CountyScore

Habersham County

Georgia · GA

#55 in Georgia
68.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Habersham County, Georgia

Habersham ranks solidly above median

Habersham County's composite score of 74.0 comfortably exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 48th percentile nationally. This northeast Georgia county delivers livability that surpasses most American communities.

Among Georgia's best performers

With a score of 74.0, Habersham ranks above Georgia's state average of 70.9, putting it in the state's upper tier. The county offers one of Georgia's strongest overall livability profiles.

Lowest taxes and solid affordability

Habersham boasts Georgia's lowest effective tax rate at 0.627% (tax score 84.6) and strong housing affordability with a cost score of 78.1. Median home values of $212,000 and rent around $939/month keep costs manageable.

Income levels lag expectations

The income score of 26.2 reflects a median household income of $65,622, below state averages. Safety, health, school, and water data gaps prevent a complete picture of daily life quality.

Perfect for tax-conscious retirees

Habersham County appeals to retirees and remote workers seeking low taxes and affordable housing in the foothills. Those with fixed or outside income streams find exceptional value; local wage-earners may seek counties with higher income potential.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.6Cost78.1SafetyComing SoonHealth57.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome26.2Risk61.1WaterComing Soon
🏛84.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤57.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡61.1
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 Habersham County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Marshall County
Alabama
68.8
Median income: $60,946
Independence County
Arkansas
68.8
Median income: $56,009
Hancock County
Georgia
68.8
Median income: $33,182
Appanoose County
Iowa
68.8
Median income: $51,146
Buena Vista County
Iowa
68.8
Median income: $66,564

Deep Dives

Habersham County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Habersham County

via TaxByCounty

Habersham offers lowest tax rate nationally

At 0.627%, Habersham County's effective property tax rate ranks among the lowest in the nation, well below the national median of 0.720%. The median property tax of $1,330 is less than half the national median of $2,690, thanks to a median home value of $212,000.

Georgia's most tax-friendly county

Habersham County's 0.627% effective rate is the lowest among all Georgia counties, significantly below the state average of 0.898%. The median tax of $1,330 ranks well below the state median of $1,529, offering homeowners genuine relief from property tax burden.

Clear winner for low taxes in the region

Habersham's 0.627% rate beats all comparable regional counties, including Grady (0.980%), Hall (0.760%), and Haralson (0.849%). Homeowners here enjoy the region's lowest property tax bills, with median taxes under $1,400 annually.

Habersham homeowners pay just $1,330 annually

The median home valued at $212,000 generates an estimated annual property tax of $1,330, or roughly $111 per month. With a mortgage, that obligation climbs to $1,508 annually as escrow accounts prepay taxes.

Even low taxes deserve an appeal review

While Habersham offers Georgia's lowest tax rate, overassessments can still occur and may be worth contesting. A successful appeal could reduce your already-modest bill even further—always worth a conversation with the county tax assessor.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Habersham County

via CostByCounty

Habersham delivers solid affordability

At 17.2% of income spent on rent, Habersham County households enjoy below-national-average housing costs with a median income of $65,622. This rural northeast Georgia county punches above its weight in affordability.

Among Georgia's affordable options

Habersham's 17.2% rent-to-income ratio beats Georgia's state average of 18.6%, while its median rent of $939 closely mirrors the state median of $927. This consistency makes Habersham a reliable, middle-ground housing market.

Habersham balances cost and income

Habersham's $939 rent sits between Grady County ($789) and Hall County ($1,247), offering mountain-adjacent living without metro price premiums. Median home values of $212,000 remain accessible for buyers seeking stability.

Modest income, moderate housing spend

Habersham households earning $65,622 annually allocate $939 to rent—a manageable 17.2% of gross income. Monthly homeownership costs of $879 make both renting and buying feasible for working families.

Habersham's quiet appeal for movers

If you're seeking small-town character with reasonable housing costs, Habersham delivers: slightly below state averages for both rent and income ratios. Test these numbers against your current situation—northeast Georgia's mountain access might come with unexpected savings.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Habersham County

via IncomeByCounty

Habersham moderately lags national pace

At $65,622, Habersham County's median household income trails the national median of $74,755 by 12%. The county reflects mixed economic strengths typical of North Georgia mountain and foothills counties.

Above-average income for Georgia

Habersham's median income of $65,622 surpasses Georgia's state average of $60,488 by $5,134, placing it in the state's middle-to-upper income range. The county outperforms most rural Georgia counties.

Solid income in mountain county cluster

Habersham's $65,622 exceeds Grady County ($54,312) and Haralson County ($65,016), positioning it among the stronger earners in its region. Hall County ($77,430) to the south demonstrates higher income potential in nearby areas.

Housing affordability supports growth

Habersham's 17.2% rent-to-income ratio signals excellent housing affordability, well below the 30% threshold. Median home values of $212,000 remain accessible to households earning the county median.

Build wealth with steady local income

Habersham households should capitalize on lower housing costs to maximize retirement savings and investment contributions. The favorable rent-to-income ratio creates space for both emergency funds and long-term wealth building.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Habersham County

via HealthByCounty

Habersham's life expectancy edges above national rates

At 74.8 years, Habersham County residents live slightly longer than the U.S. average of 73.5 years, though 21.6% report poor or fair health. This gap suggests that life expectancy gains mask underlying chronic disease challenges.

Habersham ranks mid-range within Georgia counties

Habersham's 74.8-year life expectancy exceeds Georgia's 73.3-year state average by 1.5 years, placing it solidly in the middle tier of the state's 159 counties. The 21.6% poor/fair health rate indicates chronic disease remains a significant community burden.

Habersham outperforms struggling regional peers

Habersham's 74.8-year life expectancy tops Hancock (70.7 years) and Haralson (71.2 years) by meaningful margins, though it trails healthier neighbors like Greene (76.1 years) and Gwinnett (79.3 years). The 3-year gap with Greene reflects differences in healthcare access and chronic disease prevention.

Provider shortage compounds uninsured challenges

Habersham has 47 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 18.4% uninsured—nearly 2 percentage points above Georgia's average. With only 60 mental health providers per 100,000, behavioral health services remain stretched thin.

Find affordable coverage for your family now

If you're among Habersham's 18.4% uninsured, marketplace plans or Medicaid expansion may fit your budget and family's needs. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore options today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Habersham County

via RiskByCounty

Habersham: Low Risk, National Perspective

Habersham County scores 38.90, placing it in the very low-risk category and slightly below the national average. The county's risk is evenly distributed across multiple hazard types, with no single catastrophic threat dominating the profile.

Well Below Georgia's Average Risk

Habersham's score of 38.90 is nearly identical to Greene County and well below Georgia's state average of 39.49. The county ranks among the safer areas across the state for natural disaster exposure.

Safer Than Urban Neighbors

Habersham's score of 38.90 is substantially lower than Hall County (84.26) and Gwinnett (95.42) to its south, while remaining comparable to Greene (37.25). Its rural character contributes to lower overall risk despite mountainous terrain.

Earthquake and Tornado Moderate Concerns

Habersham's highest risks are earthquake (63.84) and tornado (60.69), both elevated relative to national norms but manageable for the county. Flood and wildfire risks remain below 50, reflecting lower seasonal exposure.

Standard Insurance Protects Habersham Homes

Habersham's very low composite risk means standard homeowners insurance provides adequate protection for most residents. Review your policy annually to ensure tornado and wind coverage are included, particularly if you're in areas with higher local elevation.

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.