Upson County

Georgia · GA

#48 in Georgia
69.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Upson County, Georgia

Upson outpaces the nation

Upson County's composite score of 72.4 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper half of all U.S. counties. This 44% advantage over the national baseline reflects strong fundamentals in affordability and tax efficiency across the board.

Slightly above Georgia average

With a score of 72.4, Upson County edges past Georgia's state average of 70.9, ranking solidly in the middle tier of the state's 159 counties. It holds its own among rural Georgia communities seeking balance between cost and taxes.

Affordability and low taxes shine

Upson's cost score of 82.7 reflects genuinely accessible housing, with median home values at $149,500 and gross rent averaging just $779 per month. An effective tax rate of 0.886% keeps the overall tax burden low, helping households stretch their dollars further.

Income growth remains limited

The income score of 16.6 reflects a median household income of $50,904, below both state and national norms. Safety, health, school quality, and environmental data are not yet available, limiting a complete livability assessment.

Best for budget-conscious families

Upson County suits families and retirees prioritizing affordable housing and low taxes over high incomes or urban amenities. It's a solid choice for those seeking small-town living without breaking the bank, though income opportunities remain a consideration.

Score breakdown

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

Tax77.3Cost82.7SafetyComing SoonHealth56.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.6Risk82.9WaterComing Soon
🏛77.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠82.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼16.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
56.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
82.9
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

Upson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Upson County

via TaxByCounty

Upson's taxes are well below national average

At 0.886% effective rate, Upson County homeowners pay roughly half what the typical American household pays in property taxes. The county's median tax of $1,325 is less than half the national median of $2,690, placing it in the bottom 30% nationwide for tax burden.

Upson ranks slightly below Georgia average

Upson's 0.886% rate sits just under Georgia's state average of 0.898%, making it a middle-of-the-road county for Georgia taxpayers. The median property tax of $1,325 is also slightly lower than the state median of $1,529.

Upson compares favorably to nearby counties

Walker County (0.778%) and Wayne County (0.796%) charge less, but Upson undercuts higher-tax neighbors like Ware County (1.011%) and Warren County (1.031%). Upson sits squarely in the middle range of its regional peer group.

A median home costs about $1,325 yearly

On Upson's median home value of $149,500, you'll pay roughly $1,325 in annual property tax. If you carry a mortgage, factor in an extra $130 for potential taxes and fees, bringing your actual bill to about $1,455.

Many Upson homeowners can lower their taxes

Property assessments aren't always accurate—many homeowners across Georgia are overassessed and don't realize they can file an appeal. If your home was recently reassessed higher than comparable properties sold nearby, a formal appeal could reduce your tax bill.

Cost of Living in Upson County

via CostByCounty

Upson's rent burden beats national norms

Upson County renters spend 18.4% of income on rent, slightly below the national norm and tracking with Georgia's state average of 18.6%. At $779 monthly, Upson's median rent falls well below the national median household income of $74,755—a solid affordability cushion for working families.

Mid-tier affordability in Georgia

Upson ranks near the state median for housing affordability among Georgia's 159 counties, with rents running $148 below the state average of $927 monthly. The county's 18.4% rent-to-income ratio places it in the comfortable zone for renters statewide.

Upson undercuts nearby housing markets

Upson's $779 rent sits $88 below Walker County's $867 and $452 below Walton County's $1,231, making it the most affordable option for renters in the region. Homebuyers face a different story: Upson's median home value of $149,500 falls between Warren County's bargain $78,000 and Walton's premium $300,500.

Housing eats modest slice of income

With a $50,904 median household income, Upson renters allocate roughly $779 monthly (18.4% of income) to rent, while homeowners budget $774 for mortgage payments. Combined, housing costs claim less than one-third of typical household earnings, leaving room for other necessities.

Consider Upson for balanced living costs

Upson County offers renters and first-time homebuyers a rare combination: below-state-average rent, manageable homeownership costs, and income levels that stretch further than national medians. If affordability matters in your relocation calculus, Upson deserves a closer look against pricier Georgia alternatives.

