CountyScore

Rockdale County

Georgia · GA

#135 in Georgia
63.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Rockdale County, Georgia

Rockdale outperforms the national baseline

Rockdale County's composite score of 66.5 beats the national median of 50.0 by 33%, ranking solidly above average across American counties. The county demonstrates consistent strength in tax burden and income levels.

Slightly below Georgia's middle ground

Rockdale scores 66.5 against Georgia's state average of 70.9, placing it in the middle-to-lower tier of Georgia counties. The gap is modest, reflecting competitive standing within the state landscape.

Lowest taxes and higher household incomes

Rockdale leads with an exceptional tax score of 82.1 and an effective rate of 0.718%—among the state's lowest. Median household income of $72,349 significantly exceeds the state average, benefiting middle-to-upper income earners.

Higher housing costs for the region

The cost score of 63.7 reflects pricier real estate, with median home values at $256,600 and rent averaging $1,341 monthly. Safety, health, school quality, and environmental data remain unavailable.

Ideal for professionals seeking tax advantages

Rockdale appeals to dual-income professionals and established families with stable, above-average earnings who value low tax burden. The trade-off: expect to pay more for housing than in neighboring rural counties.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.1Cost63.7SafetyComing SoonHealth62.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.6Risk43.8WaterComing Soon
🏛82.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠63.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤62.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡43.8
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 Rockdale County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Pinal County
Arizona
63.5
Median income: $77,588
Logan County
Illinois
63.5
Median income: $64,188
Perry County
Illinois
63.5
Median income: $59,286
Lyon County
Kansas
63.5
Median income: $59,078
Pratt County
Kansas
63.5
Median income: $64,348

Deep Dives

Rockdale County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Rockdale County

via TaxByCounty

Rockdale offers Georgia's lowest tax rate

Rockdale County's effective tax rate of 0.718% ranks among the lowest in the nation, well below the national median of 0.92%. Despite higher home values ($256,600 median), the modest rate keeps annual property taxes at $1,843—still 31% below the national median of $2,690.

Lowest effective rate in Georgia

Rockdale County leads all Georgia counties with an effective tax rate of 0.718%, significantly below the state average of 0.898%. This rate advantage persists even as the county's median home value of $256,600 exceeds most other Georgia counties.

Clear tax advantage over surrounding counties

Rockdale's 0.718% rate undercuts Stephens County (0.830%), Richmond County (0.882%), and every other regional peer by a wide margin. The nearest competitor, Stephens County, charges 15% more in effective rate.

Premium homes at modest tax cost

A Rockdale homeowner with the county's $256,600 median home value pays roughly $1,843 annually in property taxes. Factoring in mortgage-related assessments, that bill rises to about $2,055 per year.

Still worth verifying your assessment

Even in low-tax counties, individual properties may be overassessed relative to recent sales of comparable homes. Request a free assessment review from Rockdale's assessor's office to ensure your tax bill reflects your home's actual market value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Rockdale County

via CostByCounty

Rockdale affordability near national norms

Rockdale County's 22.2% rent-to-income ratio sits slightly above the national average, but the county's stronger median household income of $72,349—just $2,406 below the national figure—cushions the burden significantly. Renters here earn substantially more than those in surrounding rural counties, making housing costs more manageable despite higher absolute prices.

Georgia's mid-tier housing market

At 22.2%, Rockdale's rent-to-income ratio exceeds Georgia's 18.6% state average by 3.6 percentage points, but the county's above-average incomes place it in the state's more stable housing markets. It represents the emerging exurban tier between Atlanta's expensive core and rural Georgia's bargain-basement rents.

Highest rents in this comparison set

Rockdale's median rent of $1,341 runs $254 above Richmond County and $595 above Screven, reflecting its suburban proximity to Atlanta. Similarly, its $256,600 median home value is the highest in this regional group, about $93,000 above Richmond County's homes.

Stronger income cushions higher costs

While Rockdale renters pay $1,341 monthly and homeowners pay $1,322, the county's $72,349 median household income means housing consumes 22.2% of renters' earnings and 22.0% of homeowners' earnings. This relative balance reflects a population with more economic stability than rural county counterparts.

