countyscore
32.8
County Score
Water Quality 86Schools 57.2Cost of Living 55.1

County Report Card

About Sumter County, Georgia

Sumter County Trails the National Median

Sumter County earns a composite score of 32.8, placing it well below the national median of 50.0. This score reflects significant economic and health-related hurdles compared to typical American counties.

Below the Georgia State Average

The county's overall score of 32.8 sits nearly 14 points below the Georgia state average of 46.7. It ranks among the lower-performing counties in the state for overall livability metrics.

Pure Water and Resilient Schools

Water quality is a standout feature with a high score of 86.0, indicating excellent local infrastructure. The school system also performs respectably at 57.2, offering better educational outcomes than neighboring districts.

Income and Safety Needs Improvement

The income score is critically low at 4.2, driven by a median household income of $41,877. Safety and health also pose challenges, with scores of 7.7 and 17.1 respectively, signaling a need for community investment.

A Fit for Budget-Minded Renters

Sumter suits those prioritizing low housing costs, as median gross rent is just $847. It is best for residents with remote income sources who can take advantage of the affordable $122,300 median home values.

Score breakdown

Tax20.1Cost55.1Safety7.7Health17.1Schools57.2Income4.2Risk46.8Water86Weather46.8
🏛20.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠55.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼4.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡7.7
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤17.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓57.2
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡46.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧86
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤46.8
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱28.1
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Compare Sumter County with Thomas County →Share on X

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Nearby counties

Schley County
Georgia
57.1
Lee County
Georgia
42.3
Webster County
Georgia
65.2
Terrell County
Georgia
47.9
Macon County
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Crisp County
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Dooly County
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Marion County
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Deep Dives

Sumter County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Sumter County

via TaxByCounty

Sumter's tax rate runs high

At 1.321%, Sumter County's effective property tax rate sits well above the national median of 0.898%, putting it in the top 25% of U.S. counties by tax burden. Homeowners here pay a median of $1,616 annually compared to the national median of $2,690, largely because median home values are lower at $122,300 versus $281,900 nationally.

Second-highest rate in Georgia

Sumter County ranks second among Georgia's 159 counties for effective tax rate at 1.321%, compared to the state average of 0.898%. This means Sumter homeowners pay about 47% more in effective taxes than typical Georgia residents.

Higher than surrounding counties

Sumter's 1.321% rate significantly exceeds nearby Talbot County (1.088%) and Taliaferro County (1.254%). Among the eight-county region examined, only Taliaferro edges closer to Sumter's burden, while Taylor County offers the lowest rate at 0.897%.

What a $122,300 home costs

A homeowner with a median-valued property in Sumter County pays approximately $1,616 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $1,941; without one, it drops to $1,313.

Appeal if you think you're overassessed

Given Sumter's elevated tax rate, it's worth investigating whether your home is fairly assessed. Many Georgia homeowners successfully appeal their assessments and recover overcharge refunds—a process that typically costs little but requires timely action.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Sumter County

via CostByCounty

Sumter's rent squeeze vs. America

Sumter County renters spend 24.3% of their income on rent, well above the national sweet spot of 18.6%. Households earning $41,877 annually face tighter housing costs than the typical American household making $74,755, putting affordability pressure on local renters.

Where Sumter ranks in Georgia

Sumter's 24.3% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Georgia's least affordable counties, significantly straining households compared to the state average of 18.6%. The median rent of $847 is actually below Georgia's $927 state average, but lower incomes make the burden proportionally heavier.

Sumter vs. neighboring counties

Sumter renters pay more of their paycheck for housing than residents in nearby Taliaferro (17.9%) and Tattnall (15.1%), despite comparable rent levels. Talbot County, with similar median rent ($950), imposes even higher rent stress at 25.3%.

How housing dollars divide

Sumter renters spend $847 monthly while owners pay $772, but the real story is income: renters lose nearly a quarter of earnings to housing, while owners spend 22.1% of income on mortgage and property costs. At $41,877 median household income, residents have less cushion for non-housing expenses than most Georgians.

Consider Sumter for affordability

If you're relocating to rural Georgia, Sumter offers modest rents and home values ($122,300) below state norms, though incomes are lower too. Prospective movers should compare job opportunities carefully—affordable housing matters little without stable, adequate income to match.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sumter County

via IncomeByCounty

Sumter's income gap widens nationally

Sumter County's median household income of $41,877 falls 44% below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the bottom tier of U.S. counties. This significant gap reflects economic challenges that many rural Georgia counties face compared to national prosperity trends.

Below Georgia's county average

At $41,877, Sumter's median household income trails Georgia's county average of $60,488 by nearly $18,600. The county ranks among the lower-income counties statewide, though it remains part of Georgia's diverse economic landscape.

Similar challenges across rural Georgia

Sumter's income of $41,877 mirrors nearby counties like Taylor ($41,743) and Terrell ($43,812), suggesting a regional pattern of modest household earnings. All three counties share comparable economic structures, with median incomes hovering between $41,000 and $44,000.

