countyscore
33.3
County Score
Water Quality 86Property Tax 52.2Schools 39.9

County Report Card

About Thomas County, Georgia

Below the National Benchmark

Thomas County scores 32.8, placing it significantly behind the national median score of 50.0. High costs and low safety scores impact its national standing.

Trailing the Georgia State Average

The county's composite score of 32.8 is nearly 14 points lower than the Georgia average of 46.7. It faces more livability challenges than many of its state neighbors.

Clean Water and Low Taxes

The water score is a high 86.0, and the tax score of 51.0 is quite favorable for Georgia. Median incomes are also higher here than in surrounding counties at $60,140.

Concerns in Safety and Cost

The safety score is very low at 9.2, and a cost score of 30.6 suggests housing is less affordable than in neighboring areas. Median home values reach $185,300, which is higher for the region.

Best for High-Income Professionals

Thomas County suits those with higher earnings who can afford local housing and benefit from the lower 0.825% tax rate. It offers better infrastructure for those who can navigate the safety and cost trade-offs.

2040608010052.231.89.228.639.935.9348635Tax52.2Cost31.8Safety9.2Health28.6Schools39.9Income35.9Risk34Water86Weather3533.3/100
This county
National avg
1 above average7 below average

Thomas County DNA

Foverall

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

Thomas County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Safety (9.2/100), though Water Quality (86/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
52.2
Cost
31.8-16.2
Safety
9.2-45.8
Health
28.6-21.4
Schools
39.9-14.100000000000001
Income
35.9-15.100000000000001
Risk
34-13
Water
86+28
Weather
35-21
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Compare mortgage rates in Thomas County

Whether buying or refinancing in Thomas County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$196,700

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,018/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$196,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$40,720/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.2x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $60,736/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

21.9

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
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Nearby counties

Grady County
Georgia
45.8
Colquitt County
Georgia
40.6
Brooks County
Georgia
40
Mitchell County
Georgia
35.5
Leon County
Florida
34.4
Jefferson County
Florida
54.9
Cook County
Georgia
52.1
Decatur County
Georgia
31.3

Deep Dives

Thomas County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Thomas County

via TaxByCounty

Thomas has the region's lowest rate

Thomas County's effective tax rate of 0.825% is about 8% below the national median of 0.898%, making it one of the more tax-friendly counties nationwide. Annual taxes on the median home value of $185,300 total $1,528, significantly below the national median tax of $2,690.

Among Georgia's lowest rates

Thomas County's 0.825% effective rate ranks well below Georgia's average of 0.898%, placing it in the lower tier of the state's 159 counties. This makes Thomas County notably tax-favorable compared to the state norm.

Lowest in the eight-county region

Thomas County's 0.825% rate is the absolute lowest among the eight counties examined, beating even Taylor County (0.897%). This makes Thomas significantly more tax-friendly than peers like Sumter (1.321%) and Taliaferro (1.254%).

What a $185,300 home costs

A median-valued home in Thomas County generates an annual property tax bill of approximately $1,528. With a mortgage, that reaches $1,696; without mortgage relief, it drops to $1,212.

Keep monitoring your assessment

Even at Thomas's favorable rate, homeowners should verify their assessments remain fair as property values change. Regular reviews ensure you maintain this tax advantage.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Thomas County

via IncomeByCounty

Thomas County approaches national median

Thomas County's median household income of $60,140 is just 20% below the national median of $74,755, making it substantially stronger than all its rural neighbors. This positions Thomas as an economic leader within its region and closer to national prosperity benchmarks.

Nearly matches Georgia's county average

At $60,140, Thomas County's median household income nearly equals Georgia's county average of $60,488, placing it in the state's middle tier. The county ranks solidly above rural peers and represents stronger economic fundamentals than most interior Georgia communities.

Clear economic advantage over peers

Thomas's $60,140 significantly outpaces all nearby counties: Tattnall ($52,351), Taylor ($41,743), Telfair ($44,948), and Terrell ($43,812). This $8,000-$18,000 gap reflects Thomas County's stronger economic diversification and employment opportunities.

Housing costs balanced with earnings

Thomas's rent-to-income ratio of 19.9% means families spend about one-fifth of income on housing, comfortably within affordability guidelines. The median home value of $185,300—highest in its cluster—reflects stronger property values and economic stability.