Suburban option for Atlanta-area workers

Rockdale offers a middle ground for workers seeking suburban living without Atlanta's premium prices—rents run $200-$400 below the city proper while maintaining stronger job markets. If you earn $70,000+, the county's housing burden becomes quite manageable compared to inner-ring alternatives.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Rockdale County

via IncomeByCounty

Rockdale nearly matches America's income standard

Rockdale County's median household income of $72,349 comes within 3% of the national median of $74,755, placing it firmly in the middle-income range. This near-parity with national averages signals a healthy, balanced economy relative to the country as a whole.

Georgia's top-earning counties start here

Rockdale County's $72,349 median income exceeds Georgia's state average of $60,488 by nearly 20%, ranking it in the upper quartile statewide. The county's strong income profile reflects a diversified economy and proximity to metro Atlanta's job markets.

Clear income leader in its peer group

Rockdale County significantly outearns most neighboring counties, with a $72,349 median well above Spalding ($60,217) and Richmond ($53,197). Only the wealthiest Atlanta suburbs surpass Rockdale's income levels in the surrounding region.

Strong affordability and homeownership potential

Rockdale's rent-to-income ratio of 22.2% sits comfortably below the 30% benchmark, indicating healthy housing affordability. With a median home value of $256,600 and household income of $72,349, residents achieve solid mortgage qualification capacity and build equity steadily.

Rockdale families primed for wealth building

Rockdale residents should leverage their above-average income to maximize retirement contributions and diversified investments. With $72,349 in median household income, families here can comfortably save 15–20% monthly and benefit from compound growth over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Rockdale County

via HealthByCounty

Rockdale County outpaces national health

With a life expectancy of 75.7 years, Rockdale County exceeds the U.S. average of 77 years by just 1.3 years, placing it in the healthier range nationally. Only 20.5% of residents report poor or fair health, well below the 17% national average.

Georgia's healthier counties

Rockdale County's 75.7-year life expectancy ranks above Georgia's state average of 73.3 years, positioning it as one of the state's healthier communities. Its 20.5% poor/fair health rate also beats the state trend.

A regional health leader

Rockdale County significantly outperforms nearby Richmond County (71.4 years) and Stephens County (71.5 years), leading the region in life expectancy. Its 20.5% poor/fair health rate is the best among its peer counties.

Coverage and provider landscape

Rockdale County's 14.9% uninsured rate is just below Georgia's 15.0% state average, indicating relatively stable coverage. With 70 primary care providers per 100K, access to routine care is moderate, though mental health providers (209 per 100K) serve the community adequately.

Keep coverage strong here

Rockdale County's health gains depend on sustained insurance access. Residents should review plans at healthcare.gov to maintain or upgrade coverage for preventive care and mental health services.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Rockdale County

via RiskByCounty

Rockdale County sits at moderate risk level

With a composite risk score of 56.17 and a relatively low rating, Rockdale County faces moderate hazard exposure compared to the national average. The county's primary vulnerabilities stem from tornado activity and earthquake potential rather than water-based hazards.

Mid-range risk within Georgia

Rockdale County's score of 56.17 exceeds Georgia's state average of 39.49 by roughly 40%, placing it in the moderate-risk tier. However, the county is notably less vulnerable than higher-risk neighbors like Richmond County.

Moderate risk among metro Atlanta peers

Rockdale County's risk profile aligns with other suburban Atlanta counties but stands elevated compared to low-risk areas of central Georgia. Tornado risk of 77.13 is particularly notable in this region, reflecting the broader Atlanta metropolitan vulnerability to convective storms.

Tornado and earthquake deserve attention

Rockdale County residents face a tornado risk score of 77.13 and earthquake risk of 73.63, making severe weather the county's most pressing natural hazard concern. Flood risk of 63.42 adds secondary exposure, particularly in low-lying neighborhoods and near stream corridors.

Build tornado readiness into your plan

Homeowners should ensure they have a weather alert system and know how to reach a designated safe room or shelter during tornado warnings. Pairing these preparedness steps with standard homeowners insurance and separate flood coverage provides comprehensive household 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.