CountyScore

Wilkinson County

Georgia · GA

#27 in Georgia
70.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Wilkinson County, Georgia

Wilkinson surpasses national livability standards

Wilkinson County's composite score of 73.9 is 48% higher than the national median of 50.0, reflecting strong overall livability. The county's balanced performance across cost and tax metrics drives this above-average positioning.

Solid performer in Georgia

Wilkinson scores 73.9, noticeably above Georgia's state average of 70.9, ranking it among the state's better-performing counties. This advantage reflects particular strength in housing affordability within Georgia's market.

Strong affordability and tax efficiency

Wilkinson County delivers a cost score of 86.2 with very affordable housing—median home value of $90,800 and rent of $766/month—plus a tax score of 77.5 and effective tax rate of 0.882%. This combination provides excellent value for cost-conscious households.

Limited income growth and incomplete data

Wilkinson's income score of 13.9 reflects a median household income of $46,673, among the lowest of these seven counties and well below national norms. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality remain unavailable, preventing comprehensive livability assessment.

Perfect for retirees and thrifty families

Wilkinson County appeals to retirees and families prioritizing rock-bottom living costs and low taxes over household income growth. The county offers exceptional affordability and tax relief, making it ideal for those focused on maximizing financial resources in retirement or early-career stages.

Score breakdown

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

Tax77.5Cost86.2SafetyComing SoonHealth54.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome13.9Risk95.4WaterComing Soon
🏛77.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼13.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤54.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡95.4
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 Wilkinson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Greene County
Georgia
70.7
Median income: $84,530
Jenkins County
Georgia
70.7
Median income: $36,906
Lincoln County
Georgia
70.7
Median income: $50,688
Blaine County
Idaho
70.7
Median income: $84,470
Owyhee County
Idaho
70.7
Median income: $59,773

Deep Dives

Wilkinson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Wilkinson County

via TaxByCounty

Wilkinson taxes slightly above national norm

Wilkinson County's effective tax rate of 0.882% sits just below the national median effective rate, placing it near the American average. The median tax of $801 runs 70% below the national median, reflecting the county's modest property values.

Wilkinson mirrors Georgia's average rate

At 0.882%, Wilkinson County's effective tax rate nearly matches Georgia's state average of 0.898%, placing it squarely in the middle of all state counties. This makes Wilkinson fairly typical for the state.

Wilkinson moderate compared to region

Wilkinson's 0.882% rate falls between the region's high-tax and low-tax extremes, exceeding White (0.661%), Wheeler (0.753%), and Whitfield (0.673%) but trailing higher-burden counties like Wilcox (1.058%), Worth (1.086%), and Wilkes (1.137%). This positions Wilkinson as mid-range regionally.

Wilkinson's typical property tax bill

On the median home value of $90,800, Wilkinson County residents pay approximately $801 annually—roughly $67 per month. Mortgage holders typically see $884 due to escrow additions.

Review your assessment for savings

Even in an average-tax county like Wilkinson, overassessments are common and easily correctable through a free appeal process. Checking your valuation could unlock meaningful savings on your tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Wilkinson County

via CostByCounty

Wilkinson Approaches the National Affordability Threshold

At 19.7%, Wilkinson County's rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national context, placing housing costs at the edge of affordability for median households earning $46,673. The $766 median rent reflects a rural Georgia community where housing costs consume slightly more of household budgets than U.S. norms.

Above-Average Housing Burden for Georgia

Wilkinson County's 19.7% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Georgia's 18.6% state average, making it among the less affordable rural counties statewide. This represents a genuine affordability challenge for households below the county's median income of $46,673.

Wilkinson Costs More Than Most Regional Peers

Wilkinson's $766 median rent ranks third-highest among its regional neighbors, trailing only Whitfield ($907) and White County ($1,015), and exceeding Wheeler ($551) and Wilcox ($612). With a 19.7% rent burden, Wilkinson is the region's least affordable county for renters.

Nearly One-Fifth of Income Goes to Rent

Wilkinson County households earning $46,673 annually spend approximately $766 on rent or $559 on mortgage, consuming 19.7% of gross income. At this ratio, families have less financial flexibility than most Georgia counties, making budget-stretching a necessity.

