Webster County's composite score of 73.4 runs 47% ahead of the national median of 50.0, positioning it among more livable U.S. counties. This strength rests primarily on exceptional housing affordability.
2 / 5
Above Georgia average, upper tier
At 73.4, Webster exceeds Georgia's state average of 70.9, ranking in the upper-middle tier of Georgia's 159 counties. It demonstrates that smaller rural counties can deliver strong livability fundamentals.
3 / 5
Housing affordability stands out
Webster's cost score of 89.0 is the second-highest in this group, with median home values at just $92,200 and gross rent averaging only $663 monthly. Combined with a tax score of 73.7 (effective rate: 1.014%), housing costs here are genuinely minimal.
4 / 5
Income significantly lags peers
The income score of 10.0 reflects a median household income of $40,764—the lowest among these eight counties—creating limited economic opportunity. Safety, health, education, and environmental data are not yet available.
5 / 5
Webster for minimum-cost living
Webster County appeals most to retirees on fixed income and families requiring the absolute lowest cost of living possible. The trade-off is minimal income opportunity, but for those with external income sources, the rock-bottom housing costs are virtually unmatched.
Webster County's composite score of 73.4 runs 47% ahead of the national median of 50.0, positioning it among more livable U.S. counties. This strength rests primarily on exceptional housing affordability.
Above Georgia average, upper tier
At 73.4, Webster exceeds Georgia's state average of 70.9, ranking in the upper-middle tier of Georgia's 159 counties. It demonstrates that smaller rural counties can deliver strong livability fundamentals.
Housing affordability stands out
Webster's cost score of 89.0 is the second-highest in this group, with median home values at just $92,200 and gross rent averaging only $663 monthly. Combined with a tax score of 73.7 (effective rate: 1.014%), housing costs here are genuinely minimal.
Income significantly lags peers
The income score of 10.0 reflects a median household income of $40,764—the lowest among these eight counties—creating limited economic opportunity. Safety, health, education, and environmental data are not yet available.
Webster for minimum-cost living
Webster County appeals most to retirees on fixed income and families requiring the absolute lowest cost of living possible. The trade-off is minimal income opportunity, but for those with external income sources, the rock-bottom housing costs are virtually unmatched.
Score breakdown
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🏛73.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 1.014% effective rate, Webster County runs roughly 16% above the typical American property tax burden. The median tax of $935 remains well below the national median of $2,690, primarily due to notably lower home values rather than favorable rates.
Webster ranks above Georgia's tax average
Webster County's 1.014% effective rate surpasses Georgia's 0.898% average by roughly 13%, placing it among the state's higher-tax counties. The median tax of $935 falls significantly below Georgia's $1,529 median because home values here are substantially lower.
Webster has among the region's highest rates
Webster's 1.014% rate ranks near the top regionally, essentially tied with Ware County (1.011%) and behind only Washington County (1.097%). Webster significantly outpaces lower-tax neighbors like Walker (0.778%), Wayne (0.796%), and Upson (0.886%).
Median home costs about $935 per year
On Webster's median home value of $92,200, you'll pay approximately $935 in annual property tax. With a mortgage, factor in closer to $1,131 once you include additional taxes and fees.
Webster homeowners should verify assessments
Webster's above-average tax rate makes accurate assessments critical—overvaluation costs more here than in lower-tax counties. If your property's assessed value seems high relative to recent comparable sales in your area, filing an appeal could provide meaningful savings.
Webster County renters spend 19.5% of income on rent, slightly above Georgia's state average, but earn just $40,764—the region's lowest median household income. At $663 monthly, Webster offers the region's second-lowest absolute rent, creating a relative value proposition for very low-income households.
Modest affordability in modest-income county
Webster County's 19.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks mid-pack statewide, but reflects the county's fundamental challenge: limited incomes ($40,764) leave renters with narrow financial margins despite low absolute rents. Affordability ratios alone mask the true economic strain.
Webster's $663 monthly rent ties with Warren County as the region's lowest, undercutting every peer except Warren by meaningful margins. The county's $92,200 median home value similarly anchors the region's affordability floor.
