Screven County's composite score of 71.7 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 43%, placing it among the better-performing counties nationwide. The score reflects strong affordability and modest tax obligations.
2 / 5
Slightly above Georgia's typical county
Screven scores 71.7 versus Georgia's state average of 70.9, edging out most of its peer counties in overall livability. The county holds steady in Georgia's middle-to-upper rankings.
3 / 5
Outstanding housing affordability across the board
Screven's cost score of 87.0 is among the state's highest, with median home values of $122,300 and rent just $629 monthly—the cheapest in this group. The tax score of 69.1 adds reasonable property tax burden.
4 / 5
Lowest effective income levels in comparison
The income score of 18.0 reflects a median household income of $53,017, representing limited earning potential for residents. The effective tax rate of 1.181% is also the highest in this county set, offsetting some affordability gains.
5 / 5
Best for rural living on tight budgets
Screven County suits retirees, artists, and remote workers seeking minimal housing costs and rural lifestyle. It's especially attractive to those comfortable with lower local incomes and willing to trade urban amenities for affordable space.
Screven County's composite score of 71.7 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 43%, placing it among the better-performing counties nationwide. The score reflects strong affordability and modest tax obligations.
Slightly above Georgia's typical county
Screven scores 71.7 versus Georgia's state average of 70.9, edging out most of its peer counties in overall livability. The county holds steady in Georgia's middle-to-upper rankings.
Outstanding housing affordability across the board
Screven's cost score of 87.0 is among the state's highest, with median home values of $122,300 and rent just $629 monthly—the cheapest in this group. The tax score of 69.1 adds reasonable property tax burden.
Lowest effective income levels in comparison
The income score of 18.0 reflects a median household income of $53,017, representing limited earning potential for residents. The effective tax rate of 1.181% is also the highest in this county set, offsetting some affordability gains.
Best for rural living on tight budgets
Screven County suits retirees, artists, and remote workers seeking minimal housing costs and rural lifestyle. It's especially attractive to those comfortable with lower local incomes and willing to trade urban amenities for affordable space.
Score breakdown
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🏛69.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Screven County's effective tax rate of 1.181% stands roughly 28% above the national median of 0.92%, making it one of the highest-taxed counties analyzed. However, the median property tax of $1,444 remains 46% below the national median of $2,690 because Screven homes are valued much lower at $122,300 median versus the national $281,900.
Second-highest rate in Georgia
Screven County's 1.181% effective rate ranks among Georgia's highest, trailing only Stewart County's 1.711%. The rate exceeds Georgia's state average of 0.898% by 31%, signaling a heavy tax burden for county residents.
Noticeably higher than most regional counties
Screven's 1.181% rate substantially exceeds nearby Richmond (0.882%), Spalding (0.965%), and Stephens (0.830%) counties. Only Stewart County in the region approaches Screven's rate, at 1.711%.
Median bill around $1,444 yearly
A homeowner with Screven's median property value of $122,300 pays approximately $1,444 in annual property taxes. With mortgage assessments factored in, the total rises to roughly $1,669 per year.
High rates make appeals especially valuable
Given Screven's elevated tax rate, overassessments hit harder on household budgets—making a property tax appeal particularly worthwhile. If your home's market value has declined or your assessment seems inflated compared to recent sales, filing an appeal with Screven County could deliver meaningful savings.
Screven County's 14.2% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the nation's most affordable, sitting 4.4 percentage points below Georgia's average and nearly 10 points below the national figure. At just $629 monthly median rent, Screven offers the lowest absolute housing costs in this eight-county group despite a modest $53,017 median household income.
Georgia's most affordable rental market
Screven County's 14.2% rent-to-income ratio represents the lowest in this comparison and well below Georgia's 18.6% state average, making it one of the state's genuinely accessible housing markets. The county's $629 median rent runs $298 below Georgia's state average of $927.
Cheapest rents in the region
Screven's $629 median rent is the lowest across all eight counties, undercutting Schley County by $117 and Richmond County by $458. The $122,300 median home value also ranks among the region's cheapest, alongside Stewart County's historic low of $53,000.