Rent costs stretch household budgets

With a rent-to-income ratio of 24.3%, Sumter households spend about a quarter of their income on housing, near the national affordability threshold of 30%. The median home value of $122,300 remains accessible compared to national averages, offering ownership pathways for working families.

Build wealth through consistent saving

Sumter residents earning $41,877 annually can accelerate wealth-building by prioritizing emergency savings and low-cost index funds, even with modest monthly contributions. Starting early with retirement accounts—like IRAs or employer 401(k)s—compounds over time and creates financial resilience for families in rural economies.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Sumter County

via CrimeByCounty

Sumter County Safety Trends

Sumter County earns a 95.2 safety score, though its total crime rate of 3,015.9 per 100K residents sits above the national average of 2,385.5. This data indicates a higher frequency of incidents per capita compared to the typical U.S. community.

Comparing Sumter to Georgia Averages

The county currently trails the Georgia state average safety score of 97.8. With a total crime rate of 3,015.9, Sumter faces more activity than the state-wide average of 1,412.9 per 100K.

Sumter vs Neighboring Counties

Compared to nearby Thomas County’s rate of 2,866.6 per 100K, Sumter shows a slightly higher overall crime footprint. Both counties experience significantly more reported incidents than quieter rural neighbors like Taylor or Talbot.

Property and Violent Crime Breakdown

Property crimes account for the majority of local incidents at 2,311.3 per 100K, exceeding the national average of 2,015.7. Violent crime also trends higher than the national benchmark, recording 704.6 incidents per 100K residents.

Improving Local Property Security

Residents can mitigate these risks by focusing on property security and improved outdoor lighting. Simple upgrades like smart cameras and reinforced locks provide an essential layer of defense against local property crime.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Sumter County

via HealthByCounty

Sumter's life expectancy lags US average

At 72.0 years, Sumter County residents live about 5 years less than the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Nearly a quarter of the county (24.6%) reports poor or fair health, reflecting significant health challenges across the population.

Below Georgia's health outcomes

Sumter's 72.0-year life expectancy falls short of Georgia's 73.3-year state average. The county's uninsured rate of 14.3% performs slightly better than the state average of 15.0%, but health outcomes remain concerning.

Provider access stronger than peers

Sumter's 51 primary care providers per 100,000 residents outpace neighboring counties—Tattnall has just 17 per 100K. The county also offers 291 mental health providers per 100K, significantly more than most surrounding areas.

Healthcare access in daily reality

With 14.3% of residents uninsured, one in seven Sumter County residents lack health coverage. Despite decent provider numbers, the population's poor/fair health rate of 24.6% suggests barriers beyond just finding a doctor—affordability, chronic disease, or preventive care gaps may be at play.

Check your coverage options today

If you're among the 14.3% uninsured in Sumter County, health coverage is within reach. Visit healthcare.gov or Georgia's insurance marketplace to explore plans and subsidies designed for your income level.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Sumter County

via SchoolsByCounty

Education infrastructure in Sumter County

Sumter County maintains a solid education network with six public schools serving 4,203 students. The system includes two elementary, two middle, and one high school, managed across two distinct districts.

Exceptional graduation rates in Sumter

The county boasts an impressive 93.0% graduation rate, significantly higher than the Georgia average of 88.1% and the national 87.0% benchmark. While per-pupil spending of $7,000 trails the state average, results remain strong.

Sumter County and Charter Options

The Sumter County district is the largest provider, serving 3,630 students across five schools. Furlow Charter School offers a specialized alternative, educating 573 students and representing nearly 17% of the county's schools.

A Rural School Experience

All six local schools operate in rural settings with an average enrollment of 701 students. Sumter County High School is the largest campus, hosting 978 students for a comprehensive secondary experience.

Find your home in Sumter

With graduation rates that lead the state, Sumter County is an attractive choice for families. Explore residential listings near these high-performing rural campuses.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Sumter County

via RiskByCounty

Sumter's risk ranks above average nationally

Sumter County scores 53.18 on the composite disaster risk scale, earning a Relatively Low rating but running significantly higher than Georgia's state average of 39.49. This places the county in elevated risk territory compared to most U.S. counties, driven primarily by hurricane and tornado exposure.

Among Georgia's riskier counties

Sumter ranks in the upper half of Georgia's 159 counties for overall disaster risk. With a composite score 35% above the state average, it faces notably higher natural hazard exposure than most neighboring counties in central Georgia.

Sumter faces steeper odds than neighbors

Sumter's 53.18 composite risk score substantially exceeds adjacent Talbot County (2.86) and Taylor County (10.15), making it one of the region's highest-risk areas. Only Tattnall County to the east approaches Sumter's risk profile with a score of 68.38.

