CountyScore

Pierce County

Georgia · GA

#46 in Georgia
69.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Pierce County, Georgia

Pierce County outpaces the nation

Pierce County's composite score of 72.6 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper tier of American counties for overall livability. This 45% advantage reflects strong affordability and tax efficiency that benefit households across income levels.

Slightly above Georgia's average

Pierce County ranks above the Georgia state average composite score of 70.9, putting it ahead of most peer counties statewide. The county's 72.6 score demonstrates solid fundamentals in tax and cost dimensions.

Tax efficiency and housing affordability shine

Pierce County excels in affordability with a cost score of 82.8 and maintains an effective tax rate of just 0.915%, earning a tax score of 76.5. Median home values of $132,100 and gross rent of $794/month make homeownership and renting accessible to working families.

Income growth presents the main hurdle

The county's income score of 20.4 lags significantly behind its cost and tax advantages, with a median household income of $56,691 that reflects limited employment opportunities. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unavailable, limiting a complete livability assessment.

Ideal for budget-conscious, cost-first families

Pierce County suits families and retirees prioritizing low housing costs and tax burden over high incomes or abundant amenities. The county rewards those seeking affordability in a county that performs well above the national average on fiscal metrics.

Score breakdown

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

Tax76.5Cost82.8SafetyComing SoonHealth58.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.4Risk77.3WaterComing Soon
🏛76.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤58.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡77.3
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 Pierce County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Baxter County
Arkansas
69.4
Median income: $48,427
Desha County
Arkansas
69.4
Median income: $36,064
Bleckley County
Georgia
69.4
Median income: $53,005
Dawson County
Georgia
69.4
Median income: $88,986
Lamar County
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69.4
Median income: $68,457

Deep Dives

Pierce County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Pierce County

via TaxByCounty

Pierce taxes well below national average

Pierce County's effective tax rate of 0.915% sits comfortably below the national median effective rate, making it a relatively affordable place to own property. The median property tax bill here is $1,209 annually, less than half the national median of $2,690, putting Pierce in the lower-tax quartile nationally.

Slightly above Georgia's average rate

Pierce County's 0.915% effective rate edges just above Georgia's state average of 0.898%, ranking it near the middle of the state's 159 counties. With a median tax bill of $1,209, Pierce residents pay about $320 less annually than the state median of $1,529.

Lower taxes than nearby Pike County

Pierce County's tax rate of 0.915% undercuts neighboring Pike County's 0.924%, though Pike homeowners pay a higher median bill ($2,456) due to significantly higher home values in that county. Both counties hover near Georgia's state average, offering comparable tax climates to the region.

Median home costs $1,209 yearly in taxes

On Pierce County's median home value of $132,100 and effective rate of 0.915%, homeowners pay approximately $1,209 in annual property taxes. Owners with mortgages may see an additional escrow cost of around $1,416 when including county and municipal assessments.

Your assessment might be too high

Many Pierce County homeowners are overassessed relative to their property's true market value. If your annual tax bill seems steep compared to neighbors' homes of similar value, filing an appeal with the assessor's office could significantly reduce your tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Pierce County

via CostByCounty

Pierce rents hit below national mark

At 16.8%, Pierce County's rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the national median, meaning renters here spend less of their paychecks on housing than typical Americans. With a median household income of $56,691 against a $794 monthly rent, Pierce offers better affordability than the nation's $74,755 median income suggests.

Most affordable rentals in Georgia

Pierce County boasts one of Georgia's lowest rent-to-income ratios at 16.8%, well below the state average of 18.6%. At $794 monthly rent versus the statewide $927 median, Pierce residents enjoy $133 in monthly savings on housing costs.

The county's housing sweet spot

Pierce's $794 median rent undercuts neighboring Polk County ($870) and nearby Putnam County ($1,063), making it an attractive option for renters seeking value. Home values at $132,100 also stay modest compared to regional peers, keeping both rental and ownership accessible.

Pierce's balanced housing budget

Renters dedicate 16.8% of their $56,691 income to the $794 monthly rent, while homeowners pay $749 on $132,100 median homes. Together, these costs demonstrate Pierce's dual appeal: affordable housing runs deep regardless of whether you rent or buy.

