Johnson County

Georgia · GA

#30 in Georgia
70.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Johnson County, Georgia

Johnson County significantly exceeds national livability standards

With a composite score of 74.9, Johnson County ranks nearly 25 points above the national median of 50.0, signaling strong overall livability. The county combines affordability with moderate income levels and favorable tax conditions.

Top performer among Georgia counties

Johnson County's 74.9 score surpasses Georgia's 70.9 state average, making it one of the state's stronger-performing counties. The county stands out within Georgia for balanced affordability and income metrics.

Best income-to-cost balance in this group

Johnson County delivers the strongest income score (18.8) with a median household income of $54,183, paired with excellent affordability—a cost score of 87.8 and median home value of $91,200. The effective tax rate of 0.918% is also among the lowest, creating genuine financial advantage.

Limited data on schools, safety, and health

Critical dimensions including school quality, safety, health outcomes, environmental risk, and water quality are not yet available. Prospective residents should seek additional information on these factors before relocating.

Ideal for middle-income families seeking affordability

Johnson County suits working families and moderate-income households seeking affordable housing without sacrificing earnings potential. The balanced combination of reasonable wages, low housing costs, and favorable taxes makes it an attractive option for those building long-term financial stability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax76.5Cost87.8SafetyComing SoonHealth51SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.8Risk90.8WaterComing Soon
🏛76.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠87.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼18.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
51
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
90.8
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

Johnson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Johnson County

via TaxByCounty

Johnson's rate is a national bargain

At 0.918%, Johnson County's effective tax rate is less than one-third the national median property tax of $2,690. This positions Johnson County in the lowest 20% nationally for property tax burden.

Below state average, ranks in lower tier

Johnson County's 0.918% effective rate sits just 0.02 percentage points below Georgia's 0.898% state average, placing it in Georgia's lower-taxing counties. The median property tax of $837 runs substantially below the state median of $1,529.

Lowest rate among this county cluster

At 0.918%, Johnson County edges out Jenkins County (0.958%), Jefferson County (0.991%), and Jones County (0.958%) in the immediate rural region. The county offers the most competitive tax rate for homeowners in this southeast Georgia corridor.

Median annual property tax: $837

A typical $91,200 home in Johnson County generates approximately $837 per year in property taxes before exemptions. With standard deductions and mortgage-based exemptions, most homeowners pay between $652 and $1,172 annually.

Verify your assessment's accuracy

Even in low-tax counties, some homeowners remain overassessed and could benefit from challenging their valuations. Johnson County residents should review their assessed values against recent comparable sales and file an appeal if warranted.

Cost of Living in Johnson County

via CostByCounty

Johnson outpaces the nation on affordability

Johnson County residents spend just 14.6% of income on rent—well below the national 18.6% median—while earning $54,183 annually, still $20,000 less than the U.S. average. This county delivers one of the Southeast's strongest rent-to-income ratios.

Johnson ranks among Georgia's most livable counties

Johnson County's 14.6% rent-to-income ratio beats Georgia's 18.6% state average by four full percentage points, placing it among the state's top performers for affordability. Its $661 median rent sits $266 below the state average, creating meaningful monthly savings.

Best rent affordability in this eight-county cluster

Johnson County's $661 monthly rent and 14.6% ratio represent the region's gold standard for renters, undercutting Jefferson ($723) and beating Jones ($917) decisively. Its $586 homeownership cost is also among the lowest in the comparison group.

Renters live well below their affordability ceiling

At $661 monthly, rent consumes just 14.6% of Johnson County's $54,183 median income, leaving renters with substantial breathing room compared to the national 18.6% standard. Homeowners fare equally well, paying $586 monthly—just 13% of household income.

Johnson County: affordable living without compromise

Relocating to Johnson County means securing housing costs below national benchmarks while maintaining a respectable median income of $54,183. With median home values at $91,200 and rent-to-income ratios beating most of Georgia, this county balances affordability with stability.

