Baker
Georgia

What stands out

If you had to describe Baker County in numbers, start here: the overdose death rate is among the lowest in America (-999 per 100,000), the share working from home is in the bottom 2% of American counties (1%), and the school test score is in the bottom 2% of American counties (2.28 where 3.0 is grade level). Within Georgia it ranks 4th of 159 counties for the overdose death rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Baker County, Georgia. 2,878 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 1.8% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -38).

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 $45,417 a year, lower than 88% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $45,963. Unemployment runs 4.0%, higher than 70% of American counties. 1% of workers work from home.

Georgia takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,266 a year.

Home

The median home costs $132K, cheaper than 91% of American counties, about 2.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $479 a month. Property tax is 0.75% of home value, roughly $913 a year on that median home, lower than 60% of American counties. 75% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.8 per 1,000 residents, higher than 91% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 74.5 years, shorter than 64% 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. 13.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.37 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 98% of American counties. 86% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 16 points. 63% 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 68°F, highs near 79 and lows near 56, warmer than 91% of American counties. About 41 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 11 out of 100, safer than 89% of American counties; the county has had 19 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 72 Mbps down, slower than 94% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation.