countyscore
55.7
County Score
Safety 97.5Water Quality 86Disaster Risk 85.1

County Report Card

About Dooly County, Georgia

Competitive National Standings

Dooly County exceeds the national median with a composite score of 54.9. This puts it in a competitive position among rural counties across the country.

High-Performing Rural Option

Scoring well above the Georgia average of 46.7, the county represents a high-performing rural option. It provides a unique mix of high safety and low environmental risk.

Peace of Mind and Low Risk

The county offers peace of mind with an outstanding safety score of 97.5. It also scores highly in environmental stability (85.1) and housing affordability (75.8).

Higher Taxes and Health Gaps

The tax burden is relatively high for the region, resulting in a tax score of 23.7. Health and school metrics also leave room for progress, scoring 20.9 and 32.6 respectively.

A Safe Rural Haven

This is a perfect destination for those seeking a safe, quiet, and affordable rural retreat. it appeals most to those who value security and low-cost housing over local tax breaks.

2040608010020.178.597.520.932.636.685.18640.9Tax20.1Cost78.5Safety97.5Health20.9Schools32.6Income36.6Risk85.1Water86Weather40.955.7/100
This county
National avg
4 above average5 below average

Dooly County DNA

Foverall

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

Dooly County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (97.5/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (20.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
20.1-31.9
Cost
78.5+30.5
Safety
97.5+42.5
Health
20.9-29.1
Schools
32.6-21.4
Income
36.6-14.399999999999999
Risk
85.1+38.099999999999994
Water
86+28
Weather
40.9-15.100000000000001
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Dooly County?

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

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$107,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$758/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$107,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$30,320/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $60,987/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

18.1

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
Compare Dooly County with Choctaw County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Choctaw County
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Median income: $47,813
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Turner County
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Ware County
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Douglas County
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Lawrence County
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Median income: $55,324
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Wayne County
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Greeley County
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Median income: $80,565
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Nearby counties

Macon County
Georgia
49.2
Pulaski County
Georgia
42.3
Crisp County
Georgia
34.1
Houston County
Georgia
38
Peach County
Georgia
32.2
Sumter County
Georgia
33.5
Wilcox County
Georgia
60.8
Schley County
Georgia
54.8

Deep Dives

Dooly County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Dooly County

via TaxByCounty

Dooly's tax rate ranks among nation's highest

At 1.243%, Dooly County's effective rate significantly exceeds the national median of 0.89%, placing it in the top 10% of U.S. counties for tax burden. The median tax bill of $1,198 remains modest nationally only because home values here are very low at $96,400.

Dooly has Georgia's highest tax rate

At 1.243%, Dooly ranks among the highest in Georgia's 159 counties, standing 0.345 percentage points above the state average of 0.898%. The county's aggressive tax rate makes it a cautionary tale for property owners seeking affordable rural living.

Dooly taxes far exceed regional peers

Nearby Dodge County charges 0.954% and Decatur County charges 0.925%—both significantly lower than Dooly's 1.243%. Dooly's high rate reflects chronic budget pressures in one of Georgia's economically challenged rural counties.

Your annual Dooly property tax bill

On a median home valued at $96,400, the typical Dooly homeowner pays $1,198 annually. With a mortgage, that rises to $1,848; without one, it drops to $968.

Appeal your Dooly assessment urgently

With Georgia's highest tax rate, Dooly homeowners must be vigilant about overassessment—errors hit hardest here. Request an immediate reassessment from the county assessor; even a 5% reduction in assessed value saves $40+ annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Dooly County

via IncomeByCounty

Dooly falls well below national income

Dooly County's median household income of $56,545 trails the national median of $74,755 by $18,210, roughly a 24% shortfall. The county ranks among lower-earning regions nationally, though slightly better positioned than Decatur and Dodge counties.

Below Georgia's state average income

Dooly's $56,545 median household income falls $3,943 short of Georgia's $60,488 state average, placing it slightly below the state norm. The county represents a middle-lower-income region within Georgia's economic landscape.

Middle ground among rural southern peers

Dooly residents earn $56,545, positioning them between Dade County ($58,936) and Decatur County ($50,485) in the regional income hierarchy. The county's relative stability offers modest advantages over its most economically challenged neighbors.

