Jones County

Georgia · GA

#29 in Georgia
70.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Jones County, Georgia

Jones County matches Georgia's state average at national level

Jones County scores 70.9, matching Georgia's state average and ranking 21 points above the national median of 50.0. This solid performance reflects strong income levels paired with reasonable tax burdens.

Right at Georgia's performance benchmark

At exactly 70.9, Jones County matches the Georgia state average, positioning it as a typical performer among Georgia counties. The score reflects balance across tax, cost, and income dimensions.

Higher incomes offset moderate housing costs

Jones County boasts the highest income score in this group at 27.9, with a median household income of $68,259—significantly above regional averages. Despite median home values of $174,600, the strong earning potential provides good purchasing power.

Rising housing costs and incomplete data picture

The county's cost score of 78.3 is the lowest in this group, reflecting higher housing and rental prices that offset income advantages. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unavailable.

Best for higher-earning families seeking stability

Jones County appeals to established professionals and families with solid incomes who can afford moderate housing costs in a stable community. The strong median income suggests better job markets and economic opportunity, making it suitable for career-focused households.

Score breakdown

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

Tax75.3Cost78.3SafetyComing SoonHealth65.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.9Risk83.6WaterComing Soon
🏛75.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠78.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼27.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
65.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
83.6
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

Jones County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jones County

via TaxByCounty

Jones taxes remain well below national median

At 0.958%, Jones County's effective tax rate generates a $1,673 median tax bill—still 38% below the national median property tax of $2,690. The county remains in the bottom half nationally despite higher property values than neighboring rural counties.

Matches state average, ranks mid-tier

Jones County's 0.958% effective rate exceeds Georgia's 0.898% state average, placing it in the middle range among Georgia's 159 counties. With a $1,673 median property tax versus the state median of $1,529, Jones residents pay slightly above state average.

Higher values, comparable tax rates

Jones County's $174,600 median home value substantially exceeds Jenkins ($81,100) and Jefferson ($93,100), yet its 0.958% rate matches Jenkins exactly. This reflects stronger property values and economic activity in Jones County relative to surrounding rural areas.

Median home: $1,673 annual tax

The typical $174,600 home in Jones County incurs approximately $1,673 in annual property taxes before exemptions. With homestead exemptions and mortgage deductions, homeowners typically pay between $1,297 and $2,075.

Challenge overassessments on higher-value homes

As property values rise in Jones County, overassessments become increasingly costly to homeowners. If your home's assessed value hasn't been updated since the market softened, filing a timely appeal with the county assessor could generate meaningful tax savings.

Cost of Living in Jones County

via CostByCounty

Jones County: strong income, solid affordability balance

Jones County residents earn $68,259—nearly $6,000 below the national median of $74,755—yet maintain a 16.1% rent-to-income ratio that beats the national 18.6% standard. This middle-ground county offers decent balance between earnings and housing costs.

Above-average income boosts Jones's affordability ranking

Jones County's 16.1% rent-to-income ratio outperforms Georgia's 18.6% state average, despite its $917 median rent sitting slightly below the state's $927 benchmark. Higher household income relative to regional peers makes housing more manageable here.

Jones balances premium homes with decent affordability

Jones County's $917 rent ranks second-highest in this eight-county cluster, but its $68,259 median income and 16.1% ratio keep affordability competitive with lower-earning neighbors like Johnson. The $174,600 median home value signals pricier properties than Jenkins or Jefferson counties.

Middle-class income supports both renting and buying

Renters allocate 16.1% of their $68,259 income to $917 monthly rent, while homeowners spend about 15.7% on $893 in mortgage payments—both well-managed ratios. Jones County residents have genuine flexibility between renting and homeownership.

Jones County for middle-class stability seekers

If you're earning a solid middle-class income and seeking established neighborhoods with higher home values ($174,600 median), Jones County delivers manageable housing costs without sacrificing community stability. Its 16.1% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Georgia's best.

