CountyScore

Douglas County

Georgia · GA

#141 in Georgia
62.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Douglas County, Georgia

Douglas County Exceeds National Median Solidly

Douglas County's composite score of 65.0 tops the national median of 50.0 by 30%, placing it in the above-average tier of American counties. This respectable national standing reflects balanced trade-offs between income and housing costs.

Falls Short of Georgia's State Average

At 65.0, Douglas County underperforms Georgia's state average of 70.9, ranking it in the lower-middle tier of Georgia counties. This below-average state position suggests limited advantages compared to other Georgia options.

Solid Incomes Support Middle-Class Lifestyle

Douglas County's income score of 36.1 reflects a median household income of $80,764, the second-highest among these eight counties, indicating decent earning potential. A tax score of 80.0 and effective rate of 0.793% provide competitive tax relief for middle-income households.

Housing Costs Strain Middle-Income Budgets

The cost score of 61.0 reveals median home values of $262,200 and gross rent of $1,447/month—prices that consume significant portions of household income. Unmeasured safety, health, schools, and water quality leave important livability dimensions unclear.

Works for Established Professionals Seeking Urban Access

Douglas County suits established middle-to-upper income professionals and families comfortable with premium housing costs for access to job markets and urban amenities. If you earn a solid income and want tax efficiency without choosing remote rural living, Douglas offers a reasonable balance.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80Cost61SafetyComing SoonHealth63.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome36.1Risk34.3WaterComing Soon
🏛80
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠61
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼36.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡34.3
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 Douglas County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Bay County
Florida
62.2
Median income: $70,188
Muscogee County
Georgia
62.2
Median income: $56,622
Sumter County
Georgia
62.2
Median income: $41,877
Douglas County
Illinois
62.2
Median income: $74,186
Linn County
Iowa
62.2
Median income: $76,421

Deep Dives

Douglas County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Douglas County

via TaxByCounty

Douglas taxes run below national median

At 0.793%, Douglas County's effective rate sits below the national median of 0.89%, placing it in the bottom 30% of U.S. counties for tax burden. The median tax bill of $2,079 comes in below the national median of $2,690, despite Douglas's higher home values of $262,200.

Below-average Georgia tax rate

Douglas's 0.793% rate ranks in the lower-middle tier of Georgia's 159 counties, sitting 0.105 percentage points below the state average of 0.898%. The county balances moderate taxation with suburban home values, attracting families fleeing higher-tax metros.

Douglas taxes competitively in metro Atlanta

Douglas's 0.793% beats nearby DeKalb County (0.919%) and aligns with the region's most affordable suburban options like Dawson (0.632%) and Dade (0.624%). For suburban convenience with rural tax rates, Douglas delivers strong value.

Your annual Douglas property tax bill

On Douglas's median home value of $262,200, the typical homeowner pays $2,079 annually. With a mortgage, that rises to $2,304; without one, it drops to $1,325.

Verify your Douglas assessment accuracy

Even in lower-tax counties, overassessment is common—and a $100 assessment error costs $80+ annually. Request a reassessment from Douglas County's assessor's office to ensure your home is valued fairly against comparable sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Douglas County

via CostByCounty

Douglas balances growth and affordability

Douglas County's 21.5% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Georgia's state average of 18.6% but remains moderate compared to the most-strained counties here. Residents earning $80,764—above the national median of $74,755—manage substantial housing costs of $1,447 monthly rent, though the burden remains notable.

Douglas in the moderate affordability range

Douglas County's 21.5% rent-to-income ratio places it in the middle tier among Georgia counties—more affordable than DeKalb but less so than rural southern Georgia. The county's strong income base and suburban growth pattern explain both higher rents and higher earning power.

Douglas splits the metro-rural divide

Douglas's $1,447 monthly rent positions it between metro DeKalb ($1,591) and rural Dade ($843), reflecting its status as a fast-growing outer Atlanta suburb. The county delivers more urban employment and amenities than rural peers, but at costs between true exurban and downtown Atlanta rates.

Strong incomes justify higher housing costs

Douglas residents with $80,764 median household income manage $1,447 monthly rent and $1,368 homeowner costs reasonably well, with housing consuming 21.5% and 20.4% of income respectively. The county's $262,200 median home value is accessible to established earners seeking suburban stability.