Rent remains surprisingly accessible

Dooly's 16.1% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the lowest in this group, meaning housing costs consume minimal household earnings. Median home values of just $96,400 provide extremely affordable homeownership for budget-conscious families.

Leverage low housing costs strategically

Dooly households earning $56,545 benefit from minimal housing expense ratios—freeing capital for savings and investment. Direct modest surplus income toward high-yield savings accounts or employer retirement plans to compound advantage over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Dooly County

via CrimeByCounty

Dooly County reports minimal crime activity

Dooly County achieves a perfect safety score of 100.0 with 0.0 crimes reported per 100K residents. This stands in stark contrast to the national average of 2,385.5 per 100K.

A standout safety performer in Georgia

With a 100.0 safety score, Dooly County far exceeds the Georgia state average of 97.8. Its lack of reported crime makes it appear significantly safer than the state average of 1412.9 per 100K.

Comparing Dooly to its neighbors

While neighboring agricultural counties may report routine incidents, Dooly's data shows no activity across its two reporting agencies. This suggests a highly tranquil environment for the reporting period.

Analyzing the zero crime rate

Both violent and property crime rates sit at 0.0 per 100K according to 2022 data. For residents, this indicates a period of remarkably low criminal activity or reporting.

Maintaining safety in Dooly County

Though the data shows no crime, residents should continue to practice basic home security. Locking doors and staying connected with neighbors helps maintain this exceptional safety record.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in Dooly County

via SoilByCounty

Dooly County's Soil Profile

Taxonomic classifications and pH levels for Dooly County are not presently in our database. The national median pH is 6.5, though local soils are likely more acidic.

A Mixture of Minerals

Sand, silt, and clay percentages are not yet recorded for this specific county. Understanding your soil's texture is the first step toward improving your land for farming.

Potential for Productivity

Organic matter and water capacity data are currently missing for Dooly County. Use local soil tests to see how your property compares to the state average organic matter of 1.83%.

Handling Heavy Rain

We lack specific data on drainage classes and hydrologic groups for this area. These factors determine how effectively your soil handles rainfall and irrigation runoff.

Farming in Zone 8b

Dooly County is located in Hardiness Zone 8b, offering warm temperatures for diverse crops. This zone is perfect for starting a garden with okra or watermelons.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Dooly County

via LawnByCounty

Zone 8b Gardening in Dooly County

Dooly County sits in Hardiness Zone 8b, where lawns must survive the typical Georgia heat that produces a state average difficulty score of 35.8. Without a specific local score, gardeners should look to regional trends to guide their maintenance.

Adapting to the Central Georgia Climate

Specific heat and rain data for the county are currently unavailable, but the regional climate typically exceeds the state average of 65 heat days. This necessitates a proactive approach to irrigation and selecting heat-tolerant grass species.

Soil Testing is the First Step

Local soil composition data is not currently recorded, making a private soil test vital for any Dooly County homeowner. Aim for the 6.0 to 7.0 pH sweet spot to ensure your lawn can absorb the nutrients it needs to grow.

Severe Drought Affects 100% of the County

With 27 weeks of drought in the past year, the entire county is currently struggling under severe drought conditions. Using drought-resistant landscaping techniques like xeriscaping at the edges of your lawn can help conserve water.

Selecting Resilient Grass for Dooly

Bermuda and Bahia grass are proven performers in Zone 8b, offering the heat tolerance needed for long Georgia summers. Check local frost forecasts carefully before seeding to ensure your new turf establishes properly.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dooly County's county score?
Dooly County, Georgia has a composite county score of 55.7 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 Dooly County rank among counties in Georgia?
Dooly County ranks #28 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 Dooly County, Georgia?
The median annual property tax in Dooly County is $1,368, with an effective tax rate of 1.27%. This earns Dooly County a tax score of 20.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Dooly County?
The median household income in Dooly County, Georgia is $60,987 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Dooly County earns an income score of 36.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Dooly County, Georgia a good place to live?
Dooly County scores 55.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #28 in Georgia. The best way to evaluate Dooly 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 Dooly 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.