countyscore
48.5
County Score
Cost of Living 80.8Safety 69.3Disaster Risk 56.1

County Report Card

About Screven County, Georgia

Meeting the National Median

Screven County earns a composite score of 49.9, placing it almost exactly at the national median. This indicates a balanced quality of life that is representative of many rural American communities. It maintains a competitive standing relative to its peers across the country.

Leading the Georgia State Average

The county's score of 49.9 is higher than the Georgia average of 46.7. Screven performs well within the state by offering a specific blend of affordability and safety. It stands out as a reliable choice for those looking to relocate within Georgia.

Outstanding Affordability and Safety

Cost is a massive strength here, with a score of 83.5 and median gross rent at just $629. Safety is also high, scoring 69.3, which is excellent for a county with such low living costs. Home values remain accessible with a median price of $122,300.

Health and Tax Concerns

Health scores are a major challenge at 14.9, indicating limited access to medical care or poor health outcomes. Taxes are also higher than desired, with a score of 26.6 and an effective rate of 1.181%. These factors can weigh on residents despite the low housing prices.

A Haven for Budget-Minded Renters

Screven County is ideal for individuals or retirees who need to maximize their housing dollar. The extremely low rent and strong safety ratings make it a practical choice for those on a fixed income. It provides a quiet, secure lifestyle for those who don't require frequent medical services.

2040608010022.680.869.314.946.116.956.151.844.5Tax22.6Cost80.8Safety69.3Health14.9Schools46.1Income16.9Risk56.1Water51.8Weather44.548.5/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Screven County DNA

Foverall

How Screven County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Screven County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (80.8/100) but notably weak in Health (14.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
22.6-29.4
Cost
80.8+32.8
Safety
69.3+14.299999999999997
Health
14.9-35.1
Schools
46.1
Income
16.9-34.1
Risk
56.1+9.100000000000001
Water
51.8
Weather
44.5-11.5
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$124,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$679/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$124,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$27,160/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $52,792/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

14.2

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Allendale County
South Carolina
43.7
Hampton County
South Carolina
38.8
Jenkins County
Georgia
49.5
Bulloch County
Georgia
36.7
Effingham County
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49.9
Burke County
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Barnwell County
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Candler County
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Deep Dives

Screven County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Screven County

via TaxByCounty

Screven charges Georgia's highest rate

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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Screven County

via IncomeByCounty

Screven lags behind national income standards

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Screven County

via CrimeByCounty

Screven County Boasts High Safety Score

Screven County scores a 98.9 on the safety scale, indicating it is much safer than most American communities. The total crime rate of 720.1 per 100K is well below the national mark of 2,385.5.

Better Than the Georgia Average

Screven's crime rate is roughly half the state average of 1,412.9 per 100K. The county remains a safe haven compared to the broader Georgia safety average of 97.8.

Regional Safety Comparisons

At 720.1 per 100K, Screven has a higher crime rate than Richmond County's 505.9. Five reporting agencies work across the county to manage public safety and respond to calls.

Remarkably Low Violent Crime Rates

The violent crime rate in Screven is exceptionally low at 28.5 per 100K, far below the national average of 369.8. Property crime represents nearly all local offenses at 691.6 per 100K.

Securing Your Property in Screven

Since property crime is the primary concern here, visible security cameras can be a major deterrent. Ensure your home remains a hard target to maintain this county's peaceful atmosphere.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Screven County

via WeatherByCounty

Warmer Than the National Average

Screven County averages 64.4°F annually, placing it significantly higher than the national median temperature. This humid subtropical climate is typical of the American Southeast, characterized by long summers and brief winters.

Slightly Above the Georgia Average

The county's 64.4°F average temperature sits just above the Georgia state average of 63.7°F. While warmer than the state mean, it is less humid, receiving 48.4 inches of annual precipitation compared to the state's 51.4-inch average.

Cooler and Drier Than Southern Neighbors

Screven is notably cooler than Tattnall County to the south, which averages 66.1°F. It also sees roughly 3 inches less annual rainfall than the state average, making it one of the drier spots in the region.

Hot Summers and Seventy-Four Heat Days

July brings an average temperature of 81.3°F, and the county faces 74 days a year with temperatures hitting at least 90°F. Winter is mild with a January average of 46.7°F and no recorded annual snowfall.

Prepare for Long Periods of Heat

Residents need high-efficiency cooling systems to manage over two months of extreme heat days. While snow is rare, winter gear should still account for January nights that frequently dip toward freezing.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Screven County

via SoilByCounty

Highly Acidic Soils in Screven

Screven County reports a highly acidic pH of 5.09, which is lower than the state average of 5.26. This is significantly below the national median of 6.5, making it a challenging environment for acid-sensitive plants. Most agricultural operations here will require careful pH management to remain productive.

A Dominantly Sandy Landscape

The soil composition is 80.3% sand, with 10.8% silt and only 7.9% clay. This high sand content ensures fast drainage but may lead to rapid nutrient leaching during heavy rains. It is very easy to work and till, but it struggles to hold onto moisture.

High Organic Matter, Low Water Storage

Screven boasts a high organic matter content of 2.56%, which is well above the state average of 1.83%. However, the available water capacity is low at 0.098 in/in due to the sand. This means that while the soil is rich in nutrients, it requires frequent irrigation.

Unknown Drainage Classification

Official records do not list a dominant drainage class or hydrologic group for Screven County. Given the 80.3% sand content, the land likely drains very quickly in most areas. Homebuilders and farmers should verify local conditions to ensure they aren't working in a rare pocket of high clay.

Zone 8b Sandy Soil Specialists

Zone 8b and sandy soils make Screven County a prime location for peanuts and cotton. These crops appreciate the loose soil and warm temperatures that characterize this part of Georgia. Plant some heat-tolerant flowers and enjoy a vibrant southern landscape.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Screven County

via LawnByCounty

Screven County Faces High Maintenance Hurdles

With a lawn difficulty score of 23.7, Screven County is one of the more challenging places in Georgia to maintain a lawn. This score is significantly lower than the national average of 50.0, reflecting the harsh realities of Zone 8b growing.

High Heat and Long Seasons

The county averages 74 days above 90°F, putting significant pressure on cool-season grasses and requiring heat-tolerant species. A long growing season, supported by 5,789 growing degree days, means your mower stays busy from mid-March through mid-November.

Sandy, Acidic Soil Limits Success

The soil here is 80.3% sand and notably acidic with a pH of 5.09, which can lock out essential nutrients like nitrogen and potassium. Lawns in this environment need frequent, small applications of fertilizer and regular lime to thrive in the porous ground.

Navigating 35 Weeks of Drought

Screven County has experienced drought for 35 of the past 52 weeks, and the entire area is currently in severe drought. In these conditions, allowing your grass to grow slightly taller provides shade for the roots and reduces moisture loss.

Planting for Success in Screven

Centipede grass is the standard for these sandy, acidic conditions because it handles low pH better than most. Aim to seed or sod after the last frost on March 14 to give your lawn time to establish before the summer heat arrives.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Screven County's county score?
Screven County, Georgia has a composite county score of 48.5 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 Screven County rank among counties in Georgia?
Screven County ranks #69 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 Screven County, Georgia?
The median annual property tax in Screven County is $1,519, with an effective tax rate of 1.22%. This earns Screven County a tax score of 22.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Screven County?
The median household income in Screven County, Georgia is $52,792 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Screven County earns an income score of 16.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Screven County, Georgia a good place to live?
Screven County scores 48.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #69 in Georgia. The best way to evaluate Screven 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 Screven County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.