countyscore
46
County Score
Cost of Living 76.8Disaster Risk 74.2Schools 61.6

County Report Card

About Jefferson County, Georgia

Jefferson County Ranks Below the National Median

Jefferson County earns a composite score of 45.8, placing it just below the national median of 50.0. While it trails slightly on the national stage, it remains a competitive option for residents seeking specific regional advantages.

A Steady Performer in Rural Georgia

The county's overall score of 45.8 sits just under the Georgia state average of 46.7. This score reflects a balance between high affordability and significant local socio-economic challenges.

Outstanding Housing Value and Low Risk

The county excels in housing affordability with a Cost Score of 78.2, anchored by a median home value of $93,100. It also offers a high Risk Score of 74.2, indicating strong resilience against natural disasters.

Addressing Economic and Health Hurdles

The county faces hurdles with an Income Score of 8.9 and a Health Score of just 4.4. Median household income sits at $46,561, significantly impacting the overall livability index for the area.

The Verdict: Best for Budget-Conscious Renters

Jefferson County suits residents looking for extremely low living costs, with median rents averaging only $723. Families will also appreciate the School Score of 61.6, which outperforms many neighboring counties.

204060801003976.839.64.461.617.374.257.746.1Tax39Cost76.8Safety39.6Health4.4Schools61.6Income17.3Risk74.2Water57.7Weather46.146/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Jefferson County DNA

Foverall

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

Jefferson County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (76.8/100) but notably weak in Health (4.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
39-13
Cost
76.8+28.799999999999997
Safety
39.6-15.399999999999999
Health
4.4-45.6
Schools
61.6
Income
17.3-33.7
Risk
74.2+27.200000000000003
Water
57.7
Weather
46.1-9.899999999999999
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Think property taxes are too high in Jefferson County?

Many homeowners in Jefferson 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

$105,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$731/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$105,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$29,240/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $53,014/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

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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Counties with similar scores

Trinity County
California
Median income: $53,002
46
Hancock County
Georgia
Median income: $40,082
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Franklin County
Kentucky
Median income: $65,298
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Lawrence County
Missouri
Median income: $61,215
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Warren County
New York
Median income: $78,442
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Brunswick County
North Carolina
Median income: $77,024
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Anderson County
Tennessee
Median income: $66,183
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Gillespie County
Texas
Median income: $76,162
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Nearby counties

Glascock County
Georgia
55.9
Washington County
Georgia
46.4
Burke County
Georgia
52.6
Johnson County
Georgia
61.7
Richmond County
Georgia
39.2
Warren County
Georgia
57.2
McDuffie County
Georgia
46.9
Jenkins County
Georgia
49.5

Deep Dives

Jefferson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jefferson County

via TaxByCounty

Jefferson's tax rate ranks low nationally

At 0.991%, Jefferson County's effective tax rate sits well below the national median property tax of $2,690 on a $281,900 home. This puts the county in the bottom third nationally for tax burden, meaning homeowners here pay significantly less than typical American counterparts.

Slightly above Georgia's average rate

Jefferson County's 0.991% effective rate edges above Georgia's state average of 0.898%, placing it in the middle tier among the state's 159 counties. The county's $923 median property tax is well below the state median of $1,529.

Higher taxes than nearby rural counties

Jefferson's 0.991% rate exceeds those of neighboring Johnson County (0.918%) and Jenkins County (0.958%), but trails the higher-valued Jones County at 0.958%. For homeowners, this means Jefferson falls in the moderate range within this rural corridor.

Median home costs $923 annually

A typical $93,100 home in Jefferson County generates about $923 in annual property taxes without homestead exemptions. With mortgage-related exemptions and deductions, homeowners typically pay $796 to $1,137 per year.

Review your assessment for potential savings

Research shows many homeowners across Georgia are overassessed relative to current market values. If your property value has declined or been misclassified, an appeal to Jefferson County's tax assessor could lower your bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jefferson County

via IncomeByCounty

Jefferson trails national income standards

Jefferson County's median household income of $46,561 falls 37.8% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the lower income tier nationally. This gap reflects economic challenges that affect housing affordability, savings capacity, and long-term financial security for local families.

Below Georgia's county average

At $46,561, Jefferson's median household income runs 23.1% lower than Georgia's state average of $60,488, indicating the county lags behind most of its peers statewide. The $25,591 per capita income also underperforms the state average of $31,115 by 17.8%.

Mid-range among regional peers

Jefferson's $46,561 income sits between Jenkins County ($36,906) and Laurens County ($49,705), positioning it as a moderate-income county in its region. It outpaces Jenkins but trails Johnson County ($54,183), reflecting diverse economic conditions across neighboring counties.

Rent remains manageable at 18.6%

Jefferson County households spend 18.6% of income on rent, slightly above the 15% affordability benchmark but within reasonable limits. The median home value of $93,100 aligns with income levels, making homeownership feasible for qualified buyers despite lower overall household earnings.

Build financial stability from here

Jefferson residents earning $46,561 annually can prioritize emergency savings (aim for 3–6 months expenses) before investing in retirement accounts and home equity. Consider low-cost index funds and employer 401(k) matches to compound wealth over time, even with modest household income.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Jefferson County

via CrimeByCounty

Jefferson County Outperforms National Safety Averages

With a total crime rate of 1372.6 per 100,000 residents, Jefferson County is significantly safer than the national average of 2,385.5. The county maintains a high safety score of 97.8 out of 100. This places the community well below the typical American crime baseline.

