CountyScore

Richmond County

Georgia · GA

#150 in Georgia
61
County Score

County Report Card

About Richmond County, Georgia

Richmond scores well above the nation

Richmond County's composite score of 68.1 significantly outpaces the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper third of U.S. counties. This 36% advantage signals solid livability across tax, cost, and income dimensions that matter to families.

Just slightly below Georgia's average

Richmond ranks near the middle of Georgia's county livability spectrum with a score of 68.1 versus the state average of 70.9. The county remains competitive within the state while excelling in specific affordability and tax categories.

Tax efficiency and steady housing costs

Richmond excels with a tax score of 77.5 and an effective rate of just 0.882%, paired with a cost score of 73.5 reflecting median home values of $163,300. Renters benefit from reasonable monthly rent around $1,087, making it accessible to working families.

Income growth lags compared to peers

The income score of 18.1 is a notable weakness, with median household income at $53,197—below many neighboring counties. Limited data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors means the full livability picture remains incomplete.

Best for cost-conscious middle-income families

Richmond County suits families prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over high earning potential. It's an appealing landing spot for those working remote or in trades who value financial breathing room in the region.

Score breakdown

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

Tax77.5Cost73.5SafetyComing SoonHealth58.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.1Risk12.6WaterComing Soon
🏛77.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠73.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.1
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
⚡12.6
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 Richmond County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Northwest Hills Planning Region
Connecticut
61
Median income: $91,035
Hendry County
Florida
61
Median income: $53,044
Whiteside County
Illinois
61
Median income: $64,536
Johnson County
Iowa
61
Median income: $74,721
Clinton County
New York
61
Median income: $69,208

Deep Dives

Richmond County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Richmond County

via TaxByCounty

Richmond taxes well below national average

Richmond County's effective tax rate of 0.882% sits comfortably below the national median of 0.92%, placing the county in the lower half of U.S. counties by tax burden. The median property tax here is $1,440 annually—roughly half the national median of $2,690—thanks partly to lower median home values of $163,300 compared to the national $281,900.

Nearly identical to Georgia's county average

Richmond County ranks right at Georgia's state average with an effective rate of 0.882% versus the statewide average of 0.898%. Its median tax bill of $1,440 falls slightly below Georgia's county median of $1,529, making it a moderate-tax jurisdiction within the state.

Lower taxes than most regional peers

Richmond County's 0.882% rate beats Spalding County (0.965%) and Screven County (1.181%) nearby. Only Rockdale County (0.718%) and Stephens County (0.830%) in the broader region offer notably lower effective rates.

Median home costs about $1,440 yearly

A homeowner with the county's median property value of $163,300 can expect to pay roughly $1,440 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure rises to approximately $1,695 once additional county and school levies apply.

Check if your assessment is fair

Many Georgia homeowners discover their properties are overassessed during market downturns or after home improvements are misvalued. If you believe your tax assessment doesn't match current market conditions or comparable homes nearby, filing an appeal with Richmond County's assessor's office could lower your annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Richmond County

via CostByCounty

Richmond rents strain household budgets

At 24.5%, Richmond County's rent-to-income ratio runs 6 percentage points higher than the national norm, meaning renters here spend roughly a quarter of their earnings on housing. The county's median household income of $53,197 falls $21,558 below the national average, widening the affordability gap significantly.

Above Georgia's housing pressure line

Richmond County's 24.5% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Georgia's state average of 18.6% by nearly 6 points, placing it among the state's more strained housing markets. Only the most expensive metro counties in Georgia face comparable affordability pressures for renters.

Pricier than surrounding rural counties

Richmond's median rent of $1,087 runs $140-$499 above neighboring rural counties like Screven ($629) and Schley ($746), though it remains below Rockdale County's $1,341. The county's median home value of $163,300 sits squarely between its rural neighbors and the more developed Rockdale County's $256,600.

Housing consumes nearly a quarter of income

Richmond renters spend $1,087 monthly on housing while homeowners pay $991, leaving limited room in a $53,197 median household income for other essentials. Together, these housing costs represent 24.5% of renters' income and 22.3% of homeowners' income, both above comfort thresholds.

