countyscore
62.8
County Score
Safety 97.5Disaster Risk 90.8Cost of Living 88.3

County Report Card

About Johnson County, Georgia

Johnson County Exceeds National Standards

Johnson County delivers a strong performance with a composite score of 62.8, far exceeding the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a high quality of life across several key safety and environmental metrics.

A Top Tier Performer in Georgia

With a composite score of 62.8, Johnson County significantly outpaces the Georgia state average of 46.7. It stands out as a regional leader in overall livability and public safety.

Exceptional Safety and Environmental Stability

Safety is a hallmark here, evidenced by a Safety Score of 97.5 and a Risk Score of 90.8. Housing remains very accessible with a Cost Score of 88.3 and median rents of $661.

Health and Income Remain Primary Concerns

Despite high safety ratings, the county struggles with a Health Score of 10.8. The Income Score of 23.3 also lags, with median household incomes currently at $54,183.

The Verdict: Perfect for Peace of Mind

Johnson County is an excellent fit for families and retirees prioritizing safety and disaster resilience above all else. It offers a rare combination of security and affordability that is hard to match in Georgia.

Score breakdown

Tax43.9Cost88.3Safety97.5Health10.8Schools58.9Income23.3Risk90.8Water86Weather40.8
🏛43.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠88.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡97.5
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤10.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓58.9
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡90.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧86
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤40.8
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱27.5
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

Laurens County
Georgia
51.7
Washington County
Georgia
45
Emanuel County
Georgia
43.6
Treutlen County
Georgia
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Wilkinson County
Georgia
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Jefferson County
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Glascock County
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Montgomery County
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Deep Dives

Johnson County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

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.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Johnson County

via CrimeByCounty

Incomplete Data Masks National Comparison

Johnson County currently shows a reported crime rate of 0.0 per 100,000, resulting in a nominal safety score of 100.0. These figures likely reflect a gap in reporting from the two local agencies for the 2022 period. Actual crime levels are likely higher than these placeholder values suggest.

A Statistical Outlier in Georgia Records

While the state average safety score is 97.8, Johnson County's data remains unrecorded for this specific window. This lack of data makes it difficult to rank the county accurately against state peers like Jones or Laurens. Consistent reporting is necessary for a full public safety picture.

Waiting for Neighboring Data Comparisons

Nearby Laurens County reports 951.3 crimes per 100,000, providing a more realistic benchmark for the region. Without active 2022 data for Johnson County, residents should look to long-term historical trends. Neighboring jurisdictions show that rural Georgia remains generally safe but not crime-free.

The Reality Behind the Zero Rate

The current report of 0.0 violent and property crimes indicates a reporting delay rather than an absence of crime. Residents should continue to follow standard safety precautions regardless of the statistical void. We expect future updates to provide a more accurate breakdown of local incidents.

Prioritizing Safety Despite Data Gaps

Even without official data, maintaining a secure home remains a top priority. Do not let statistical anomalies lead to complacency regarding locks and alarms. Basic security measures are your best protection in any rural Georgia community.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

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.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Johnson County

via SchoolsByCounty

Three Essential Schools Serving Johnson County

Johnson County's education landscape consists of three public schools: one elementary, one middle, and one high school. Together, these campuses support a total enrollment of 1,009 students within a single district.

Exceptional Graduation Rates and Performance

The county achieves a 92.0% graduation rate, which is five points higher than the national average. With a composite school score of 55.6, the district is outperforming state averages despite maintaining a modest per-pupil expenditure of $7,458.

The Johnson County School District

Managed by a single local district, Johnson County schools provide traditional public education to all 1,009 students. There are no charter schools in the county, reflecting a commitment to a unified public school system.

Small Schools in a Primarily Rural Setting

Students here benefit from an average school size of 336, offering a personalized learning environment across two rural and one town location. Johnson County Elementary is the busiest campus with 466 students, while the middle school remains the smallest with 240.

