Peach County

Georgia · GA

#100 in Georgia
66.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Peach County, Georgia

Peach County solidly above national livability median

Peach County's composite score of 68.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 36%, demonstrating well-above-average livability. The county's strength in affordability, supported by reasonable housing costs, drives this competitive national standing.

Just below Georgia's state average

At 68.2, Peach County scores marginally below Georgia's state average of 70.9, positioning it firmly in the middle tier of state counties. This placement reflects balanced performance without standout strengths or severe weaknesses.

Housing affordability leads the way

Peach County's cost score of 76.4 reflects median home values of $186,100 and gross rent of just $901 per month—among Georgia's most affordable. Median household income of $68,365 paired with a tax score of 70.7 creates solid value for working families.

Tax burden and income gaps present

The tax score of 70.7 is lowest among peer counties, backed by an effective tax rate of 1.124%, while the income score of 28.0 suggests limited high-wage opportunity. Schools, health, safety, and environmental assessments remain unavailable.

Affordable choice for modest-income households

Peach County appeals to working families and retirees on limited budgets seeking genuinely low housing costs and manageable living expenses. This county works best for those prioritizing affordability and stable, small-town living over income growth.

Score breakdown

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

Tax70.7Cost76.4SafetyComing SoonHealth57.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome28Risk77.5WaterComing Soon
🏛70.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠76.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼28
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
57.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
77.5
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

Peach County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Peach County

via TaxByCounty

Peach County among highest-tax counties

Peach County's 1.124% effective tax rate ranks in the top 25% of U.S. counties, roughly 25% higher than the national median rate of 0.898%. The median property tax of $2,092 falls below the national median of $2,690, thanks to Peach's lower median home value of $186,100.

Georgia's highest effective rate

Peach County has the highest effective property tax rate in Georgia at 1.124%, significantly exceeding the state average of 0.898%. Homeowners here pay roughly $563 more annually than the state median, reflecting strong local investment in schools and services.

Peach stands alone, taxing high

Peach County's 1.124% rate dramatically exceeds all surrounding counties: Paulding (0.846%), Newton (0.914%), Muscogee (0.837%), and Pickens (0.661%). This makes Peach the region's highest-taxing jurisdiction by a significant margin.

High rate on modest values

A homeowner with a median-value property of $186,100 in Peach County pays approximately $2,092 annually in property taxes—the highest rate in the state applied to relatively modest home values. With a mortgage, that amount increases to $2,408; without one, it drops to $1,577.

Appeal essential in high-tax county

Given Peach County's state-leading tax rate, homeowners should particularly scrutinize their assessment for accuracy, as any overvaluation compounds the financial impact. Filing a formal challenge with the county assessor is a prudent step to ensure fair valuation.

Cost of Living in Peach County

via CostByCounty

Peach County maintains solid affordability

At 15.8%, Peach County's rent-to-income ratio sits below the national average, indicating residents spend a reasonable share of earnings on housing. The county's $901 monthly rent against a $68,365 median income delivers better affordability than most American households experience.

Moderate affordability within Georgia

Peach County's 15.8% rent-to-income ratio beats Georgia's 18.6% state average, though its $901 median rent sits slightly below the state's $927 average. The county occupies the comfortable middle ground of Georgia's housing market.

Reasonably priced for central Georgia

Peach County's $901 rent and $186,100 median home value position it between rural affordability counties like Murray ($828) and higher-cost areas like Newton ($1,331). The county offers a balanced blend of cost and convenience for central Georgia families.

Under 16% of income goes to housing

Peach County renters dedicate 15.8% of their $68,365 income to the $901 monthly rent, while owners commit $1,036 monthly. This moderate housing burden leaves reasonable room for savings and discretionary spending.

Peach offers balanced value and access

Peach County's 15.8% rent-to-income ratio and $901 median rent make it an appealing option for families seeking affordability without sacrificing regional access. The county delivers solid value compared to metro-area alternatives while maintaining reasonable services and employment options.