Income & Jobs in Jones County

via IncomeByCounty

Jones reaches near-national income parity

Jones County's median household income of $68,259 falls just 8.8% below the U.S. median of $74,755, demonstrating solid middle-class earnings for a rural Georgia county. This near-parity with national benchmarks reflects a prosperous local economy.

Well above Georgia average

At $68,259, Jones County's median household income exceeds Georgia's state average of $60,488 by 12.9%, placing it firmly in the upper-middle income bracket statewide. Per capita income of $33,522 also surpasses the state average of $31,115 by 7.7%.

High earner among regional counties

Jones's $68,259 income ranks fourth among eight surveyed counties, trailing only Lee ($88,024) and Lamar ($68,457) while significantly outpacing Jenkins ($36,906) and Lanier ($44,361). Jones represents solid upper-middle-income prosperity in its region.

Excellent rent and housing affordability

Jones County residents spend only 16.1% of income on rent, comfortably below the affordability threshold, while median home values of $174,600 remain reasonable relative to household earnings. This balance enables strong homeownership rates and housing stability.

Invest aggressively for long-term growth

Jones County households earning $68,259 can afford 15–20% income allocation toward retirement and investment accounts, with capacity for taxable brokerage accounts beyond tax-sheltered limits. Diversified stock portfolios and real estate investment can accelerate wealth accumulation beyond the state median.

Health in Jones County

via HealthByCounty

Jones County exceeds national health

Jones County's life expectancy of 75.6 years surpasses the U.S. average of 74.5 years by 1.1 years. Only 19.8% of residents report poor or fair health, significantly better than the 15% national average—a bright spot in Georgia.

Top performer in Georgia

Jones County leads Georgia with a life expectancy of 75.6 years, 2.3 years above the state average of 73.3 years. Its 19.8% poor/fair health rate is among the state's lowest, reflecting strong overall health outcomes.

Healthiest in the region

Jones County's 75.6-year life expectancy exceeds all neighboring counties, beating Lee County (75.1 years) and Lanier County (74.6 years). With a 12.2% uninsured rate, it also has the lowest insurance gap in its peer group.

Robust mental health, solid primary care

Jones County provides 48 mental health providers per 100K residents—among the region's highest—and 25 primary care providers per 100K. This balanced infrastructure supports both physical and behavioral health needs.

Maintain health with continuous care

Jones County's strong health outcomes reflect consistent access and engagement with care. Ensure your coverage stays current at HealthCare.gov—preventive maintenance keeps health on track.

Disaster Risk in Jones County

via RiskByCounty

Jones County: Low Risk, Moderate State Standing

Jones County scores 16.38 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating despite running 59% below Georgia's state average of 39.49. This places the county firmly in the safer tier nationally while remaining exposed to some regional hazards that deserve attention.

Middle of Georgia's Safe Tier

Jones County ranks safely within Georgia, though with higher exposure than the state's very safest counties like Johnson (9.26) and Jenkins (10.75). The county's score still significantly outperforms the state average.

More Exposed Than Immediate Neighbors

Jones County's score of 16.38 places it above Jenkins County (10.75) and Johnson County (9.26) but below Jefferson County (25.83) in this central Georgia cluster. The higher composite score reflects elevated wildfire and flood risks compared to neighboring counties.

Wildfire and Flooding Dominate Here

Wildfire risk reaches 60.15 in Jones County—its highest hazard score—while flood risk scores 27.99, creating a dual-threat profile. Tornado risk of 39.98 adds a third consideration for comprehensive preparedness planning.

Prioritize Flood and Wildfire Defenses

Jones County residents should obtain homeowners insurance that explicitly covers both wildfire and flood damage—the latter often requiring a separate policy rider. Create defensible space around your property by clearing brush and dead wood, and ensure gutters stay clear to prevent ember accumulation during wildfire season.

ByCounty Network

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