Consider Neighboring Options for Better Value

Wilkinson County's 19.7% housing burden puts it at the affordability edge—families relocating to Central Georgia should compare Wilkinson against nearby Wheeler, Wilcox, and Whitfield for better value. The county offers rural living, but budget-conscious relocators may find greater financial breathing room in adjacent communities.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Wilkinson County

via IncomeByCounty

Wilkinson's Significant National Gap

Wilkinson County's median household income of $46,673 falls 37.6% below the national median of $74,755, placing it among the lowest-income counties nationally. This substantial gap reflects limited employment opportunities and economic diversification in the county.

Trailing Georgia's State Average

Wilkinson's median household income of $46,673 trails Georgia's state average of $60,488 by $13,815, positioning it among the state's lowest-income counties. The per capita income of $25,742 also falls significantly below the state average of $31,115.

Second Lowest in Its Region

Wilkinson's $46,673 median income ranks above only Wheeler ($45,262) among its neighbors, falling behind Wilcox ($48,036), Wilkes ($52,542), Worth ($57,201), Whitfield ($64,262), and White ($69,747). This places Wilkinson near the bottom of the regional income hierarchy.

Housing Costs Stretch Tight Budgets

Wilkinson's 19.7% rent-to-income ratio is the highest among its neighbors, straining household budgets significantly—approximately $762 monthly rent on a median income of $46,673. With median home values at just $90,800, homeownership offers one of few paths to household wealth building.

Seek Support and Opportunity

Wilkinson residents facing tight budgets should explore financial counseling, community development programs, and job training initiatives to increase earning potential. Even modest income increases through skills development or career advancement can significantly improve long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Wilkinson County

via HealthByCounty

Wilkinson faces severe longevity challenge

At 69.9 years, Wilkinson County residents live 6.2 years less than the U.S. average and 3.4 years below Georgia's state average—the region's lowest life expectancy. One in four reports poor or fair health, suggesting entrenched chronic disease and limited health equity.

Among Georgia's lowest-performing counties

Wilkinson ranks among the state's worst on life expectancy, trailing Georgia's average by 3.4 years. At 69.9 years, the county faces a health crisis requiring comprehensive intervention across prevention, treatment, and social determinants.

Region's shortest life expectancy

Wilkinson's 69.9-year life expectancy is the lowest in its region, 6.6 years below Wheeler and 4.5 years below Whitfield. With 34 primary care and 57 mental health providers per 100K, reasonable supply exists but hasn't translated to better outcomes.

Provider supply outpaces care utilization

Wilkinson offers 34 primary care providers and 57 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—above many neighbors—yet a 14.9% uninsured rate and poor health outcomes suggest barriers like transportation, health literacy, and poverty limit actual access. Provider density alone cannot overcome structural inequities.

Insurance opens the door to health

One in seven Wilkinson residents lacks health insurance, compounding the county's alarming life expectancy gap. Visit healthcare.gov or Georgia Medicaid today to secure coverage, then work with local providers on preventive care and chronic disease management to improve your health.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Wilkinson County

via RiskByCounty

Wilkinson is Georgia's safest county

Wilkinson County's composite risk score of 4.64 ranks among the lowest in Georgia and well below the national average, earning the very low rating. The county faces minimal exposure to most major natural disaster categories.

Georgia's lowest-risk county

Wilkinson County ranks as one of Georgia's safest counties by composite risk, placing it in the very low category and substantially below the state average of 39.49. The county's rural location in central Georgia provides exceptional protection from multiple hazard types.

Safest among nearby counties surveyed

Wilkinson County's 4.64 score is the lowest among the counties examined, offering significantly better risk profile than Wheeler (6.42), Wilkes (12.91), and Wilcox (13.17). The county's central location provides optimal distance from major disaster corridors.

Wildfire and hurricane present minimal risk

Even Wilkinson County's highest-scoring hazards—wildfire (41.89) and hurricane (63.20)—remain relatively modest compared to state and national standards. Tornado risk (16.57) is particularly low, reflecting the county's favorable geographic positioning.

Standard coverage meets most needs

Wilkinson County residents can rely on standard homeowner's insurance for most natural hazard protection, given the county's exceptionally low risk profile. Review your policy annually to ensure coverage remains appropriate, but comprehensive wind and flood riders are typically lower-priority investments here.

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.