Hurricanes and tornadoes dominate hazard profile

Hurricane risk reaches 80.93 in Sumter—well above the state average—while tornado risk sits at 65.43, creating a compound seasonal threat from Atlantic storms and spring severe weather. Wildfire exposure (64.50) and earthquake risk (63.96) also exceed state norms, though hurricanes pose the most imminent threat during Atlantic basin season.

Hurricane and wind coverage are essential

Sumter residents should prioritize comprehensive homeowners insurance with explicit hurricane and wind damage coverage, given the county's 80.93 hurricane risk score. Consider flood insurance as a separate policy, since standard homeowners policies exclude water damage—critical protection for a county where 53.50 flood risk is nearly double the state average.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Sumter County

via WeatherByCounty

Consistently Warm Subtropical Environment

Sumter County averages 64.3°F annually, placing it well above the national average for temperature. This climate supports a long growing season but brings significant summer humidity.

A Typical South Georgia Climate Profile

At 64.3°F, Sumter is slightly warmer than the Georgia average of 63.7°F. Its annual precipitation of 52.0 inches is almost perfectly aligned with the state average of 51.4 inches.

Warmer and Wetter Than Spalding

Sumter is notably warmer than Spalding County to the north, which averages only 62.8°F. It also experiences 66 extreme heat days, compared to Spalding's 39.

Hot July and Rare Winter Dustings

July temperatures average 80.5°F, contributing to 66 days per year of 90-degree heat. While snow is rare, the county averages about 0.2 inches per year, usually in brief, non-accumulating events.

Monitor Humidity and Storm Potential

The combination of 52 inches of rain and 80-degree summer averages creates high humidity levels. Residents should ensure homes are well-insulated to keep cooling costs manageable during the long summer.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Sumter County

via SoilByCounty

Sumter's Unrecorded Soil Identity

Local taxonomic data is currently unavailable, but Georgia soils typically trend toward an acidic pH near the state average of 5.26. This level sits well below the national median of 6.5, suggesting a need for lime treatments in most local gardens.

Understanding the Local Mix

While specific sand and clay percentages are missing for this location, Southern Georgia profiles often feature sandy textures that provide easy workability. Growers should focus on building structure to ensure roots have a stable environment.

Building Fertile Ground

Sumter lacks specific organic matter readings, but it likely aligns with the state average of 1.83%. Increasing this content is vital to matching the national organic matter average of 2.0% and boosting overall productivity.

Managing Water on Your Land

Local drainage classes are not recorded in this specific dataset, making site-specific testing essential before construction or large-scale planting. Understanding your specific plot's hydrology remains the best way to prevent waterlogged roots.

Planting in Zone 8b

This county sits in Hardiness Zone 8b, providing a long and warm growing season for local residents. You can successfully cultivate heat-loving crops like peppers and tomatoes in this climate.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Sumter County

via LawnByCounty

Sumter County Lawns Face Significant Challenges

Sumter County earns a lawn difficulty score of 28.1, which is notably lower than the Georgia state average of 35.8 and well below the national median of 50.0. Maintaining a healthy turf in Hardiness Zone 8b requires more effort here than in many other parts of the country. Residents must navigate a climate that tests even the most resilient grass varieties.

High Heat and Rain Define the Mowing Season

The county experiences 66 extreme heat days above 90°F annually, slightly exceeding the state average of 65 days. With 52 inches of annual precipitation and 5,733 growing degree days, grass grows rapidly during the long, hot summers. This high heat and moisture combination often requires frequent mowing and vigilant fungal monitoring.

Building a Foundation Beyond Limited Data

While specific local soil pH and texture data are unavailable, Georgia lawns typically perform best when soil is maintained between a pH of 6.0 and 7.0. Local growers should conduct a soil test to determine if they need lime to neutralize acidity or organic matter to improve drainage. Proper soil preparation is the first step to overcoming the county's low difficulty score.

Battling Persistent Severe Drought Conditions

Sumter County has endured 27 weeks of drought over the past year, with 100% of the area currently classified under Severe Drought (D2+) status. These conditions necessitate deep, infrequent watering early in the morning to maximize absorption and root depth. Prioritizing water conservation is essential to keeping a lawn alive during these extended dry spells.

Start Your Lawn After the Last Frost

Warm-season grasses like Bermuda or Centipede thrive in Zone 8b, especially once the danger of the March 20th spring frost passes. The long growing season provides ample time for establishment before the first fall frost arrives around November 17th. Despite the challenges, a well-timed start in late spring ensures your lawn can handle the upcoming summer heat.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sumter County's county score?
Sumter County, Georgia has a composite county score of 32.8 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 Sumter County rank among counties in Georgia?
Sumter County ranks #147 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 Sumter County, Georgia?
The median annual property tax in Sumter County is $1,616, with an effective tax rate of 1.32%. This earns Sumter County a tax score of 20.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Sumter County?
The median household income in Sumter County, Georgia is $41,877 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Sumter County earns an income score of 4.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Sumter County, Georgia a good place to live?
Sumter County scores 32.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #147 in Georgia. The best way to evaluate Sumter 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 Sumter County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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