countyscore
33.5
County Score
Water Quality 86Cost of Living 57.9Schools 57.2

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.

2040608010021.557.97.717.157.24.246.88646.8Tax21.5Cost57.9Safety7.7Health17.1Schools57.2Income4.2Risk46.8Water86Weather46.833.5/100
This county
National avg
1 above average4 below average

Sumter County DNA

Foverall

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

Sumter County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Water Quality (86/100) but notably weak in Safety (7.7/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
21.5-30.5
Cost
57.9+9.899999999999999
Safety
7.7-47.3
Health
17.1-32.9
Schools
57.2
Income
4.2-46.8
Risk
46.8
Water
86+28
Weather
46.8-9.200000000000003
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Sumter County?

Many homeowners in Sumter County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$120,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$857/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$120,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$34,280/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $42,653/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

13.7

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
Compare Sumter County with Douglas County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Douglas County
Kansas
Median income: $69,746
33.5
Ford County
Kansas
Median income: $70,781
33.5
Jefferson Parish
Louisiana
Median income: $65,252
33.5
Lee County
Mississippi
Median income: $67,863
33.5
Warren County
Mississippi
Median income: $59,401
33.5
Essex County
New Jersey
Median income: $80,789
33.5
Summit County
Ohio
Median income: $71,622
33.5
San Bernardino County
California
Median income: $85,478
33.4

Nearby counties

Schley County
Georgia
54.8
Lee County
Georgia
42.3
Webster County
Georgia
64.5
Terrell County
Georgia
49.1
Macon County
Georgia
49.2
Crisp County
Georgia
34.1
Dooly County
Georgia
55.7
Marion County
Georgia
52.1

Deep Dives

Sumter County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

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 33.5 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 Sumter County rank among counties in Georgia?
Sumter County ranks #145 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 $1,502, with an effective tax rate of 1.25%. This earns Sumter County a tax score of 21.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Sumter County?
The median household income in Sumter County, Georgia is $42,653 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 33.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #145 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.
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.