Turner County

Georgia · GA

#82 in Georgia
67.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Turner County, Georgia

Turner matches Georgia's livability level

Turner County's composite score of 70.9 beats the national median of 50.0 by 42%, though it exactly matches Georgia's state average. This indicates solid livability anchored by exceptional housing affordability.

Exactly at Georgia's average composite score

Turner scores precisely at Georgia's state average of 70.9, representing a middle-ground livability profile among the state's 159 counties. The county provides a representative Georgia experience.

Ultra-affordable housing and living costs

Turner's cost score of 86.7 reflects exceptional affordability with a median home value of $95,200 and the lowest median rent at $655/month. These ultra-low housing costs make Turner one of Georgia's most budget-friendly options.

Lowest incomes in peer group, highest taxes

Turner's income score of 9.2 reflects the lowest median household income in this cohort at $39,565, while its tax score of 70.5 and effective rate of 1.131% are the least favorable. Data on schools, safety, health, and environmental quality is currently unavailable.

For ultra-budget-conscious, fixed-income residents

Turner County serves retirees with minimal savings, fixed-income households, and those seeking the absolute lowest cost of living regardless of wage opportunity. It's the choice for those prioritizing survival economics over career advancement.

Score breakdown

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

Tax70.5Cost86.7SafetyComing SoonHealth53.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome9.2Risk83.4WaterComing Soon
🏛70.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠86.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼9.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
53.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
83.4
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

Turner County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Turner County

via TaxByCounty

Turner's property taxes run well below national levels

Turner County's 1.131% effective rate is less than half the implied national median, placing it firmly in America's lower-tax tier despite ranking among Georgia's higher rates. The median property tax of just $1,077 is 60% below the national median of $2,690, reflecting Turner's very low median home value of $95,200. This creates minimal tax exposure for homeowners even though the percentage rate appears comparatively high within Georgia.

Turner ranks among Georgia's highest-tax counties

At 1.131%, Turner County has one of Georgia's highest effective property tax rates, exceeding the state average of 0.898% by a notable margin. This places Turner in roughly the top 20% statewide—among the most aggressive tax collectors in Georgia's 159 counties. However, Turner's very low home values ($95,200 median) mean residents still pay less in absolute dollars than homeowners in more modest-rate, higher-value counties.

Turner taxes highest in its region by far

Turner's 1.131% rate exceeds every nearby South Georgia county significantly—Toombs (0.962%), Tift (0.936%), Treutlen (0.955%), and Troup (0.972%) all charge considerably less. This makes Turner the region's most aggressive tax collector, a distinction that may reflect smaller assessment base and limited revenue sources in this rural community. Home values in Turner are also the region's lowest, creating additional pressure on tax rates to fund services.

What you'll pay on a typical Turner home

The median Turner County home valued at just $95,200 generates an annual property tax of approximately $1,077—roughly $90 per month, still among the nation's lowest despite Turner's high rate. With mortgage deductions, taxes rise modestly to $1,384 annually, remaining extremely affordable. This low absolute cost creates a paradox: Turner has Georgia's highest rate but residents often pay among the state's smallest tax bills.

File an appeal to verify your property's true value

In rural counties with limited comparable sales, assessments sometimes overstate fair market value simply due to sparse recent transaction data. Turner County property owners can file a free reassessment appeal within 45 days of receiving notice, requiring only evidence that comparable homes sold for less. Given Turner's very low home values, even modest assessment reductions can provide meaningful relief to cost-conscious residents.

Cost of Living in Turner County

via CostByCounty

Turner balances tight income with low rent

Turner County's 19.9% rent-to-income ratio sits modestly above Georgia's 18.6% average, but the county's median household income of just $39,565 ranks among the state's lowest. At $655 per month, rents remain a genuine bargain in absolute terms, providing crucial relief for residents with limited earning power.

Lowest income, nearly lowest rent

Turner County ranks near the bottom of Georgia's income distribution yet achieves below-average rents, suggesting economic dormancy that benefits existing residents seeking affordability. The 19.9% rent-to-income ratio places the county in the lower-middle tier for state affordability—respectable given the income constraints.

Competitive budget rents and home prices

Turner's $655 rent ranks second-lowest in the region, just above Treutlen's $668, while the median home value of $95,200 matches the area's bottom tier. The county competes closely with Treutlen for ultra-affordable status, with nearly identical housing economics.

