Atkinson
Georgia

What stands out

Against every county in America, Atkinson County is unusual in three ways: high-school completion is among the lowest in America (70%), the share working from home is in the bottom 2% of American counties (1%), and violent crime is in the top 2% of American counties (5.3 per 1,000). Within Georgia it ranks 1st of 159 counties for high-school completion, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Atkinson County, Georgia. 8,265 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population grew 1.6% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +41).

Georgia moved to a flat income tax in 2024 with a rate scheduled to fall each year, and it exempts up to $65,000 of retirement income per person for residents 65 and over. Metro Atlanta holds more than half the state's population and its airport is the busiest in the world by passengers. Property taxes vary widely by county because school districts set most of the rate.

Money

The typical household here brings in $38,007 a year, lower than 95% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $49,678. Unemployment runs 2.7%, lower than 74% of American counties. 1% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 25 minutes each way.

Georgia takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,897 a year.

Home

The median home costs $127K, cheaper than 92% of American counties, about 1.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $493 a month. Property tax is 0.93% of home value, roughly $719 a year on that median home, higher than 56% of American counties. 67% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 5.3 per 1,000 residents, higher than 98% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 70.2 years, shorter than 96% of American counties. There are 0 active physicians in the county, about 0.0 per 10,000 people; the nearest doctor is in another county. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 23.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.05 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 58% of American counties. 70% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 47 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 60% of eligible voters turned out. Under Georgia law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 67°F, highs near 79 and lows near 55, warmer than 90% of American counties. About 40 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 41 out of 100, safer than 59% of American counties; the county has had 19 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 215 Mbps down, faster than 57% of American counties.