CountyScore

Wilkes County

Georgia · GA

#63 in Georgia
68.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Wilkes County, Georgia

Wilkes exceeds national livability median

Wilkes County's composite score of 71.2 is 42% above the national median of 50.0, indicating above-average livability. The county delivers consistent strength in cost and tax dimensions that underpin this competitive positioning.

Matches Georgia's average performance

Wilkes County scores 71.2, nearly identical to Georgia's state average of 70.9, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's county distribution. This positions Wilkes as a typical Georgia choice without standout advantages or disadvantages.

Solid affordability and reasonable costs

Wilkes delivers a cost score of 85.2 with affordable median home values of $105,000 and rent at $759/month, providing balanced housing value. While the tax score of 70.3 is moderate, the effective tax rate of 1.137% remains manageable relative to housing costs.

Lower incomes and modest tax efficiency

Wilkes's income score of 17.7 corresponds to a median household income of $52,542, positioning the county below several peers and limiting household purchasing power. The tax score is also the lowest among these seven counties, reducing financial advantage.

Appropriate for lower-income families

Wilkes County suits families and individuals with modest incomes who value affordable housing without expecting exceptional tax advantages. The county offers balanced living costs and represents a typical Georgia option for those seeking stability without premium services.

Score breakdown

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

Tax70.3Cost85.2SafetyComing SoonHealth54.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.7Risk87.1WaterComing Soon
🏛70.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼17.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤54.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡87.1
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 Wilkes County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Etowah County
Alabama
68.3
Median income: $53,070
Greene County
Arkansas
68.3
Median income: $56,793
Charlton County
Georgia
68.3
Median income: $48,534
Greene County
Illinois
68.3
Median income: $60,976
Wright County
Iowa
68.3
Median income: $64,033

Deep Dives

Wilkes County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Wilkes County

via TaxByCounty

Wilkes has Georgia's highest tax rates

Wilkes County's effective tax rate of 1.137% stands in the upper tier nationally and represents the highest rate in this dataset. Despite moderate property values, residents pay a median of $1,194 annually—well above many comparable counties.

Wilkes tops this region in tax burden

At 1.137%, Wilkes County's effective rate is among the highest in Georgia, surpassing the state average of 0.898% by a significant 27%. This positions Wilkes in the upper echelon of state property tax burdens.

Wilkes carries the region's steepest rate

Wilkes County's 1.137% effective rate is the highest in this regional comparison, notably exceeding Worth County (1.086%), Wilcox (1.058%), Wilkinson (0.882%), Whitfield (0.673%), Wheeler (0.753%), and White (0.661%). This makes Wilkes decidedly the highest-tax county in its area.

Wilkes homeowners face steep tax bills

On the median home value of $105,000, Wilkes County homeowners pay approximately $1,194 annually—about $99 per month. Mortgage holders typically pay closer to $1,323 including escrow.

Appeal now to offset high rates

In high-tax Wilkes County, correcting even small assessment overages translates to substantial annual savings over time. File an assessment appeal today and potentially reduce your bill by hundreds of dollars per year.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Wilkes County

via CostByCounty

Wilkes Stays Close to National Affordability

At 17.3%, Wilkes County's rent-to-income ratio aligns well with national context, offering reasonable housing costs relative to the U.S. median income benchmark. The median rent of $759 reflects a small-town Georgia market with genuine workforce affordability.

Moderate Affordability in Northeast Georgia

Wilkes County's 17.3% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below Georgia's 18.6% state average, placing it in the affordable-to-moderate range statewide. The median home value of $105,000 makes homeownership achievable for working families across the region.

Competitive Pricing Among Small-Town Georgia

Wilkes' $759 median rent falls between regional peers, slightly above Wheeler ($551) and Wilcox ($612) but below Wilkinson ($766) and Whitfield ($907). Owner costs of $633 monthly position Wilkes between the county's smallest and mid-size markets.

Just Over One-Sixth Goes to Housing

Wilkes County households earning $52,542 annually spend roughly $759 on rent or $633 on mortgage, consuming 17.3% of gross income. This leaves families with healthy discretionary income while supporting median home values around $105,000.

