CountyScore

Spalding County

Georgia · GA

#125 in Georgia
64.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Spalding County, Georgia

Spalding ranks solidly above national median

Spalding County's composite score of 67.9 beats the national median of 50.0 by 36%, demonstrating strong livability relative to the broader U.S. The performance reflects balanced affordability and tax efficiency.

Slightly beneath Georgia's state average

Spalding scores 67.9 versus Georgia's state average of 70.9, positioning it slightly below the state middle. The county remains competitive within Georgia's wider county landscape.

Balanced affordability and reasonable tax rates

Spalding offers a cost score of 73.8 with median home values of $196,600 and rent around $1,053 monthly, plus a tax score of 75.1 reflecting a 0.965% effective rate. The combination provides solid value for middle-income families.

Modest income levels for the region

The income score of 22.7 reflects a median household income of $60,217, below several neighboring counties in this group. Safety, health, schools, environmental factors, and risk data remain unavailable.

Good fit for working families seeking balance

Spalding County suits working families and small-business owners seeking stable housing costs and moderate taxes. It offers a middle-ground lifestyle between rural affordability and suburban conveniences.

Score breakdown

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

Tax75.1Cost73.8SafetyComing SoonHealth56.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.7Risk59.1WaterComing Soon
🏛75.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠73.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤56.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡59.1
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 Spalding County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Highlands County
Florida
64.3
Median income: $55,581
Whitfield County
Georgia
64.3
Median income: $64,262
Comanche County
Kansas
64.3
Median income: $49,417
Harford County
Maryland
64.3
Median income: $111,317
St. Mary's County
Maryland
64.3
Median income: $114,580

Deep Dives

Spalding County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Spalding County

via TaxByCounty

Spalding's rate edges above national median

Spalding County's effective tax rate of 0.965% runs slightly above the national median of 0.92%, placing it in the middle-to-upper range nationally. The median property tax of $1,897 is 29% below the national median of $2,690, driven by a lower median home value of $196,600 compared to the national $281,900.

Above average for Georgia counties

Spalding County's effective rate of 0.965% exceeds Georgia's state average of 0.898% by roughly 7%. Its median tax of $1,897 runs 24% above the state median of $1,529, reflecting both a slightly elevated rate and above-average home values for the state.

Middle ground among regional peers

Spalding's 0.965% rate falls between high-tax counties like Screven (1.181%) and Seminole (1.220%), and low-tax performers like Rockdale (0.718%) and Stephens (0.830%). The county offers neither the region's best nor worst tax burden.

Median annual tax bill near $1,900

A homeowner with Spalding's median property value of $196,600 pays approximately $1,897 in annual property taxes. Including mortgage-related assessments, that bill rises to about $2,067 per year.

Appeal could offset county's higher rate

Since Spalding County's effective rate runs above Georgia's average, a successful property tax appeal carries extra weight in reducing your annual burden. Review recent comparable home sales in your neighborhood; if your assessment significantly exceeds those values, Spalding County's assessor can help you pursue a reduction.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Spalding County

via CostByCounty

Spalding's costs outpace local incomes

Spalding County's 21.0% rent-to-income ratio sits above the national average despite a median household income of $60,217 that runs $14,538 below the national figure. The county's median rent of $1,053 reflects higher costs than most rural Georgia peers, straining a below-average wage base.

Above Georgia's affordability threshold

At 21.0%, Spalding County's rent-to-income ratio exceeds Georgia's 18.6% state average by 2.4 percentage points, placing it among the state's more expensive rural markets. The county's $1,053 median rent runs $126 above Georgia's state average despite its rural character.

Priced above most rural comparables

Spalding's $1,053 median rent undercuts only Rockdale County's $1,341 while running well above Screven ($629) and Schley ($746), reflecting its position as an intermediate development tier. Its $196,600 median home value ranks second-highest in this group, behind only Rockdale's $256,600.

Higher housing burden stresses budgets

Spalding renters dedicate 21.0% of their $60,217 income to $1,053 monthly rent, while homeowners spend 20.3% on $1,018 mortgage payments, both above comfort levels. This dual burden—elevated costs and modest incomes—leaves limited cushion for other necessities.

