countyscore
56.2
County Score
Water Quality 86Income & Jobs 84.8Disaster Risk 81.3

County Report Card

About Monroe County, Georgia

Outperforming the national average

Monroe County earns an impressive composite score of 57.7, far exceeding the national median of 50.0. This puts the county in an elite tier of livability within the United States.

One of Georgia's strongest counties

Monroe significantly beats the Georgia average of 46.7. It represents one of the most balanced and high-performing counties in the state.

High incomes and low taxes

The county excels with an income score of 86.7, driven by a strong median household income of $82,863. Residents also enjoy a very low effective tax rate of 0.686%, contributing to a tax score of 64.6.

Higher costs and health gaps

The cost score of 34.8 reflects higher home values, which reach a median of $243,200. Health is the one moderate weak spot with a score of 40.4, suggesting room for better medical access.

Perfect for upwardly mobile families

Monroe is an excellent fit for high-earning professionals looking for low taxes and great schools. It offers a premium Georgia lifestyle for those who can afford the higher housing entry point.

2040608010060.830.771.540.462.984.881.38636.4Tax60.8Cost30.7Safety71.5Health40.4Schools62.9Income84.8Risk81.3Water86Weather36.456.2/100
This county
National avg
4 above average2 below average

Monroe County DNA

Foverall

How Monroe County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Monroe County scores above average across most dimensions. It's a well-balanced county with particular strength in Disaster Risk (81.3/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
60.8+8.799999999999997
Cost
30.7-17.3
Safety
71.5+16.5
Health
40.4-9.600000000000001
Schools
62.9+8.899999999999999
Income
84.8+33.8
Risk
81.3+34.3
Water
86+28
Weather
36.4-19.6
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Compare mortgage rates in Monroe County

Whether buying or refinancing in Monroe County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$271,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$943/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$271,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$37,720/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $83,183/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Lamar County
Georgia
45.8
Bibb County
Georgia
22
Crawford County
Georgia
42.4
Jones County
Georgia
48.1
Butts County
Georgia
47.1
Upson County
Georgia
46.2
Jasper County
Georgia
47.8
Pike County
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50.4

Deep Dives

Monroe County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Monroe County

via TaxByCounty

Monroe taxes: Georgia's most efficient rate

Monroe County boasts Georgia's lowest effective tax rate at 0.686%, sitting well below the national median. Despite hosting the region's priciest homes, Monroe residents pay $1,669 annually—reasonable given their property values.

The state's lightest tax burden

Monroe's 0.686% effective rate is Georgia's lowest, undercutting the state average of 0.898% by more than 20%. This makes Monroe an exceptional value for homeowners seeking lower tax exposure on valuable properties.

Unmatched tax efficiency regionally

Monroe's 0.686% rate bests every surrounding county—including McIntosh (0.753%), McDuffie (0.849%), and all others. This unique tax advantage helps explain Monroe's appeal to affluent homebuyers throughout the region.

What a $243k home costs annually

The median Monroe County home valued at $243,200 carries just $1,669 in annual property taxes—an extraordinary bargain for such upscale properties. With mortgage costs included, homeowners pay $2,081 yearly, offering excellent value.

Even low rates warrant assessment checks

Monroe's tax efficiency doesn't exempt residents from overassessment—particularly if recent renovations or market shifts altered your home's value. Annual assessment reviews help ensure you're paying fairly, even in favorable tax climates.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Monroe County

via IncomeByCounty

Monroe outpaces nation on household income

Monroe County's median household income of $82,863 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by $8,108. Residents earn approximately 111% of typical American household income, placing the county well above national norms.

Tops Georgia's state median considerably

Monroe County's median household income of $82,863 significantly exceeds Georgia's state average of $60,488 by $22,375. The county's per capita income of $43,106 also dominates the state average of $31,115, indicating strong, well-distributed earnings.

Regional income leader with Morgan County

Monroe County's $82,863 median income ranks it among the highest in the region, though Morgan County edges ahead at $85,692. Both counties dramatically outperform the lower-income rural peers like Mitchell ($51,908) and Montgomery ($51,188).

Excellent housing affordability and strong purchasing power

Monroe County's rent-to-income ratio of 12.8% is significantly below the 28% affordability threshold, indicating excellent rental affordability. The median home value of $243,200 is higher but remains accessible given strong household incomes.

Monroe County wealth-building opportunities abound

Monroe County residents enjoy strong financial flexibility to invest in retirement accounts, educational savings, and diversified investment portfolios. The county's above-average income and affordable housing position households to aggressively build wealth through strategic homeownership, stock market investing, and business ownership opportunities.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Monroe County

via CrimeByCounty

Monroe County is Significantly Safer than Average

Monroe County enjoys a safety score of 98.9, placing it well ahead of national safety norms. Its total crime rate of 682.3 per 100K is less than one-third of the national average of 2,385.5. Four reporting agencies contribute to these remarkably positive public safety statistics.

