CountyScore

Laurens County

Georgia · GA

#66 in Georgia
68.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Laurens County, Georgia

Laurens County ranks among the nation's most livable

With a composite score of 75.0, Laurens County ranks 25 points above the national median of 50.0, placing it firmly in the top tier of U.S. counties. The score reflects exceptional tax efficiency and strong affordability.

Well above Georgia's average performance

Laurens County's 75.0 score exceeds Georgia's 70.9 state average by more than 4 points, making it one of the state's strongest performers. The county stands out for tax advantages and housing affordability.

Lowest tax burden paired with strong affordability

Laurens County features the best tax score (80.6) in this group with an effective tax rate of just 0.769%, allowing residents maximum income retention. The cost score of 85.6 and median home value of $137,400 provide solid affordable housing.

Income levels remain modest and data gaps persist

The income score of 15.8 with a median household income of $49,705 reflects limited wage growth opportunities. Data on safety, health, education quality, and water conditions are not yet available.

Perfect for tax-conscious families and retirees

Laurens County excels for households seeking to maximize disposable income through low taxes and affordable housing, particularly retirees on fixed incomes. The exceptional tax efficiency makes it ideal for those prioritizing long-term savings and financial independence.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80.6Cost85.6SafetyComing SoonHealth56.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome15.8Risk49.5WaterComing Soon
🏛80.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼15.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤56.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡49.5
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 Laurens County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Escambia County
Alabama
68.2
Median income: $44,447
Madison County
Alabama
68.2
Median income: $83,528
Cross County
Arkansas
68.2
Median income: $47,012
Poinsett County
Arkansas
68.2
Median income: $47,188
Morgan County
Colorado
68.2
Median income: $75,407

Deep Dives

Laurens County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Laurens County

via TaxByCounty

Laurens has Georgia's lowest tax rate here

At 0.769%, Laurens County's effective tax rate is the lowest in this eight-county analysis and one-third the national median property tax of $2,690. The county ranks in the bottom 20% nationally for property tax burden.

Well below Georgia's average rate

Laurens County's 0.769% effective rate ranks among Georgia's lowest and substantially undercuts the state average of 0.898%. At $1,057 median property tax, Laurens residents pay 31% below the state median of $1,529, the lowest median bill in this analysis.

Lowest-taxing county in the region

Laurens County's 0.769% rate decisively undercuts all seven comparison counties, including Johnson County's 0.918% and Jenkins County's 0.958%. For homeowners in this region, Laurens offers the most favorable property tax climate.

Median annual tax is just $1,057

A typical $137,400 home in Laurens County incurs about $1,057 in annual property taxes before exemptions. With standard homestead exemptions and mortgage deductions, homeowners typically pay between $781 and $1,337 per year.

Still worth verifying your assessment

Even at Laurens County's favorable low rate, overassessments can accumulate over years into significant tax overpayment. Review your assessed value against recent sales and consider an appeal if your home was last valued several years ago.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Laurens County

via CostByCounty

Laurens matches the nation's affordability baseline

Laurens County residents spend 18.6% of their $49,705 median income on $769 monthly rent—exactly matching the national 18.6% median ratio. This county sits squarely at the nation's affordability middle ground, making it comparable to average U.S. housing markets.

Laurens hits Georgia's state average precisely

At 18.6%, Laurens County's rent-to-income ratio matches Georgia's state average exactly, with $769 median rent running $158 below the state's $927 norm. This alignment suggests Laurens represents the typical Georgia housing experience.

Laurens moderately priced, not the cheapest option

Laurens County's $769 rent sits $46 above Jefferson County ($723) and $225 above Jenkins County ($544), but below Jones ($917) and Lanier ($878). Its homeownership at $595 monthly is among the region's most affordable, trailing only Jenkins ($410).

Balanced pathway for renters and homeowners alike

Renters spend 18.6% of Laurens's $49,705 median income on $769 monthly rent, while homeowners allocate just 14.4% to $595 mortgage payments—a notable advantage for buyers. The $137,400 median home value offers reasonable entry points for modest-income households.

