52.5
County Score
Cost of Living 88.5Water Quality 86Disaster Risk 82.9

County Report Card

About Randolph County, Georgia

Randolph County Above National Median

Randolph County achieves a composite score of 52.4, outperforming the national median of 50.0. This score indicates a higher overall quality of life than many similar rural counties.

Exceeding the Georgia State Average

With a 52.4 score, Randolph County ranks well above the Georgia state average of 46.7. It stands out as a strong regional performer for resident satisfaction.

Unmatched Affordability and High Safety

The county offers incredible housing value with a cost score of 88.5 and a median home value of $90,900. Safety is also a high point, scoring 76.3, alongside a strong environmental risk score of 82.9.

Deep Economic and Healthcare Challenges

Income is a major hurdle, with an income score of 0.0 reflecting a median household income of $25,425. Health services also struggle, with a score of only 9.0, the lowest in its profile.

Suited for Remote Workers Seeking Value

Randolph County is an excellent fit for those with independent incomes looking for extreme affordability and peace of mind. While local jobs and healthcare are scarce, the safety and cost savings are significant.

Score breakdown

Tax46.7Cost88.5Safety76.3Health9Schools26.1Income0Risk82.9Water86Weather44.2
🏛46.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠88.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼0
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡76.3
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty
9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓26.1
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty
82.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧86
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty
🌤44.2
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty
🪨12.3
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty
🌱25.2
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty
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Deep Dives

Randolph County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Randolph County

via TaxByCounty

Randolph taxes well below national median

Randolph County's effective tax rate of 0.880% sits below the national median rate, and its median property tax of $800 is less than one-third of the national median of $2,690. This exceptional affordability reflects both low property values and a modest tax rate.

Below state average, rural Georgia advantage

Randolph County's 0.880% effective rate falls slightly below Georgia's state average of 0.898%, making it a tax-friendly option statewide. The median tax bill of $800 is a remarkable $729 below the state median of $1,529, among Georgia's lowest.

Lowest bill in region despite mid-range rate

Randolph County's median tax bill of $800 is the lowest among all peers, achieved through unusually low home values ($90,900 median) rather than the lowest rate. While its 0.880% rate exceeds Rabun's (0.537%) and Putnam's (0.723%), Randolph's property values are far more modest.

Median home costs $800 per year

On Randolph County's median home value of just $90,900 with an effective rate of 0.880%, homeowners pay only $800 in annual property taxes. Adding mortgage escrow brings the total to approximately $902, making Randolph among the nation's most affordable places to own property.

Appeal if overassessed

Randolph County homeowners should verify their assessed values against comparable recent sales in their neighborhoods. Even in this affordably-taxed county, an appeal can recover excess taxes if your assessed value exceeds fair market value.

Cost of Living in Randolph County

via CostByCounty

Randolph faces critical affordability crisis

At 26.1%, Randolph County's rent-to-income ratio represents one of America's most severe affordability crises, with residents earning just $25,425—roughly a third of the national $74,755 median. Even at $554 monthly rent—Georgia's lowest—the ratio devours more than a quarter of household income.

Randolph's deepest affordability hole

Randolph County's 26.1% rent-to-income ratio ranks worst in Georgia, surpassing even Quitman (23.9%) by 2.2 percentage points. With the state's lowest median household income at $25,425, Randolph residents face an insurmountable affordability gap despite paying Georgia's lowest rents.

Randolph's crisis eclipses all peers

Randolph's 26.1% ratio shatters every neighbor—Quitman (23.9%), Pulaski (19.9%), Polk (18.9%), Pierce (16.8%), and Pike (15.1%)—by dangerous margins. Even with $554 rents, Randolph's income collapse ($25,425) creates the region's most severe housing affordability emergency.

Income crisis defines Randolph

Randolph residents earning just $25,425 dedicate 26.1% to $554 rent, while homeowners pay $635 on $90,900 median homes. The catastrophic income gap—60% below the state median—makes affordable housing irrelevant; even rock-bottom rents consume unsustainable income shares.

Randolph unsuitable for most relocators

Only relocate to Randolph if your income dramatically exceeds the county's $25,425 median, and even then, question whether other Georgia counties offer better opportunity. At 26.1% rent-to-income, this is America's most unaffordable county in this peer group—compare everywhere else first.

Income & Jobs in Randolph County

via IncomeByCounty

Randolph faces the deepest income crisis

Randolph County's median household income of $25,425 falls 66% below the national median of $74,755, representing the most severe income gap in this analysis. This catastrophic shortfall reflects extreme economic distress and profound lack of employment opportunity.

Second-lowest earner in Georgia

Randolph's $25,425 median household income ranks second-lowest statewide, falling 58% below Georgia's state median of $60,488. Its per capita income of $21,280 ranks equally low at 32% below the state average of $31,115, indicating severe economic hardship.

Among region's most economically distressed

Randolph's median income of $25,425 falls below all surrounding counties except Quitman ($36,838), indicating this is one of Georgia's most economically troubled areas. The county represents the second-lowest earner among all peers in this analysis.

Housing costs consume critical income

Randolph's rent-to-income ratio of 26.1% is the highest of any county analyzed, meaning housing claims over one-quarter of already-minimal household earnings. The median home value of $90,900 reflects depressed property values, yet still strains beyond capacity for many residents.

Immediate support and crisis planning essential

In Randolph's crisis economy, households need immediate connection to community resources, food assistance, and emergency financial aid before wealth-building is possible. Working with nonprofit counselors and social services to stabilize basic needs is the essential first step.

Safety in Randolph County

via CrimeByCounty

Randolph County Boasts High Safety Score

Randolph County earns an impressive safety score of 99.1, making it one of the safer regions in the country. Its total crime rate of 565.6 per 100,000 is roughly a quarter of the national average of 2,385.5.

Surpassing the Georgia Safety Average

The county's safety score of 99.1 exceeds the Georgia state average of 97.8. Its total crime rate of 565.6 is also significantly lower than the statewide average of 1,412.9.

Regional Safety in Rural Georgia

Data from four reporting agencies shows that Randolph County is much safer than many of its regional neighbors. This consistency in reporting provides a reliable picture of the county's low-crime environment.

Violent and Property Crimes Stay Low

Violent crime occurs at a rate of 157.1 per 100,000, which is less than half the national average. Property crime is also notably low at 408.5, indicating a secure environment for residents.

Preserving Randolph's Safe Streets

Maintaining this high level of safety requires continued community vigilance and basic home security measures. Simple actions like securing outbuildings and using motion lights help keep Randolph's crime rates among the state's lowest.

Health in Randolph County

via HealthByCounty

Randolph County faces severe health crisis

At 71.3 years, Randolph County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.4 years by 5.1 years. With 34.1% reporting poor or fair health—the highest rate in this entire county group—Randolph faces an acute public health challenge.

Georgia's lowest health outcomes here

Randolph County's 71.3-year life expectancy ranks 2.0 years below Georgia's 73.3 average, while its 34.1% poor/fair health rate dramatically exceeds state trends. These metrics place Randolph among Georgia's most challenged counties for population health.

Significantly worse than all neighbors

Randolph County's 71.3-year life expectancy and 34.1% poor health rate both rank worst among all eight counties analyzed here. Even Polk County—the next-worst performer—has a 21.6% poor health rate, nearly 13 percentage points lower than Randolph's crisis-level figures.

Moderate access to care, high need

Randolph County offers 32 primary care and 99 mental health providers per 100K, providing moderate infrastructure. Yet with 15.8% uninsured and 34.1% reporting poor health, the county faces either insufficient provider capacity for demand or deeper social determinants driving poor outcomes.

Urgent: secure health coverage now

Randolph County's health crisis demands immediate action—over one-third of residents report poor health, and 15.8% lack insurance. Call 2-1-1 or visit healthcare.gov today to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, and Randolph County health services; your health depends on it.

Schools in Randolph County

via SchoolsByCounty

Diverse Educational Models in Randolph

Randolph County features four public schools serving a total of 1,128 students. Uniquely for its size, the county supports two districts, providing both traditional and charter school options for local families.

Navigation Through Educational Challenges

The county's graduation rate stands at 77.0%, while per-pupil spending of $7,257 remains close to the Georgia state average. The composite school score of 47.2 reflects a district in a state of transition and growth.

Charter School Innovation in the Region

One of the four schools is the Southwest Georgia S.T.E.M. Charter Academy, which enrolls 486 students. This charter school accounts for 25% of the local schools and a significant portion of the total enrollment.

Small Campuses in Town and Country

Schools are mostly rural, with one facility located in a town setting. The average school size is 282 students, ranging from the 486-student charter academy to the 138-student Randolph County Middle School.

Explore Options Near STEM Charter Schools

Families interested in alternative education models may be drawn to the charter presence in Randolph County. Explore homes nearby to find a location that balances rural living with access to unique S.T.E.M. programs.

Disaster Risk in Randolph County

via RiskByCounty

Randolph County's Low Risk

Randolph County's composite risk score of 17.18 places it in the Very Low category nationally, sitting well below the U.S. average for multi-hazard exposure. The county's geography provides natural protection against most disaster types.

Well Below Georgia Average

Randolph County's 17.18 score runs less than half of Georgia's 39.49 average, positioning it among the state's safest counties. The county's west-central location buffers it from multiple high-hazard zones.

Randolph Among County's Safest

Randolph County (17.18) maintains lower risk than nearby Putnam (53.31) and Rabun (45.29), comparable to Pulaski (18.16), and better than Polk (64.06). Its position in western Georgia limits exposure to coastal storms and high-mountain hazards.

