Meriwether County scores 71.0 on the CountyScore composite index, surpassing the national median of 50.0. This 42-point advantage places the county in the top 42nd percentile nationally.
2 / 5
Meets Georgia's State Average Exactly
Meriwether's 71.0 composite score aligns precisely with Georgia's state average of 70.9, placing it at the median point of the state's 159 counties. The county delivers balanced performance without excelling in any single area.
3 / 5
Solid Tax and Housing Foundation
Meriwether's tax score of 76.1 reflects a reasonable effective rate of 0.931%, while the cost score of 79.9 supports median home values of $154,600 and rent at $899/month. The income score of 20.2 with median household income of $56,458 ranks highest among this cohort in earnings potential.
4 / 5
Incomplete Picture Without Safety and Health Data
Critical dimensions including safety, health, schools, environmental risk, and water quality lack data. These gaps prevent a full assessment of the county's livability beyond its strong tax and cost metrics.
5 / 5
Balanced Choice for Modest-Income Families
Meriwether suits working families and small-business owners seeking moderate housing costs and reasonable tax treatment. The county's balance of affordability and modest income levels makes it a solid middle-ground option without standout advantages.
Meriwether County scores 71.0 on the CountyScore composite index, surpassing the national median of 50.0. This 42-point advantage places the county in the top 42nd percentile nationally.
Meets Georgia's State Average Exactly
Meriwether's 71.0 composite score aligns precisely with Georgia's state average of 70.9, placing it at the median point of the state's 159 counties. The county delivers balanced performance without excelling in any single area.
Solid Tax and Housing Foundation
Meriwether's tax score of 76.1 reflects a reasonable effective rate of 0.931%, while the cost score of 79.9 supports median home values of $154,600 and rent at $899/month. The income score of 20.2 with median household income of $56,458 ranks highest among this cohort in earnings potential.
Incomplete Picture Without Safety and Health Data
Critical dimensions including safety, health, schools, environmental risk, and water quality lack data. These gaps prevent a full assessment of the county's livability beyond its strong tax and cost metrics.
Balanced Choice for Modest-Income Families
Meriwether suits working families and small-business owners seeking moderate housing costs and reasonable tax treatment. The county's balance of affordability and modest income levels makes it a solid middle-ground option without standout advantages.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛76.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Meriwether County's effective tax rate of 0.931% exceeds the national median and ranks among Georgia's higher-taxing counties. Despite modestly valued homes, Meriwether residents pay $1,439 annually—still roughly half the national median tax bill.
Above average in Georgia tax rankings
At 0.931%, Meriwether's rate edges above Georgia's state average of 0.898%, placing it in the upper tier of taxed counties statewide. The median property tax of $1,439 runs $90 higher than Georgia's state median of $1,529.
Among the pricier regional neighbors
Meriwether's 0.931% rate exceeds nearby McDuffie (0.849%) and McIntosh (0.753%) but sits below Miller County (1.386%). For residents, this means Meriwether occupies the middle-to-upper tax bracket within its region.
What a $155k home costs annually
The median Meriwether home valued at $154,600 generates approximately $1,439 in annual property taxes. Including mortgage-related costs, homeowners pay $1,846 yearly, while those without mortgages pay around $1,096.
Overassessments are common—challenge yours
In high-tax counties like Meriwether, even small assessment errors compound quickly. If you believe your home is overvalued, Meriwether County's assessor allows annual appeals—potentially saving hundreds annually.
At 19.1%, Meriwether's rent-to-income ratio exceeds both the national norm and Georgia's 18.6% state average, signaling tighter affordability. Despite a median income of $56,458—24% below the national $74,755—residents spend more of their earnings on rent than most Americans.
Among Georgia's higher-stress counties
Meriwether's 19.1% rent-to-income ratio ranks it above the state average, placing the county among Georgia's affordability-challenged regions. This elevated burden suggests housing costs are outpacing income growth faster here than statewide.
Priciest rents in the regional group
Meriwether's median rent of $899 is the highest in this eight-county cluster and $28 above Georgia's state average of $927, edged slightly by Morgan County. For budget-conscious relocators, neighboring Miller ($699) and Mitchell ($776) offer significantly cheaper alternatives.
