CountyScore

Elbert County

Georgia · GA

#89 in Georgia
67.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Elbert County, Georgia

Elbert County Tops National Median

With a composite score of 72.1, Elbert County ranks well above the national median of 50.0 and sits in the upper half of American counties for livability. This places it among stronger-performing counties nationwide, despite modest size.

Competitive Within Georgia

Elbert County's score of 72.1 edges above Georgia's state average of 70.9, positioning it favorably among the state's 159 counties. The county maintains steady performance across available metrics.

Affordability and Tax Relief Standout

Elbert County delivers strong affordability with a cost score of 84.3, median home values of $114,600, and an effective tax rate of 0.983%. These financial advantages provide meaningful savings for homeowners and renters alike.

Lower Income Levels Persist

The county's income score of 15.9 reflects a median household income of just $49,727, among the lowest measured and well below Georgia averages. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remains unavailable, limiting comprehensive assessment.

Perfect for Retirees and Budget Shoppers

Elbert County appeals strongly to retirees on fixed incomes and families prioritizing minimal housing costs over wage growth. Its combination of affordability and low taxes makes it ideal for those seeking financial predictability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax74.6Cost84.3SafetyComing SoonHealth53.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome15.9Risk69.2WaterComing Soon
🏛74.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼15.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤53.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡69.2
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 Elbert County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Wayne County
Illinois
67.1
Median income: $53,107
Monroe County
Indiana
67.1
Median income: $63,372
Warren County
Iowa
67.1
Median income: $92,990
Webster County
Iowa
67.1
Median income: $68,054
Logan County
Kansas
67.1
Median income: $71,389

Deep Dives

Elbert County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Elbert County

via TaxByCounty

Elbert County below national tax median

Elbert County's effective tax rate of 0.983% sits slightly above the national median of 0.927%, placing it in the lower-middle range of U.S. counties. Homeowners pay $1,126 annually versus the national median of $2,690, saving roughly $1,564 per year.

Slightly above state average

At 0.983%, Elbert County's effective rate exceeds Georgia's state average of 0.898%, though median taxes of $1,126 remain well below the state median of $1,529. The county falls in Georgia's middle tier for tax burden.

Elbert County in the regional context

Elbert County (0.983%) tracks closely with Echols County (0.986%) and Emanuel County (0.975%), all three sharing similar effective rates and modest home values below $120,000. This clustering makes the region consistently affordable for property-tax conscious buyers.

Your estimated annual tax bill

On Elbert County's median home value of $114,600, you'd pay approximately $1,126 annually at the 0.983% effective rate. After homestead and mortgage exemptions, most homeowners pay around $993 per year.

Appeal if your assessment seems high

Elbert County residents should verify their assessed values against recent comparable sales in their neighborhoods. If your assessment is inflated, Georgia law allows you to file an appeal at no charge and potentially reduce your annual tax bill significantly.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Elbert County

via CostByCounty

Elbert County: rents squeeze tighter

Elbert County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.5% exceeds the national average, signaling a tighter housing market where renters dedicate more of their paychecks to housing than typical Americans. With median household income at $49,727—far below the national $74,755—renters face a double squeeze from lower wages and moderate rents.

Above Georgia's affordability threshold

Elbert County's 20.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks above Georgia's state average of 18.6%, indicating a less affordable rental market compared to most of the state. The county's lower household incomes ($49,727) relative to state norms amplify the housing affordability challenge.

Elbert faces affordability pressures

Among neighboring counties, Elbert's 20.5% ratio stands highest—Early County (17.3%), Evans County (16.0%), and Emanuel County (17.8%) all offer better housing affordability. Despite a modest rent of $849/month, Elbert's lower household incomes push the rent-to-income burden above regional peers.

Elbert County housing breakdown

Renters pay $849 monthly against a median household income of $49,727, consuming 20.5% of gross earnings—the tightest affordability ratio in this peer group. Homeowners spend $581 per month on median-valued properties of $114,600, offering an alternative pathway for those seeking to build equity.

