countyscore
46.6
County Score
Income & Jobs 86.6Weather & Climate 68.2Water Quality 59.6

County Report Card

About Walton County, Georgia

Lagging Behind National Averages

Walton County posts a composite score of 45.8, trailing the national median of 50.0. High costs of living drag down its overall national standing.

Slightly Below the State Average

The county's 45.8 score sits just under the Georgia average of 46.7. While it is a popular residential choice, it ranks in the middle of the state’s pack for overall livability.

Strong Incomes and Safety

Walton excels in income with a score of 86.2, supported by a high median household income of $82,381. Residents also enjoy a relatively safe environment, evidenced by a 58.7 safety score.

Severe Housing Affordability Pressures

The cost score of 13.5 is the county's biggest hurdle, as median home values have climbed to $300,500. Renters also face pressure with a median gross rent of $1,231.

Best for High-Earning Professionals

Walton County is a premier fit for high-earning families who can afford its premium housing. It offers a safe, affluent lifestyle for those commuting toward the Atlanta metro.

2040608010054.615.458.738.152.586.645.159.668.2Tax54.6Cost15.4Safety58.7Health38.1Schools52.5Income86.6Risk45.1Water59.6Weather68.246.6/100
This county
National avg
2 above average2 below average

Walton County DNA

Foverall

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

Walton County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (86.6/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (15.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
54.6
Cost
15.4-32.6
Safety
58.7
Health
38.1-11.899999999999999
Schools
52.5
Income
86.6+35.599999999999994
Risk
45.1
Water
59.6
Weather
68.2+12.200000000000003
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Compare mortgage rates in Walton County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$339,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,175/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$339,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$47,000/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $84,945/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

14.9

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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Counties with similar scores

Drew County
Arkansas
Median income: $42,824
46.6
Montgomery County
Maryland
Median income: $132,450
46.6
Franklin County
Massachusetts
Median income: $74,907
46.6
Tuscola County
Michigan
Median income: $63,811
46.6
Freeborn County
Minnesota
Median income: $71,023
46.6
Madison County
Missouri
Median income: $54,434
46.6
Burlington County
New Jersey
Median income: $108,111
46.6
Cattaraugus County
New York
Median income: $59,540
46.6

Nearby counties

Barrow County
Georgia
37.3
Oconee County
Georgia
54.4
Morgan County
Georgia
56.1
Newton County
Georgia
35.4
Rockdale County
Georgia
46.3
Clarke County
Georgia
29.2
Gwinnett County
Georgia
36
Jackson County
Georgia
47.1

Deep Dives

Walton County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Walton County

via TaxByCounty

Walton's taxes align closely with national rates

At 0.809% effective rate, Walton County hovers just below the typical American property tax burden. The median tax of $2,431 sits just under the national median of $2,690, placing Walton squarely in the middle of the national distribution.

Walton sits below Georgia's state average

Walton's 0.809% effective rate beats Georgia's 0.898% average, positioning it as a below-average tax county statewide. The median tax of $2,431 exceeds Georgia's $1,529 median due to higher home values, not higher rates.

Walton offers moderate taxes for the region

Walton's 0.809% rate outperforms higher-tax neighbors like Ware County (1.011%) and Warren County (1.031%), but trails the lowest-rate counties Walker (0.778%) and Wayne (0.796%). Walton sits solidly in the middle of the regional pack.

Median home costs roughly $2,431 per year

Walton's higher median home value of $300,500 means a median annual tax of approximately $2,431. Homeowners with mortgages should budget around $2,712 when accounting for additional taxes and fees.

Walton homeowners should verify assessments

Even in fairly-taxed counties like Walton, individual properties can be overassessed relative to the market. If your assessed value is significantly higher than recent sales of comparable homes, filing an appeal could reduce your bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Walton County

via IncomeByCounty

Walton ranks above national median

Walton County's median household income of $82,381 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by 10%, placing it among Georgia's stronger-earning counties. This performance reflects Walton's proximity to the Atlanta metro and its more diverse economic base.

Well above Georgia's county average

At $82,381, Walton's median household income outpaces Georgia's state average of $60,488 by 36%. The county ranks in the upper tier of Georgia counties, with per capita income of $36,752 significantly exceeding the state's $31,115.