Weigh costs against job availability

Spalding's housing costs exceed nearby affordable counties like Screven and Schley, so relocating here makes sense only if stronger local job opportunities justify the premium. Compare total cost-of-living packages rather than housing alone before committing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Spalding County

via IncomeByCounty

Spalding sits at Georgia's income midpoint

Spalding County's median household income of $60,217 trails the national median of $74,755 by 19%, placing it in the lower-middle-income range nationally. Despite this gap, the county performs better than most rural Georgia peers.

Slightly above Georgia's state average

At $60,217, Spalding County edges out Georgia's state average of $60,488 by a hair, ranking it in the state's middle-income band. The county's solid per-capita income of $36,803 suggests a more diversified earning base than many rural neighbors.

Regional income leader among peers

Spalding County's $60,217 income outpaces most neighbors, trailing only Rockdale County ($72,349) significantly. The county substantially outearns Richmond ($53,197), Screven ($53,017), Seminole ($49,559), and Stephens ($52,264), anchoring the region's middle tier.

Solid affordability with healthy ownership prospects

Spalding County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.0% sits safely below the 30% threshold, ensuring manageable housing costs. With a median home value of $196,600 and household income of $60,217, residents achieve reasonable mortgage qualification and steady equity building.

Strong foundation for retirement and investment planning

Spalding residents earning $60,217 should establish consistent monthly contributions to retirement and diversified investment accounts. With above-average per-capita income and solid housing affordability, families can realistically save 12–15% monthly and compound wealth significantly over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Spalding County

via HealthByCounty

Spalding County trails national health

With a life expectancy of 71.2 years, Spalding County falls 5.8 years below the U.S. average of 77 years, indicating notable population health challenges. Nearly a quarter of residents (22.8%) report poor or fair health, exceeding the 17% national rate.

Below Georgia health average

Spalding County's 71.2-year life expectancy ranks below Georgia's state average of 73.3 years, placing it among the state's health-challenged communities. Its 22.8% poor/fair health rate also exceeds the state trend.

Facing regional health headwinds

Spalding County's 71.2-year life expectancy ranks above Screven (70.9 years) but trails Rockdale (75.7 years) and Schley (75.4 years) by over 4 years. It sits in the struggling middle tier of regional counties.

Coverage and provider gaps

Spalding County's 15.2% uninsured rate slightly exceeds Georgia's 15.0% state average, indicating ongoing coverage challenges. With 41 primary care providers per 100K, access is below regional peers, though 169 mental health providers per 100K offer better mental health support.

Boost insurance enrollment

Spalding County's health trends show coverage and primary care gaps. Visit healthcare.gov or contact your local health department to explore Medicaid, ACA plans, and preventive care resources.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Spalding County

via RiskByCounty

Spalding County maintains very low national risk

Spalding County's composite risk score of 40.87 with a very low rating indicates moderate natural hazard exposure by national standards. The county faces roughly average risk across multiple hazard categories rather than acute vulnerability to any single threat.

Slightly above Georgia's average profile

Spalding County scores 40.87 compared to Georgia's state average of 39.49, positioning it in the slightly elevated tier of state risk exposure. This narrow margin reflects a representative Georgia disaster profile.

Mid-range risk for central Georgia

Spalding County's hazard profile places it alongside other central Georgia counties with moderate multi-hazard exposure. Its risks remain substantially lower than Atlanta metropolitan areas but aligned with the broader regional pattern.

Tornadoes and floods pose dual threats

Spalding County faces tornado risk of 62.25 and flood risk of 54.07, making severe weather its most immediate hazard concern. Earthquake risk of 67.18 adds tertiary exposure requiring baseline preparedness.

Prepare for storms and flooding

Spalding County residents should prioritize flood insurance given the county's 54.07 flood risk score, as standard policies exclude water damage. Coupling flood coverage with a weather alert system and designated safe room creates solid household protection against the county's primary threats.

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.