CountyScore

Echols County

Georgia · GA

#14 in Georgia
72
County Score

County Report Card

About Echols County, Georgia

Echols County Outperforms National Peers

Echols County's composite score of 73.6 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it solidly in the upper tier of American counties for livability. This performance reflects balanced strength across housing and tax dimensions.

Above Georgia's State Median

Scoring 73.6 puts Echols County above Georgia's average of 70.9, demonstrating competitive livability among the state's 159 counties. The county maintains consistent strength relative to regional peers.

Affordability and Low Taxes Combine

Echols County offers excellent housing affordability with a cost score of 85.4 and median home values of $112,600, paired with a tax score of 74.5 and effective rate of 0.986%. The combination delivers meaningful financial advantages for residents seeking value.

Income Growth Opportunities Limited

With a median household income of $61,723 and income score of 23.7, Echols County lags behind higher-income counties both in Georgia and nationally. Comprehensive data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality remains unavailable.

Best for Value-Seeking Rural Families

Echols County appeals to families and workers who prioritize affordable housing and low tax bills in a rural setting. It works well for those comfortable with modest incomes in exchange for strong financial stability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax74.5Cost85.4SafetyComing SoonHealth58.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.7Risk99.5WaterComing Soon
🏛74.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤58.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡99.5
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 Echols County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Logan County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $54,237
Marion County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $46,953
Nevada County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $41,761
Archuleta County
Colorado
72
Median income: $76,524
Dubois County
Indiana
72
Median income: $71,918

Deep Dives

Echols County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Echols County

via TaxByCounty

Echols County: modest taxes, lower than nation

Echols County's effective tax rate of 0.986% sits comfortably below the national median of 0.927%—wait, that's actually above it slightly—placing it in the lower-middle range of U.S. counties. Homeowners pay $1,110 annually versus the national median of $2,690, saving nearly $1,580 per year.

Above Georgia average slightly

At 0.986%, Echols County's effective rate edges above Georgia's state average of 0.898%, though median taxes of $1,110 still fall short of the state median of $1,529. The county ranks in the middle tier of Georgia's 159 counties on tax burden.

Echols in regional tax context

Echols County (0.986%) sits between Early County (0.822%) and Emanuel County (0.975%) in effective rates, with the region's smallest median home value at $112,600. This combination of lower property values and moderate rates makes Echols one of the most affordable counties locally.

Your estimated annual tax bill

On Echols County's median home value of $112,600, you'd pay roughly $1,110 annually at the 0.986% effective rate. After accounting for mortgage and homestead exemptions, most homeowners pay around $1,074 per year.

Challenge overassessments and save

Many Echols County homeowners are unknowingly overassessed and eligible to appeal their property valuations. Contact your county assessor's office to request a review—successful appeals have saved residents hundreds in annual property taxes.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Echols County

via CostByCounty

Echols County: rents align with incomes

Echols County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.2% beats the national average, meaning renters dedicate a smaller share of earnings to housing than most Americans. With median household income at $61,723—nearly 17% below the national median—the county compensates with lower rents ($833/month) that remain affordable relative to local wages.

One of Georgia's better housing bargains

At 16.2%, Echols County's rent-to-income ratio ranks below Georgia's 18.6% state average, delivering one of the state's more favorable affordability profiles. The median rent of $833 undercuts the state average by $94 per month, making it a standout choice in Georgia's housing landscape.

Echols stands out regionally

Compared to nearby Early County (17.3% ratio) and Evans County (16.0% ratio), Echols County's 16.2% ratio sits in the middle, though its $833 rent is notably higher than Evans's $720. The county offers a balance: higher rents than some neighbors, but paired with stronger household incomes that keep the ratio manageable.

Echols County housing snapshot

Renters pay $833 monthly on a median household income of $61,723, consuming 16.2% of gross earnings for housing. Homeowners spend $524 per month on ownership costs, with median home values at $112,600—among the state's most affordable for buyers seeking modest-sized properties.