Consider Pierce for budget-conscious living

If you're relocating to Georgia and want housing costs that don't drain your budget, Pierce County's 16.8% rent-to-income ratio offers genuine breathing room. Compare it directly with costlier neighbors like Putnam (19.9%) to see how much monthly savings relocating here could unlock.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Pierce County

via IncomeByCounty

Pierce lags behind national income standard

Pierce County's median household income of $56,691 sits 24% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-income tier nationally. This gap reflects broader economic challenges in rural Georgia compared to more prosperous regions across the country.

Middle-ground earner in Georgia's spectrum

At $56,691, Pierce County earns 6% more than Georgia's state median of $60,488, ranking it in the middle tier among the state's 159 counties. The county's per capita income of $29,266 also exceeds the state average of $31,115, suggesting stable household structures.

Outearning some struggling neighbors

Pierce's median income outpaces nearby Polk County ($55,308) and significantly exceeds Pulaski County ($47,688), though it trails Pike County's strong $84,184 median. Regional variation is stark, with Pierce performing solidly within its immediate geography.

Housing costs manageable but tight

Pierce's rent-to-income ratio of 16.8% falls just above the 15% affordability threshold, suggesting residents spend a reasonable share on housing relative to earnings. With a median home value of $132,100, homeownership remains accessible for many households in the county.

Build on Pierce's stable foundation

Pierce County's moderate income and affordable housing create opportunity to invest surplus earnings into retirement accounts, emergency savings, or home equity growth. Starting with even small contributions to employer 401(k) plans or IRAs can compound meaningfully over working years.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Pierce County

via HealthByCounty

Pierce County lags on life expectancy

At 71.1 years, Pierce County residents live roughly 6 years less than the U.S. average of 76.4 years. One in five Pierce County adults reports poor or fair health, compared to the national rate of 16.8%, suggesting sustained health challenges across the population.

Below Georgia's health rankings

Pierce County's 71.1-year life expectancy sits 2.2 years below Georgia's state average of 73.3 years. With a poor/fair health rate of 19.9%, the county exceeds the state trend, indicating persistent health disparities within Georgia.

Similar struggles as Polk County

Pierce and neighboring Polk County both report life expectancies below 71.1 years and poor/fair health rates exceeding 19%. Pike County to the north performs better, with a 73.2-year life expectancy and lower health complaint rates, showing the geographic variation in regional health outcomes.

Limited primary care access

Pierce County has just 25 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, well below the national benchmark of 45 per 100K. With 15.7% of residents uninsured—slightly above Georgia's 15.0% average—many face barriers to preventive and routine care.

Check your health insurance options

Over 15% of Pierce County residents lack health coverage, leaving them vulnerable to medical costs and delayed care. Visit healthcare.gov or contact a local health department to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, or community health services available to you.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Pierce County

via RiskByCounty

Pierce County's Risk Profile

Pierce County scores 22.68 on the national composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and sitting well below the national average for disaster exposure. This puts the county in a safer position than most U.S. counties when considering all natural hazard types combined.

Safer Than Most Georgia Counties

Pierce County's 22.68 composite score ranks it as one of Georgia's safer counties, compared to the state average of 39.49. The county benefits from geography that limits exposure to multiple hazard types simultaneously.

Comparison to Neighboring Counties

Pierce County faces notably lower overall risk than nearby Polk County (64.06) and Putnam County (53.31), though it shares similar Very Low ratings with Pike County (8.05). The risk profile reflects Pierce's position in south-central Georgia, away from mountainous terrain and major flood corridors.

Where Pierce Faces Greatest Exposure

Hurricane risk (84.52) and wildfire risk (69.02) are Pierce County's primary hazard concerns, reflecting its southeastern location and forest coverage. Tornado risk remains moderate at 36.61, making multi-hazard preparedness essential for residents.

Insurance Coverage for Pierce County

Homeowners should prioritize comprehensive insurance addressing hurricane damage and wildfire exposure, as these represent your county's greatest risks. Standard homeowners policies may not cover hurricane or wildfire losses, so review your coverage gaps now.

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.