Income & Jobs in Upson County

via IncomeByCounty

Upson trails the national income average

Upson County's median household income of $50,904 falls 32% below the U.S. median of $74,755. This gap reflects broader economic challenges in rural Georgia counties that depend on agriculture and manufacturing rather than high-wage services.

Below Georgia's county average

Upson ranks below Georgia's state median household income of $60,488, placing it among the lower-earning counties statewide. The county's per capita income of $29,772 also lags Georgia's average of $31,115.

Competitive with nearby rural counties

Upson's $50,904 median income sits between nearby Ware County ($44,833) and Walker County ($55,887), reflecting similar economic conditions across south-central Georgia. These counties share comparable employment structures and housing markets.

Housing costs are manageable here

At 18.4%, Upson's rent-to-income ratio is below the 30% affordability threshold, meaning housing remains accessible for most households. The median home value of $149,500 is within reach for median-income families with conventional financing.

Build financial security in Upson

Upson households earning $50,904 should prioritize building emergency savings and exploring low-cost retirement accounts like IRAs. With affordable housing and stable living costs, investing even modest amounts can compound significantly over time.

Health in Upson County

via HealthByCounty

Upson lags behind on life expectancy

At 70.4 years, Upson County residents live nearly 6 years less than the U.S. average of 76.1 years. Nearly a quarter of the county (23.3%) report poor or fair health, a sign that chronic conditions and preventable diseases weigh heavily on the community.

Below Georgia's health baseline

Upson's life expectancy of 70.4 years trails Georgia's state average of 73.3 years by 2.9 years. The county ranks among the lower-performing counties statewide on health outcomes, suggesting systemic barriers to care and wellness.

Upson faces steeper health challenges

Upson's 70.4-year life expectancy ranks lower than nearby Walker County (73.3) and Walton County (74.7), though it has more primary care providers at 51 per 100K compared to Walker's 19. The uninsured rate of 14.1% mirrors the state average, but underlying health disparities suggest access alone isn't solving the problem.

Healthcare reality in Upson County

One in seven Upson residents (14.1%) lack health insurance, putting them at risk for catastrophic medical debt and delayed care. With 51 primary care providers per 100K population, Upson has decent medical infrastructure, but 39 mental health providers per 100K may strain behavioral health access.

Explore coverage options now

If you're among the 14.1% of Upson residents without insurance, marketplace plans and Medicaid expansion programs may lower your costs. Visit healthcare.gov or contact a local health department to find affordable coverage and preventive services today.

Disaster Risk in Upson County

via RiskByCounty

Upson County: Well Below National Risk

Upson County scores 17.14 on the composite risk scale—placing it in the Very Low category and significantly below the national average. This means residents face substantially lower exposure to major natural disasters compared to most American counties.

Georgia's Safer County

Among Georgia's 159 counties, Upson ranks among the safest for composite disaster risk at 17.14 versus the state average of 39.49. This protective standing reflects lower frequencies of flooding, tornadoes, and other major hazards across the region.

Safer Than Nearby Counties

Upson County's 17.14 score puts it well ahead of neighboring Lamar County and comparable to nearby Marion County. The county benefits from its inland location, which shields it from hurricane and coastal storm impacts that affect southern Georgia neighbors.

Top Hazards: Earthquakes & Hurricanes

Upson County's highest risk scores are earthquake exposure (50.67) and hurricane potential (64.16), though both remain moderate in absolute terms. Flooding and wildfire pose lower threats, with scores of 31.71 and 41.57 respectively, making them less frequent concerns for residents.

Insurance Priorities for Upson

Standard homeowners insurance typically covers wind damage from hurricanes, but earthquake coverage requires a separate policy riders—consider adding it given the county's moderate seismic exposure. Flood insurance is available through the National Flood Insurance Program for properties in identified flood zones.

ByCounty Network

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