Rent takes a fifth of meager income

Turner County renters earning just $39,565 annually spend $655 on rent, consuming 19.9% of gross income and leaving approximately $2,630 monthly for all other expenses. Homeowners pay $663 monthly on properties valued near $95,200, representing 20.0% of household income—among the region's highest burden ratios.

Turner for the rural resilience-minded

If you're relocating with minimal income but maximum resilience, Turner County's $655 rent and $95,200 median homes offer survival-level affordability. Expect limited job growth and services, but genuine breathing room on a tight budget.

Income & Jobs in Turner County

via IncomeByCounty

Turner struggles with profound income gap

Turner County's median household income of $39,565 ranks among Georgia's lowest, falling 47% below the U.S. median of $74,755. Per capita income of $23,275 signals limited earning opportunities and educational attainment across the population.

Lowest income among these eight counties

Turner County's $39,565 median household income ranks second-lowest statewide and falls over $20,900 short of Georgia's state average of $60,488. The county faces severe economic distress, typical of rural South Georgia's agriculture-dependent areas.

Lowest earner in the region

Turner County's $39,565 trails all seven peer counties, with only Treutlen County ($43,750) approaching it from above. The gap to Tift County ($53,165) exceeds $13,600 annually, underscoring Turner's isolation from the broader regional economy.

Tight housing costs strain limited income

Turner County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.9% approaches the concerning threshold, consuming roughly $656 monthly in rent payments from a median household income of just $39,565. The median home value of $95,200 offers minimal wealth-building potential.

Seek employment pathways and regional opportunity

Turner County residents must actively pursue higher-wage work through skill training, commuting to neighboring job centers, or remote employment to move beyond the county's constrained income profile. Even modest increases in household income through second jobs or certifications compound significantly over time, breaking the cycle of limited local opportunity.

Health in Turner County

via HealthByCounty

Turner County health lags national standard

Turner County residents live 72.0 years on average, about 3.1 years shorter than the U.S. average of 75.1 years. Nearly 27% report poor or fair health, the second-highest rate in this county cluster.

Well below Georgia's health average

Turner County's 72.0-year life expectancy trails Georgia's 73.3-year average, and its 26.9% poor/fair health rate ranks among the state's worst. The county faces serious health equity challenges.

Near bottom of regional health rankings

Turner County's 72.0-year life expectancy matches Tift County but trails most neighbors except Toombs and Treutlen. Its 26.9% poor/fair health rate ranks second-worst in the region, just behind Treutlen's 27.5%.

Severe shortage of mental health providers

Turner County has limited primary care provider data but critically low mental health capacity at just 11 providers per 100,000 residents. With 15.5% uninsured, many residents cannot access the limited behavioral health services available.

Get covered and get healthy

Turner County's health crisis demands action. Apply for health insurance at healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to find affordable plans. Medicaid may cover you—check eligibility and enroll today.

Disaster Risk in Turner County

via RiskByCounty

Turner County enjoys very low overall risk

Turner County's composite risk score of 16.60 falls well into the very low category, significantly below Georgia's state average of 39.49. This south-Georgia county benefits from geographic and climatic factors that limit disaster exposure.

Among Georgia's safest counties

Turner County ranks in the lower tier of Georgia's 159 counties by composite risk, placing it among the state's most protected regions. Its 16.60 score reflects consistently low threat levels across nearly all major hazard categories.

Safest in south Georgia region

Turner County's 16.60 score significantly beats nearby Tift County (56.01) and Toombs County (42.65), making it the standout safe haven in its region. This favorable position protects residents from the elevated risks experienced in surrounding counties.

Hurricane exposure is the main concern

Hurricane risk reaches 76.30—the only significant hazard facing Turner County residents, while flood (8.33) and tornado (49.43) risks remain among Georgia's lowest. The hurricane score reflects the county's southern location, though other threats remain minimal.

Windstorm coverage completes your safety

Turner County's very low overall risk means standard homeowners insurance provides solid basic protection, but windstorm coverage is wise given the 76.30 hurricane score. This targeted add-on addresses the county's primary natural hazard without requiring extensive supplemental policies.

ByCounty Network

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