countyscore
55.9
County Score
Cost of Living 95.3Safety 83Disaster Risk 76.5

County Report Card

About Telfair County, Georgia

Stronger than the National Average

Telfair County secures a composite score of 55.9, beating the national median of 50.0. It provides a higher quality of life than many other rural American counties.

Leading the State Average

With a 55.9 score, Telfair outpaces the Georgia state average of 46.7 by a wide margin. It stands as a high-value destination for residents looking to stay in Georgia.

Supreme Affordability and Safety

The cost score is a massive 95.3, supported by very low $614 median rents. Safety is another major strength at 83.0, making it a secure place for residents.

Health and Economic Limitations

The health score is low at 12.6, and the income score of 7.2 reflects limited local wealth. Residents may find fewer medical facilities and high-paying jobs within county lines.

The Ultimate Budget Haven

Telfair is an excellent match for retirees or budget-focused individuals who want safe neighborhoods and extremely low bills. It offers incredible value with median home prices of $108,200.

2040608010031.895.38312.650.77.276.547.736.6Tax31.8Cost95.3Safety83Health12.6Schools50.7Income7.2Risk76.5Water47.7Weather36.655.9/100
This county
National avg
3 above average5 below average

Telfair County DNA

Foverall

How Telfair County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Telfair County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (95.3/100) but notably weak in Income (7.2/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
31.8-20.2
Cost
95.3+47.3
Safety
83+28
Health
12.6-37.4
Schools
50.7
Income
7.2-43.8
Risk
76.5+29.5
Water
47.7-10.299999999999997
Weather
36.6-19.4
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$108,200

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$614/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$108,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$24,560/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $44,948/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

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

Wheeler County
Georgia
60.9
Ben Hill County
Georgia
37.7
Jeff Davis County
Georgia
46.6
Dodge County
Georgia
45.6
Coffee County
Georgia
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Wilcox County
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Montgomery County
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Irwin County
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Deep Dives

Telfair County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 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

Safety in Telfair County

via CrimeByCounty

Excellent Safety in Telfair

Telfair County earns a high safety score of 99.4, with a total crime rate of only 404.1 per 100K. This is far below the national average of 2,385.5, reflecting a very safe local environment.

State Rankings and Performance

The county outperforms the Georgia state average safety score of 97.8 significantly. Its crime rate of 404.1 per 100K is much lower than the state-wide average of 1,412.9.

Leading the Region in Safety

Telfair is one of the safest counties in its region, showing much less crime than Tattnall (872.1) or Terrell (699.7). Five local reporting agencies contribute to this high-ranking safety profile.

Property and Violent Crime Data

Property crime occurs at a rate of 261.5 per 100K, while violent crime remains low at 142.6. Both figures are well under national benchmarks, making it a low-risk area for residents.

Proactive Home Protection

Since property crime is the most common incident type, basic deterrents are very effective here. Ensuring that windows and doors are properly locked can help maintain the county's excellent safety record.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Telfair County

via SchoolsByCounty

Education in Telfair County

Telfair County manages four public schools for 1,586 students. The system is composed of an elementary school, a middle school, a high school, and an alternative preparation school.

High investment in Telfair students

With $8,230 spent per pupil, Telfair invests significantly more than the Georgia average of $7,405. This funding supports an 87.0% graduation rate, which aligns with the national average.

The Telfair County District

The Telfair County district operates all schools in the area without any charter competition. The district serves a diverse range of needs, including alternative education through its high school prep program.

Town and rural school life

Schools are split between town and rural settings, with an average size of 397 students. Telfair County Elementary is the busiest hub, educating 822 students in a primary setting.

Relocating to Telfair County

Significant per-pupil spending indicates a community that prioritizes its students' resources. Explore homes in Telfair to benefit from these well-funded town and rural schools.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

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

Water Quality in Telfair County

via WaterByCounty

Telfair Maintains Below-Average Violation Rate

Telfair County earns a 'D' grade for drinking water, but its violation rate of 19.7 per 100,000 is much lower than the state average of 152.5. Only two health violations were recorded over the last five years. While the grade reflects a need for improvement, the county performs better than many of its neighbors regarding safety standards.

