countyscore
51.2
County Score
Disaster Risk 94.5Cost of Living 64.3Schools 63

County Report Card

About Lincoln County, Georgia

Surpassing the National Livability Median

Lincoln County achieves a composite score of 52.5, outperforming the national median of 50.0. This puts the county in the top half of American counties for overall quality of life.

A Top Performer in Georgia

Lincoln County's score of 52.5 sits well above the Georgia state average of 46.7. This high ranking reflects its competitive position among the state's 159 counties.

Exceptional Safety and Affordability

The county boasts an impressive risk score of 94.5 and a cost score of 66.0, driven by a low median home value of $163,600. Residents benefit from a low effective tax rate of 0.883%.

Limited Income and Water Infrastructure

Economic opportunity and water quality are the primary hurdles, with scores of 16.0 and 16.7 respectively. The median household income of $50,688 trails many higher-scoring peers in the state.

Ideal for Retirees and Remote Workers

Lincoln County is an excellent fit for individuals seeking safety and low living costs over high local wages. It offers a secure, affordable environment for those with established income streams.

2040608010036.664.359.130.96325.794.516.746.2Tax36.6Cost64.3Safety59.1Health30.9Schools63Income25.7Risk94.5Water16.7Weather46.251.2/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Lincoln County DNA

Foverall

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

Lincoln County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (94.5/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (16.7/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
36.6-15.399999999999999
Cost
64.3+16.299999999999997
Safety
59.1
Health
30.9-19.1
Schools
63+9
Income
25.7-25.3
Risk
94.5+47.5
Water
16.7-41.3
Weather
46.2-9.799999999999997
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Many homeowners in Lincoln 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

$165,900

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$786/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$165,900/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$31,440/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $56,907/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

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

Bibb County
Alabama
Median income: $52,541
51.2
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Median income: $95,592
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Cass County
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Morrison County
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Yalobusha County
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Ashe County
North Carolina
Median income: $56,866
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Laurens County
Georgia
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Hancock County
Maine
Median income: $72,744
51.3

Nearby counties

McCormick County
South Carolina
59.9
Wilkes County
Georgia
39.2
Columbia County
Georgia
51.2
McDuffie County
Georgia
46.9
Elbert County
Georgia
47.5
Abbeville County
South Carolina
49
Edgefield County
South Carolina
63.2
Greenwood County
South Carolina
40.3

Deep Dives

Lincoln County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Lincoln County

via TaxByCounty

Lincoln County keeps taxes below state average

Lincoln County's effective tax rate of 0.883% sits just below Georgia's state average of 0.898%, placing it near the national median. The median tax bill of $1,445 is substantially lower than the national median of $2,690, thanks to lower median home values of $163,600.

Lower-tax county across Georgia

Lincoln County ranks in the lower half of Georgia's 159 counties for effective tax rates, collecting just $1,445 on a median home—below the state median of $1,529. This tax-friendly stance makes it attractive to budget-conscious property owners.

Competitive rates with nearby counties

Lincoln County's 0.883% rate is comparable to Lowndes County (0.830%) and Madison County (0.809%), but higher than Marion County (0.704%). On a $160,000 home, Lincoln County homeowners pay roughly $40–$50 more annually than in Marion County.

Budget $1,445 annually for taxes

With a median home value of $163,600 and an effective rate of 0.883%, Lincoln County residents typically pay $1,445 per year in property taxes. Mortgage payers face $2,227 when including ancillary fees, while those owning free and clear pay $1,037.

Review assessments before paying more

Even in lower-tax counties, overassessment occurs—roughly 1 in 5 properties nationwide carry inflated values. Lincoln County homeowners should cross-check their assessed value against comparable recent sales to catch any errors before they compound into years of overpayment.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lincoln County

via IncomeByCounty

Lincoln lags far behind national income

Lincoln County's median household income of $50,688 trails the U.S. median by nearly $24,100. This substantial gap places Lincoln in the lowest quartile of American counties by household earnings.

Below Georgia's median income

At $50,688, Lincoln's median household income falls roughly $10,000 below Georgia's state average of $60,488. The county ranks among the lower-income counties in Georgia, reflecting economic challenges in the region.

Tied with Marion for lowest peer income

Lincoln and Marion County essentially match at $50,484 and $50,688 respectively, making them the lowest-earning pair in this cohort. Both significantly underperform Long County ($64,747) and Lumpkin County ($72,388).

Low rent burden, modest home values

Lincoln's 17.3% rent-to-income ratio is among the healthiest in the group, meaning housing costs consume roughly $730 monthly per median household. The median home value of $163,600 remains affordable, though the lower income base limits purchasing power.