Northeast Georgia Value With Main Street Character

Wilkes County offers a middle path for families seeking genuine small-town living with solid affordability—your 17.3% housing burden won't strain a working family budget. Compare Wilkes to surrounding counties and you'll see why Northeast Georgia families choose this balanced community.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Wilkes County

via IncomeByCounty

Wilkes Trails National Income Levels

Wilkes County's median household income of $52,542 lags the national median of $74,755 by 29.7%, indicating below-average earning power. However, the county's per capita income of $30,123 approaches the state average, suggesting income concentration among specific households.

Below Georgia's Average Income

At $52,542, Wilkes's median household income falls $7,946 short of Georgia's state average of $60,488, placing it in the lower-middle tier of state counties. The per capita income of $30,123 closely matches the state average of $31,115, indicating relatively equal wealth distribution within the county.

Mid-Range Among Regional Peers

Wilkes's $52,542 median income ranks above Wheeler ($45,262), Wilcox ($48,036), and Wilkinson ($46,673), but below Worth ($57,201), Whitfield ($64,262), and White ($69,747). This middle position reflects a mixed economic base typical of rural Georgia counties.

Housing Costs Rise Slightly

Wilkes's 17.3% rent-to-income ratio indicates manageable but slightly higher housing costs relative to income compared to its lowest-income neighbors. With median home values at $105,000, homeownership offers solid wealth-building potential for county residents.

Build Lasting Financial Security

Wilkes residents should prioritize employer benefits like matching 401(k) contributions and explore affordable investment vehicles suited to moderate incomes. Strategic career moves and skill development can increase earning potential and accelerate progress toward long-term financial goals.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Wilkes County

via HealthByCounty

Wilkes trails national life expectancy

At 72.0 years, Wilkes County residents live 4.1 years less than the U.S. average and 1.3 years below Georgia's state average. Nearly one in four reports poor or fair health, indicating widespread chronic conditions and quality-of-life challenges.

Below-average health outcomes statewide

Wilkes ranks below Georgia's state average on life expectancy by 1.3 years, placing it among the state's lower-performing counties. The 23.3% poor/fair health rate points to high rates of diabetes, hypertension, and related diseases.

Low life expectancy, adequate providers

Wilkes's 72.0-year life expectancy underperforms Wheeler (76.5), Whitfield (75.1), and White (74.4) counties, though it edges Wilcox (70.6). With 42 primary care providers per 100,000, Wilkes has respectable physician density but fails to translate access into longevity gains.

Moderate access, but utilization gaps

Wilkes offers 42 primary care providers and 21 mental health providers per 100,000—reasonable supply—but a 17.7% uninsured rate suggests many skip preventive care due to cost. These coverage and utilization gaps likely explain low life expectancy despite available providers.

Health coverage closes care gaps

Nearly one in five Wilkes County residents lacks health insurance, missing preventive screenings and early treatment of chronic disease. Enroll in Georgia Medicaid or a marketplace plan at healthcare.gov to access local providers and improve your health outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Wilkes County

via RiskByCounty

Wilkes ranks among safest counties nationally

Wilkes County's composite risk score of 12.91 ranks well below Georgia's state average of 39.49, placing it solidly in the very low category. The county's hazard exposure is minimal compared to national disaster risk patterns.

Among Georgia's lowest-risk counties

Wilkes County ranks among the safest counties in Georgia by composite risk, positioned in the very low category substantially below the state average. The county's east-central location shields it from major tornado and hurricane corridors affecting other state regions.

Safer than nearby White County significantly

Wilkes County's 12.91 score ranks very similarly to Wheeler County (6.42) and Wilkinson County (4.64), but well below White County (45.74). The county benefits from a rural location in Georgia's safer east-central region.

Hurricane and earthquake top concern list

Wilkes County's hurricane risk (73.05) and earthquake risk (59.86) both exceed the composite average, making them the primary hazard considerations. Tornado risk (29.33) and wildfire risk (34.70) present lower but manageable concerns for residents.

Ensure windstorm and earthquake coverage

Wilkes County homeowners should maintain adequate wind and hurricane coverage in their policies despite the county's low composite risk rating. Consider earthquake insurance as a supplement, particularly if your property would face significant economic loss from seismic damage.

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.