Douglas offers suburban balance

If relocating to greater Atlanta seeking suburban living without downtown costs, Douglas County delivers moderate affordability and good schools at $1,447 rent and $262,200 home values. Compare Douglas to outer-ring alternatives and rural counties to find where your income-to-housing ratio aligns with your lifestyle goals.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Douglas County

via IncomeByCounty

Douglas outearns national average

Douglas County's median household income of $80,764 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by $6,009, positioning the county solidly above typical American earnings. This 8% advantage reflects Douglas's strong suburban economic position in metro Atlanta.

Georgia's second-highest earner here

Douglas's $80,764 median household income surpasses Georgia's $60,488 state average by $20,276, placing the county among Georgia's top performers. Only Dawson County ($88,986) exceeds Douglas in this group, both reflecting affluent suburban character.

Close second to Dawson County

Douglas households earn $80,764 versus Dawson County's $88,986—a gap of just $8,222 between these two strongest earners. Both metro counties dramatically outpace rural southern Georgia, showcasing the geographic income divide.

Housing costs moderate for income level

Douglas's 21.5% rent-to-income ratio remains manageable, though median home values of $262,200 require substantial down payments. Higher-income households here typically balance premium housing aspirations with financial prudence.

Build comprehensive wealth strategy

Douglas households earning $80,764 have capacity for maxed 401(k)s, HSA accounts, taxable brokerage investing, and real estate diversification. Consulting fee-only financial advisors about tax optimization and long-term wealth positioning can unlock substantial generational advantages.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Douglas County

via HealthByCounty

Douglas outperforms Georgia and nation

Douglas County residents live to 75.6 years—nearly 0.5 years above the U.S. average of 76.1 years and 2.3 years above Georgia's state average. With 19.5% reporting poor or fair health, the county performs better than the national average of 14.8%, reflecting strong suburban healthcare access.

Douglas ranks in Georgia's upper half

Douglas County's 75.6-year life expectancy places it solidly in Georgia's upper half, outperforming most rural and mid-tier counties. The 19.5% poor/fair health rate reflects a healthier population profile typical of Atlanta's suburban counties.

Douglas exceeds most rural comparisons

Douglas's 75.6-year life expectancy far exceeds rural peers like Dodge (71.3), Decatur (71.0), and Dooly (73.2) counties, falling just short of Dade (73.0). With 43 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Douglas offers better healthcare access than most rural neighbors while remaining less dense than DeKalb County.

Suburban access supports health outcomes

Douglas County offers 43 primary care providers and 150 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, well above rural averages though below urban densities. With 14.1% uninsured, most Douglas residents can access both preventive and mental health services regularly.

Keep your health coverage in place

Douglas's strong health profile depends on sustained healthcare access; if you're among the 14.1% uninsured, explore coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace today. Continuous coverage ensures you can take advantage of local providers and maintain the preventive health practices driving Douglas's positive outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Douglas County

via RiskByCounty

Douglas faces above-average disaster exposure

Douglas County scores 65.71 on composite risk, placing it in the Relatively Low category and above the national average. The county's southwest Atlanta position and terrain create meaningful but manageable exposure to tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods.

Higher-than-average risk for Georgia

Douglas's 65.71 score exceeds Georgia's state average of 39.49, ranking it in the upper-middle tier of Georgia counties. The county faces greater hazard exposure than most of Georgia, though less than the state's highest-risk counties.

Douglas bridges urban and rural Georgia risk

Douglas (65.71) ranks between Dade County (33.21) to the northwest and DeKalb County (94.27) to the northeast, reflecting its position between Atlanta's highest-risk urban core and safer exurban counties. This middle position characterizes the county's transition zone exposure.

Tornadoes and earthquakes top the hazard list

Tornado risk scores 84.99—Douglas's highest hazard—while earthquake risk reaches 75.99, making these the county's dominant concerns. Flood risk (70.45) presents a secondary but significant threat, while hurricane risk (53.44) remains elevated but not extreme.

Prioritize tornado and flood preparedness

Douglas homeowners should carry homeowners insurance with robust wind/tornado coverage and strongly consider flood insurance, given the 70.45 flood risk score. Create a family severe weather plan, maintain safe room access, and consider earthquake coverage as a reasonable additional protection in this moderately exposed county.

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.