Matching Georgia's Strongest Safety Trends

Jefferson County’s safety score of 97.8 perfectly mirrors the Georgia state average. Its total crime rate of 1372.6 per 100,000 remains lower than the statewide average of 1412.9. Local law enforcement maintains a competitive standing relative to state peers.

A Safer Choice Among Nearby Counties

Jefferson County reports 1372.6 crimes per 100,000 people, showing lower rates than neighboring Jenkins County at 1505.0. It offers a secure environment compared to several surrounding jurisdictions. Residents experience a notably lower total crime volume than many of their immediate neighbors.

Understanding Property and Violent Crime Localized

Property crimes make up the bulk of local incidents at 1071.1 per 100,000, while the violent crime rate sits at 301.5. This violent crime rate is slightly higher than the state average of 248.1 but remains below the national average of 369.8. Most residents are unlikely to encounter serious crime in their daily lives.

Proactive Security for Jefferson Residents

Since property crime accounts for the majority of local offenses, home security systems provide essential peace of mind. Small steps like outdoor lighting and smart locks significantly deter opportunistic theft. Staying vigilant helps maintain the county's strong safety rating.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Jefferson County

via WeatherByCounty

Classic Southern Thermal Profile

Jefferson County's annual average temperature of 63.5°F is well above the national median. It experiences the long, warm growing seasons typical of the American South.

Matching the State Average

The county's 63.5°F average nearly mirrors the Georgia state average of 63.7°F. It serves as a perfect representative of the state's overall climate.

Drier Than State Benchmarks

Jefferson sees 47.6 inches of rain, less than the state average of 51.4 inches. It is slightly cooler than neighboring Johnson County, which averages 64.0°F.

Seventy-Nine Days of Heat

Summer temperatures peak at 80.8°F in July, contributing to 79 days of extreme heat annually. Winter remains crisp but manageable with a 47.3°F average and minimal snow.

Plan for Humid Summers

Expect high humidity and 79 days of temperatures over 90°F, making summer cooling a major household expense. The 0.4 inches of snow is rare, so focus on heat-tolerant landscaping.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Jefferson County

via SoilByCounty

Typical Coastal Plain Soil Profile

While specific taxonomic data for Jefferson is limited, the region generally features acidic soils typical of Georgia's Coastal Plain. This means pH levels likely sit below the national median of 6.5, requiring local testing for optimal crop growth.

Understanding Local Soil Texture

Exact sand and clay percentages are currently unmapped for this area in recent surveys. Local growers typically encounter sandy loam textures that offer a balance of easy workability and moderate drainage.

Building Toward State Benchmarks

Jefferson County does not have a current soil score, but landowners should aim for the state organic matter average of 1.83%. Increasing organic content helps the soil hold nutrients and water more effectively.

Managing Water in the Landscape

Specific drainage classes are not presently recorded, so builders and farmers should observe local runoff patterns. Proper site management ensures that the land handles Georgia's heavy seasonal rains without erosion.

Gardening in Hardiness Zone 8b

Jefferson County sits in Zone 8b, providing a long growing season for heat-loving crops like peppers and pecans. Start a garden this season to take full advantage of the mild winters and hot summers.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Jefferson County

via LawnByCounty

Tough Growing Conditions in Jefferson County

Jefferson County earns a lawn difficulty score of 31.4, indicating it is significantly harder to maintain turf here than the national median of 50.0. While the county sits in the warm USDA Hardiness Zone 8b, it remains more challenging than the Georgia state average of 35.8.

Sultry Summers and High Heat Stress

The local climate experiences 79 extreme heat days per year, which is 14 days more than the state average. While the 47.6 inches of annual precipitation falls within the ideal range for lawns, the high 5,558 growing degree days mean grass and weeds grow aggressively during the long warm season.

Preparing Your Southern Soil

Specific local soil measurements for pH and texture are currently limited for Jefferson County. Homeowners should perform a professional soil test to determine if they need to adjust acidity to reach the ideal 6.0-7.0 range common for healthy Georgia lawns.

A Year of Lingering Dry Spells

Lawns here faced 30 weeks of drought over the past year, with 100% of the county currently classified as abnormally dry. With 3% of the area in severe drought, deep and infrequent watering is essential to encourage deep root growth and survival.

Best Practices for Zone 8b Lawns

Warm-season grasses like Bermuda or Centipede thrive in this zone and should be established after the final spring frost on March 25. Aim to complete major sodding or seeding projects well before the first fall frost arrives around November 7.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jefferson County's county score?
Jefferson County, Georgia has a composite county score of 46 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 Jefferson County rank among counties in Georgia?
Jefferson County ranks #91 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 Jefferson County, Georgia?
The median annual property tax in Jefferson County is $1,009, with an effective tax rate of 0.96%. This earns Jefferson County a tax score of 39/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Jefferson County?
The median household income in Jefferson County, Georgia is $53,014 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Jefferson County earns an income score of 17.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Jefferson County, Georgia a good place to live?
Jefferson County scores 46/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #91 in Georgia. The best way to evaluate Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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.