CountyScore

Gilmer County

Georgia · GA

#39 in Georgia
69.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Gilmer County, Georgia

Exceptional livability, national top tier

Gilmer County scores 77.0, substantially exceeding the national median of 50.0 by more than half. This top-tier ranking reflects outstanding tax efficiency and solid cost advantages across the board.

Among Georgia's best-rated counties

Gilmer County scores 77.0, meaningfully above Georgia's state average of 70.9. The county ranks among the highest performers in livability among all Georgia counties in this comparison.

Exceptional tax burden, solid housing

Gilmer County boasts a remarkable tax score of 91.5 with an effective rate of just 0.384%, the lowest by far. The cost score of 77.7 supports median home values of $278,900 and rent at $955 monthly.

Income growth remains constrained

The income score of 30.7 reflects a median household income of $72,542, limiting earning potential compared to metro counties. Data on safety, health, schools, and environment are not yet available.

Ideal for tax-savvy mountain living

Gilmer County attracts retirees, remote workers, and families fleeing high tax states seeking mountain beauty with minimal fiscal burden. The extraordinary low tax rate combined with reasonable housing costs makes this county a rare find.

Score breakdown

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

Tax91.5Cost77.7SafetyComing SoonHealth62.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.7Risk31.9WaterComing Soon
🏛91.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠77.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤62.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡31.9
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 Gilmer County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lake and Peninsula Borough
Alaska
69.7
Median income: $64,000
Chicot County
Arkansas
69.7
Median income: $39,683
Elbert County
Colorado
69.7
Median income: $129,477
Park County
Colorado
69.7
Median income: $95,450
Franklin County
Georgia
69.7
Median income: $52,264

Deep Dives

Gilmer County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Gilmer County

via TaxByCounty

Gilmer offers Georgia's lowest rates

Gilmer County's effective tax rate of 0.384% is among the lowest in the entire nation, running less than half Georgia's state average of 0.898%. Even with median homes valued near the national median at $278,900, Gilmer residents pay only $1,070 in annual property taxes versus the national median of $2,690.

Lowest rate in Georgia by far

Gilmer County's 0.384% effective rate is dramatically below Georgia's 0.898% state average, making it one of the most tax-advantaged counties in the entire state. No other Georgia county comes close to offering this level of property tax relief.

Dramatically lower than all neighbors

Gilmer County's 0.384% rate vastly undercuts every surrounding county—Floyd (0.804%), Gordon (0.705%), and Forsyth (0.759%)—making it an exceptional value. Homeowners in Gilmer pay roughly half what their neighbors pay, despite comparable home values in some cases.

Mountain homes, minimal taxes

A typical Gilmer County home valued at $278,900 generates only $1,070 in annual property taxes—an extraordinary benefit of the county's unique rate structure. With a mortgage, the tax rises to approximately $1,153; without one, homeowners pay roughly $955.

Double-check your assessment advantage

Even with Gilmer's famously low rate, occasional overassessments occur and can be challenged to ensure you're paying the absolute minimum. Since Gilmer's base taxes are already minimal, an appeal might save $100–300 annually—meaningful money in any budget.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Gilmer County

via CostByCounty

Gilmer offers below-average housing burden

Gilmer County residents spend just 15.8% of income on rent—the lowest ratio in this analysis and well below the national average. On a $72,542 median income roughly matching national levels, Gilmer delivers genuine affordability.

Gilmer ranks among Georgia's best values

At 15.8%, Gilmer County's rent-to-income ratio beats the state average by 2.8 percentage points, placing it among Georgia's most affordable rental markets. Mountain-county living translates to measurable savings.

Gilmer balances cost and income well

Gilmer's $955 monthly rent sits just $28 above state average and $184 more than Franklin County, while its $72,542 median income exceeds most rural peers. This balance yields the second-best rent-to-income ratio in the group.

Gilmer keeps housing costs manageable

Gilmer renters pay $955 monthly and homeowners $879, totaling roughly 30% of the $72,542 median income toward housing. This leaves substantial income for other priorities.