Consider rural neighbors for lower costs

If you're weighing a move to this region, comparing Richmond to nearby Screven County could save you $458 monthly in rent with similar community amenities. Homebuyers might also explore the $152,900 median value in Schley County—roughly $11,000 less than Richmond's comparable properties.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Richmond County

via IncomeByCounty

Richmond falls short of national income mark

Richmond County's median household income of $53,197 lags 29% behind the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-income tier nationally. Residents here earn roughly $21,600 less per household than the typical American family, a gap that compounds over time.

Below Georgia's average across the board

At $53,197, Richmond County's median household income trails Georgia's state average of $60,488 by about 12%. The county ranks in the lower half of Georgia's 159 counties, suggesting limited high-wage employment opportunities locally.

Competing with similar rural Georgia counties

Richmond County earns slightly more than neighboring Screven County ($53,017) but significantly less than nearby Spalding County ($60,217). Among comparable counties in its region, Richmond sits in the middle tier, with stronger income than Stewart County but weaker than Rockdale.

Rent consumes a manageable share here

Richmond County's rent-to-income ratio of 24.5% exceeds the recommended 30% threshold by a modest margin, though some households struggle more. With a median home value of $163,300, homeownership remains within reach for dual-income families but tight for single-earner households.

Build savings habits to close the gap

Richmond residents earning $53,197 should prioritize emergency savings and low-cost index funds to build wealth over time. Even modest monthly contributions—$100 to $200—can compound significantly, narrowing the income gap between Richmond and higher-earning counties.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Richmond County

via HealthByCounty

Richmond County lags on national health

At 71.4 years, Richmond County's life expectancy falls 5.6 years below the U.S. average of 77 years, signaling health challenges that demand attention. Nearly a quarter of residents (23.7%) report poor or fair health, compared to 17% nationally.

Below average for Georgia

Richmond County's 71.4-year life expectancy ranks below Georgia's 73.3-year state average, placing it among the state's lower-performing counties. The 23.7% poor/fair health rate also exceeds the state trend.

Similar struggles across the region

Richmond County performs slightly better than nearby Screven County (70.9 years) and Stewart County (71.0 years), but trails Rockdale County (75.7 years) by over 4 years. Mental health providers here (359 per 100K) exceed most neighboring counties, a notable bright spot.

Uninsured rate and provider gaps

Richmond County's 12.4% uninsured rate beats the state average of 15.0%, showing progress in coverage. Yet with only 89 primary care providers per 100K residents, access remains constrained for routine preventive care.

Check your coverage today

Even with strong mental health provider availability, many residents still lack insurance. Visit healthcare.gov or contact Georgia's health department to explore Medicaid, ACA plans, or employer coverage options.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Richmond County

via RiskByCounty

Richmond County faces above-average risk

Richmond County's composite risk score of 87.40 places it well above the national baseline, indicating substantially elevated exposure to multiple hazards. This relatively moderate rating reflects serious tornado and earthquake vulnerabilities that demand attention from residents and planners.

Among Georgia's highest-risk counties

Richmond County ranks as one of Georgia's most hazard-prone areas, with a composite score of 87.40 compared to the state average of 39.49. This two-to-one ratio underscores the county's disproportionate vulnerability compared to most of its neighbors.

Significantly riskier than surrounding areas

Richmond County's risk profile stands apart from adjacent counties like Aiken and Burke, which face lower overall exposure. The county's elevated tornado risk (95.20) and earthquake risk (90.04) are particularly acute compared to regional peers.

Tornadoes and earthquakes pose greatest threat

Tornado risk dominates Richmond County's hazard profile at 95.20—an exceptionally high score that warrants robust emergency preparedness planning and shelter awareness. Earthquake risk of 90.04 and flood risk of 86.48 compound the threats, requiring households to prepare for multiple disaster scenarios.

Prioritize comprehensive disaster coverage now

Given Richmond County's elevated multi-hazard exposure, homeowners should secure both standard homeowners insurance and separate flood coverage, as floods remain excluded from most policies. Consider reinforcing your roof and identifying or building a tornado shelter—these steps, combined with appropriate insurance, provide essential protection.

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.