countyscore
43.5
County Score
Cost of Living 79.3Disaster Risk 60.2Safety 49.3

County Report Card

About Emanuel County, Georgia

Below the National Median Baseline

Emanuel County's composite score of 43.6 falls short of the national median of 50.0. While it offers significant cost benefits, it trails in categories related to long-term health and public schools.

Trailing the Georgia State Average

At 43.6, the county sits below the Georgia average of 46.7. This reflects a trade-off where lower living costs are coupled with lower investment in social services and infrastructure.

Superior Housing Affordability

Affordability is the county's primary strength, evidenced by a cost score of 83.8 and a median home value of $88,200. It also offers decent protection from natural disasters with a risk score of 60.2.

Significant Health and Water Needs

Healthcare access is a critical concern with a score of just 9.3, the lowest in its profile. The water score is also notably low at 10.7, suggesting a need for infrastructure improvements.

For the Budget-First Resident

Emanuel County is best for individuals who need to maximize their purchasing power, with a median gross rent of only $742. It is a viable option for those who prioritize low-cost housing and can tolerate limited local services.

2040608010040.779.349.39.333.916.960.210.733.1Tax40.7Cost79.3Safety49.3Health9.3Schools33.9Income16.9Risk60.2Water10.7Weather33.143.5/100
This county
National avg
2 above average6 below average

Emanuel County DNA

Foverall

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

Emanuel County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (79.3/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (10.7/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
40.7-11.299999999999997
Cost
79.3+31.299999999999997
Safety
49.3
Health
9.3-40.7
Schools
33.9-20.1
Income
16.9-34.1
Risk
60.2+13.200000000000003
Water
10.7-47.3
Weather
33.1-22.9
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Emanuel County?

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$94,700

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$783/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$94,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$31,320/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $52,772/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

4.4

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
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Nearby counties

Candler County
Georgia
36
Treutlen County
Georgia
48.5
Johnson County
Georgia
61.7
Jenkins County
Georgia
49.5
Toombs County
Georgia
58
Montgomery County
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Laurens County
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Jefferson County
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Deep Dives

Emanuel County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Emanuel County

via TaxByCounty

Emanuel County offers rock-bottom taxes

Emanuel County's effective tax rate of 0.975% runs well below the national median of 0.927%, and its median annual tax of just $860 ranks among the lowest in America. Homeowners save approximately $1,830 per year compared to the national median of $2,690.

Among Georgia's most affordable

At 0.975%, Emanuel County's effective rate sits slightly above Georgia's state average of 0.898%, but the median tax of $860 is the lowest featured here—less than 57% of the state median of $1,529. This makes Emanuel one of Georgia's tax bargains.

Emanuel anchors the region's affordability

Emanuel County (0.975%, $860) has the lowest median home value at $88,200 and the lowest annual tax bill in this southeast Georgia cluster. Combined with comparable rates in Echols (0.986%) and Elbert (0.983%), the region is among Georgia's most tax-friendly.

Your estimated annual tax bill

On Emanuel County's median home value of $88,200, homeowners pay roughly $860 annually at the 0.975% effective rate. With mortgage and homestead exemptions applied, most residents pay around $737 per year.

Verify your value, even at low rates

Even in Emanuel County's affordable tax environment, overassessments happen and can inflate your modest bill further. Review your property assessment and file an appeal if comparable recent sales suggest your home is valued too high.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Emanuel County

via IncomeByCounty

Emanuel County lags national income significantly

Emanuel County's median household income of $50,053 trails the U.S. median by $24,702, ranking the county in the lower tier nationally. This 33% gap reflects limited job diversity and economic opportunities compared to more prosperous regions.

Among Georgia's lowest-income counties

Emanuel County ranks well below the Georgia state average of $60,488, with a median household income of $50,053. The $10,435 shortfall places residents in the lower-income bracket across the state.

Most challenged in rural southeast cluster

Emanuel County's $50,053 median is among the lowest in this rural group, slightly above Elbert County ($49,727) but significantly below Echols County ($61,723). Low per capita income of $24,356 also suggests wage constraints across the local economy.

Low home values offset tight incomes

Emanuel County's median home value of $88,200 is the lowest in this comparison, and at 17.8%, the rent-to-income ratio is moderate. However, the combination of very low income and limited housing affordability data suggests residents must carefully budget to cover housing plus other essentials.

Build wealth through disciplined saving

Emanuel County residents should prioritize establishing an emergency fund of $500–$1,000 before investing, given income constraints. Take full advantage of any employer retirement matching and consider free financial literacy resources to maximize the impact of every dollar saved.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Emanuel County

via CrimeByCounty

Emanuel County Beats National Crime Stats

Emanuel County reports 1139.4 crimes per 100K, performing much better than the national average of 2,385.5. Its safety score of 98.2 reflects a high level of community safety.

Safer Than the Average Georgia County

With a safety score of 98.2, Emanuel County ranks above the Georgia average of 97.8. Its total crime rate is about 19% lower than the state average of 1412.9 per 100K.

