countyscore
55.7
County Score
Water Quality 86Safety 85.2Cost of Living 78.7

County Report Card

About Ware County, Georgia

A Solid National Competitor

Ware County scores a 54.0, placing it well above the national median of 50.0. This indicates a high level of livability compared to the rest of the country.

Outpacing the Georgia Average

Ware's 54.0 score easily clears the Georgia average of 46.7. It represents one of the strongest livability values in the southern part of the state.

Safety and Extreme Affordability

The county shines with a safety score of 85.2 and a cost score of 74.0. Housing is very accessible, with a median home value of just $106,500.

Economic and Health Struggles

Income is a major weak point with a score of 7.1, as the median income sits at $44,833. Health outcomes also lag behind, scoring only 11.3.

Great for Budget-Conscious Residents

Ware County is a top choice for retirees or those on a fixed income who value safety and low housing costs. It offers significant peace of mind for very little money.

2040608010039.178.785.211.360.58.250.78627.3Tax39.1Cost78.7Safety85.2Health11.3Schools60.5Income8.2Risk50.7Water86Weather27.355.7/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Ware County DNA

Foverall

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

Ware County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (78.7/100) but notably weak in Income (8.2/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
39.1-12.899999999999999
Cost
78.7+30.700000000000003
Safety
85.2+30.200000000000003
Health
11.3-38.7
Schools
60.5
Income
8.2-42.8
Risk
50.7
Water
86+28
Weather
27.3-28.7
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Ware County?

Many homeowners in Ware County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$109,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$789/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$109,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$31,560/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $47,448/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

44.5

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Ware County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Ware County

via TaxByCounty

Ware County charges above national average

At 1.011% effective rate, Ware County exceeds the typical American property tax burden by roughly 15%. While the median tax of $1,077 remains below the national median of $2,690, that's primarily due to lower home values rather than lower rates.

Ware ranks above Georgia's tax average

Ware County's 1.011% effective rate surpasses Georgia's 0.898% average by 11%, putting it in the higher-tax group statewide. The median tax of $1,077 falls slightly below Georgia's $1,529 median because home values here are considerably lower.

Ware has among the highest regional rates

Ware County's 1.011% rate ranks among the highest in its region, exceeded only by Washington County (1.097%) and tied with Webster County (1.014%). Ware significantly outpaces lower-tax neighbors like Walker (0.778%), Wayne (0.796%), and Upson (0.886%).

Median home costs about $1,077 yearly

On Ware County's median home value of $106,500, you'll pay approximately $1,077 in annual property tax. With a mortgage, factor in closer to $1,378 once you account for additional taxes and fees.

Ware residents should appeal overassessments

Higher tax rates make accurate assessments even more important—an overvalued property in Ware costs more annually than in lower-tax counties. Review your assessment against recent comparable sales, and file an appeal if your property appears overvalued relative to market sales.

Income & Jobs in Ware County

via IncomeByCounty

Ware's income lags national average

Ware County's median household income of $44,833 trails the national median of $74,755 by 40%, one of the steepest gaps in the state. The county faces significant economic headwinds typical of rural southeast Georgia communities.

Among Georgia's lowest-earning counties

Ware's median household income of $44,833 is 26% below Georgia's state average of $60,488, placing it near the bottom tier of Georgia counties. Per capita income of $23,550 is the lowest in this comparison group.

Ware struggles economically versus peers

Ware County's $44,833 median income is the lowest among its regional peers, trailing Wayne County ($49,562) and Walker County ($55,887). This gap reflects Ware's reliance on agriculture and limited diversification.

Housing costs strain Ware families

At 21.0%, Ware's rent-to-income ratio approaches the 30% affordability threshold, signaling housing stress for many households. The median home value of $106,500 is modest, but still challenging for median-income families.

Ware households must prioritize savings

Ware County families earning $44,833 should focus first on building a modest emergency fund before investing, given tighter household budgets. Even small, consistent contributions to retirement accounts will create meaningful long-term security.

Safety in Ware County

via CrimeByCounty

High Safety Scores in Ware County

Ware County earns a high safety score of 99.5, with a total crime rate of 342.5 per 100,000 people. This is substantially better than the national average rate of 2,385.5.

One of Georgia's Safer Counties

The county's safety score of 99.5 is significantly higher than the Georgia average of 97.8. Its total crime rate of 342.5 is roughly one-quarter of the statewide average of 1,412.9.

Regional Safety Leader in South Georgia

Ware County demonstrates strong safety metrics compared to neighboring counties in the Okefenokee region. Its low crime rates make it a secure hub for both residents and visitors.

Minimal Violent and Property Crime

Violent crime is low at 75.2 per 100,000, while property crime is reported at 267.3. These numbers suggest that local law enforcement and community efforts are highly effective at maintaining order.

Maintaining a Secure Ware County Home

To protect against property crime, consider joining local neighborhood watch groups and keeping home exteriors well-lit. Community vigilance is the best defense in preserving the county's impressive safety record.

Soil Quality in Ware County

via SoilByCounty

Deeply Acidic Coastal Soils

Ware County features a highly acidic soil profile with an average pH of 4.38. This is significantly more acidic than both the state average of 5.26 and the national median of 6.5.

High Sand and Low Clay

The soil is dominated by 74.6% sand, with very low silt and clay levels at 5.4% and 5.9% respectively. This high sand content typically allows for rapid drainage but offers limited ability to retain fertilizers.

Exceptional Organic Matter Levels

Organic matter is impressively high at 10.14%, dwarfing the state average of 1.83%. Coupled with a water capacity of 0.139 in/in, this soil holds high potential despite its extreme acidity.

Fast Drainage Considerations

While specific drainage classes are unlisted, the 74.6% sand percentage indicates rapid water movement. Gardeners should monitor for moisture loss during the hot, dry spells common in South Georgia.

Acid-Loving Plants in Zone 9a

This Zone 9a region is perfect for heat-loving crops and acid-loving plants like blueberries. Your high organic matter provides a strong foundation for a productive and thriving home garden.

Lawn Care in Ware County

via LawnByCounty

Ware's tough lawn environment

Ware County faces significant lawn challenges with a low difficulty score of 21.1, falling far below the state average. This Zone 9a region requires intensive management to overcome environmental hurdles that make maintenance difficult.

Warm Zone 9a demands care

While specific temperature data is limited, the 9a hardiness zone indicates a long, hot growing season that demands heat-hardy turf. Homeowners should prepare for high evaporation rates and significant watering needs throughout the year.

Correcting highly acidic sand

The soil is very sandy at 74.6% and highly acidic with a 4.38 pH level. Significant amendments are required to raise the pH toward the 6.0 target and improve the soil's ability to hold nutrients.

Watering through severe drought

Severe drought conditions currently impact 100.0% of the county, which has seen 26 weeks of drought over the last year. Focus on water conservation by using smart irrigation controllers and drought-tolerant grass varieties.

Heat-tolerant choices for Ware

St. Augustine and Bahia grass are top contenders for this warm 9a zone because of their superior heat tolerance. Aim to establish your lawn during the warm spring months to ensure it survives the intense South Georgia summer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ware County's county score?
Ware County, Georgia has a composite county score of 55.7 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 Ware County rank among counties in Georgia?
Ware County ranks #30 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 Ware County, Georgia?
The median annual property tax in Ware County is $1,047, with an effective tax rate of 0.96%. This earns Ware County a tax score of 39.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Ware County?
The median household income in Ware County, Georgia is $47,448 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Ware County earns an income score of 8.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Ware County, Georgia a good place to live?
Ware County scores 55.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #30 in Georgia. The best way to evaluate Ware 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 Ware County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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