Jeff Davis County

Georgia · GA

#74 in Georgia
67.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Jeff Davis County, Georgia

Jeff Davis County beats national livability median

Jeff Davis County's composite score of 73.9 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it at the 74th percentile nationally. This south Georgia county achieves strong livability despite below-average incomes through exceptional housing affordability.

Above average in Georgia rankings

Jeff Davis County scores 73.9, exceeding Georgia's average of 70.9, ranking it among the better-performing counties statewide. Its strength lies in cost efficiency rather than earning potential.

Affordability is Jeff Davis's defining feature

Jeff Davis County boasts the highest cost score in this group at 88.2, with median home values of just $109,300 and gross rent of $674 monthly. These are among Georgia's lowest housing costs, maximizing financial flexibility.

Income is significantly constrained

The income score of 10.1 reflects a median household income of $40,879—the lowest in this entire analysis, well below state and national averages. Safety, health, school, and environmental data remain unavailable.

Best for retirees and cost-first households

Jeff Davis County is ideal for retirees on fixed incomes, remote workers, and families prioritizing maximum affordability and financial security over earning potential. It suits those valuing a low cost of living above all other factors.

Score breakdown

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

Tax76.1Cost88.2SafetyComing SoonHealth50.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome10.1Risk71.8WaterComing Soon
🏛76.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠88.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼10.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
50.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
71.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Jeff Davis County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jeff Davis County

via TaxByCounty

Jeff Davis County taxes run well below

Jeff Davis County's effective tax rate of 0.930% on a median home value of $109,300 produces annual taxes of just $1,016—about 62% lower than the national median of $2,690. Despite a rate slightly above the national average, the county's modest home values yield exceptional tax affordability.

Slightly above Georgia's average rate

Jeff Davis County's 0.930% effective rate runs just above Georgia's 0.898% state average, yet its median tax of $1,016 falls dramatically short of Georgia's $1,529 median. The county's lower property values more than offset its slightly elevated rate.

Competitive with regional peers

Jeff Davis County's $1,016 median tax ranks among the lowest in this group, trailing only Hart County ($1,113) and Heard County ($1,030). At 0.930%, its rate exceeds only Hart and Heard, placing it in the middle of the eight-county region.

Your annual property tax estimate

On Jeff Davis County's median home value of $109,300, homeowners pay approximately $1,016 yearly in property taxes. With mortgage escrow included, the figure rises to roughly $1,341 annually.

Challenge inflated assessments

Even in affordable counties, some properties may be overvalued relative to recent market sales. Jeff Davis County homeowners should verify their assessed values and consider appealing to the county assessor if their property significantly exceeds comparable valuations in the area.

Cost of Living in Jeff Davis County

via CostByCounty

Jeff Davis offers deepest affordability at cost

Jeff Davis County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.8% matches Jasper County's rate despite the lowest median household income in this analysis at $40,879—36% below the national average. At $674 monthly rent, Jeff Davis delivers the lowest absolute housing costs, though renters here face the tightest relative budgets.

Georgia's cheapest rents, tightest budgets

Jeff Davis County's $674 median rent ranks lowest across all eight counties, running 27% below Georgia's state average of $927. However, its 19.8% rent-to-income ratio equals Jasper County's, indicating that bargain rents don't translate to easy affordability for low-income households here.

Rural extreme in regional housing market

Jeff Davis County's $674 median rent runs 17% below Irwin County's $824 and 21% below Hart County's $814, creating the deepest rural affordability band. This pricing reflects Jeff Davis's most remote location and limited proximity to metro employment centers.

Jeff Davis's housing crisis despite low rents

Despite paying just $674 monthly rent—the county's lowest—Jeff Davis renters earning the median $40,879 still allocate 19.8% of income to housing, leaving just $667 monthly for all other expenses. Homeowners invest $538 monthly into mortgages on homes valued at $109,300, the lowest median home value in this analysis.

