CountyScore

Jenkins County

Georgia · GA

#25 in Georgia
70.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Jenkins County, Georgia

Jenkins County ranks in top livability tier nationally

Jenkins County's composite score of 75.5 ranks it 25 points above the national median of 50.0, demonstrating exceptional livability across measured dimensions. This places the county among the most affordable and tax-friendly regions in the United States.

Among Georgia's best-performing counties

At 75.5, Jenkins County's score exceeds the Georgia state average of 70.9 by more than 4 points. The county stands out within Georgia for its combination of low housing costs and favorable tax conditions.

Exceptional affordability and low tax burden

Jenkins County boasts the region's most affordable housing, with a cost score of 92.7 and a median home value of just $81,100. The effective tax rate of 0.958% is among the lowest in the state, and rent averaging $544 monthly makes it ideal for those watching every dollar.

Income levels lag significantly behind state and national benchmarks

Jenkins County's income score of 7.5 is the lowest in this group, with a median household income of $36,906—well below Georgia and U.S. averages. Safety, health, education, and water quality data are not yet available, which may be important factors for residents.

Perfect for cost-conscious residents seeking simplicity

Jenkins County is best suited for retirees, remote workers, or individuals with modest income needs who prioritize rock-bottom living costs. The exceptional affordability makes it an excellent choice for those seeking financial stability on a limited budget, though job opportunities may be limited.

Score breakdown

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

Tax75.3Cost92.7SafetyComing SoonHealth51.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome7.5Risk89.3WaterComing Soon
🏛75.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠92.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼7.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤51.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡89.3
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 Jenkins County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Greene County
Georgia
70.7
Median income: $84,530
Lincoln County
Georgia
70.7
Median income: $50,688
Wilkinson County
Georgia
70.7
Median income: $46,673
Blaine County
Idaho
70.7
Median income: $84,470
Owyhee County
Idaho
70.7
Median income: $59,773

Deep Dives

Jenkins County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jenkins County

via TaxByCounty

Jenkins has one of the lowest tax rates

At 0.958%, Jenkins County's effective rate is less than one-third the cost of the national median tax bill of $2,690. The county ranks in the bottom quarter nationally, offering some of the lowest property tax burden in America.

Below Georgia's average tax rate

Jenkins County's 0.958% effective rate falls slightly below Georgia's 0.898% state average, placing it near the lower middle among Georgia's 159 counties. At $777 median property tax, Jenkins residents pay less than half the state median of $1,529.

Among the lowest in the rural region

Jenkins County's 0.958% rate matches Jones County's but undercuts Jefferson County's 0.991% and beats Johnson County's 0.918% slightly. This rural southeast Georgia county maintains competitive, low tax rates for the region.

Annual tax on median home is $777

The typical $81,100 home in Jenkins County carries an estimated $777 annual property tax without exemptions. Homeowners with mortgages or homestead exemptions typically pay between $597 and $1,187.

Appeal if your home was overvalued

Many Georgia homeowners don't challenge their assessments even when values don't reflect market reality. If your Jenkins County home's assessed value seems high, filing an appeal with the county assessor could reduce your tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Jenkins County

via CostByCounty

Jenkins offers rare relief from national rent pressure

Jenkins County's renters spend just 17.7% of income on housing—below the national 18.6% median—even though median household income stands at only $36,906, far below the U.S. average of $74,755. This county delivers genuine affordability for some of Georgia's lowest-earning households.

Georgia's most affordable county for renters

Jenkins County ranks among Georgia's best for rental affordability, with a 17.7% rent-to-income ratio that beats the state average of 18.6%. Its $544 median monthly rent is the lowest among these eight counties and nearly 41% cheaper than Georgia's $927 state average.

Jenkins undercuts every neighboring county on rent

At $544 monthly, Jenkins rent runs $179 below Jefferson County ($723) and $354 below Jones County ($917), making it the region's budget rental champion. Even homeownership at $410 monthly is exceptionally low, attracting cost-conscious families from across South Georgia.

Renters and owners both get solid deals here

Jenkins County residents allocate just 17.7% of their $36,906 median income to rent at $544, while homeowners spend roughly 13.3% of income on $410 monthly payments. Both pathways deliver housing costs well below regional and national benchmarks.

