CountyScore

McDuffie County

Georgia · GA

#37 in Georgia
69.8
County Score

County Report Card

About McDuffie County, Georgia

McDuffie Outpaces National Average

McDuffie County scores 72.8 on the CountyScore composite index, well above the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the top 46th percentile nationally, signaling strong livability across measured dimensions.

Slightly Above Georgia's Middle

McDuffie ranks above Georgia's state average of 70.9, positioning it in the upper half of the state's 159 counties. The county's 72.8 composite score reflects consistent performance across tax and cost categories.

Tax Burden and Housing Affordability Lead

McDuffie excels in tax efficiency (78.4) with an effective rate of just 0.849%, and offers strong housing affordability with a cost score of 82.1. Median home values of $155,100 and rent averaging $813/month make the county attractive for budget-conscious households.

Income Levels Trail Regional Peers

The county's income score of 18.7 reflects a median household income of $54,058, notably below several neighboring counties. Safety, health, school, and environmental quality data are not yet available, limiting a fuller livability picture.

Right for Cost-Conscious Retirees

McDuffie suits families and retirees prioritizing affordability and low tax burdens over high earnings potential. The county offers solid baseline livability with modest housing costs and favorable effective tax rates, though working-age professionals seeking higher incomes may look elsewhere.

Score breakdown

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

Tax78.4Cost82.1SafetyComing SoonHealth60.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.7Risk75.1WaterComing Soon
🏛78.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤60.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡75.1
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 McDuffie County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Clay County
Arkansas
69.8
Median income: $48,500
Liberty County
Florida
69.8
Median income: $53,824
Webster County
Kentucky
69.8
Median income: $58,786
Evangeline Parish
Louisiana
69.8
Median income: $42,273
Piscataquis County
Maine
69.8
Median income: $55,234

Deep Dives

McDuffie County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in McDuffie County

via TaxByCounty

McDuffie's taxes: below the national norm

McDuffie County's effective tax rate of 0.849% sits well below the national median, meaning residents pay less in property taxes relative to home values than most Americans. At $1,317 in median annual property tax, McDuffie homeowners pay roughly half what the typical U.S. household pays nationally ($2,690).

Slightly below Georgia's average

McDuffie's 0.849% effective rate runs just below Georgia's state average of 0.898%, placing the county in the lower-tax half statewide. The county's median property tax of $1,317 is roughly $212 less than Georgia's state median of $1,529.

Mid-range among regional peers

McDuffie's tax burden falls between its neighbors: it taxes lighter than Meriwether County (0.931%) but heavier than McIntosh County (0.753%). In absolute dollars, McDuffie homeowners pay closer to the regional average, reflecting modest home values across this part of Georgia.

What a $155k home costs annually

The median McDuffie home valued at $155,100 generates about $1,317 in annual property taxes. With mortgage-related fees included, the actual annual cost rises to $1,661, though owners without mortgages pay closer to $881.

Your assessment might be negotiable

Many Georgia homeowners discover their properties are overassessed relative to recent sales. If your home's appraised value seems high, filing a tax appeal with McDuffie County's assessor's office could lower your bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in McDuffie County

via CostByCounty

McDuffie's rent burden beats the nation

Renters in McDuffie County spend 18.1% of their income on housing—nearly identical to the national norm. With a median household income of $54,058, residents are earning about 28% less than the U.S. average of $74,755, yet their rent-to-income ratio suggests they've achieved better affordability than most Americans.

Below Georgia's affordability line

McDuffie's 18.1% rent-to-income ratio sits just below Georgia's state average of 18.6%, placing it in the middle tier of affordability across the state's 159 counties. While not the most stressed, McDuffie residents still dedicate a significant share of earnings to rent.

Better than most nearby counties

McDuffie's median rent of $813 is $114 cheaper than Georgia's state average of $927 and undercuts neighboring Meriwether County ($899) by $86 monthly. However, Mitchell County ($776) offers slightly lower rents, making McDuffie a moderate option in the region.

Rent and ownership options here

A renter pays $813 monthly while a homeowner carries $770 in monthly costs on a median home value of $155,100. Both paths consume roughly similar portions of the median $54,058 annual income, offering flexibility for households deciding between renting and buying.

