countyscore
51.3
County Score
Water Quality 86Cost of Living 66.7Property Tax 64.9

County Report Card

About Laurens County, Georgia

Laurens County Outperforms the Nation

With a composite score of 51.7, Laurens County sits above the national median of 50.0. This indicates a quality of life that is slightly better than the average American county.

Leading the Pack in Georgia

Laurens County's score of 51.7 is significantly higher than the Georgia state average of 46.7. It represents a strong value proposition within the state's housing and tax landscape.

Affordable Housing and Low Taxes

The county offers great value with a Cost Score of 77.5 and a Tax Score of 55.7. Residents benefit from an effective tax rate of 0.769%, which is lower than many neighboring areas.

Healthcare and Income Gaps

Health outcomes are a challenge, with a Health Score of only 16.7. The Income Score of 13.9 also suggests that high-paying local employment opportunities may be limited.

The Verdict: Ideal for Savvy Homebuyers

Laurens County is perfect for those seeking to maximize their purchasing power while enjoying reliable water quality. With a median home value of $137,400, it provides a high-quality lifestyle for budget-conscious families.

2040608010064.966.758.816.747.721.449.58639.5Tax64.9Cost66.7Safety58.8Health16.7Schools47.7Income21.4Risk49.5Water86Weather39.551.3/100
This county
National avg
3 above average3 below average

Laurens County DNA

Foverall

How Laurens County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Laurens County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Water Quality (86/100) but notably weak in Health (16.7/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
64.9+12.900000000000006
Cost
66.7+18.700000000000003
Safety
58.8
Health
16.7-33.3
Schools
47.7
Income
21.4-29.6
Risk
49.5
Water
86+28
Weather
39.5-16.5
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Laurens County?

Many homeowners in Laurens County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$154,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$863/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$154,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$34,520/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $55,010/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

20.2

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

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St. Lawrence County
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Dare County
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Bibb County
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Columbia County
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Lincoln County
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51.2

Nearby counties

Treutlen County
Georgia
48.5
Johnson County
Georgia
61.7
Wheeler County
Georgia
62.4
Dodge County
Georgia
44.7
Bleckley County
Georgia
48.9
Montgomery County
Georgia
33.4
Wilkinson County
Georgia
53.4
Emanuel County
Georgia
43.5

Deep Dives

Laurens County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in Laurens County

via CrimeByCounty

Laurens County Safety Surpasses National Baseline

Laurens County maintains a total crime rate of 951.3 per 100,000, far lower than the national average of 2,385.5. The county's safety score of 98.5 reflects a secure environment monitored by four reporting agencies. It stands as a safe hub for its residents.

A Strong Performer in Georgia Safety

Laurens County’s safety score of 98.5 beats the state average of 97.8. With a total crime rate of 951.3, it is significantly safer than the average Georgia county rate of 1412.9. Local enforcement effectively manages crime levels across the jurisdiction.

Regional Comparison of Crime Rates

Laurens County is safer than neighboring Lee County, which has a crime rate of 1273.9. It also slightly edges out Jones County's crime rate of 961.9. These numbers highlight Laurens as one of the most secure counties in its immediate area.

Property and Violent Crime Breakdown

The violent crime rate is 204.4 per 100,000, lower than the state average of 248.1. Property crime sits at 746.9 per 100,000, which is only about a third of the national property crime rate. Most incidents are non-violent and involve theft or burglary.

Enhanced Home Protection for Laurens Residents

Residents should focus on deterring property crime by using alarm systems and secure locks. Motion sensors and outdoor cameras are proven ways to reduce the risk of theft. Community awareness is a key part of maintaining Laurens County’s low crime rate.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Laurens County

via WeatherByCounty

High Heat National Baseline

Laurens County stays warm with a 64.9°F annual average temperature, exceeding the national median. It is a quintessential Southern climate with long periods of warmth.

Exceeding the State Norm

The 64.9°F average is higher than Georgia's state average of 63.7°F. Laurens consistently ranks among the warmer counties in the central part of the state.

Drier Than Nearby Houston

Laurens receives 47.3 inches of rain, significantly less than Houston County's 51.8 inches. It experiences the same 83 extreme heat days as Jeff Davis County to the south.

The Peak of Summer

July is particularly hot with an average of 82.5°F, leading to 83 days of 90-degree weather. Winters are mild at 48.5°F, and the county typically sees no snowfall at all.

Plan for Dry Heat

With 83 days of extreme heat and lower-than-average rain, irrigation may be necessary for gardens. Ensure your cooling systems are serviced before the intense July peak hits 82.5°F.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Laurens County

via SoilByCounty

The Heart of the Coastal Plain

Detailed soil identity data for Laurens County is currently being updated. Like most of Georgia, these soils tend to be acidic, following the state's 5.26 pH average rather than the 6.5 national median.

Versatile Coastal Plain Textures

Percentage data for sand and clay is not currently available for this county. The area typically features sandy loams that are highly valued for their balance of drainage and workability.

Cultivating High Fertility

With no current soil score, Laurens County landowners can use the state organic matter average of 1.83% as a guide. Regular additions of compost will help your garden reach its full growing potential.

Site-Specific Water Flow

Hydrologic group data is not presently mapped for this county. Observing how your land behaves after a thunderstorm is the best way to understand its unique drainage needs.

Growing Bounty in Zone 8b

Laurens County is located in Hardiness Zone 8b, providing the perfect environment for corn and watermelons. This long, hot growing season is a gardener's dream for summer produce.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Laurens County

via LawnByCounty

Laurens County Lawn Care Demands

Laurens County scores a 30.9 for lawn difficulty, indicating a tougher environment than the state average of 35.8. Homeowners in Hardiness Zone 8b must work harder to keep their turf healthy against local environmental stressors.

Long Growing Season, High Heat

With 5,953 growing degree days and 83 days of extreme heat, the grass here grows fast and faces frequent stress. The annual precipitation of 47.3 inches provides a solid base, but the high July average of 82.5°F can quickly dry out the landscape.

Building a Better Soil Base

Specific soil data for pH and texture are not available in the current records for Laurens County. It is highly recommended to perform a local test to ensure your soil can support the nutrient needs of high-energy grasses.

Facing 100% Severe Drought

The entire county is currently experiencing severe drought, and the region has dealt with 27 weeks of drought over the past year. Lawns need deep-root irrigation and minimal foot traffic during these times to survive without permanent damage.

Planting Timing for Laurens County

Warm-season grasses should be seeded or sodded after the last spring frost on March 14. This gives the lawn several months to establish before the first fall frost arrives on November 13.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Laurens County's county score?
Laurens County, Georgia has a composite county score of 51.3 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 Laurens County rank among counties in Georgia?
Laurens County ranks #51 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 Laurens County, Georgia?
The median annual property tax in Laurens County is $1,021, with an effective tax rate of 0.66%. This earns Laurens County a tax score of 64.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Laurens County?
The median household income in Laurens County, Georgia is $55,010 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Laurens County earns an income score of 21.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Laurens County, Georgia a good place to live?
Laurens County scores 51.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #51 in Georgia. The best way to evaluate Laurens 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 Laurens County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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