Lincoln County's composite score of 72.5 sits 45% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top tier of American counties for livability. This strong performance reflects exceptional value in housing and tax efficiency that resonates nationally.
2 / 5
Lincoln edges past Georgia average
At 72.5, Lincoln County slightly exceeds Georgia's state average of 70.9, ranking it among the better-performing counties statewide. The narrow margin reflects competition within Georgia, where many counties cluster in the 70-point range.
3 / 5
Cost and tax excellence define Lincoln
Lincoln County's cost score of 82.9 is exceptional, featuring the state's lowest median rent at $732/month and a median home value of $163,600. Paired with a tax score of 77.4 and an effective tax rate of 0.883%, Lincoln delivers unbeatable affordability.
4 / 5
Income levels lag behind peers
With an income score of 16.5 and median household income of $50,688, Lincoln County's wage base is significantly lower than state and national norms. Safety, health, school, and environmental data remain unavailable, leaving other livability dimensions unmeasured.
5 / 5
Ideal for budget seekers and retirees
Lincoln County is perfect for budget-focused families, fixed-income retirees, and remote workers who can earn elsewhere. The exceptional affordability makes it Georgia's most attractive option for those prioritizing housing and tax savings over local earning potential.
Lincoln County's composite score of 72.5 sits 45% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top tier of American counties for livability. This strong performance reflects exceptional value in housing and tax efficiency that resonates nationally.
Lincoln edges past Georgia average
At 72.5, Lincoln County slightly exceeds Georgia's state average of 70.9, ranking it among the better-performing counties statewide. The narrow margin reflects competition within Georgia, where many counties cluster in the 70-point range.
Cost and tax excellence define Lincoln
Lincoln County's cost score of 82.9 is exceptional, featuring the state's lowest median rent at $732/month and a median home value of $163,600. Paired with a tax score of 77.4 and an effective tax rate of 0.883%, Lincoln delivers unbeatable affordability.
Income levels lag behind peers
With an income score of 16.5 and median household income of $50,688, Lincoln County's wage base is significantly lower than state and national norms. Safety, health, school, and environmental data remain unavailable, leaving other livability dimensions unmeasured.
Ideal for budget seekers and retirees
Lincoln County is perfect for budget-focused families, fixed-income retirees, and remote workers who can earn elsewhere. The exceptional affordability makes it Georgia's most attractive option for those prioritizing housing and tax savings over local earning potential.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛77.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
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.
Lincoln County's 17.3% rent-to-income ratio beats both the national average and Georgia's 18.6% state benchmark—a rare bright spot in Georgia's housing landscape. Despite a median household income of $50,688 (32% below the national average), affordable rents of just $732 monthly make housing manageable.
Georgia's most affordable rental market
Lincoln County ranks among Georgia's most affordable counties for renters, with monthly rent just 21% below the state average at $732. This affordability advantage persists despite incomes trailing the state norm, offering genuine relief for budget-conscious households.
Rural character keeps costs down
Lincoln County's $732 rent is the lowest among nearby counties, undercutting Marion County ($717 barely) and significantly beating Madison County ($951). This affordability reflects the county's rural character and limited competition for housing, beneficial for renters seeking stretching paychecks.
Rent and mortgages both reasonable
At $732 monthly rent on a $50,688 income, Lincoln County renters allocate less than one-fifth of earnings to housing—leaving room for savings and essentials. Homeownership costs $816 monthly against median values of $163,600, offering an attainable path to ownership.
Affordability meets rural charm
Lincoln County delivers genuine housing affordability without requiring six-figure incomes or relocation to remote regions. If you prioritize low housing costs and value rural community character, Lincoln County merits serious consideration among Georgia's most livable options.
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.
Lincoln County residents enjoy a life expectancy of 74.7 years, nearly four years above the U.S. average of 78.9 years. However, this apparent advantage reverses when accounting for income and access disparities—the county's 19.6% poor/fair health rate tracks closely with national averages.
Georgia's healthier counties are here
At 74.7 years, Lincoln County's life expectancy exceeds Georgia's state average of 73.3 years by 1.4 years, ranking it among the state's better-performing counties. This puts Lincoln in a stronger health position relative to most of its peers statewide.
Longest-living county in this group
Lincoln County residents live longer than Liberty (72.9 years), Lowndes (73.5 years), and Marion (73.4 years) neighbors. Yet the county faces a higher uninsured rate at 19.7%, suggesting wealth or insurance gaps despite good overall longevity.
Uninsured residents struggle despite longevity
Nearly one in five Lincoln County residents (19.7%) lack health insurance, well above Georgia's 15% average—the highest uninsured rate among these eight counties. Primary care access remains limited at 26 per 100,000, which may explain delayed diagnoses despite good life expectancy.
Affordable coverage options await
Lincoln County's high uninsured rate suggests many residents are unaware of assistance programs. Visit the Georgia state health insurance marketplace or call 211 to find affordable plans, subsidies, and free clinics near you.
Lincoln County scores just 5.53 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the very low risk category and well below Georgia's state average of 39.49. This score puts Lincoln among the safest counties nationally when it comes to natural disaster exposure. Residents enjoy significantly lower baseline vulnerability compared to typical U.S. counties.
Georgia's safest county for disasters
Lincoln County's composite score of 5.53 ranks it among Georgia's lowest-risk counties, dramatically below the state average of 39.49. Nearly every hazard category—from tornado risk at 33.94 to earthquake risk at 44.91—falls well below state medians. This consistent low exposure across all hazard types makes Lincoln exceptionally secure.
Safest county in its regional peer group
Lincoln County's 5.53 score is the lowest among all profiled counties, including Marion County (6.71) and Long County (8.02). Even when compared to other low-risk neighbors like Madison County (28.94) and Macon County (32.09), Lincoln stands out as having the most muted disaster exposure. The county benefits from its location and geography relative to major hazard corridors.
Limited hazards, but hurricanes warrant attention
Despite Lincoln's overall very low risk profile, hurricane risk reaches 54.53—the county's highest individual hazard score—though still modest in absolute terms. Wildfire risk at 38.96 and earthquake risk at 44.91 represent secondary concerns but remain well-contained. For a low-risk county, Lincoln's hazard portfolio is remarkably balanced and manageable.
Standard coverage provides solid protection
Lincoln County's low-risk environment means standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate baseline coverage for most residents. However, reviewing your policy for any relevant flood or wind provisions ensures you're not caught unprepared if an unusual weather event occurs. Annual policy reviews remain prudent even in low-risk areas.