Thomas County

Georgia · GA

#118 in Georgia
64.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Thomas County, Georgia

Above-Average Livability Nationwide

Thomas County scores 70.2, placing it 40 percentile points above the national median of 50.0. This county ranks in the upper half of U.S. counties for overall livability.

Competitive Within Georgia

Thomas County scores 70.2 compared to Georgia's state average of 70.9, placing it right at the heart of Georgia's county performance. It represents a solid, representative Georgia experience.

Highest Incomes and Lowest Taxes

Thomas County stands apart with an income score of 22.6 and median household income of $60,140—the highest in this group. A tax score of 79.1 and effective rate of 0.825% deliver exceptional tax efficiency.

Higher Housing Costs, Incomplete Data

The cost score of 75.4 reflects higher median home values at $185,300 and rent at $996 per month, making housing less affordable than peers. Safety, health, education, and environmental data are not yet available.

Premium Option for Earners and Professionals

Thomas County suits professionals and higher-income families seeking superior tax efficiency and strong earning potential in a rural Georgia setting. This county offers the best income prospects and lowest taxes for those who can afford higher housing costs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax79.1Cost75.4SafetyComing SoonHealth61.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.6Risk34WaterComing Soon
🏛79.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠75.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼22.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
61.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
34
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Thomas County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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.

Cost of Living in Thomas County

via CostByCounty

Thomas offers higher income relief

Thomas County renters spend 19.9% of income on housing, slightly above the national 18.6% benchmark but supported by a $60,140 median income—the region's highest. This above-average income provides more breathing room despite higher rents than neighboring counties.

Thomas ranks mid-Georgia affordability

At 19.9%, Thomas's rent-to-income ratio slightly exceeds Georgia's 18.6% state average, but the county's above-average $60,140 income cushions the burden. The $996 median rent represents the region's highest, though better-paid Thomas residents manage the cost more comfortably.

Thomas: premium county premium prices

Thomas renters pay the region's highest rent ($996) and $983 owner costs, yet manage 19.9% rent-to-income ratio because Thomas incomes ($60,140) are the region's strongest. While neighboring counties rent cheaper, Thomas residents earn significantly more.

Thomas's well-resourced households

Renters spend $996 monthly (19.9% of income) while owners pay $983 (19.6% of income)—both ratios manageable due to higher incomes. The median home value of $185,300 attracts buyers with stronger financial positions and homebuying capacity.

Thomas County for higher earners

Relocating professionals seeking Georgia's strongest incomes should prioritize Thomas County, where higher pay offset higher housing costs. The county works best for job seekers whose prospective positions command $60,000+ salaries and who value relative economic stability.

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.

Health in Thomas County

via HealthByCounty

Thomas County outpaces most peers

Thomas County's 72.8-year life expectancy aligns with the region's struggles relative to the U.S. average of 76.4 years, but its 20.7% poor/fair health rate is the lowest in this eight-county group. Strong provider access suggests better disease management than neighboring areas.

Slightly below state average, better covered

Thomas County's 72.8-year life expectancy trails Georgia's 73.3-year average only marginally, and its 13.4% uninsured rate beats the state's 15.0%. The county performs better than most peers on both metrics.

Healthcare access leader of the region

Thomas County dominates provider availability with 94 primary care providers and 250 mental health providers per 100,000 residents. These numbers far exceed neighbors like Terrell (12 mental health providers) and Telfair (16 primary care providers).

Healthcare access drives better outcomes

Thomas County's 13.4% uninsured rate is the lowest in the eight-county group, and its 20.7% poor/fair health rate reflects the advantage. With 94 primary care providers per 100K, residents can access preventive and chronic disease management more readily.

Keep momentum by staying covered

Thomas County's strong insurance enrollment rate should be maintained; renew coverage annually at healthcare.gov. If you're among the 13.4% uninsured, reach out to community health centers or local health departments for affordable enrollment assistance.

Disaster Risk in Thomas County

via RiskByCounty

Thomas faces elevated national disaster risk

Thomas County's composite risk score of 65.97 places it in the Relatively Low category but substantially above Georgia's state average of 39.49, indicating significantly higher than typical natural disaster exposure. The south-central Georgia location drives considerable hurricane and wildfire risk.

Among Georgia's riskier counties

Thomas ranks in Georgia's upper tier for overall disaster risk, with a composite score 67% higher than the state average. The county faces notably elevated natural hazard exposure compared to most other Georgia jurisdictions.

Thomas ranks among region's highest-risk areas

Thomas's 65.97 score approaches Tattnall County (68.38) and substantially exceeds Sumter (53.18), making these two the region's most hazard-exposed counties. The county faces markedly higher risk than most surrounding areas.

Hurricanes and wildfires dominate hazard profile

Hurricane risk reaches 91.86 in Thomas—among the state's highest scores—creating acute Atlantic storm exposure during hurricane season. Wildfire risk (71.25) also exceeds state norms substantially, while tornado (51.21), earthquake (48.38), and flood (57.35) risks complete a challenging hazard profile.

Comprehensive multi-hazard coverage essential

Thomas County residents should secure robust homeowners insurance with explicit hurricane and wind damage protection, given the 91.86 hurricane risk score. A separate flood insurance policy is critical, as the 57.35 flood risk score indicates meaningful water damage exposure—a threat standard homeowners policies exclude.

ByCounty Network

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