Exceeding Georgia's Safety Standards

Monroe County’s safety score of 98.9 beats the Georgia state average of 97.8 by a healthy margin. Its crime rate of 682.3 is also far superior to the state average of 1,412.9. These numbers establish Monroe as a leader for public safety within the state.

Leading the Region in Low Crime

Monroe County outperforms nearly all its neighbors, with a crime rate of 682.3 compared to Mitchell’s 1,825.8. It is also safer than McDuffie County, which reports a rate of 828.9. This low frequency of crime makes Monroe one of the most secure counties in the surrounding area.

Minimal Violent Crime Reported

The county's violent crime rate is remarkably low at 70.7 per 100K, compared to the national average of 369.8. Property crime stands at 611.6 per 100K, which is also a fraction of the national property crime rate. These figures indicate a peaceful community where both residents and property are well-protected.

Keeping Your Home Safe and Secure

Even with such low crime rates, basic property protection helps ensure Monroe County remains a safe place to live. Simple actions like locking vehicles and installing outdoor lighting can prevent the few property crimes that do occur. Staying informed through local law enforcement updates also helps maintain this secure environment.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in Monroe County

via SoilByCounty

Slightly Less Acidic Monroe Soils

Monroe County soils have an average pH of 5.38, placing them slightly above the Georgia average of 5.26. This is still more acidic than the national median of 6.5, which usually requires lime for most crops. Understanding this acidity is the first step toward peak productivity.

Sandy Profiles in Monroe

The mix is 60.4% sand and 16.7% clay, creating a fairly light soil profile. This high sand content helps with aeration and prevents compaction, though it can lead to faster nutrient leaching. Regular fertilizing may be necessary to keep plants healthy.

Above Average Water Storage

Organic matter is lower than the state average at 1.20% compared to 1.83%. However, the water capacity of 0.116 in/in is just above the state average, providing a reliable moisture reservoir for crops. This helps your garden stay resilient during Georgia's dry spells.

Monitoring Surface Hydrology

Specific drainage classes and hydrologic groups are not listed in the current data. Given the sand-heavy composition, residents should watch for areas where water might drain away too quickly. Ensuring consistent moisture is key to successful growing.

Gardening Success in Zone 8b

Monroe County sits in Zone 8b, supporting a vast array of Southern favorites. Your soil's good water capacity makes it a great home for blueberries and other moisture-loving perennials. Take advantage of the long season to grow your own fresh produce.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Monroe County

via LawnByCounty

Average Growing Ease in Monroe

Monroe County’s lawn difficulty score of 40.3 is better than the Georgia average of 35.8, making it one of the easier spots in the state for turf. Located in Hardiness Zone 8b, it provides a hospitable climate for most southern grass varieties.

Transition Zone Weather Patterns

As a Zone 8b county, Monroe experiences a mix of hot summers and occasional freezing nights in winter. While specific precipitation data is not available, the regional climate generally supports active growth from late spring through early fall. You should monitor local weather closely to adjust your mowing and watering as the seasons shift.

Balancing Acidic Soil for Turf

The soil in Monroe County is acidic with a pH of 5.38, while lawns prefer a more neutral range between 6.0 and 7.0. The soil composition is 60.4% sand and 16.7% clay, which helps with drainage but may lose nutrients quickly. Regular lime applications and fertilization will be necessary to keep your lawn looking its best.

Managing Moderate Drought Stress

Currently, 45.5% of the county is experiencing severe drought, and there have been 23 weeks of drought over the past year. This moderate pressure means you should prioritize efficient watering to keep the roots hydrated without over-saturating. Grouping your watering into two deep sessions per week is usually more effective than light daily sprinkling.

Ready for a Lush Monroe Lawn

Centipede grass is a great choice for this county because it tolerates acidic soils better than many other species. Plan to seed or sod in mid-to-late spring to ensure the ground is warm enough for rapid root development. Your slightly easier-than-average score means a beautiful lawn is well within reach.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Monroe County's county score?
Monroe County, Georgia has a composite county score of 56.2 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Monroe County rank among counties in Georgia?
Monroe County ranks #24 among all counties in Georgia on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Monroe County, Georgia?
The median annual property tax in Monroe County is $1,886, with an effective tax rate of 0.70%. This earns Monroe County a tax score of 60.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Monroe County?
The median household income in Monroe County, Georgia is $83,183 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Monroe County earns an income score of 84.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Monroe County, Georgia a good place to live?
Monroe County scores 56.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #24 in Georgia. The best way to evaluate Monroe County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Monroe County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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