Jenkins County: Georgia's most accessible frontier

If you're seeking a genuine bargain in the Southeast, Jenkins County offers rents and home values ($81,100 median) that won't strain a working-class budget. Compare its $544 rent to any urban center within 200 miles, and Jenkins becomes a no-brainer for remote workers and retirees on fixed incomes.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jenkins County

via IncomeByCounty

Jenkins faces significant income gap

Jenkins County's median household income of $36,906 lags the national median of $74,755 by 50.6%, representing one of Georgia's lowest income counties. This substantial gap creates affordability pressures and limits wealth-building opportunities for residents.

Among Georgia's lowest earners

Jenkins ranks well below Georgia's state average of $60,488, with a median household income 39% lower and per capita income 31% below the state average of $31,115. Few counties in the state record lower household earnings.

Lowest income in its peer group

At $36,906, Jenkins County income trails all surveyed regional peers, falling nearly $10,000 below Lanier County ($44,361) and more than $17,000 below Johnson County ($54,183). Jenkins faces distinct economic headwinds compared to neighboring counties.

Tight but workable rent burden

Jenkins County residents allocate 17.7% of income to rent—below the 20% stress threshold—though tight budgets leave limited margin for unexpected expenses. The median home value of $81,100 remains among the most affordable in the region, easing homeownership barriers.

Start small, build consistent habits

Jenkins households earning $36,906 should focus first on establishing an emergency fund of even $500–$1,000 to prevent debt spirals, then explore employer benefits like health savings accounts. Automated micro-savings (round-up apps, spare change) and free financial education can unlock long-term wealth despite current constraints.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Jenkins County

via HealthByCounty

Jenkins County faces health headwinds

Life expectancy in Jenkins County stands at 71.8 years, roughly 2.7 years below the U.S. average of 74.5 years. Nearly 3 in 10 residents report poor or fair health, double the national average of 15%.

Middle tier in Georgia rankings

Jenkins County's life expectancy of 71.8 years runs 1.5 years below Georgia's state average of 73.3 years. The 29.1% poor/fair health rate outpaces the state average and suggests chronic disease burden.

Outperforms Jefferson, trails Jones County

Jenkins County (71.8 years) edges past Jefferson County (68.8 years) by 3 years but falls short of Jones County (75.6 years) by nearly 4. The county's 14.7% uninsured rate sits between Jefferson and Johnson counties.

Better provider access than Jefferson

Jenkins County offers 35 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—more than double Jefferson's 13, though fewer than Johnson's 55. Mental health providers number 12 per 100K, still limiting behavioral health access.

Secure coverage for better outcomes

With 14.7% of Jenkins County uninsured, health insurance enrollment can open doors to preventive care and ongoing treatment. Explore coverage options at HealthCare.gov to reduce gaps in care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Jenkins County

via RiskByCounty

Jenkins County: Georgia's Lowest-Risk Profile

Jenkins County scores just 10.75 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the Very Low category and less than 28% of Georgia's state average of 39.49. This county ranks among America's safest from a natural disaster perspective, though no location is entirely risk-free.

Lowest Risk Ranking in Georgia

Jenkins County achieves one of Georgia's lowest composite risk scores, sitting nearly 73% below the state average. This exceptional safety profile reflects consistently low exposure across most major hazard types.

Safest in Its Regional Cluster

Jenkins County's score of 10.75 edges out Johnson County (9.26) as the region's premier low-risk location, significantly outperforming Jones County (16.38) and Jefferson County (25.83). The county's positioning makes it an exceptionally safe choice for disaster-conscious homebuyers in central Georgia.

Earthquake and Hurricane Remain Considerations

While Jenkins County's overall risk is minimal, earthquake risk scores 56.04 and hurricane risk reaches 75.26—the highest percentile scores in this county. These distant hazards pose low practical threat but merit basic awareness.

Standard Coverage Likely Sufficient Here

Jenkins County residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance and ensure adequate hurricane coverage, given the score of 75.26 on that metric. Consider supplemental earthquake insurance only if rebuilding costs concern you, given the low overall probability of significant seismic activity.

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.