Dooly County's composite score of 70.3 outpaces the national median of 50.0 by 40%, placing it solidly in the upper half of American counties for livability. This strong national showing rests primarily on exceptional housing affordability.
2 / 5
Nearly Matches Georgia's State Average
At 70.3, Dooly County essentially matches Georgia's state average of 70.9, placing it right in the middle tier of Georgia counties. This average state performance indicates consistency with broader Georgia livability patterns.
3 / 5
Housing Affordability Is the Main Attraction
Dooly County scores 85.1 on cost, with median home values of $96,400 and gross rent of $761/month, offering genuine affordability for modest-income households. Reasonable tax burden (score 67.3, effective rate 1.243%) adds to the financial accessibility.
4 / 5
Low Incomes Limit Economic Opportunity
The income score of 20.3 reflects a median household income of $56,545, indicating limited economic opportunity and earning potential in the county. Complete picture remains unclear without safety, health, school quality, and water metrics.
5 / 5
Suits Retirees and Low-Income Working Families
Dooly County appeals to fixed-income retirees, agricultural workers, and families who prioritize housing affordability over income growth or economic dynamism. If your income is modest but stable, Dooly's low costs make it an economically sensible choice.
Dooly County's composite score of 70.3 outpaces the national median of 50.0 by 40%, placing it solidly in the upper half of American counties for livability. This strong national showing rests primarily on exceptional housing affordability.
Nearly Matches Georgia's State Average
At 70.3, Dooly County essentially matches Georgia's state average of 70.9, placing it right in the middle tier of Georgia counties. This average state performance indicates consistency with broader Georgia livability patterns.
Housing Affordability Is the Main Attraction
Dooly County scores 85.1 on cost, with median home values of $96,400 and gross rent of $761/month, offering genuine affordability for modest-income households. Reasonable tax burden (score 67.3, effective rate 1.243%) adds to the financial accessibility.
Low Incomes Limit Economic Opportunity
The income score of 20.3 reflects a median household income of $56,545, indicating limited economic opportunity and earning potential in the county. Complete picture remains unclear without safety, health, school quality, and water metrics.
Suits Retirees and Low-Income Working Families
Dooly County appeals to fixed-income retirees, agricultural workers, and families who prioritize housing affordability over income growth or economic dynamism. If your income is modest but stable, Dooly's low costs make it an economically sensible choice.
Score breakdown
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🏛67.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
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.
Dooly County's 16.1% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the lowest in the nation and beats Georgia's state average of 18.6% handily. With median household income of $56,545 and monthly rent of just $761, Dooly delivers reliable affordability for rural Georgia residents.
Dooly ranks among Georgia's most affordable
Dooly County's 16.1% rent-to-income ratio places it in the top tier of Georgia's most affordable counties, rivaling Dodge for the best housing value. The county's modest $761 rent reflects rural demand and limited urban sprawl pressure.
Dooly competes favorably with rural peers
Dooly's $761 rent undercuts both Dade ($843) and Decatur ($860) while only slightly exceeding Dodge's $688, making it a strong middle option among rural counties. For families seeking rural stability with affordable housing, Dooly delivers on both counts.
Affordability built into rural economics
Dooly residents dedicate roughly 16.1% of the $56,545 median household income to $761 monthly rent—among the best ratios in the entire peer set. Homeowners at $636 monthly carry even lighter loads, making Dooly accessible to working families and retirees alike.
Dooly balances price and rural charm
If relocating to rural central Georgia, Dooly County offers a compelling alternative to pricier nearby Decatur—similar lifestyle, lower costs, and genuine affordability. Compare Dooly to Dodge for the deepest discounts, or to Dade for slightly higher incomes with comparable housing costs.
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.
Dooly County residents live to 73.2 years, 2.9 years below the U.S. average of 76.1 years, though nearly at Georgia's state average of 73.3 years. About 23.8% report poor or fair health—among the worst in this comparison set and well above the national average of 14.8%.
Dooly ranks in Georgia's lower half
With a life expectancy of 73.2 years, Dooly County falls in Georgia's lower-middle tier, facing health challenges tied to limited rural healthcare infrastructure. The county's 23.8% poor/fair health rate ties it with Decatur County as among Georgia's highest.
Dooly peers struggle similarly
Dooly's 73.2-year life expectancy slightly exceeds Decatur (71.0) and Dodge (71.3) counties but trails Dade County (73.0) by 0.2 years. All four rural counties face comparable challenges: limited providers, lower incomes, and higher rates of preventable disease.
Severe provider shortage strains residents
Dooly County has just 9 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—among the lowest provider-to-population ratios in Georgia—with no available mental health provider data. With 15.3% uninsured and minimal primary care access, residents must often travel significant distances for routine medical care.
Enroll now to bridge care gaps
Dooly's extreme provider shortage makes insurance even more critical; if you're among the 15.3% without coverage, enrollment through the Health Insurance Marketplace or Georgia Medicaid can connect you with telemedicine options and care coordination. Act now to build a healthcare plan that works for your situation.
Dooly County scores just 14.95 on composite risk, the Very Low rating putting it among the nation's least disaster-prone counties. This central Georgia county benefits from inland position and favorable terrain relative to major natural hazard zones.
Georgia's safest county overall
Dooly's 14.95 score is the lowest in Georgia, less than 40% of the state average of 39.49. The county stands out as a genuine natural disaster safety benchmark for the state.
Safest in south-central Georgia
Dooly (14.95) significantly underperforms its neighbors—Dodge County scores 44.75 and Decatur County hits 75.86—showing how favorable local conditions can create pockets of relative safety. Dooly's inland position, away from hurricane zones and major seismic areas, explains its exceptional standing.
Hurricane risk surprisingly highest here
Hurricane risk reaches 75.14 in Dooly—the county's highest hazard despite its inland location—though actual hurricane impacts remain rare. Wildfire risk (42.65) follows, while tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes all score below 40, making them minimal concerns.
Standard homeowners insurance adequately covers Dooly
Dooly residents can rely on basic homeowners coverage without needing specialized flood or earthquake policies, placing them among Georgia's most financially insulated homeowners. Maintain standard wind coverage for the county's minimal tornado/severe weather exposure, and focus resources on regular home maintenance and upkeep.