Data-Driven Safety Across Eight Agencies

Emanuel County utilizes eight reporting agencies, providing more comprehensive data than neighbors like Elbert. Its total crime rate of 1139.4 is slightly lower than that of nearby Evans County.

Understanding the Local Crime Mix

The local property crime rate of 982.2 is far below the national average of 2,015.7. Violent crime is also low at 157.2, less than half the national average of 369.8.

Secure Your Emanuel County Property

Protect your home by joining local neighborhood watch programs and securing all entry points. Eight local law enforcement agencies coordinate efforts to keep the property crime rate under 1000 per 100K.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Emanuel County

via WeatherByCounty

Drier Inland Subtropical Climate

Emanuel County averages 47.5 inches of precipitation annually, which is lower than many of its humid subtropical peers. This makes it slightly drier than the national median for this climate type.

Below the State Rain Average

With 47.5 inches of rain, Emanuel is significantly drier than the Georgia state average of 51.4 inches. While temperature data is limited, the area typically follows the warm patterns of the coastal plain.

Drier Than Coastal Effingham

Emanuel receives five inches less rain per year than nearby Effingham County. However, it is more likely to see a trace of winter weather, averaging 0.2 inches of snow.

Rare Snow and Warm Cycles

Though seasonal temperatures are not fully recorded, the county sees a 0.2-inch annual snowfall average. This suggests slightly more winter variability than counties closer to the coast.

Focus on Water Conservation

The lower-than-average rainfall of 47.5 inches makes water-efficient landscaping a smart investment. Residents should still prepare for high humidity common to the entire Georgia region.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Emanuel County

via SoilByCounty

Weathered Ultisols of the Plain

Emanuel County features highly weathered Ultisols with an average pH of 5.32. This level is nearly identical to the state average of 5.26 but falls well below the national median of 6.5. These soils require supplemental lime to optimize the availability of essential plant nutrients.

Easy-Working Loamy Sands

The dominant texture is loamy sand, consisting of 79.6% sand and only 8.1% clay. This composition makes the soil exceptionally easy to till and work with hand tools. However, the low clay content means the soil struggles to hold onto water and fertilizers over time.

Modest Organic Reserves

The organic matter content stands at 1.54%, which is lower than the Georgia average of 1.83%. Available water capacity is also below the state benchmark at 0.085 in/in. To improve growing potential, local gardeners should prioritize adding compost and organic amendments.

Well Drained with Slow Infiltration

The soil is categorized as well drained but falls into hydrologic group C. This means that while water moves through the profile well, the soil can have slow infiltration rates when thoroughly saturated. This combination is generally favorable for farming but requires careful management during heavy rains.

Endless Growing in Zone 8b

Hardiness zone 8b provides a long, warm growing season for Emanuel County residents. This soil is particularly well-suited for peanuts, watermelons, and southern peas that enjoy sandy conditions. It is a great time to start your garden and experience the productivity of loamy sand.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Emanuel County

via LawnByCounty

Navigating Above-Average Growing Conditions

Emanuel County enjoys a lawn difficulty score of 40.6, which is notably better than the Georgia state average of 35.8. Situated in Hardiness Zone 8b, you have a solid environment for warm-season turf compared to your neighbors. However, success still requires managing sandy soil and high acidity.

Ideal Rainfall for Healthy Turf

The county receives 47.5 inches of annual precipitation, which falls perfectly within the 30-50 inch ideal range for lawns. While specific heat day data is limited, this rainfall level provides a strong natural baseline for growth. You can likely rely on rainfall more than many other Georgia counties, reducing your irrigation costs.

Managing Well-Drained Loamy Sand

Your soil is predominantly loamy sand with a pH of 5.32, which is more acidic than the preferred 6.0-7.0 range. Because the soil is well-drained but sandy, it loses moisture and nutrients quickly. Regular lime applications and organic matter additions are necessary to keep your lawn thriving and healthy.

Guarding Against Severe Soil Dryness

Emanuel County has seen 29 weeks of drought recently, with 99.6% of the area currently in severe drought (D2+). Sandy soils dry out faster than clay, so your lawn may show signs of stress sooner than those in nearby counties. Implementing a regular watering schedule during dry weeks is essential to protect your turf foundation.

Establish Your Lawn in Zone 8b

Centipede and Zoysia are the top performers in the sandy, well-drained soils of Zone 8b. Since specific frost dates are not available, wait for consistent spring warmth before seeding or laying sod. Your favorable difficulty score suggests that with proper pH management, your lawn can be the envy of the block.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Emanuel County's county score?
Emanuel County, Georgia has a composite county score of 43.5 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 Emanuel County rank among counties in Georgia?
Emanuel County ranks #107 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 Emanuel County, Georgia?
The median annual property tax in Emanuel County is $884, with an effective tax rate of 0.93%. This earns Emanuel County a tax score of 40.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Emanuel County?
The median household income in Emanuel County, Georgia is $52,772 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Emanuel County earns an income score of 16.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Emanuel County, Georgia a good place to live?
Emanuel County scores 43.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #107 in Georgia. The best way to evaluate Emanuel 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 Emanuel 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.