Minimal housing burden, modest wages
Screven renters spend just $629 monthly (14.2% of their $53,017 median income) on housing, while homeowners pay $679 (15.3%), the lowest percentages in this group. This exceptional affordability reflects genuinely low housing costs rather than strong incomes, limiting overall household financial capacity.
Best for budget-conscious rural movers
Screven County offers unbeatable housing costs if you prioritize rock-bottom rent or mortgage payments in a quiet, rural setting. However, job opportunities and service availability remain limited compared to more developed counties, so ensure remote work or portable income before relocating.
Screven County's median household income of $53,017 sits 29% below the national median of $74,755, placing it among lower-income U.S. counties. This substantial gap reflects a rural economy dependent on agriculture and limited professional-wage employment.
Bottom third of Georgia's income ladder
Screven County's $53,017 trails Georgia's state average of $60,488 by 12%, ranking it in the state's lower-income cohort. The county's modest per-capita income of $29,121 underscores persistent economic challenges in rural eastern Georgia.
Among the lower-income rural counties
Screven County's income matches Richmond ($53,197) closely but significantly lags Spalding ($60,217) and Schley ($59,647). Only Seminole ($49,559) and Stewart ($35,000) counties earn notably less in this regional comparison.
Housing costs remarkably manageable
Screven County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.2% is exceptionally low, indicating minimal housing cost burden and strong affordability. With a median home value of just $122,300, homeownership remains accessible even to single-income households earning the county median.
Low costs unlock investment opportunities
Screven residents should aggressively redirect savings toward retirement accounts and long-term investments, leveraging low housing costs. Even modest $75–150 monthly contributions can accumulate significantly, helping families build generational wealth despite lower baseline incomes.
Screven County's 70.9-year life expectancy falls 6.1 years below the U.S. average of 77 years, indicating serious population health challenges. Nearly a quarter of residents (24.2%) report poor or fair health, well above the 17% national rate.
Among Georgia's lowest performers
At 70.9 years, Screven County ranks below Georgia's state average life expectancy of 73.3 years, placing it among the state's most vulnerable communities. Its 24.2% poor/fair health rate significantly exceeds the state trend.
Struggling alongside regional peers
Screven County's 70.9-year life expectancy matches or trails nearby Stewart County (71.0 years) and Richmond County (71.4 years), forming a cluster of health-challenged counties. Only Rockdale County (75.7 years) breaks the pattern in the region.
Coverage gaps and provider shortage
Screven County's 14.7% uninsured rate sits just below Georgia's state average, but far more pressing is the severe shortage of primary care providers at just 14 per 100K residents. With only 35 mental health providers per 100K, residents struggle to access critical care.
Enrollment is critical here
Screven County's high uninsured and poor health rates demand immediate action on coverage. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore Medicaid expansion, ACA plans, and community health resources.
Screven County's composite risk score of 43.89 and relatively low rating indicate modest natural hazard exposure by national standards. The county's profile reflects moderate exposure to multiple hazard types rather than extreme vulnerability in any single category.
Slightly above Georgia's average risk
Screven County scores 43.89 compared to Georgia's state average of 39.49, placing it just slightly above the typical Georgia risk profile. This positioning reflects a fairly representative disaster exposure for the state.
Average hazard exposure for eastern Georgia
Screven County's risk profile aligns with other eastern Georgia counties, though it faces notably higher hurricane exposure (89.45) than inland peers. The county occupies a mid-range position within its regional risk landscape.
Hurricane and wildfire warrant planning
Hurricane risk of 89.45 emerges as Screven County's dominant hazard threat, reflecting its proximity to Gulf Coast storm systems. Wildfire risk of 54.20 and earthquake risk of 68.73 add secondary concerns requiring household awareness.
Hurricane coverage is essential protection
Screven County homeowners should prioritize hurricane and wind coverage, as standard policies often exclude or limit wind damage protection. Flood insurance deserves consideration given the county's moderate flood risk of 23.09, and maintaining a family emergency plan ensures readiness for hurricane season.