Optimal conditions for wealth building

Thomas County households at $60,140 have genuine capacity to save 15-20% of income while maintaining lifestyle, enabling aggressive retirement and investment strategies. The county's stronger income and stable housing market create ideal conditions for long-term financial independence and intergenerational wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Thomas County

via CrimeByCounty

Thomas County Safety Profile

Thomas County holds a 95.5 safety score, which is lower than the typical U.S. community. The total crime rate of 2,866.6 per 100K is about 20% higher than the national average of 2,385.5.

Performance Against State Averages

Compared to the Georgia state average of 1,412.9 per 100K, Thomas County reports nearly double the crime volume. This puts the county below the state average safety score of 97.8.

Thomas vs Surrounding Counties

Thomas County sees more activity than neighboring Telfair County, which reports a low 404.1 crimes per 100K. However, it remains slightly safer than Sumter County's rate of 3,015.9.

Property and Violent Incidents

Property crimes drive the local statistics at 2,492.1 per 100K, exceeding the national average of 2,015.7. Violent crime rates are also slightly elevated at 374.5 per 100K compared to the 369.8 national benchmark.

Home Security Recommendations

Investing in a home security system is a proactive step for residents in this area. Focus on securing entry points and using motion-activated lighting to deter property-related incidents.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in Thomas County

via SoilByCounty

Thomas County's Southern Soil

Taxonomic data is unavailable, but Thomas County likely aligns with the state pH average of 5.26. This acidic baseline is lower than the national median pH of 6.5, which many common plants prefer.

Local Texture and Drainage

Precise data on sand, silt, and clay percentages is currently missing from local records. Testing your soil texture at home can reveal whether you have the drainage needed for healthy root systems.

Maximizing Growth Potential

While specific organic matter levels are unrecorded, the state average of 1.83% provides a starting point for local gardeners. Aiming for the national average of 2.0% will greatly improve your garden's drought resistance.

Observing Site Hydrology

There is no data available regarding the dominant drainage class or hydrologic group in this county. Paying attention to how your lawn absorbs heavy rain is the most practical way to assess your local drainage.

Year-Round Growing in 9a

Thomas County enjoys the warm climate of Hardiness Zone 9a, which allows for almost year-round gardening. Start your gardening journey today by planting citrus or heat-loving tropical ornamentals.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Thomas County

via LawnByCounty

Navigating the Warmth of Thomas County

While a specific lawn difficulty score is unavailable for Thomas County, its location in Hardiness Zone 9a indicates a warm, long growing season. This southern Georgia climate is typically more demanding than the national average. Homeowners should prepare for high heat and humidity levels common in the 9a zone.

Climate Patterns in Georgia's Deep South

Specific annual precipitation and heat day data are currently limited for Thomas County. However, as a Zone 9a region, it likely faces more than the state average of 65 extreme heat days. Managing a lawn here requires staying alert to local weather shifts and adjusting watering schedules accordingly.

The Foundation of a Southern Georgia Lawn

Without local soil texture or pH data, a soil test from the local extension office is your most valuable resource. Most Zone 9a lawns thrive when the soil pH is kept between 6.0 and 7.0, allowing for maximum nutrient absorption. Proper fertilization and aeration will help overcome the lack of specific regional soil data.

Severe Drought Affects All of Thomas County

The county has faced 28 weeks of drought over the past year, with 100% of the area currently in Severe Drought (D2+). Protecting your lawn requires deep, targeted watering that reaches the root zone. During these dry periods, avoid heavy fertilization which can further stress thirsty grass.

Establishing a Zone 9a Landscape

In Zone 9a, heat-tolerant grasses like St. Augustine and Centipede are the most successful choices. Since specific frost dates are not available, start your lawn work once the soil feels warm to the touch in early spring. This allows the grass to mature before the peak summer heat and the 28-week drought cycle take hold.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Thomas County's county score?
Thomas County, Georgia has a composite county score of 33.3 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 Thomas County rank among counties in Georgia?
Thomas 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 Thomas County, Georgia?
The median annual property tax in Thomas County is $1,539, with an effective tax rate of 0.78%. This earns Thomas County a tax score of 52.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Thomas County?
The median household income in Thomas County, Georgia is $60,736 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Thomas County earns an income score of 35.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Thomas County, Georgia a good place to live?
Thomas County scores 33.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #147 in Georgia. The best way to evaluate Thomas 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 Thomas 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.