Affordability for the most budget-conscious

Jeff Davis County delivers Georgia's cheapest rents at $674 monthly, but the county's very-low median income of $40,879 means affordability is relative. This county suits only relocators comfortable with rural isolation and extremely tight household budgets.

Income & Jobs in Jeff Davis County

via IncomeByCounty

Jeff Davis County significantly lags

Jeff Davis County's median household income of $40,879 trails the national median of $74,755 by 45%. Households earn approximately $33,876 less annually than typical American families.

Lowest-income Georgia county

Jeff Davis County ranks at the bottom of Georgia's income distribution, with median household income 32% below the state average of $60,488. Per capita income of $23,844 significantly lags the state average of $31,115.

Lowest income in the region

Jeff Davis County's $40,879 income ranks lowest among these eight counties, trailing Irwin County ($53,915) by over $13,000. The gap widens significantly against wealthier Jackson County ($85,012), a difference of $44,133.

Housing remains affordable option

Jeff Davis County's 19.8% rent-to-income ratio keeps housing costs manageable despite very low median income. The modest median home value of $109,300 makes homeownership achievable, though tight budgets require careful financial discipline.

Seek support for financial progress

Jeff Davis County residents should access free financial counseling and community resources to maximize limited income. Starting with a simple savings habit—even small amounts—and exploring employer retirement plans creates momentum toward long-term financial security.

Health in Jeff Davis County

via HealthByCounty

Jeff Davis County faces critical health crisis

At 70.7 years, Jeff Davis County has the lowest life expectancy in its region—nearly 3 years below the U.S. average of 73.5 years. With 26.5% reporting poor or fair health, the county confronts a public health emergency.

Georgia's most challenged county

Jeff Davis County's 70.7-year life expectancy falls 2.6 years below Georgia's 73.3-year state average, ranking among the state's worst. At 17.6% uninsured, the county exceeds Georgia's 15.0% average, deepening access disparities.

Severe provider shortage

Jeff Davis County has just 7 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—critically below any regional peer—forcing residents to travel hours for basic care. With 34 mental health providers per 100K, behavioral health is marginally more available but still inadequate.

Crisis-level healthcare access

With only 7 primary care doctors per 100,000, Jeff Davis County residents face near-impossible access to preventive care, and 17.6% lack any insurance at all. Nearly 1 in 5 residents cannot reach the few providers that exist.

Insurance is essential, not optional

Nearly 1 in 5 Jeff Davis County residents are uninsured—enroll immediately through Georgia's health marketplace or apply for Medicaid. With only 7 primary care doctors in the county, insurance may determine whether you get care at all.

Disaster Risk in Jeff Davis County

via RiskByCounty

Jeff Davis County: Below-Average Risk Profile

Jeff Davis County's composite risk score of 28.21 sits well below the national average, earning a "Very Low" rating overall. This south-central Georgia county offers better-than-typical protection from major natural disasters.

Safe Compared to Georgia Average

Jeff Davis County's 28.21 composite score falls comfortably below Georgia's 39.49 state average, ranking it among the safer counties statewide. The county's rural character and moderate population density contribute to lower overall risk exposure.

Protected Versus Surrounding Counties

Jeff Davis County (28.21) significantly outperforms Houston County (70.48) to its north while matching or exceeding safety levels of Irwin County (13.64) to its south. The county benefits from relative geographic isolation.

Hurricane and Wildfire Top Threats

Hurricane risk (83.85) stands notably high for this inland county, reflecting atmospheric circulation patterns affecting south Georgia. Wildfire risk (50.13) and tornado risk (51.40) remain moderate but warrant preparedness attention.

Windstorm Coverage Critical Priority

Despite overall low risk, Jeff Davis County's 83.85 hurricane score demands priority attention to windstorm and hail coverage. Verify your homeowners policy includes these protections, and reinforce roof connections and exterior integrity.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.