Personalized Learning in Johnson County

Families who value small class sizes and high graduation rates will find Johnson County highly attractive. Start your home search here to secure a place in a high-performing rural school system.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

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.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Johnson County

via WeatherByCounty

Searing Heat Relative to Nation

With an annual average of 64.0°F, Johnson County is significantly warmer than the national median. Its climate is dominated by high-temperature extremes.

Warmer Than State Averages

Johnson's 64.0°F average exceeds the Georgia state mean of 63.7°F. This extra warmth translates to more frequent extreme heat events.

The Regional Heat Leader

Johnson stands out with 94 extreme heat days, far more than Jefferson County's 79 days. It also receives 49.0 inches of rain, making it a hot and humid regional hub.

Nearly 100 Heat Days

The county experiences 94 days reaching 90°F or more, nearly a quarter of the year. Snowfall data is unavailable, but the 47.8°F winter average suggests frozen precipitation is rare.

Extreme Heat Precautions Needed

Ninety-four days of 90-degree weather demand high-performance HVAC and ample hydration for outdoor workers. Residents should plan for heavy summer utility costs due to the extended heat.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Johnson County

via SoilByCounty

Mapping Johnson's Acidic Baseline

While specific pH data for Johnson is currently being updated, the county follows the state's acidic trend of 5.26. This acidity is much higher than the national 6.5 median, requiring careful soil management.

A Focus on Soil Structure

Detailed sand, silt, and clay ratios are not presently available in the current database. Local observation suggests the presence of sandy loam, which is favored by many Georgia farmers for its versatility.

Aiming for High Potential

There is no current soil score for the county, but you can benchmark your land against the state organic matter average of 1.83%. Adding compost is a great way to improve your soil's natural productivity.

Observing Natural Water Flow

Mapped drainage and hydrologic classes are currently limited for this area. It is important for builders to perform site-specific tests to ensure proper foundation stability and garden drainage.

Bountiful Zone 8b Harvests

Johnson County's 8b hardiness zone is ideal for southern staples like okra and sweet potatoes. The warm climate and long growing season offer plenty of opportunities to cultivate a thriving home garden.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Johnson County

via LawnByCounty

Maintaining Turf in a High-Heat Zone

Johnson County scores a 27.5 on the lawn difficulty scale, making it harder to manage than both the state and national averages. Residents in Hardiness Zone 8b must contend with a climate that is significantly more taxing for turf than the typical American yard.

Extremely High Heat Counts

The county faces 94 extreme heat days annually, nearly 30 days more than the Georgia state average. While the 49.0 inches of annual precipitation is near the ideal threshold, the high heat levels increase the rate of evapotranspiration for local grass.

Understand Your Local Soil Baseline

Comprehensive soil data for Johnson County is currently unavailable in the central database. Before starting a new lawn, test your soil to ensure it isn't too acidic and has the correct balance of organic matter to support growth.

Critical Water Shortages Impact Growth

Almost the entire county—98.2%—is currently in a state of severe drought. After 27 weeks of drought over the past year, lawns require resilient management techniques such as raising mower heights to shade the soil and retain moisture.

Planting Success in Johnson County

Heat-tolerant varieties like Zoysia or Bermuda are best suited for the 5,690 growing degree days seen here. Plan your planting after the last frost on March 21 to give your lawn the best chance to establish before the November 8 first frost.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Johnson County's county score?
Johnson County, Georgia has a composite county score of 62.8 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 Johnson County rank among counties in Georgia?
Johnson County ranks #5 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 Johnson County, Georgia?
The median annual property tax in Johnson County is $837, with an effective tax rate of 0.92%. This earns Johnson County a tax score of 43.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Johnson County?
The median household income in Johnson County, Georgia is $54,183 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Johnson County earns an income score of 23.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Johnson County, Georgia a good place to live?
Johnson County scores 62.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #5 in Georgia. The best way to evaluate Johnson 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 Johnson County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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