Clear income leader in the region

Walton's $82,381 median income substantially exceeds all comparison counties, particularly outpacing Ware ($44,833) and Walker ($55,887). This gap reflects Walton's suburban position and integration with Atlanta's job market.

Strong income supports higher home values

Walton's rent-to-income ratio of 17.9% is the best in the region, demonstrating excellent affordability despite the median home value of $300,500. Higher incomes allow families to comfortably manage both rents and mortgages.

Walton's income enables aggressive investing

Walton County households earning $82,381 should maximize tax-advantaged retirement savings through 401(k)s and IRAs while exploring diversified investment portfolios. Their income advantage creates opportunity for generational wealth building through disciplined investing.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Walton County

via CrimeByCounty

Walton County Outperforms National Safety Trends

Walton County maintains a safety score of 98.5, reflecting a total crime rate of 952.4 per 100,000 residents. This rate is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Exceeding Georgia's Safety Benchmarks

Walton's safety score of 98.5 places it comfortably above the Georgia state average of 97.8. The county's total crime rate is also notably lower than the state average of 1,412.9.

Stability in the Atlanta Perimeter

As the metro area expands, Walton County keeps its crime rates lower than several more urbanized neighbors. It offers a safer alternative for residents while maintaining proximity to the state's largest economic hub.

Focusing on Property Protection

Property crime accounts for 845.0 incidents per 100,000, while the violent crime rate sits at 107.4. Both figures are much lower than national averages, indicating a high level of overall security.

Enhancing Home Security in Walton

Residents can mitigate the risk of property crime by installing smart doorbells and securing entry points. These proactive steps support the county's efforts to keep safety scores well above the state norm.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in Walton County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Ultisols Define the Landscape

Ultisols dominate the Walton County landscape with an average pH of 5.33. This acidic profile is slightly above the state average of 5.26 but falls well below the national median of 6.5.

Sandy Loam Texture and Workability

The soil features a sandy loam texture comprised of 56.3% sand, 23.0% silt, and 19.2% clay. This mix provides a balance of workability, though its high sand content requires careful nutrient management.

High Water Capacity, Lower Organic Matter

Organic matter sits at 1.42%, which is lower than the Georgia average of 1.83%. However, the available water capacity of 0.128 in/in exceeds the state benchmark of 0.114, showing good moisture retention.

Poor Drainage and Runoff Risks

Classified as poorly drained with a hydrologic group D, these soils often struggle with saturation. Farmers and builders must account for slow permeability when planning drainage systems or foundation work.

Long Growing Seasons in Zone 8a

Hardiness Zone 8a provides a long growing season for Walton County residents. Peaches and pecans thrive in this environment if soil acidity is managed through regular lime applications.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Walton County

via LawnByCounty

Better than average conditions

With a difficulty score of 42.9, Walton County offers a more favorable environment for lawns than the typical Georgia county. The region benefits from a Hardiness Zone 8a designation, supporting a variety of lush turf options.

Manageable heat for Walton lawns

The county experiences a manageable 38 extreme heat days per year, well below the state average of 65. Combined with 50.9 inches of annual precipitation, the local climate reduces the need for constant supplemental irrigation.

Managing Walton's sandy loam

The ground consists of sandy loam with a 19.2% clay content, though it is often poorly drained. You must address the acidic 5.33 pH level with lime to reach the ideal 6.0-7.0 range for healthy grass.

Surviving 100% severe drought

Severe drought currently covers 100.0% of the area, and the county has weathered 22 weeks of drought in the past year. Prioritizing drought-resistant varieties and reducing mowing height can help your lawn survive these stressed periods.

When to start in Walton

Warm-season grasses like Bermuda or Zoysia are excellent choices for Walton's 8a climate. Monitor local temperature trends to time your seeding once the ground warms thoroughly in early spring.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Walton County's county score?
Walton County, Georgia has a composite county score of 46.6 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 Walton County rank among counties in Georgia?
Walton County ranks #83 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 Walton County, Georgia?
The median annual property tax in Walton County is $2,563, with an effective tax rate of 0.75%. This earns Walton County a tax score of 54.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Walton County?
The median household income in Walton County, Georgia is $84,945 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Walton County earns an income score of 86.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Walton County, Georgia a good place to live?
Walton County scores 46.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #83 in Georgia. The best way to evaluate Walton 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 Walton 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.