Gilmer suits balanced-lifestyle relocators

If you want mountain living with reasonable housing costs and don't require major-city amenities, Gilmer County delivers strong value for households earning $60,000–$85,000. You'll save on housing while gaining natural beauty.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Gilmer County

via IncomeByCounty

Gilmer County matches national income

At $72,542, Gilmer County's median household income sits just $2,213 below the U.S. median of $74,755. This near-parity positions Gilmer as an economically healthy county relative to national standards, reflecting solid local employment and earning power.

Above Georgia average by 20%

Gilmer County's $72,542 income exceeds Georgia's state median of $60,488 by roughly $12,054, placing it solidly in the upper-middle tier of all 159 Georgia counties. This outperformance suggests a prosperous local economy relative to the state baseline.

Regional income leader

Gilmer County's $72,542 leads surrounding counties including Franklin ($52,264), Gordon ($61,997), and Floyd ($62,540). Its per capita income of $34,175 also tops the state average of $31,115, indicating broad-based earning strength across the population.

Affordable housing, manageable rents

Gilmer County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.8%—the lowest among all eight counties measured—signals exceptional housing affordability. The median home value of $278,900 remains reasonable for households earning $72,542, creating favorable conditions for homeownership and savings.

Invest surplus income aggressively

Gilmer County's combination of strong incomes and low housing costs creates surplus household cash flow ideal for wealth building. Households here should maximize retirement savings, establish diversified investment portfolios, and consider real estate investment opportunities in this appreciating market.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Gilmer County

via HealthByCounty

Gilmer County underperforms on life expectancy

At 75.4 years, Gilmer County residents live 3.5 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years. The county's 17.2% poor or fair health rate nearly matches the national average, reflecting moderate health challenges.

Slightly below Georgia's health average

Gilmer County's 75.4-year life expectancy falls 1.9 years short of Georgia's 73.3-year state average. The county faces health disparities that warrant targeted prevention and care access strategies.

Mid-range performance regionally

Gilmer County's 75.4-year life expectancy ranks between Floyd County (72.6 years) and Fulton County (77.5 years). With 44 primary care providers per 100K, the county offers modest access compared to Floyd's 135 per 100K.

High uninsured rates, limited specialists

Gilmer County's uninsured rate of 17.4% ranks among the highest in this group and exceeds Georgia's 15.0% average. With 44 primary care providers and 85 mental health providers per 100K, access to care remains constrained for vulnerable populations.

Affordable coverage options await

With 17.4% uninsured, Gilmer County residents should explore healthcare.gov or local community health centers. Marketplace plans often cost less than expected, and many residents qualify for tax credits.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Gilmer County

via RiskByCounty

Gilmer County faces moderate hazard exposure

Gilmer County's composite risk score of 68.10 exceeds the national average and carries a "Relatively Low" rating within its state context. While not in the highest-risk category, the county still faces meaningful exposure to multiple disaster types requiring awareness and preparation.

Below-average risk for Georgia

Gilmer County's score of 68.10 sits notably above Georgia's state average of 39.49, placing it in the upper-middle tier of the state's at-risk counties. This above-average exposure distinguishes Gilmer from safer Georgia counties but positions it better than the state's most hazard-prone regions.

Riskier than neighboring Gordon County

Gilmer County (68.10) faces measurably higher disaster risk than adjacent Gordon County (67.21), though the two counties share similar vulnerability patterns across northern Georgia. Both warrant elevation-appropriate preparedness strategies reflecting their foothill and mountain exposure.

Floods and wildfires pose key threats

Gilmer County's flood risk of 75.32 and wildfire risk of 71.28 represent the two most serious natural hazard exposures. Tornado risk also scores notably at 75.25, rounding out a three-hazard vulnerability profile common to Georgia's mountain counties.

Flood and fire coverage matters most

Gilmer County residents in flood-prone valleys and near streams should secure flood insurance, while those in wildland-interface areas need homeowners policies covering wildfire damage and defensible-space maintenance. Review evacuation routes annually and maintain 100-foot defensible space around structures in fire-prone zones.

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.