Liberty County

Georgia · GA

#152 in Georgia
60.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Liberty County, Georgia

Liberty County exceeds national median

Liberty County's composite score of 65.0 ranks well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper half of U.S. counties. This 30-point advantage reflects stronger-than-average tax and housing affordability, signaling solid livability fundamentals across these economic measures.

Slightly below Georgia's county average

With a score of 65.0, Liberty County trails Georgia's state average of 70.9, placing it in the middle tier of the state's 159 counties. The gap suggests neighboring counties in Georgia offer modestly better overall livability profiles, though Liberty still outperforms the national baseline.

Tax efficiency leads Liberty County

Liberty County excels in tax burden, with a tax score of 72.7 and an effective tax rate of just 1.053%. Housing affordability is also competitive, with a cost score of 69.9 and median rent at $1,203/month, making it accessible for budget-conscious households.

Income growth remains the main gap

Liberty County's income score of 21.9 is its weakest dimension, with a median household income of $59,013—notably below state and national benchmarks. Additional data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality is not yet available, limiting a complete livability picture.

Best for cost-conscious, tax-aware families

Liberty County suits families and retirees prioritizing low taxes and modest housing costs over high wages. It offers a stable, affordable foundation for those whose income comes from outside the county or who value financial predictability over maximum earning potential.

Score breakdown

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

Tax72.7Cost69.9SafetyComing SoonHealth61.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.9Risk17WaterComing Soon
🏛72.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠69.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼21.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
61.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
17
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

Liberty County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Liberty County

via TaxByCounty

Liberty County taxes above national norm

Liberty County's effective tax rate of 1.053% runs higher than Georgia's state average of 0.898%, putting it in the top third of counties nationwide by tax burden. Homeowners here pay a median of $1,897 annually—well below the national median of $2,690—because homes are worth less on average ($180,200 vs. $281,900 nationally).

Middle of the pack in Georgia

Among Georgia's 159 counties, Liberty County ranks in the upper half for effective tax rates, collecting slightly more per home than the state median of $1,529. The $1,897 median tax reflects the county's aggressive approach to property taxation relative to home values.

Highest taxes in the region

Liberty County's 1.053% effective rate outpaces nearby Long County (0.997%) and Lowndes County (0.830%), making it the steepest tax bill for homes of similar value in the immediate region. A homeowner with a $180,000 house pays roughly $80–$220 more annually here than in neighboring counties.

Expect about $1,897 a year

At the median home value of $180,200 and an effective rate of 1.053%, a typical Liberty County homeowner owes $1,897 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure climbs to $2,094 when including fees; without one, it drops to $1,480.

Many homeowners could appeal assessments

Research shows that upwards of 20% of properties nationwide are overassessed relative to market value. Liberty County homeowners should review their latest assessment notice and consider filing an appeal if their assessed value seems inflated compared to recent sales of similar homes.

Cost of Living in Liberty County

via CostByCounty

Liberty County rents strain budgets

Renters in Liberty County spend 24.5% of their income on housing—well above the national standard of 30% and higher than Georgia's 18.6% average. The median household income of $59,013 falls $15,742 short of the national median, making housing costs hit harder here.

Among Georgia's less affordable counties

Liberty County ranks among the state's most strained housing markets, with a rent-to-income ratio that exceeds the Georgia average by 6 percentage points. At $1,203 monthly, median rent runs 30% higher than Georgia's typical $927, pressuring local households.

Costlier than surrounding areas

Liberty County's $1,203 rent significantly outpaces neighboring Lowndes County ($1,002) and Long County ($931), making it the priciest rental market in this region. Homeownership offers modest relief: median monthly owner costs run $1,089, just slightly below rent.

Rent and ownership both bite deep

Liberty County residents split their $59,013 annual income between $1,203 in median rent and $1,089 in median monthly ownership costs—leaving tight margins for other expenses. Homebuyers face median values of $180,200, requiring substantial income to qualify for mortgages.

Consider neighboring markets

If Liberty County's housing costs feel unsustainable, explore Long County or Lowndes County nearby, where median rents drop to $931 and $1,002 respectively. With similar regional amenities and lower strain on household budgets, adjacent counties may offer better affordability without relocation sacrifice.