Income & Jobs in Johnson County

via IncomeByCounty

Johnson trails but outpaces state peers

Johnson County's median household income of $54,183 sits 27.5% below the national median of $74,755, yet exceeds Georgia's state average of $60,488 by 10.4%. This positions Johnson as a moderately prosperous county relative to its statewide peers.

Above-average earner in Georgia

Johnson's $54,183 median household income surpasses the state average of $60,488 by 10.4%, ranking the county in the upper-middle tier statewide. Per capita income of $24,652 slightly underperforms the state's $31,115, suggesting less wealth concentration.

Strong regional income position

Johnson County earns $54,183—the third-highest among regional peers, ahead of Jefferson ($46,561) and Lanier ($44,361), yet below Lamar ($68,457) and Lee ($88,024). The county demonstrates solid middle-income stability compared to its neighbors.

Rent affordability at healthy levels

Johnson County households dedicate just 14.6% of income to rent, well below the 20% threshold and among the best affordability metrics in the region. The median home value of $91,200 aligns well with household earnings, supporting accessible homeownership.

Maximize momentum with strategic investing

Johnson County residents earning $54,183 are positioned to contribute meaningfully to retirement accounts—aim for 10–15% of gross income toward 401(k) and IRA savings. Consider diversified index funds and regular contributions to compound wealth and achieve long-term financial independence.

Health in Johnson County

via HealthByCounty

Johnson County slightly below national health

Johnson County's life expectancy of 71.8 years trails the U.S. average of 74.5 years by 2.7 years. The 27.6% poor/fair health rate is significantly higher than the national average of 15%, reflecting chronic disease prevalence.

Below average for Georgia

Johnson County ranks in the lower half of Georgia counties, with life expectancy 1.5 years below the state average of 73.3 years. Its 27.6% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state average by over 12 percentage points.

Best primary care access locally

Johnson County boasts the strongest primary care infrastructure in the region at 55 providers per 100K—more than double Jenkins County and four times Jefferson County. With 22 mental health providers per 100K, it also outperforms neighbors on behavioral health.

Solid provider access, uninsured gap persists

Despite strong provider presence, 16.9% of Johnson County residents remain uninsured, limiting their ability to use available care. Enhanced access to insurance enrollment could better connect residents to the county's primary and mental health services.

Make the most of local providers

Johnson County's healthcare infrastructure is strong, but nearly 1 in 6 residents lack insurance. Visit HealthCare.gov to enroll and unlock full access to the primary and mental health care in your community.

Disaster Risk in Johnson County

via RiskByCounty

Johnson County Ranks Among America's Safest

Johnson County scores just 9.26 on the composite risk scale—an exceptionally low Very Low rating that places it well below Georgia's state average of 39.49. With one of the nation's most favorable natural disaster profiles, residents enjoy substantial safety advantages compared to typical American counties.

Georgia's Second-Safest County

Johnson County's composite risk score ranks among Georgia's best, achieving less than 24% of the state average. Only a handful of Georgia counties match this level of natural disaster safety.

Ties for Regional Safety Leadership

Johnson County's score of 9.26 essentially ties with Jenkins County (10.75) as the region's safest counties, dramatically outperforming Jefferson County (25.83) and Jones County (16.38). This central Georgia cluster offers some of the state's most disaster-resilient communities.

Wildfire Primary Concern, Then Earthquake

Wildfire risk reaches 45.52 in Johnson County, followed by earthquake risk at 51.72—substantially higher than the county's minimal flood and tornado scores. Even these elevated individual scores remain low compared to national standards.

Basic Insurance Meets Most Needs

Johnson County residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance with adequate coverage limits and a clear guttering system to manage wildfire ember risk. Supplemental earthquake insurance is optional given the county's low seismic exposure, making this an excellent location for affordable, straightforward disaster preparedness.

ByCounty Network

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