Hurricane and Tornado Concerns

Randolph County's primary hazards are hurricane risk (76.10) and tornado risk (50.25), despite the county's low overall composite score. These represent the only risk categories exceeding 50, while flood (9.80) and earthquake (33.21) risks remain minimal.

Focus on Wind and Storm Coverage

Homeowners should ensure hurricane and tornado coverage in their policies, given Randolph County's elevated scores in these categories (76.10 and 50.25 respectively). Verify that your homeowners policy includes adequate wind and hail protection, and consider a separate umbrella policy for additional liability coverage.

Weather & Climate in Randolph County

via WeatherByCounty

Subtropical Warmth Well Above Median

Randolph County's 64.8°F average annual temperature is much higher than the national median. This climate is defined by high humidity and a lack of traditional cold-weather seasons.

Slightly Warmer and Wetter Than Average

The county sits about one degree warmer than the 63.7°F Georgia state average. It also sees more rain than the typical Georgia county, averaging 55.7 inches annually.

Intense Summer Heat and Minimal Snow

Randolph County endures 69 days of extreme heat over 90°F each year. Snow is a rarity, with only 0.3 inches of annual accumulation recorded on average.

Damp Winters and Scorching July Days

July averages 80.6°F, contributing to a summer average of 79.6°F. Winters are very mild, with a December-February average of 49.1°F and almost no frozen precipitation.

Manage Moisture and Summer Sun

High rainfall of 55.7 inches requires attention to drainage and mold prevention in homes. With 69 days of extreme heat, outdoor workers must prioritize shade and frequent water breaks.

Soil Quality in Randolph County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Foundations in Randolph County

Randolph County features an average soil pH of 5.33, which is slightly higher than the state average of 5.26. It remains more acidic than the national median of 6.5, often requiring lime to balance the soil for most crops.

Sandy Soil Offers Easy Workability

The soil composition is 74.7% sand, 14.0% silt, and 11.3% clay. This sandy profile allows for easy tilling and management but suggests a lower capacity for holding nutrients compared to siltier soils.

Modest Organic Matter Levels

Organic matter content is 1.24%, falling below both the state average of 1.83% and the national 2.0% mark. The available water capacity of 0.101 in/in is also slightly lower than the state average, necessitating careful irrigation.

Anticipating High Drainage Rates

While specific drainage and hydrologic classes are not documented, the high sand content implies relatively rapid drainage. Growers should monitor moisture closely during the hot summer months to prevent plant stress.

Vibrant Growing in Zone 8b

Randolph County's zone 8b climate is ideal for heat-tolerant staples like cotton and peanuts. Home gardeners can enjoy great success with watermelons and tomatoes in these warm, workable soils.

Lawn Care in Randolph County

via LawnByCounty

High Difficulty in Randolph County

Randolph County has a lawn difficulty score of 25.2, making it one of the most challenging places in Georgia to grow a lawn. Located in Hardiness Zone 8b, the county struggles with acidic soils and intense drought cycles. This score is significantly lower than the national average of 50.0, requiring specialized care.

Ample Rain Meets High Growth

The county receives 55.7 inches of annual precipitation, which is well above the national average and helps offset the 69 extreme heat days. With 5,862 growing degree days, the warm season is long and provides a massive window for turf growth. However, this growth requires significant nutrient support to remain healthy and green.

Sandy Soil Needs pH Correction

The soil is 74.7% sand with a low pH of 5.33, indicating highly acidic conditions that can lock out essential nutrients. Most grasses struggle below a pH of 6.0, so applying agricultural lime is a top priority for Randolph homeowners. The sandy texture means you should fertilize in small, frequent doses to prevent leaching into the groundwater.

A Year of Constant Drought

Randolph County has endured 28 weeks of drought over the past year, and 100% of the area is currently in severe drought. These persistent dry conditions can permanently damage turf that isn't properly established or hydrated. Focus on keeping your soil covered with healthy grass to prevent moisture evaporation and soil erosion.

Hardy Grasses for the Southwest

Centipede grass is a smart choice for the acidic soils here, while Bermuda grass can handle the heavy 8b heat. The last spring frost typically occurs on March 21, giving you a long window to establish your lawn before the peak summer stress. With a proactive approach to lime and water, you can overcome the 25.2 difficulty score.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Randolph County's county score?
Randolph County, Georgia has a composite county score of 52.5 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 Randolph County rank among counties in Georgia?
Randolph County ranks #46 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 Randolph County, Georgia?
The median annual property tax in Randolph County is $800, with an effective tax rate of 0.88%. This earns Randolph County a tax score of 46.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Randolph County?
The median household income in Randolph County, Georgia is $25,425 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Randolph County earns an income score of 0/100 on CountyScore.
Is Randolph County, Georgia a good place to live?
Randolph County scores 52.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #46 in Georgia. The best way to evaluate Randolph 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 Randolph County with other counties side by side.