CountyScore

White County

Georgia · GA

#50 in Georgia
69.2
County Score

County Report Card

About White County, Georgia

White County exceeds national livability standards

White County's composite score of 73.2 is substantially above the national median of 50.0, reflecting a 46% advantage in overall livability. The county delivers consistent performance across measurable dimensions, positioning it among stronger U.S. counties.

Above-average performer in Georgia

White County scores 73.2, modestly above Georgia's state average of 70.9, making it a solid mid-tier choice within the state. It ranks competitively among Georgia counties, though several peers match or exceed its profile.

Strong tax efficiency and respectable incomes

White County delivers a tax score of 83.7 with an effective tax rate of 0.661%—the lowest among these seven counties—making it highly tax-efficient. A median household income of $69,747 also positions White above most peers, supporting higher purchasing power and financial stability.

Higher housing costs and incomplete data

White County's cost score of 76.4 reflects higher housing prices relative to the other counties here, with median home values of $262,200 and rent at $1,015/month. Safety, health, schools, and water quality data are not yet available, limiting full livability evaluation.

Best for affluent families seeking tax advantages

White County appeals to higher-income families and professionals who value tax efficiency and don't prioritize the lowest housing costs. Its combination of strong incomes and minimal tax burden makes it attractive for those balancing fiscal advantage with greater housing investment.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.7Cost76.4SafetyComing SoonHealth63.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.9Risk54.3WaterComing Soon
🏛83.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠76.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡54.3
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare White County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Sierra County
California
69.2
Median income: $60,000
Teller County
Colorado
69.2
Median income: $80,666
Haralson County
Georgia
69.2
Median income: $65,016
Stark County
Illinois
69.2
Median income: $62,284
Wabash County
Illinois
69.2
Median income: $53,650

Deep Dives

White County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in White County

via TaxByCounty

White County taxes among nation's lowest

White County's effective tax rate of 0.661% ranks in the bottom 5% nationally, making it one of America's most tax-friendly counties. Residents pay a median of $1,732 annually—roughly 36% below the national median of $2,690.

Georgia's most affordable property taxes

White County boasts the lowest effective tax rate in this dataset at 0.661%, well below Georgia's state average of 0.898%. This places White among the state's top tier of low-tax counties.

White edges out region for affordability

White County's 0.661% rate is the lowest in the immediate region, narrowly beating Wheeler County (0.753%) and substantially undercutting Whitfield (0.673%), Wilkinson (0.882%), and all higher-tax neighbors. This makes White one of northeast Georgia's bargains.

Your median White County tax bill

On a median home value of $262,200, White County homeowners pay about $1,732 annually—roughly $144 per month. With a mortgage, expect closer to $1,866 due to escrow additions.

Appeal overassessments and save more

Even in low-tax White County, assessment errors can inflate your bill unnecessarily—and the appeal process is simple and free. Reviewing your assessment could unlock additional savings on your already-low tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in White County

via CostByCounty

White County Beats National Housing Burden

White County's 17.5% rent-to-income ratio sits slightly below the national average, signaling solid affordability relative to U.S. median income levels. With median household income of $69,747—near the national figure of $74,755—residents maintain favorable housing costs that allow for financial flexibility.

Above-Average Affordability for North Georgia

White County's 17.5% rent-to-income ratio trails the Georgia state average of 18.6%, placing it in the more affordable tier of the state's 159 counties. The median home value of $262,200 reflects a growing but still-accessible mountain community market.

White Offers Balance Between Cost and Community

White County's $1,015 median rent falls between rural peers like Whitfield County ($907) and emerging mountain markets, while owner costs of $894 monthly reflect a stronger property market. The county's higher median income of $69,747 supports these elevated housing costs better than surrounding rural areas.

Nearly One-Fifth Goes to Rent or Mortgage

White County households earning $69,747 spend approximately $1,015 monthly on rent or $894 on mortgage payments, consuming 17.5% of gross income. This balanced ratio shows residents can afford homes in the $260,000 range while maintaining strong purchasing power elsewhere.