Homeownership offers a wealth path

For Lincoln households earning $50,688, acquiring property near the county median of $163,600 can build lasting equity. Starting small with financial literacy and consistent saving accelerates the transition from renting to owning, strengthening long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Lincoln County

via CrimeByCounty

Lincoln County offers high-level community safety

With a safety score of 98.5, Lincoln County ranks as a very safe place to live compared to the rest of the nation. Its total crime rate of 944.9 per 100,000 is less than half the national average of 2,385.5.

Lincoln outperforms the average Georgia county

Lincoln County’s safety score of 98.5 exceeds the Georgia state average of 97.8. Residents here experience significantly lower crime volumes than the typical Georgian, whose state average rate sits at 1412.9.

Safe standing among regional peers

Lincoln County maintains a low crime rate of 944.9, which is notably lower than Madison County’s rate of 1119.2. This makes Lincoln a quiet outlier among its neighboring rural counties.

Understanding the local crime landscape

The violent crime rate in Lincoln is low at 207.1 per 100,000, while property crime is 737.8. These figures suggest that most local law enforcement activity involves managing non-violent property disputes and thefts.

Maintaining peace in Lincoln County

Low crime rates are no reason to ignore home security basics like locking garages and sheds. Taking small precautions ensures that property crime remains low in this peaceful community.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Lincoln County

via WeatherByCounty

Subtropical patterns in Lincoln

While specific annual temperature data is limited, Lincoln's 46.6 inches of rain is slightly lower than the national average. This interior region follows the typical humid subtropical patterns seen across the Southeast.

Drier than the Georgia average

Lincoln receives 46.6 inches of precipitation, making it notably drier than the Georgia state average of 51.4 inches. It sits in a transition zone between the Piedmont and the coast.

Less snow than western neighbors

The county records a trace of snow at 0.3 inches, which is significantly less than the 2.1 inches seen in Madison to the west. It maintains a drier profile compared to its wetter neighbors.

Brief winters with rare snow

Specific seasonal temperatures are limited for this locale, but a 0.3-inch snowfall indicates very rare winter accumulation. Residents expect the standard Georgia rhythm of hot summers and brief, cool winters.

Prepare for a drier landscape

Gardeners should account for the lower 46.6-inch rainfall by choosing drought-tolerant plants. Indoor climate control remains a priority despite the lack of specific extreme heat data.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Lincoln County

via SoilByCounty

Piedmont Soil Profiles

Soil taxonomic and pH data for Lincoln County are currently unavailable in the federal database. The state average pH of 5.26 is significantly more acidic than the national median of 6.5.

Soil Texture Balance

Specific sand and clay ratios are not provided for this area. Most Piedmont counties feature higher clay content than coastal neighbors, which helps with nutrient retention but makes the soil harder to work.

Organic Matter and Water

Local organic matter and water capacity figures are missing from current records. Improving your soil to reach the national average of 2.0% organic matter will significantly boost garden performance.

Drainage and Development

Drainage classes and hydrologic groups are not currently specified for this county. Local builders should consult site-specific surveys to determine how well the ground handles heavy Georgia rainfall.

Planting in Zone 8b

Lincoln County is located in Hardiness Zone 8b, providing a versatile environment for many plants. You can successfully grow peaches, blueberries, and a wide variety of flowering perennials here.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Lincoln County

via LawnByCounty

Favorable Growing in Lincoln County

Lincoln County offers a relatively easy lawn care experience with a difficulty score of 48.0. This score is significantly higher than the state average of 35.8 and nearly matches the national median of 50.0.

Ideal Rainfall for Healthy Grass

With 46.6 inches of annual precipitation, the county sits right in the ideal 30-50 inch range for lawn health. This consistent moisture helps sustain growth in zone 8b without the constant need for heavy irrigation.

Identifying Your Soil Needs

While specific soil metrics aren't available for this tract, the region often features the classic Georgia clay that requires periodic aeration. Most local lawns benefit from adding organic matter to improve drainage and nutrient retention.

Managing Long Dry Spells

The county endured 30 weeks of drought over the past year, with 100% of the area currently in severe drought. To protect your grass, maintain a higher mowing height to shade the soil and reduce water evaporation.

Choosing the Right Turf

Bermuda and Zoysia are excellent choices for the zone 8b climate found here. Since frost dates aren't specifically recorded, wait for consistently warm nights before beginning your spring seeding projects.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lincoln County's county score?
Lincoln County, Georgia has a composite county score of 51.2 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 Lincoln County rank among counties in Georgia?
Lincoln County ranks #53 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 Lincoln County, Georgia?
The median annual property tax in Lincoln County is $1,643, with an effective tax rate of 0.99%. This earns Lincoln County a tax score of 36.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Lincoln County?
The median household income in Lincoln County, Georgia is $56,907 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Lincoln County earns an income score of 25.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Lincoln County, Georgia a good place to live?
Lincoln County scores 51.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #53 in Georgia. The best way to evaluate Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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.