Lamar County exceeds national average despite state lag
Lamar County's composite score of 69.7 ranks 20 points above the national median of 50.0, demonstrating strong national-level livability. However, the score falls slightly below Georgia's state average of 70.9.
2 / 5
Slightly below Georgia's county performance average
At 69.7, Lamar County trails Georgia's 70.9 state average by just over a point, indicating mid-range performance within the state. The county performs comparably to many Georgia peers across measured dimensions.
3 / 5
Strong incomes in a tax-efficient environment
Lamar County delivers an income score of 28.1 with a median household income of $68,457, among the highest in this group. The effective tax rate of 0.948% keeps more income in residents' pockets for savings or investment.
With a cost score of just 75.6 and a median home value of $201,400, Lamar County has the highest housing prices in this group, offsetting income gains. Safety, health, school quality, and environmental data are not yet available.
5 / 5
For high-earning families willing to invest in homes
Lamar County best suits affluent families and established professionals with strong incomes who can comfortably afford higher home values. The county offers financial security through both tax efficiency and earning potential, though housing costs represent a significant investment.
Lamar County exceeds national average despite state lag
Lamar County's composite score of 69.7 ranks 20 points above the national median of 50.0, demonstrating strong national-level livability. However, the score falls slightly below Georgia's state average of 70.9.
Slightly below Georgia's county performance average
At 69.7, Lamar County trails Georgia's 70.9 state average by just over a point, indicating mid-range performance within the state. The county performs comparably to many Georgia peers across measured dimensions.
Strong incomes in a tax-efficient environment
Lamar County delivers an income score of 28.1 with a median household income of $68,457, among the highest in this group. The effective tax rate of 0.948% keeps more income in residents' pockets for savings or investment.
With a cost score of just 75.6 and a median home value of $201,400, Lamar County has the highest housing prices in this group, offsetting income gains. Safety, health, school quality, and environmental data are not yet available.
For high-earning families willing to invest in homes
Lamar County best suits affluent families and established professionals with strong incomes who can comfortably afford higher home values. The county offers financial security through both tax efficiency and earning potential, though housing costs represent a significant investment.
Score breakdown
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🏛75.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.948%, Lamar County's effective tax rate is one-third the national median property tax of $2,690, placing the county in the bottom 30% nationally. Even with higher property values, Lamar residents enjoy substantially lower property tax burden than most Americans.
Above Georgia's average, upper-middle ranked
Lamar County's 0.948% effective rate exceeds Georgia's 0.898% state average, positioning it in Georgia's upper-middle tier among 159 counties. At $1,910 median property tax, Lamar residents pay 25% more than the state median of $1,529.
Highest-valued county in this region
Lamar's $201,400 median home value stands significantly above rural neighbors like Johnson ($91,200) and Jenkins ($81,100), yet its 0.948% rate keeps taxes competitive. This reflects Lamar's position as a more developed and prosperous county in the regional cluster.
Median home generates $1,910 tax bill
A typical $201,400 home in Lamar County incurs about $1,910 in annual property taxes before exemptions. With standard homestead exemptions and mortgage deductions, homeowners typically pay $1,326 to $2,184 per year.
Higher values increase audit importance
In higher-valued counties like Lamar, assessment errors can result in hundreds of dollars in unnecessary annual taxes. Schedule a review with the tax assessor to confirm your home's valuation aligns with current market comparables.
Lamar's premium properties anchor high home values
Lamar County residents earn $68,457—slightly below the U.S. median of $74,755—yet spend just 16.0% of income on rent, beating the national 18.6% benchmark. This county's higher-value homes ($201,400 median) reflect upscale properties that appeal to affluent relocators.
Lamar leads Georgia on rent affordability for its tier
Lamar County's 16.0% rent-to-income ratio is among Georgia's best, outpacing the state's 18.6% average despite rents near the state norm at $913 monthly. Its $201,400 median home value is Georgia's priciest among these eight counties.
Premium housing at sustainable affordability levels
Lamar's $913 rent nearly matches state average and sits above Jones ($917), but its strong household income of $68,457 keeps the 16.0% ratio competitive. The $201,400 median home value is second only to Lee County ($226,900) in this regional cluster.
