Mitchell County

Georgia · GA

#139 in Georgia
62.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Mitchell County, Georgia

Mitchell Outperforms National Average

Mitchell County scores 68.8 on the CountyScore composite index, significantly above the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the top 38th percentile nationally, though it ranks lowest among this eight-county group.

Slightly Below Georgia's Median Performance

Mitchell's 68.8 composite score falls slightly below Georgia's state average of 70.9. The county ranks in the lower half of the state's stronger performers, indicating room for improvement.

Strong Housing Affordability with Low Rent

Mitchell's cost score of 83.4 reflects very affordable housing, with median home values of just $105,500—the second-lowest in the group—and rent at $776/month. These metrics make the county accessible to budget-limited households.

Income Levels and Tax Burden Both Constrain

The income score of 17.3 with median household income of $51,908 ranks among the lowest in this cohort, while the tax score of 66.4 reflects a 1.277% effective rate—above the group's best performers. Safety, health, school, and environmental data gaps further limit assessment.

Suited for Retirees on Fixed Budgets

Mitchell works best for retirees and fixed-income households seeking minimal housing expense with tolerance for moderate tax burdens. The county offers genuine affordability without the income growth trajectory that working families might prioritize.

Score breakdown

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

Tax66.4Cost83.4SafetyComing SoonHealth55SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.3Risk37WaterComing Soon
🏛66.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠83.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼17.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
55
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
37
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Mitchell County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Mitchell County

via TaxByCounty

Mitchell taxes: elevated for small-value homes

Mitchell County's effective tax rate of 1.277% sits well above the national median, making it one of Georgia's pricier-taxing counties. At $1,347 annually, Mitchell homeowners pay roughly half the national median tax despite homes valued far below national norms.

Upper-tier taxes in Georgia

Mitchell's 1.277% effective rate ranks in Georgia's top tier, substantially exceeding the state average of 0.898%. The county's median property tax of $1,347 falls slightly below the state median, but the rate burden is notably heavier.

Higher-taxing than most regional peers

Mitchell's 1.277% rate exceeds McIntosh (0.753%), Monroe (0.686%), and McDuffie (0.849%), positioning it as a higher-tax jurisdiction regionally. Only Miller County (1.386%) surpasses Mitchell in regional tax burden.

What a $106k home costs annually

The median Mitchell County home valued at $105,500 generates approximately $1,347 in annual property taxes. With mortgage-related fees, annual costs reach $1,733, while outright owners pay closer to $952.

Appeals pay off in high-rate counties

Mitchell County's above-average tax rate amplifies the cost of overassessment—making appeals potentially worth hundreds annually. Review your assessment against recent comparable sales; if values don't align, file an appeal with Mitchell County's assessor.

Cost of Living in Mitchell County

via CostByCounty

Mitchell stays near national affordability

Mitchell's 17.9% rent-to-income ratio sits slightly below the national norm, offering residents reasonable housing affordability despite a median income of $51,908—30% below the U.S. average. This balanced ratio suggests Mitchell delivers better value than incomes alone suggest.

Below Georgia's affordability threshold

At 17.9%, Mitchell's rent-to-income ratio edges below Georgia's 18.6% state average, positioning the county among the state's more affordable options. This advantage means Mitchell households dedicate slightly less income to housing than typical Georgia residents.

Second-cheapest rents regionally

Mitchell's median rent of $776 is the second-lowest in this eight-county cluster, trailing only Miller County's $699 by just $77 monthly. At $151 below Georgia's state average, Mitchell offers strong value for budget-conscious renters.

Affordable renting and buying options

Renters pay $776 monthly while homeowners spend $732 on properties valued at $105,500—the lowest median home value in the group. Both pathways consume roughly 18% of the $51,908 median income, offering flexibility for households in transition.

Mitchell delivers quiet affordability

Relocating families prioritizing both affordability and lower home prices should explore Mitchell's $776 rents and $105,500 median home values. Compare Mitchell's costs to pricier neighbors like Meriwether ($899 rent) to confirm your budget fit before deciding.

