CountyScore

Macon County

Georgia · GA

#124 in Georgia
64.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Macon County, Georgia

Macon County dramatically exceeds national

Macon County's composite score of 71.8 is 44% above the national median of 50.0, placing it among America's most affordable and livable counties. This strong showing is driven almost entirely by exceptional housing affordability.

Macon leads Georgia's county scores

At 71.8, Macon County exceeds Georgia's state average of 70.9, ranking it among the top-performing counties statewide. Its positioning reflects unique strength in one dimension offsetting weakness in others.

Macon offers unmatched affordability

Macon County features a cost score of 89.4—the highest in this group—with a median home value of just $87,000 and rent at $624/month. These rock-bottom prices make homeownership and housing accessible to nearly all income levels, a rare advantage nationally.

Income and tax burdens hold Macon back

With an income score of just 7.7 and median household income of $37,177, Macon County has the lowest earning potential among these eight counties. The tax score of 69.6 with an effective rate of 1.162% is also the highest, further straining limited incomes.

Unbeatable for ultra-budget seekers

Macon County is the nation's best choice for those seeking maximum housing affordability and minimal housing costs, particularly retirees on fixed income. However, limited local earning potential and slightly higher taxes require external income sources or strong retirement reserves.

Score breakdown

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

Tax69.6Cost89.4SafetyComing SoonHealth43.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome7.7Risk67.9WaterComing Soon
🏛69.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠89.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼7.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤43.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡67.9
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 Macon County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Saline County
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Median income: $63,316
Platte County
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Deep Dives

Macon County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Macon County

via TaxByCounty

Macon County has highest effective rate

Macon County's effective tax rate of 1.162% is the highest among these eight counties and well above Georgia's state average of 0.898%. However, the median tax bill of just $1,011 remains far below the national median of $2,690 because homes here are significantly less expensive, at a median of $87,000.

One of Georgia's steepest tax rates

Macon County ranks in the top tier of Georgia's 159 counties by effective tax rate at 1.162%, though its median tax of $1,011 stays low due to lower property values. The rate-to-value dynamic reveals an aggressive tax collection approach.

Most aggressive taxer in the group

Macon County's 1.162% effective rate towers over all nearby counties—nearly 70% higher than Marion County (0.704%) and 40% above Liberty County (1.053%). On a $87,000 home, Macon County residents pay $1,011, while the same property in Marion County would generate only $614 in taxes.

Pay $1,011 on a median home

With the lowest median home value of $87,000 among these eight counties and the highest effective rate of 1.162%, Macon County residents pay a median of $1,011 in annual property taxes. Adding mortgage-related fees raises this to $1,425; ownership free and clear drops it to $848.

High-tax counties warrant careful review

In counties with steep effective rates, the likelihood of overassessment is significant—roughly 20% nationally. Macon County homeowners should scrutinize their assessment notice and file an appeal if their home's assessed value exceeds comparable recent sales in the area.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Macon County

via CostByCounty

Macon County faces severe income constraints

Macon County's median household income of $37,177 ranks among Georgia's lowest—50% below the national average—creating fundamental affordability challenges. Despite rock-bottom rents of $624 monthly, the 20.1% rent-to-income ratio underscores how deeply incomes constrain housing options county-wide.

Georgia's most economically challenged county

Macon County ranks among Georgia's poorest communities by median income, with $37,177 annual earnings falling drastically below state norms. Housing appears cheap in isolation—$624 rent—but represents a disproportionate share of these already-strained household budgets.

Cheapest housing, lowest incomes

Macon County's $624 rent is the lowest in the region, undercutting Marion County ($717) and Lincoln County ($732) significantly. However, this affordability reflects structural poverty rather than opportunity, with median incomes trailing all neighboring counties by substantial margins.

Rock-bottom costs, minimal margins

Macon County renters spend just $624 monthly on rent—lowest in the survey—yet this consumes 20.1% of a meager $37,177 annual income. Home values of $87,000 with $527 monthly owner costs theoretically favor homeownership, but qualifying for mortgages requires income most residents lack.