Homeownership carries a higher price tag here
While renters spend a manageable 16.0% of their $68,457 income on $913 monthly rent, homeowners allocate 18.8% to $1,072 in mortgage payments—reflecting the county's premium $201,400 median home values. Buyers should budget carefully for Lamar's higher ownership costs.
Lamar County for upscale living seekers
If you're relocating with a six-figure income or selling equity from a higher-cost market, Lamar County's $201,400 median homes remain affordable relative to national metro markets. Its 16.0% rent ratio and established neighborhoods make it Georgia's sweet spot for affluent homebuyers.
Lamar County's median household income of $68,457 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by just 8.4%, positioning it as one of Georgia's most prosperous rural counties. This near-parity reflects a strong, diversified local economy.
Among Georgia's top earners
At $68,457, Lamar exceeds the state average of $60,488 by 13.2%, ranking among the highest-income counties in Georgia statewide. Per capita income of $33,389 also outperforms the state average of $31,115 by 7.3%.
Tied for second-highest regional income
Lamar's $68,457 matches Jones County nearly identically and trails only Lee County ($88,024), significantly outpacing all other surveyed counties. This positions Lamar among the most economically prosperous in its regional peer group.
Rent minimal, home values strong
Lamar residents allocate just 16.0% of income to rent—well below affordability thresholds—while median home values of $201,400 reflect significant property wealth and housing stability. Strong income-to-housing-cost ratios enable robust equity building.
Build generational wealth through diversification
Lamar County households earning $68,457 have capacity to allocate 15–20% toward retirement savings plus additional investment in real estate, dividend stocks, and diversified portfolios. Strategic tax planning and long-term investing position families to build substantial intergenerational wealth.
At 71.9 years, Lamar County's life expectancy sits 2.6 years below the U.S. average of 74.5 years. However, only 20.5% of residents report poor or fair health, better than the national average of 15%.
Solid performer within Georgia
Lamar County's life expectancy of 71.9 years runs 1.4 years below Georgia's state average of 73.3 years. Its 20.5% poor/fair health rate is roughly 5 percentage points above the state average.
Competitive health outcomes regionally
Lamar County's 71.9-year life expectancy trails Lee County (75.1 years) but beats Johnson County (71.8 years) by a slim margin. Its 12.9% uninsured rate is among the region's lowest, tying Laurens County.
Exceptional mental health infrastructure
Lamar County stands out with 54 mental health providers per 100K residents—exceeding most peers significantly. Primary care access is solid at 26 providers per 100K, supporting both physical and behavioral health care.
Complete your care coverage
With 12.9% of Lamar County uninsured, a small but meaningful gap remains. Check HealthCare.gov to ensure you're covered and can access the county's strong mental and primary health services.
Lamar County scores 7.79 on the composite risk scale, achieving Very Low status and running just 20% of Georgia's state average of 39.49. This exceptional safety rating places Lamar among America's most disaster-resilient counties.
Consistently Safe Across All Hazards
Lamar County ranks near Georgia's safest counties, with a composite score that reflects low exposure across earthquake, wildfire, tornado, and flood risks. The county's well-rounded low profile makes it one of the state's most predictable, safest communities.
Outperforms Many Regional Peers
Lamar County's score of 7.79 ranks favorably against Johnson County (9.26), Jenkins County (10.75), and Jones County (16.38), making it part of the region's safest cluster. The county stands out for balanced, consistently low risk across all hazard types.
Tornado and Wildfire Slightly Elevated
Tornado risk reaches 34.70 and wildfire risk scores 34.86 in Lamar County—the two highest individual hazard scores—though both remain well below national benchmarks. All other hazards score substantially lower, creating a very manageable disaster risk profile.
Standard Coverage Handles Most Risks
Lamar County residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance with adequate tornado and wildfire provisions, though premiums should remain competitive given the county's low overall risk. Basic storm shelter awareness and annual gutter cleaning provide additional cost-effective protection.