Laurens County: solid middle ground for relocators

If you want to avoid Lanier's affordability crisis without stretching for Lamar's premium homes, Laurens County delivers balanced middle-class housing at $769 rent and $137,400 median home values. Its 18.6% ratio matches the national norm, making it predictable for budget planners.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Laurens County

via IncomeByCounty

Laurens trails national earnings standard

Laurens County's median household income of $49,705 falls 33.5% below the U.S. median of $74,755, indicating limited earning capacity relative to national benchmarks. This gap reflects rural economic constraints on household wealth and financial security.

Below Georgia average but moderate standing

At $49,705, Laurens trails Georgia's state average of $60,488 by 17.8%, though per capita income of $29,642 sits slightly below the state average of $31,115. The county occupies a middle-lower position among Georgia's counties.

Mid-range earner in regional context

Laurens's $49,705 ranks fifth among eight surveyed counties, exceeding Jenkins ($36,906) and Lanier ($44,361) while trailing Johnson ($54,183) and all higher-income peers. The county demonstrates moderate economic stability.

Rent affordable, home values moderate

Laurens residents dedicate 18.6% of income to rent—slightly elevated but manageable—while median home values of $137,400 remain reasonable relative to household earnings. Housing affordability supports homeownership access, though tight budgets limit additional savings.

Build discipline into modest means

Laurens County households earning $49,705 can allocate 10–12% toward retirement accounts while maintaining emergency savings, prioritizing employer matches and low-cost index funds. Consistent, small-dollar investing compounded over decades can generate meaningful wealth despite modest current income.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Laurens County

via HealthByCounty

Laurens County below national health

Laurens County's life expectancy of 70.8 years lags the U.S. average of 74.5 years by 3.7 years. The 23.3% poor/fair health rate exceeds the national average of 15%, indicating elevated chronic disease burden.

Lower-tier health rank in Georgia

Laurens County's life expectancy of 70.8 years falls 2.5 years below Georgia's state average of 73.3 years. Its 23.3% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state average by about 8 percentage points.

Weak life expectancy, strong providers

Laurens County's 70.8-year life expectancy trails all regional peers except Jefferson County (68.8 years). Yet the county boasts an exceptional 85 primary care providers per 100K—nearly double Johnson County's 55.

Outstanding mental health, abundant primary care

Laurens County leads the region dramatically with 226 mental health providers per 100K residents—more than five times the regional average. Combined with 85 primary care providers per 100K, the infrastructure far exceeds the health outcomes, suggesting engagement or social determinants barriers.

Access care that's ready for you

Laurens County's robust provider network is an asset, but 14.2% remain uninsured. Enrollment at HealthCare.gov connects you to the county's abundant primary and mental health services.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Laurens County

via RiskByCounty

Laurens County: Elevated Risk Requires Attention

Laurens County scores 50.51 on the composite risk scale, earning a Relatively Low rating while exceeding Georgia's state average of 39.49 by 28%. This makes Laurens County notably more exposed to natural disasters than most other Georgia counties, though still safer than many American communities.

Higher Risk Than Most Georgia Counties

Laurens County ranks among Georgia's higher-risk counties, with a composite score that substantially exceeds the state average across multiple hazard categories. The county requires more intentional disaster preparedness than most of its peers.

Significantly More Exposed Than Regional Peers

Laurens County's score of 50.51 dramatically exceeds nearby Jones County (16.38), Jefferson County (25.83), and Lee County (29.39), making it the region's most hazard-prone location. This distinction underscores the importance of stronger preparedness measures for Laurens residents.

Flood, Wildfire, and Hurricane Risks Peak Here

Laurens County faces flood risk of 56.74, wildfire risk of 65.74, and hurricane risk of 78.60—the highest scores in this county and well above regional averages. Combined with earthquake risk of 72.87, the county presents a multi-hazard challenge requiring comprehensive preparation.

Comprehensive Insurance and Preparation Essential

Laurens County residents must secure homeowners insurance with explicit flood and wind coverage, potentially requiring separate flood policies, given the county's elevated hurricane and flood risks of 78.60 and 56.74 respectively. Create robust defensible space for wildfire, ensure proper drainage to manage flood risk, and maintain storm supplies for hurricane season—this county's higher risk profile demands proactive year-round preparedness.

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.