for first-time buyers.
Dodge beats every peer on price
Dodge's $688 rent is the cheapest among all comparison counties, undercutting even rural peers like Dooly ($761) and Dade ($843). Only residents earning well above Dodge's median would find housing costs burdensome here.
Housing costs are genuinely modest
A Dodge County renter spends roughly $688 monthly while the median household earns $50,152 annually—a sustainable 16.5% of income flowing to rent. Homeowners faring similarly well at $635 monthly, creating real opportunity for working families to build equity.
Dodge is the budget choice for rural Georgia
If you're relocating to south Georgia and prioritizing affordability above all, Dodge County delivers the lowest housing costs in the peer set—$688 rent and $108,700 home values. Trade off urban amenities for genuine financial breathing room compared to every metro and near-metro alternative.
Dodge County's median household income of $50,152 falls $24,603 below the national median of $74,755, a stark 33% gap. The county ranks among America's lowest-earning regions, reflecting limited employment opportunities in rural south-central Georgia.
Bottom tier in Georgia rankings
Dodge's $50,152 median household income trails Georgia's $60,488 state average by $10,336, placing it among the state's lowest-earning counties. Only economic development and workforce expansion efforts can meaningfully close this substantial gap.
Tied with Decatur in rural struggle
Dodge households earn virtually the same as Decatur County residents ($50,152 vs. $50,485) and only $333 more than the state median for their county. Surrounding counties experience similarly constrained economic conditions, creating a shared challenge across rural south Georgia.
Affordability advantage in low-income setting
Dodge's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio offers relative affordability relief, one of the county's few economic bright spots. Median home values of just $108,700 make homeownership achievable for many households, unlike higher-priced regions.
Focus on stability, then growth
Dodge households earning $50,152 should prioritize building 3–6 month emergency funds before aggressive investing. Community development financial institutions and local credit unions often offer savings programs and microloans designed for modest-income families building toward stability.
Dodge County residents live to 71.3 years, 4.8 years below the U.S. average of 76.1 years and 2.0 years below Georgia's state average. About 21% report poor or fair health—significantly higher than the national average of 14.8%.
Dodge ranks among Georgia's lowest performers
Dodge County's 71.3-year life expectancy places it in Georgia's bottom tier, with only a handful of counties performing worse. The 21% poor/fair health rate reflects rural healthcare access challenges and chronic disease burden common to south-central Georgia.
Dodge struggles relative to neighbors
Dodge's 71.3-year life expectancy falls short of Dade County (73.0 years) and trails Douglas County (75.6 years) by 4.3 years. Primary care access is similarly limited, with only 30 providers per 100,000 residents—one of the lowest concentrations in the region.
Rural barriers limit health access in Dodge
Dodge County has just 30 primary care providers and 46 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, well below state and regional averages. With 13.9% uninsured, residents face compounded barriers: both limited provider availability and incomplete insurance coverage.
Health coverage can transform your access
Nearly 14% of Dodge residents lack insurance—a gap that prevents access to preventive screenings, chronic disease management, and mental health care. Enrolling through the Health Insurance Marketplace or Georgia Medicaid is a critical step toward better health outcomes for you and your family.
Dodge County scores 44.75 on composite risk, placing it in the Relatively Low category and moderately above the national average. The county's geographic position in central Georgia exposes it to multiple hazard types, though no single threat dominates dramatically.
Moderate risk for Georgia
At 44.75, Dodge exceeds Georgia's state average of 39.49, ranking in the middle tier of Georgia counties. This places Dodge at greater risk than its northern neighbors but below the state's highest-risk counties like DeKalb.
Dodge balances risk between safer and riskier counties
Dodge (44.75) sits between Dooly County (14.95, Very Low) to the southwest and Decatur County (75.86, Relatively Low) to the south. This positioning reflects Dodge's middle-ground exposure in central Georgia's hazard landscape.
Hurricanes and wildfires pose largest threats
Hurricane risk dominates at 79.72, followed by wildfire risk at 60.85, while tornado risk remains relatively moderate at 30.28. Flood risk (31.58) and earthquake risk (51.21) represent secondary concerns for Dodge residents.
Focus on hurricane and wildfire preparedness
Dodge homeowners should ensure wind/hurricane coverage is included in homeowners policies and consider brush/tree clearing around properties to reduce wildfire exposure. Document valuable possessions, maintain emergency supplies, and keep property defensible space clear—practical steps for the county's primary hazards.