Income & Jobs in Liberty County

via IncomeByCounty

Liberty trails the national income standard

Liberty County's median household income of $59,013 falls about $15,700 below the U.S. median of $74,755. This gap places Liberty in the lower half of American counties when ranked by household earnings.

Nearly average for Georgia

Liberty's $59,013 median household income sits just slightly below Georgia's state average of $60,488. The county ranks in the middle tier of Georgia's 159 counties by household income.

Stronger than some rural peers

Liberty outearns Marion County ($50,484) and Lincoln County ($50,688) but trails Long County ($64,747) and Lumpkin County ($72,388). Among its regional cohort, Liberty represents moderate earning power.

Rent consumes nearly a quarter of income

A 24.5% rent-to-income ratio means Liberty households spend about $1,210 monthly on rent relative to median income—above the recommended 20% threshold. The median home value of $180,200 remains accessible for homeowners seeking to build equity.

Strategic saving bridges the income gap

Liberty households earning $59,013 annually have room to prioritize emergency savings and retirement contributions. Even modest investments in tax-advantaged accounts compound significantly over time, helping close the income gap with higher-earning regions.

Health in Liberty County

via HealthByCounty

Liberty County's health gap widens

Life expectancy in Liberty County stands at 72.9 years, trailing the U.S. average of 78.9 years by six years. One in five residents (21.9%) report poor or fair health, slightly above the national rate of 21%, suggesting persistent health challenges in the community.

Below Georgia's health average

Liberty County's 72.9-year life expectancy falls 0.4 years below Georgia's state average of 73.3 years. This places the county among the lower performers statewide, though the gap is narrow compared to some neighboring regions.

Health outcomes vary across region

Liberty County residents live 1.3 years less than those in nearby Lowndes County (73.5 years) and 2.8 years less than Long County (75.7 years). However, mental health provider availability is strong here at 402 per 100,000—far exceeding most neighboring counties.

Healthcare access improving but gaps remain

Liberty County's 11.9% uninsured rate is the lowest among these eight counties and well below Georgia's 15% average, indicating better insurance uptake. Primary care providers are accessible at 40 per 100,000 residents, supporting routine health management.

Check your coverage today

With one in eight residents uninsured, there's room for improvement. Visit healthcare.gov or contact your county health department to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, or community health resources available to you.

Disaster Risk in Liberty County

via RiskByCounty

Liberty ranks among highest-risk U.S. counties

Liberty County scores 83.05 on the national composite risk scale, placing it in the relatively moderate risk category and more than double Georgia's state average of 39.49. This elevated score reflects significant exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly hurricanes and wildfires. Compared to the typical U.S. county, Liberty faces substantially higher overall disaster risk.

One of Georgia's riskiest counties

Liberty County ranks among the highest-risk counties in Georgia, with a composite score of 83.05 versus the state average of 39.49. The county's risk profile stands out starkly—nearly all of Georgia's other counties score considerably lower. This positions Liberty in a precarious tier of vulnerability within the state.

Liberty faces uniquely concentrated hazards

Liberty County's composite score of 83.05 dramatically exceeds nearby Long County (8.02) and Lincoln County (5.53), both rated very low. Lowndes County to the south presents a comparable but slightly lower risk at 72.65, also driven by multiple concurrent hazards. Liberty stands isolated among regional peers in its level of composite risk exposure.

Hurricanes and wildfires dominate your exposure

Liberty faces an exceptional hurricane risk score of 96.87—the highest among all eight counties profiled—plus a wildfire risk of 76.11 that creates compounding seasonal threats. Earthquake risk adds another layer at 75.64, while flood risk at 52.29 rounds out a portfolio of serious hazards. Residents should prepare for multiple disaster types year-round.

Comprehensive insurance is essential here

Given Liberty County's extreme hurricane and wildfire exposure, standard homeowners policies are insufficient; specialized hurricane and wildfire coverage should be non-negotiable. Flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program provides critical protection for residents in the county's 52.29-rated flood zones. Review your policy annually with an agent familiar with Liberty's unique risk landscape.

ByCounty Network

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