CountyScore

Telfair County

Georgia · GA

#72 in Georgia
68
County Score

County Report Card

About Telfair County, Georgia

Top-Third Livability Score

Telfair County scores 73.5, placing it 47 percentile points above the national median of 50.0. This county ranks among America's more livable places overall.

Above Georgia's State Average

Telfair County scores 73.5 compared to Georgia's average of 70.9, exceeding the state median by 2.6 points. The county ranks in the upper portion of Georgia's county distribution.

Most Affordable Housing in the Region

Telfair County features the highest cost score of all eight counties at 90.1, with the lowest median gross rent at just $614 per month. Median home values of $108,200 and a tax score of 71.6 make this exceptionally affordable.

Below-Average Income Levels

The income score of 12.7 reflects a median household income of $44,948, indicating limited economic advancement potential. Data on safety, health, education, and environmental risks remain unavailable for a complete assessment.

Unbeatable Affordability, Minimal Costs

Telfair County is the choice for those demanding the absolute lowest cost of living in rural Georgia. This county excels for fixed-income retirees and budget-stretched families who can trade modest incomes for rock-bottom expenses.

Score breakdown

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

Tax71.6Cost90.1SafetyComing SoonHealth50.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome12.7Risk76.5WaterComing Soon
🏛71.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠90.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼12.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤50.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡76.5
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 Telfair County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Jackson County
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Calhoun County
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Early County
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Median income: $53,750

Deep Dives

Telfair County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Telfair County

via TaxByCounty

Telfair's rate exceeds U.S. norm

Telfair County's effective tax rate of 1.091% is roughly 21% higher than the national median of 0.898%, placing it in the upper quartile of U.S. counties by tax burden. Despite this elevated rate, annual taxes on the median home value of $108,200 total just $1,181, far below the national median tax.

Above-average by Georgia standards

Telfair County's 1.091% rate exceeds Georgia's average of 0.898% by about 22%, ranking it in the higher-tax portion of the state's 159 counties. Telfair residents shoulder a notably above-average burden within Georgia.

Mid-range in the eight-county group

Telfair's 1.091% rate sits between Talbot (1.088%) and Tattnall (1.018%), making it firmly middle-of-the-pack in the region. It's considerably lower than Sumter (1.321%) and Taliaferro (1.254%).

What a $108,200 home costs

A median-valued home in Telfair County generates an annual property tax bill of approximately $1,181. With a mortgage, that reaches $1,600; without mortgage benefits, it dips to $970.

Appeal if values seem high

Telfair homeowners facing higher-than-expected tax bills should review their assessment notices and compare their property's value to recent local sales. A successful appeal can reduce your burden significantly.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Telfair County

via CostByCounty

Telfair's housing costs run lean

Telfair County renters spend just 16.4% of income on housing, beating both the national 18.6% standard and Georgia's 18.6% average. At $614 monthly rent and $44,948 median income, Telfair delivers genuine affordability for cost-conscious households.

Telfair ranks among Georgia's best

With a 16.4% rent-to-income ratio, Telfair sits well below Georgia's 18.6% state average and ranks among the state's most affordable counties. The $614 median rent is the region's cheapest option, helping residents stretch limited incomes further.

Telfair offers regional best value

Telfair's 16.4% rent burden ranks second only to Tattnall's 15.1%, while its $614 rent is the lowest among peer counties. Even compared to Taliaferro, Telfair renters enjoy lower housing costs relative to their incomes.

Telfair's streamlined housing costs

Renters spend just $614 monthly (16.4% of income) while owners pay $494 (13.1% of income)—both ratios among Georgia's healthiest. The median home value of $108,200 remains within reach for residents building down payment savings.

Telfair: quality affordability combo

Relocating families seeking the lowest rents plus manageable housing burden should seriously consider Telfair County. The combination of cheap rent and reasonable income demands makes Telfair ideal for those prioritizing housing cost relief.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Telfair County

via IncomeByCounty

Telfair's income trails national average

Telfair County's median household income of $44,948 is 40% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it among lower-income American counties. Despite this gap, Telfair earns modestly more than the very lowest rural Georgia counties, reflecting slight relative advantage.

Lower-middle tier within Georgia

At $44,948, Telfair's median household income falls $15,540 short of Georgia's county average of $60,488. The county ranks in Georgia's lower tier, sharing economic characteristics with other rural interior communities across the state.

Part of rural income plateau

Telfair's $44,948 sits between Taylor ($41,743) and Terrell ($43,812), occupying the middle of a tightly-clustered group of rural counties. This $41,000-$45,000 income band characterizes much of central Georgia's economic structure.

Housing affordability anchors stability

Telfair's rent-to-income ratio of 16.4% means families spend just one-sixth of income on housing, well below the 30% threshold. The median home value of $108,200 remains accessible, allowing households to invest in homeownership and build equity.

Build wealth on modest income foundation

With housing costs consuming only 16% of income, Telfair residents at $44,948 can direct meaningful savings toward retirement and investment accounts. Financial discipline—automating savings and avoiding debt—multiplies wealth-building potential regardless of income level.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Telfair County

via HealthByCounty

Telfair's health crisis outpaces nation

At 72.7 years, Telfair's life expectancy is nearly 4 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. An alarming 29.5% of residents report poor or fair health—the highest rate in this entire county group.

Among Georgia's most challenged counties

Telfair's 72.7-year life expectancy trails Georgia's 73.3-year average, and its 16.4% uninsured rate exceeds the state's 15.0%. The 29.5% poor/fair health rate ranks among the worst in the state.

Sparse primary care, minimal mental health

Telfair offers only 16 primary care providers and 18 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—among the scarcest in the region. By comparison, Thomas County offers 94 primary care providers per 100K, highlighting Telfair's acute healthcare desert.

Multiple barriers drive health disparities

Telfair's residents face a perfect storm: 16.4% uninsured, only 16 primary care providers per 100K, and 29.5% reporting poor health. This combination suggests residents can't access preventive care, manage disease, or afford treatment.

Health coverage and care are urgent

Telfair County residents should enroll in coverage immediately at healthcare.gov or through Georgia Medicaid. Community health centers and local health departments can connect you with affordable primary and mental health services.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Telfair County

via RiskByCounty

Telfair maintains low national disaster risk

Telfair County's composite risk score of 23.54 places it in the Very Low category, representing just 60% of Georgia's state average of 39.49. This south-central Georgia county enjoys below-average natural disaster exposure compared to most U.S. counties.

Well below Georgia's average risk exposure

Telfair ranks comfortably in Georgia's safer counties, with a composite score 40% below the state average. The county experiences notably lower hazard exposure than most other Georgia jurisdictions.

Telfair balances risk among regional peers

Telfair's 23.54 score falls between Talbot County (2.86) and neighboring Terrell County (16.54), positioning it as a moderate-risk area within a region of generally low exposure. The county's profile differs substantially from higher-risk Tattnall (68.38) to the east.

Hurricanes and tornadoes drive most risk

Hurricane risk reaches 80.64 in Telfair—well above state norms—creating the county's primary seasonal threat during Atlantic storm season. Tornado risk (52.23) also moderately exceeds state averages, while flood (27.80), wildfire (45.29), and earthquake (48.89) risks remain relatively moderate.

Hurricane-focused coverage recommended

Telfair County residents should prioritize homeowners insurance with comprehensive hurricane and wind damage protection, given the 80.64 hurricane risk score. A separate flood insurance policy provides important additional coverage during Atlantic hurricane season and spring severe weather periods.

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.