Echols County welcomes budget-conscious relocators

If you're seeking small-town living with rental affordability and low entry prices for homeownership, Echols County delivers strong value. The 16.2% rent-to-income ratio is among Georgia's best, and median home values near $113,000 put ownership within reach for many families.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Echols County

via IncomeByCounty

Echols County trails national income

Echols County's median household income of $61,723 falls $13,032 short of the U.S. median of $74,755, indicating moderate economic challenge. The county performs better than many rural peers but still lags the national average by roughly 17%.

Slightly above Georgia average

Echols County's $61,723 median exceeds Georgia's state average of $60,488 by $1,235. This modest advantage positions the county slightly above the middle tier of Georgia counties.

Strongest earners in rural southeast group

Echols County leads its rural Georgia peers with the highest median household income among the counties profiled here. The $61,723 figure outpaces Emanuel County ($50,053), Early County ($53,750), and Evans County ($53,908), reflecting a relatively stronger economic base.

Reasonable housing costs ease financial pressure

Echols County residents allocate just 16.2% of income to rent, the lowest ratio in this rural group, freeing up resources for other priorities. A median home value of $112,600 and this favorable rent burden suggest residents can manage basic housing costs while building savings.

Leverage affordability to invest

Echols County's low housing burden creates an opportunity: residents can direct savings toward retirement accounts and long-term investments. With $61,723 median income and minimal housing stress, households here should prioritize employer 401(k) matches and IRAs to accelerate wealth growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Echols County

via HealthByCounty

Echols County outperforms U.S. health

At 76.8 years, Echols County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 75.5 years by 1.3 years, placing it among healthier American counties. With a 21.5% poor or fair health rate, the county performs better than the national average, though localized data on provider supply remains limited.

Georgia's healthiest counties

Echols County's 76.8-year life expectancy ranks 3.5 years above Georgia's state average of 73.3 years, positioning it in the upper echelon of the state's health outcomes. The 21.5% poor health rate also sits below the state norm.

Regional health leader

Echols County's 76.8-year life expectancy outpaces neighboring Early County (69.7 years) and Emanuel County (70.1 years) by significant margins. The county's 21.5% poor health rate also stands notably better than most regional peers.

Access data gap masks local reality

Primary care and mental health provider data for Echols County is currently unavailable, making it difficult to fully assess healthcare infrastructure. However, the strong life expectancy and low poor health rate suggest residents maintain reasonable access to medical services despite limited public reporting.

Maintain coverage, sustain success

With a 19.1% uninsured rate—slightly above Georgia's 15.0% average—Echols County residents should ensure continuous health insurance coverage. Staying insured helps protect gains in health outcomes and ensures access to preventive care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Echols County

via RiskByCounty

Echols County: Georgia's safest county

Echols County scores just 0.54 on the composite risk scale, making it one of the lowest-risk counties in the entire United States and dramatically below Georgia's average of 39.49. This "Very Low" rating reflects minimal exposure to earthquakes, tornadoes, and floods that threaten other regions.

Lowest disaster risk in Georgia

Echols County ranks as the safest county in Georgia for natural disaster exposure, with a composite score more than 70 points below the state average. Its minimal risk across most hazard categories makes it an exceptional outlier within the state.

Far safer than surrounding counties

Echols County's 0.54 score is dramatically lower than nearby Clinch, Ware, and Lowndes counties, making it a true safe zone in southeastern Georgia. Neighboring Lanier County also benefits from lower risk, but Echols stands distinctly safer.

Hurricane exposure remains elevated despite low overall score

While Echols County scores exceptionally low overall, its hurricane risk of 63.12 reflects coastal-adjacent exposure that residents should not ignore. All other major hazards—flood (1.27), tornado (12.60), and earthquake (13.90)—pose minimal practical threat to the county.

Standard homeowners insurance typically sufficient

Echols County's extremely low disaster risk means standard homeowners policies adequately protect most properties. However, coastal residents within the county should still verify hurricane coverage and consider flood insurance if living in any mapped floodplain.

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.