Consider McDuffie for balanced affordability

If you're relocating and want below-average housing costs without sacrificing access to regional stability, McDuffie delivers. Compare its $813 rent to pricier neighbors like Meriwether and test whether the county's median income aligns with your own earning potential.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in McDuffie County

via IncomeByCounty

McDuffie trails national income benchmark

McDuffie County's median household income of $54,058 falls $20,697 short of the U.S. median of $74,755. This places the county in the lower tier nationally for household earnings, with residents earning roughly 72% of what the typical American household brings home.

Below Georgia's county average

McDuffie County ranks below Georgia's state median household income of $60,488, sitting about $6,430 behind the typical Georgia county. The county's per capita income of $28,071 also lags the state average of $31,115.

Comparable to rural Georgia peers

McDuffie's $54,058 median income places it near other small rural Georgia counties like Mitchell County ($51,908) and Montgomery County ($51,188), though it trails the stronger-performing Meriwether County ($56,458). The region shows consistent income patterns across its smaller counties.

Housing costs remain manageable

At an 18.1% rent-to-income ratio, McDuffie County residents spend less than one-fifth of household income on rent, which is below the national affordability threshold of 28%. The median home value of $155,100 is accessible relative to local earning power, though household income growth would strengthen financial stability.

Building wealth in McDuffie County

McDuffie residents should prioritize establishing an emergency fund covering 3–6 months of expenses, then explore employer-sponsored retirement plans and IRAs to grow long-term wealth. With median home values under $160,000, homeownership remains an achievable wealth-building strategy for qualified buyers in the county.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in McDuffie County

via HealthByCounty

McDuffie's life expectancy lags national average

At 71.9 years, McDuffie County residents live about 5 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.4 years. One in five residents reports poor or fair health, compared to roughly one in six nationally, signaling persistent health challenges across the county.

Below Georgia's health benchmark

McDuffie's 71.9-year life expectancy sits 1.4 years below Georgia's state average of 73.3 years. The county's 13.0% uninsured rate, however, beats the state average of 15.0%, suggesting better health coverage but persistent health outcome gaps.

Midrange health among regional peers

McDuffie performs modestly compared to nearby counties: it outpaces Meriwether (70.8 years) and Miller (67.3 years) but trails Monroe (74.5 years) and Morgan (75.8 years). Access to primary care providers at 51 per 100K is solid, though mental health support at 73 per 100K varies widely across the region.

Healthcare access remains a daily reality

With 13.0% of residents uninsured and 51 primary care providers per 100K population, McDuffie has modest physician capacity but reasonable coverage rates. Those with insurance face 51 primary care doctors for every 100,000 residents—a ratio that requires coordination to ensure timely appointments.

Explore your health coverage options now

If you're among McDuffie's uninsured residents, visit healthcare.gov or contact your local health department to explore Medicaid, ACA plans, or community health programs. Coverage can mean the difference between preventive care and costly emergency visits—start exploring your options today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in McDuffie County

via RiskByCounty

McDuffie's risk is well below average

McDuffie County scores 24.97 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and sitting significantly below the national average. This means your county faces fewer natural disaster threats than most communities across the United States.

Among Georgia's safest counties

McDuffie ranks favorably within Georgia, with a composite score of 24.97 compared to the state average of 39.49. You're in one of the state's lower-risk communities when it comes to natural hazards overall.

Safer than surrounding counties

McDuffie's score of 24.97 edges out nearby Meriwether County (19.21) and Morgan County (19.37), but sits higher than Monroe County (18.70). Your risk profile is comparable to rural north-central Georgia, with moderate exposure to multiple hazard types but no dominant threat.

Earthquakes and tornadoes lead threats

Earthquake risk (64.69) and tornado risk (59.96) represent your two highest hazard scores, though both remain modest in absolute terms. Wildfire risk at 59.96 rounds out your top three, while flood and hurricane risks stay well below 30 and 66 respectively.

Essential coverage for your peace of mind

Standard homeowners insurance covers tornadoes but typically excludes earthquakes and floods—consider separate policies given your moderate earthquake and tornado scores. Review your coverage annually and maintain emergency supplies for severe weather events.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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