Environmental Impairment Exceeds State Average

In Telfair County, 60.0% of the 15 water bodies assessed in 2022 fail to meet Clean Water Act standards. This impairment rate is significantly higher than Georgia's average of 48.4%. The top reasons for these failures include poor fish bioassessments, mercury, and fecal coliform.

Limited Monitoring at Two County Sites

Only two monitoring sites are active in Telfair County, providing 674 measurements over the last five years. Most of these records track physical characteristics and nutrients. The relatively low number of data points suggests that some local water quality issues may go unrecorded.

Little Ocmulgee River Nears Total Stagnation

The Little Ocmulgee River at Scotland is currently flowing at just 2 cfs, a staggering 1% of its typical volume. This is a severe departure from the long-term mean of 232 cfs for this time of year. Such extreme low flow conditions can significantly impact local aquatic life and water temperature.

Watch Flow Levels and Mercury Advisories

The critical 1% flow level in the Little Ocmulgee River means residents should be wary of stagnant water risks, such as bacterial growth. Mercury is a known issue in 60% of local waters, so follow all state fish consumption guidelines strictly. While drinking water compliance is relatively stable, those on private wells should monitor for changes during this extreme low-flow period.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Soil Quality in Telfair County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Soils in Telfair

Detailed taxonomic and pH figures are missing, but regional expectations suggest a pH near the state average of 5.26. This indicates the soil is more acidic than the national median of 6.5.

The Search for Sand

We lack specific data on the sand-to-clay ratio for Telfair at this time. Knowing these levels helps growers decide whether they need to add organic bulk or improve drainage.

Organic Potential in Telfair

No specific organic matter percentage is listed, so we use the state benchmark of 1.83% as a guide. Adding mulch and compost can help local soils reach the national organic matter average of 2.0%.

Local Hydrologic Patterns

Data for drainage classes and hydrologic groups are currently unavailable for this county. Residents should monitor their property for runoff patterns to better understand their specific land's behavior.

Grow Boldly in Zone 8b

Telfair County resides in Hardiness Zone 8b, which features a long growing season with mild winters. This climate is excellent for growing robust summer crops like squash and melons.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Telfair County

via LawnByCounty

Telfair Lawns Outperform the Georgia Average

Telfair County has a lawn difficulty score of 37.6, which is slightly better than the Georgia state average of 35.8. While it remains more challenging than the national median of 50.0, the conditions are manageable for dedicated gardeners. Zone 8b provides a familiar environment for traditional southern lawn care.

Warmer Temperatures Require Extra Care

The county experiences 76 extreme heat days per year, which is 11 days more than the state average. With an average July temperature of 82.5°F, turf can quickly become heat-stressed if not monitored. Annual precipitation of 47.6 inches provides a decent water foundation but requires supplemental irrigation during peak summer.

The Importance of Local Soil Analysis

With no specific local data on soil pH or drainage, homeowners should prioritize a soil test to guide their amendments. Aiming for a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 is standard for most southern turfgrasses to ensure optimal health. Addressing any clay or sand imbalances early will make the 76 heat days easier on your grass.

Sustaining Turf Through Severe Drought

Telfair County has faced 28 weeks of drought in the past year, and 100% of the area is in a Severe Drought (D2+). During these times, focus on deep root growth by watering heavily but less frequently. This strategy helps your lawn survive even when the 47.6 inches of rain fails to arrive.

Warm-Season Grasses Excel in Telfair

Resilient varieties like Centipede and Zoysia are ideal for the hot summers and Zone 8b winters in Telfair. Without specific frost dates available, look for signs of spring in late March before you begin major lawn projects. Starting in the spring allows your grass to establish before the 76 days of extreme heat set in.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Telfair County's county score?
Telfair County, Georgia has a composite county score of 55.9 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 Telfair County rank among counties in Georgia?
Telfair County ranks #25 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 Telfair County, Georgia?
The median annual property tax in Telfair County is $1,181, with an effective tax rate of 1.09%. This earns Telfair County a tax score of 31.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Telfair County?
The median household income in Telfair County, Georgia is $44,948 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Telfair County earns an income score of 7.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Telfair County, Georgia a good place to live?
Telfair County scores 55.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #25 in Georgia. The best way to evaluate Telfair 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 Telfair County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.