Ownership costs rival renters' burden
Renters spend $899 monthly while homeowners pay $810 on median properties worth $154,600, both consuming significant shares of the $56,458 median income. Despite a modest income base, Meriwether offers comparable rent and ownership costs, giving households flexibility.
Meriwether requires careful budget planning
If relocating to Meriwether, expect higher-than-average housing burdens and verify your income aligns with local costs before committing. Compare its $899 rents to cheaper neighbors like Miller County ($699) to determine if the county fits your housing budget.
Meriwether County's median household income of $56,458 falls $18,297 below the U.S. median of $74,755. The county earns about three-quarters of typical American household income.
Slightly below Georgia state average
Meriwether County's median household income of $56,458 trails the state average of $60,488 by roughly $4,030. Its per capita income of $27,400 falls short of Georgia's $31,115 average, indicating lower individual earning power.
Strongest performer in rural peer group
Meriwether County's $56,458 median income edges out nearby Mitchell County ($51,908) and Montgomery County ($51,188), positioning it as the relative income leader among its smaller rural neighbors. The county outperforms most peers in the region.
Housing affordability stretched by rent burden
Meriwether County shows a rent-to-income ratio of 19.1%, slightly higher than ideal, with residents spending nearly one-fifth of income on rent. The median home value of $154,600 is within reach but leaves less financial flexibility for other expenses and savings.
Smart financial moves for Meriwether families
Meriwether County residents should prioritize building an emergency fund before taking on major debt, then explore first-time homebuyer programs to leverage home equity. Partnering with financial advisors on retirement planning can help maximize long-term wealth accumulation despite current income levels.
At 70.8 years, Meriwether County residents live nearly 5.6 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. More than one in five residents report poor or fair health at 23.4%, pointing to urgent health challenges that demand attention.
Among Georgia's most challenged counties
Meriwether's 70.8-year life expectancy trails Georgia's 73.3-year average by 2.5 years, placing the county near the bottom of state health rankings. The county's 17.0% uninsured rate also exceeds the state average of 15.0%, creating barriers to preventive and chronic care.
Lowest life expectancy in regional comparison
Meriwether's 70.8 years ranks lowest among its peers, ahead only of Miller (67.3 years) but significantly behind Monroe (74.5 years) and Morgan (75.8 years). With just 29 primary care providers per 100K, the county has the fewest physicians in the region, limiting access to routine care.
Limited doctors, high uninsured rates compound care gaps
Meriwether struggles with both coverage and provider capacity: 17.0% are uninsured and only 29 primary care providers serve every 100K residents—the lowest ratio regionally. This combination means many residents face both financial and logistical barriers to seeing a doctor regularly.
Access care through Medicaid and community programs
Meriwether residents should prioritize enrolling in Medicaid or Marketplace coverage—17% uninsured is too high for a county facing health challenges. Visit healthcare.gov or your local health department, and ask about community health center sliding-scale fees for immediate access to care.
Meriwether County scores 19.21 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and sitting well below the national average. Your community experiences substantially fewer natural disaster threats than most American counties.
Well below Georgia's risk average
Meriwether's score of 19.21 is less than half Georgia's state average of 39.49, making it one of the state's safest counties. This central Georgia region enjoys relatively low exposure across all hazard categories.
Among the region's lowest-risk counties
Meriwether (19.21) sits alongside Monroe County (18.70) and Morgan County (19.37) in the safest tier, while McDuffie County (24.97) represents your slightly higher-risk neighbor. All four counties cluster in the Very Low category.
Hurricane and tornado risks most elevated
Hurricane risk (53.78) and tornado risk (45.07) represent your highest scores, though both remain modest compared to coastal Georgia counties. Wildfire risk at 44.69 and flood risk at 35.27 complete a relatively balanced, low-threat profile.
Standard insurance plus weather prep
Basic homeowners insurance sufficiently covers tornado damage in Meriwether's low-risk environment, but verify flood coverage separately if you live in a mapped floodplain. Maintain a home emergency kit and severe weather plan as standard precaution.