Mountain Living With Manageable Housing Costs

White County delivers North Georgia's mountain lifestyle without metro-area price tags, combining reasonable affordability with higher household incomes than most regional counties. If you're seeking suburban North Georgia comfort with a 17.5% housing burden, White County deserves serious consideration.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in White County

via IncomeByCounty

White Beats State, Trails Nation

White County's median household income of $69,747 outpaces Georgia's state average of $60,488 but remains 6.7% below the national median of $74,755. This positions White as an above-average Georgia county with strong earning potential relative to the state.

Among Georgia's Top Earners

White County ranks in the upper tier of Georgia counties with a median household income of $69,747, exceeding the state average by over $9,000. The per capita income of $34,519 also surpasses the state average of $31,115, signaling robust household earnings across the county.

Highest Income in Its Region

White County's $69,747 median income significantly outpaces neighboring counties: Whitfield ($64,262), Worth ($57,201), Wilkes ($52,542), and Wilkinson ($46,673). This advantage reflects White's stronger economic base and employment opportunities in north Georgia.

Housing Costs Rise With Wealth

White County's 17.5% rent-to-income ratio indicates housing affordability, with median home values reaching $262,200—the highest among its peers and reflecting the county's wealthier demographic. This positions homeownership as a strong wealth-building opportunity, though entry costs exceed those in neighboring counties.

Leverage White's Economic Strength

White County residents enjoy above-average incomes—an ideal foundation for aggressive savings, investment, and real estate portfolio building. Consider diversifying into stocks, bonds, or investment property as your household income supports larger financial commitments and long-term wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in White County

via HealthByCounty

White County meets national health marks

At 74.4 years, White County's life expectancy sits just 1.7 years below the U.S. average and 1.1 years above Georgia's. Only 15.9% report poor or fair health—among the lowest rates in the state—indicating strong population wellness.

Above-average health for Georgia

White County outperforms the state on life expectancy by 1.1 years and reports one of Georgia's lowest poor/fair health rates at 15.9%. This rural county's health profile rivals much wealthier urban areas.

Healthiest county in its region

White's 15.9% poor/fair health rate beats Wheeler (29.9%), Whitfield (24.1%), and Wilkes (23.3%) counties significantly. At 74.4 years, White also leads regional longevity alongside stronger primary care access.

Limited primary care, strong mental health

White County has only 14 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—below state needs—but offers 100 mental health providers per 100,000, a major regional advantage. At 16.7% uninsured, coverage is near the state average, though access gaps remain.

Secure affordable coverage now

Nearly one in six White County residents remains uninsured, missing out on preventive care and emergency protection. Explore Georgia's Medicaid expansion and healthcare.gov marketplace plans to find affordable options for your family.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in White County

via RiskByCounty

White County faces above-average national risk

White County's composite risk score of 45.74 exceeds Georgia's state average of 39.49, placing it in the relatively low category but above the typical U.S. county baseline. The county confronts a more diverse hazard profile than many peers across the nation.

Mid-range risk among Georgia counties

White County ranks in the middle tier of Georgia counties by composite risk, sitting notably above very-low-risk counties like Wheeler (6.42) but below higher-risk areas like Whitfield (81.49). Its elevation in the state's northern mountains influences this moderate exposure pattern.

Riskier than Wheeler, safer than Whitfield

White County's 45.74 score places it between Wheeler County (6.42) to the south and Whitfield County (81.49) to the north. The county's northern location correlates with elevated tornado (61.32) and earthquake (59.89) risks relative to southern Georgia.

Tornado and earthquake risks stand out

White County's tornado risk score of 61.32 significantly exceeds its composite average, making severe thunderstorms and rotation a primary concern. Earthquake risk (59.89) and flood risk (46.18) also merit attention, though less acute than tornado exposure.

Prioritize tornado and flood coverage

White County homeowners should verify that wind/hail coverage is included in standard policies to protect against tornado damage. Additionally, flood insurance is recommended even outside high-risk zones, as flash flooding can occur rapidly in mountainous terrain.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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