Limited income constrains housing choices
With the region's lowest median household income at $40,764, Webster County renters dedicate $663 monthly (19.5% of income) to rent, while homeowners budget $501 for mortgages. This leaves minimal income for other essentials, creating genuine economic vulnerability.
Webster serves only the most economically vulnerable
Webster County's rock-bottom rents and home prices make it nominally affordable, but the county's extremely limited incomes mean relocators must arrive with above-local earning prospects or existing savings. Without income above the county median, affordability gains evaporate into hardship.
Webster County's median household income of $40,764 is 45% below the U.S. median of $74,755, representing one of Georgia's most economically distressed counties. The county faces substantial structural challenges in workforce development and business retention.
Among Georgia's lowest counties
Webster's median household income of $40,764 is 33% below Georgia's state average of $60,488, placing it in the bottom tier of all Georgia counties. Per capita income of $25,407 trails the state average by 18%.
Webster's economy faces serious headwinds
Webster County's $40,764 median income is the lowest in this comparison except for Washington County ($44,009), reflecting shared economic struggles across rural Georgia. The county's employment base has contracted significantly over recent decades.
Modest homes, moderate rent burden
Webster's rent-to-income ratio of 19.5% is reasonable, and the median home value of $92,200 is among the most affordable in the region. Low housing costs provide essential relief for households with limited incomes.
Webster families must prioritize basics
Webster County households earning $40,764 should first establish emergency savings and address high-interest debt before investing. Local nonprofits and financial counseling services can help build foundational financial literacy and stability.
Webster County boasts the highest life expectancy in the comparison group at 76.0 years, meeting the U.S. average of 76.1 years. Yet one in four residents (25.5%) report poor or fair health—the highest rate statewide—suggesting hidden vulnerabilities beneath aggregate longevity gains.
Webster leads Georgia on longevity
At 76.0 years, Webster County's life expectancy exceeds Georgia's state average of 73.3 years by 2.7 years, ranking among the state's healthiest. This achievement masks a paradox: the highest poor/fair health rate in the dataset warns of underlying health inequality.
Webster's contradictory health profile
Webster's 76.0-year life expectancy outpaces all nearby counties, including Walton (74.7) and Walker (73.3), yet its 25.5% poor/fair health rate exceeds peers. With 42 primary care providers per 100K and limited mental health data, Webster's health infrastructure remains incomplete.
Insurance gaps in Webster County
Webster County's uninsured rate of 20.4% is the highest in the comparison group, affecting one in five residents and likely driving the elevated poor/fair health reports. Provider capacity (42 primary care per 100K) appears insufficient, and mental health provider data is unavailable, leaving care gaps unresolved.
Close Webster's coverage gap
One in five Webster residents lack insurance; marketplace subsidies and Medicaid expansion can reduce that burden dramatically. Start at healthcare.gov or contact a local health navigator to find affordable coverage and improve your health outcomes today.
Webster County's composite risk score of 2.45 represents the lowest natural disaster risk in Georgia and among the safest counties in the entire United States. The county faces minimal exposure to flooding, tornadoes, earthquakes, and all other major hazards.
Georgia's Safest County
Webster County ranks as Georgia's lowest-risk county by a significant margin with a composite score of 2.45, roughly 94% lower than the state average of 39.49. This exceptional safety reflects the county's inland location, stable geology, and geographic isolation from major disaster zones.
Standout Safe Zone in Southwest Georgia
Webster County's 2.45 score far surpasses neighboring Marion County (8.3) and Quitman County (11.7), making it a standout safe zone in southwest Georgia. Its remote interior location shields it from tornado corridors, hurricane paths, and seismic activity.
All Hazards Below Threshold
Webster County faces minimal risk across every natural hazard category, with the highest score being hurricane risk at 64.04—still moderate in absolute terms. Flooding (2.67), tornadoes (18.16), earthquakes (22.26), and wildfire (29.01) are all dramatically lower than state and national averages.
Standard Insurance Provides Full Protection
Webster County residents can rely on basic homeowners insurance as sufficient protection given the county's exceptionally low disaster risk across all hazards. Routine property maintenance and adequate coverage limits are the only disaster-preparedness measures typically needed.