Elbert County for homeowner-focused families

If you're relocating to Elbert County, prioritize homeownership over renting; monthly ownership costs ($581) are notably lower than rents ($849), freeing cash for savings. The 20.5% rent-to-income ratio suggests rental affordability is tight, so buyers should explore properties near the $114,600 median home value.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Elbert County

via IncomeByCounty

Elbert County significantly below national median

Elbert County's median household income of $49,727 falls $25,028 short of the U.S. median of $74,755, placing the county in the lower-income tier nationally. This 33% gap reflects substantial economic challenge and limited employment opportunities.

Well below Georgia state average

Elbert County ranks among Georgia's lower-income counties with a median of $49,727, trailing the state average of $60,488 by $10,761. The $49,727 figure places residents in the bottom tier of Georgia counties by household income.

Lowest earners in rural comparison group

Elbert County's $49,727 median is the lowest among this rural Georgia cluster, falling below Emanuel County ($50,053) and significantly trailing Echols County ($61,723). The limited income base suggests fewer diverse employment sectors and smaller employers.

Housing costs strain limited budgets

At 20.5%, Elbert County's rent-to-income ratio is the highest in this rural group, meaning residents allocate one-fifth of income just to housing. Combined with a median home value of $114,600 and lower overall income, this burden leaves little room for emergency savings or other critical expenses.

Start small with consistent savings habits

Elbert County residents facing tighter budgets should focus on low-cost, automated savings strategies like direct deposit into a dedicated account. Even small monthly contributions—$25 or $50—compound over time; paired with employer retirement plan options, these habits build financial resilience despite modest current income.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Elbert County

via HealthByCounty

Elbert County lags national health

At 71.2 years, Elbert County's life expectancy runs 4.3 years below the U.S. average of 75.5 years, signaling chronic health challenges. The 22.9% poor or fair health rate nearly doubles the national average, reflecting widespread disease burden across the county.

Below-average Georgia health outcomes

Elbert County's 71.2-year life expectancy trails Georgia's state average by 2.1 years, placing it in the lower-performing tier of state counties. The 22.9% poor health rate also exceeds Georgia's typical county experience.

Outpaced by healthier regional peers

Elbert County's 71.2-year life expectancy falls short of Fannin County (74.1 years) and Effingham County (75.0 years) by several years. Its 22.9% poor health rate mirrors the struggle seen in neighboring Early County (25.2%) and Emanuel County (25.7%).

Uninsured rate complicates care access

At 18.5% uninsured, Elbert County exceeds Georgia's 15.0% average, leaving nearly one in five residents vulnerable to medical debt and delayed care. The county has 41 primary care providers and 45 mental health providers per 100K—lower than state averages—straining existing resources.

Insurance opens care doors

With 18.5% of residents uninsured, Elbert County needs a coverage push; visit Georgia's insurance marketplace or check Medicaid eligibility today. Health insurance cuts costs and helps address the chronic conditions driving poor health outcomes countywide.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Elbert County

via RiskByCounty

Elbert County: Well below national risk

Elbert County scores 30.79 on the composite risk scale, placing it comfortably below the national median and well below Georgia's average of 39.49. This "Very Low" rating reflects manageable natural disaster exposure across most hazard types.

Lower-risk Georgia county

Elbert County ranks in the lower half of Georgia's counties for natural disaster risk, with a composite score 22 percent below the state average. The county benefits from reduced exposure to tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes compared to higher-risk regions.

Safer than nearby counties

Elbert County's 30.79 score is notably lower than neighboring Madison and Oglethorpe counties, making it one of the safer communities in the northeast Georgia region. Only Evans County nearby matches its low-risk profile.

Earthquake and hurricane risks elevated

Despite Elbert County's overall low risk, earthquake exposure (71.60) and hurricane risk (72.22) merit attention from residents. Flood risk (35.75) and tornado risk (40.94) remain moderate, while wildfire exposure (41.13) presents seasonal concerns.

Standard insurance covers most exposure

Elbert County residents should maintain comprehensive homeowners coverage with wind and hail protection, addressing the county's moderate earthquake and hurricane risks. Flood insurance remains optional for most residents but consider it if living in designated floodplain areas.

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.