Income & Jobs in Peach County

via IncomeByCounty

Peach County slightly below national income

Peach County's median household income of $68,365 falls $6,390 below the national median of $74,755, placing it modestly below U.S. average income levels. The county reflects central Georgia's economic reliance on agriculture, manufacturing, and military-related industries.

Exceeds Georgia average by healthy margin

At $68,365, Peach County's median household income surpasses Georgia's state average of $60,488 by nearly $8,000 annually. The county ranks in Georgia's upper-middle tier, benefiting from Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning) military payroll and stable regional employment.

Stable income among central Georgia peers

Peach County's $68,365 median income ranks between Murray County ($67,880) and Oglethorpe County ($69,784), making it competitive within central Georgia. It trails the wealthier metro-Atlanta counties but outpaces rural Georgia communities, reflecting its strategic location.

Manageable housing costs support stability

Peach County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.8% indicates healthy housing affordability, with median home values of $186,100 well-aligned with median household earnings. The affordable cost of living allows households to balance housing payments with other financial priorities.

Build financial security in Peach County

Peach County's stable incomes and affordable housing provide a platform for wealth building through homeownership and retirement saving. Households should establish emergency funds, take advantage of employer benefits, and explore investment strategies suited to middle-class incomes.

Health in Peach County

via HealthByCounty

Peach County faces significant health challenges

At 71.4 years, Peach County residents live more than 7 years less than the U.S. average of 78.9 years. One in five residents report poor or fair health at 20.9%, reflecting high rates of chronic disease and limited preventive care infrastructure.

Among Georgia's lowest life expectancy counties

Peach County's 71.4-year life expectancy falls nearly 2 years below Georgia's 73.3-year state average, ranking it in the bottom tier statewide. This gap signals entrenched health disparities tied to poverty and healthcare access.

Trailing surrounding central Georgia counties

Peach County's 71.4-year life expectancy lags behind neighboring Houston and Bibb counties, which report 72-73 years. The county's lower health outcomes suggest weaker healthcare infrastructure relative to regional peers.

Coverage gaps compound access challenges

Peach County's 15.5% uninsured rate sits above the state average, leaving many families without consistent healthcare coverage. With 21 primary care providers per 100,000, resident access is limited; rural geography compounds travel burdens for specialty care.

Breaking barriers to healthcare coverage

If you're uninsured in Peach County, marketplace plans and Medicaid enrollment are available year-round through special exceptions. Contact your local health department or call 211 for free enrollment help and to explore plans that fit your budget.

Disaster Risk in Peach County

via RiskByCounty

Peach County enjoys very low disaster risk

Peach County scores 22.49 on the composite risk scale, placing it well below the national average and earning a "very low" risk rating. This score is less than 57% of Georgia's state average of 39.49, indicating substantially below-average exposure to natural hazards. The county represents one of the safer regions in Georgia.

Among Georgia's lowest-risk counties

Peach County ranks in the bottom tier of Georgia's 159 counties for natural disaster risk, placing it among the state's safest communities. Its composite score of 22.49 is less than three-fifths of the state average. The county's favorable geographic positioning contributes to this protected status.

Safer than most surrounding areas

Peach County (22.49) is notably safer than nearby Muscogee (81.55), Newton (50.64), and Paulding (69.97) counties. It compares favorably to Oconee County (19.43) and significantly exceeds the safety of Pickens County (34.80). Peach represents one of the lower-risk counties in central Georgia.

Hurricane exposure is the main outlier

Peach County's most notable hazard is hurricane risk (70.76), which stands above state norms despite the county's overall low-risk profile. Wildfire risk (56.33) is secondary, while flood (22.71), tornado (27.04), earthquake (51.56) risks remain well-controlled. The county's primary exposure stems from tropical weather systems.

Standard insurance with hurricane awareness

Peach County residents typically need only standard homeowners insurance, as the county's overall risk remains minimal. Ensure your policy includes windstorm coverage given the elevated hurricane risk, and verify your roof meets current wind-resistance standards. Maintain gutters and trim tree branches to minimize wind-damage vulnerability during hurricane season.

ByCounty Network

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