Income & Jobs in Mitchell County

via IncomeByCounty

Mitchell lags national income significantly

Mitchell County's median household income of $51,908 falls $22,847 short of the U.S. median of $74,755. Residents earn approximately 69% of typical American household income.

Below Georgia's county average

Mitchell County ranks below Georgia's state median household income of $60,488, falling short by $8,580. The county's per capita income of $25,820 also lags the state average of $31,115, indicating lower individual earning power.

Among the lowest-earning regional peers

Mitchell County's $51,908 median income places it among the lower tier of regional counties, comparable only to Montgomery County ($51,188). The county trails McIntosh ($50,348), Meriwether ($56,458), and McDuffie ($54,058).

Favorable rental affordability offset by income constraints

Mitchell County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.9% indicates strong rental affordability relative to household earnings. However, the median home value of $105,500 requires substantial saving, and lower overall income limits household financial flexibility.

Building financial stability in Mitchell County

Mitchell County households should prioritize establishing stable emergency savings and minimizing high-interest debt before pursuing major purchases. Exploring workforce development, skills training, and local economic opportunities can help increase household earnings and enable long-term wealth building.

Health in Mitchell County

via HealthByCounty

Mitchell's life expectancy lags national standard

At 72.3 years, Mitchell County residents live 4.1 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. More than one in four residents report poor or fair health at 26.5%—the highest rate in this cohort—revealing serious underlying health burdens.

Below Georgia average but strong mental health resources

Mitchell's 72.3-year life expectancy trails Georgia's 73.3-year average by just 1 year, placing it mid-range statewide. The county's 14.1% uninsured rate is slightly below the state average of 15.0%, yet the 26.5% poor/fair health rate suggests behavioral health support may be filling critical gaps.

Strong mental health capacity amid health challenges

Mitchell's 72.3-year life expectancy sits in the middle of regional peers, between Meriwether (70.8 years) and McIntosh (74.3 years). With 431 mental health providers per 100K—by far the highest in the region—Mitchell has exceptional behavioral health resources, suggesting the county is investing heavily in addressing depression, anxiety, and substance use.

Mental health resources help manage complex care needs

Mitchell's 14.1% uninsured rate is reasonable, but 26.5% reporting poor/fair health suggests many residents grapple with untreated chronic conditions or behavioral health crises. The county's extraordinary 431 mental health providers per 100K indicates aggressive investment in addressing opioid use, depression, and other behavioral drivers of poor health.

Use mental health services and secure coverage

If you're among Mitchell's 14.1% uninsured, visit healthcare.gov or your local health department to find coverage options. With 431 mental health providers per 100K, the county is ready to support your behavioral health—don't miss out on these community resources while seeking insurance.

Disaster Risk in Mitchell County

via RiskByCounty

Mitchell faces above-average natural hazards

Mitchell County scores 63.04 on the composite risk scale, earning a Relatively Low rating but exceeding the national average. Your county experiences notably higher exposure to natural disasters than typical U.S. communities.

Higher risk than most Georgia counties

Mitchell's score of 63.04 significantly exceeds Georgia's state average of 39.49, placing it in the state's upper-risk tier. This south-central Georgia county faces distinctly elevated hazard exposure compared to most peers.

Highest risk among nearby counties

Mitchell County (63.04) exceeds all nearby competitors—only McIntosh (66.57) scores higher statewide, while Miller (20.80), Meriwether (19.21), and Monroe (18.70) sit far below. Your county's elevated risk stands out in its immediate region.

Tornadoes and hurricanes dominate threats

Tornado risk (81.65) and hurricane risk (89.82) are your dominant concerns, with tornado risk ranking among Georgia's highest. Wildfire risk (56.08) and flood risk (52.83) contribute to a multi-hazard vulnerability typical of rural south Georgia.

Comprehensive storm protection essential

Your 81.65 tornado score demands reliable homeowners coverage with verified wind/storm protection, while the 89.82 hurricane score requires separate wind or hurricane policy review. Flood insurance becomes important if you're within a high-hazard flood zone given your 52.83 flood risk score.

ByCounty Network

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