Consider relocation for opportunity

Macon County's ultra-low housing costs mask deeper economic challenges and limited job prospects. If you're seeking genuine affordability paired with income opportunity, neighboring counties with higher wages and moderate housing costs—like Lincoln or Marion—may offer better long-term stability and upward mobility.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Macon County

via IncomeByCounty

Macon faces profound income challenges

Macon County's median household income of $37,177 lags the U.S. median of $74,755 by more than $37,500—nearly half the national average. The county ranks among the lowest-income American counties, facing severe economic headwinds.

Georgia's lowest income in this cohort

Macon's $37,177 median household income falls roughly $23,300 below Georgia's state average of $60,488. The county represents one of Georgia's most economically distressed communities in this eight-county comparison.

Dramatically outearned by all peers

Macon ($37,177) trails even the next-lowest county, Marion ($50,484), by over $13,000. Every peer county significantly outearns Macon, underscoring the exceptional economic challenge facing the community.

Housing affordability amid deep poverty

Macon's 20.1% rent-to-income ratio translates to roughly $625 monthly housing costs on a median income of $37,177. While the $87,000 median home value is the lowest in the group, homeownership remains a stretch for most households.

Focus on financial stability first

For Macon households earning $37,177, building an emergency fund takes priority before wealth-building investments. Community resources for financial literacy, job training, and asset-building programs offer pathways toward economic resilience.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Macon County

via HealthByCounty

Macon County faces severe health crisis

Macon County residents have a life expectancy of just 71.9 years, more than seven years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years. Alarmingly, one-third (33.3%) report poor or fair health—the worst rate in this entire group and far above the national average.

Georgia's worst health outcomes here

Macon County's 71.9-year life expectancy is the lowest in this eight-county analysis and a full 1.4 years below Georgia's 73.3-year average. The county's 33.3% poor/fair health rate is catastrophically high, signaling a health emergency.

Dramatic health disparities visible

Macon County residents live 3.8 years less than neighboring Lumpkin County (75.3 years) and nearly 4 years less than Long County (75.7 years). This stark gap suggests concentrated poverty, limited access to care, or both.

Severe provider shortage and uninsured crisis

Macon County has just 8 primary care providers and 17 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—the lowest among these counties—while 19.3% lack health insurance. This combination creates a perfect storm: residents face both financial and geographic barriers to healthcare.

Urgent: Seek help now

If you're uninsured in Macon County, finding coverage is critical and urgent. Call 211 or visit the Georgia Department of Community Health to explore Medicaid, free clinics, and emergency services available to you immediately.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Macon County

via RiskByCounty

Macon County remains below state average

Macon County scores 32.09 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the very low risk category and below Georgia's state average of 39.49. This score reflects generally moderate hazard exposure with no single dominant threat—the county benefits from geographic distribution of risks. Compared to national averages, Macon enjoys below-average natural disaster vulnerability.

Well-protected by Georgia standards

Macon County's composite score of 32.09 falls comfortably below Georgia's state average of 39.49, positioning it among the state's safer counties. All individual hazard categories remain moderate, with no extreme concentration in any single disaster type. This balanced, below-average profile makes Macon a relatively secure location within Georgia.

Mid-tier safety among regional peers

Macon County's 32.09 score sits between the very low-risk tier (Marion at 6.71, Long at 8.02) and the higher-risk counties like Lumpkin (44.91) and Lowndes (72.65). Among the eight profiled counties, Macon ranks in the safer half while remaining above Georgia's absolute lowest-risk locations. This positioning reflects the county's moderate geographic vulnerability.

Hurricane exposure Macon's primary hazard

Macon County's hurricane risk at 80.27 stands notably elevated compared to its composite score of 32.09, representing the county's most significant single threat. Flood risk at 32.95 and wildfire risk at 43.23 present secondary considerations, while tornado and earthquake risks remain below 35 and 47 respectively. Hurricane preparedness should be Macon's disaster planning priority.

Prioritize hurricane and flood coverage

Macon County's 80.27 hurricane risk warrants comprehensive wind and hail coverage in your homeowners policy as essential protection. With flood risk at 32.95, particularly for lower-lying properties, National Flood Insurance Program coverage provides critical backup to standard policies. Annual policy review ensures your protection keeps pace with Macon's primary seasonal threat—Atlantic hurricane season.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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