Ben Hill
Georgia

What stands out

Three things set Ben Hill County apart from the other 3,142 counties: life expectancy is in the bottom 3% of American counties (69.6 years), the school test score is in the bottom 4% of American counties (2.41 where 3.0 is grade level), and the median household income is in the bottom 5% of American counties ($38,255). Within Georgia it ranks 3rd of 158 counties for life expectancy, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Ben Hill County, Georgia. 17,169 people live here with you. The population grew 0.4% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +128).

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 $38,255 a year, lower than 95% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $45,500. Unemployment runs 4.3%, higher than 78% of American counties. 3% of workers work from home.

Georgia takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,909 a year.

Home

The median home costs $126K, cheaper than 92% of American counties, about 2.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $641 a month. Property tax is 1.03% of home value, roughly $1,028 a year on that median home, higher than 62% of American counties. 58% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.8 per 1,000 residents, higher than 90% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 18 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 69.6 years, shorter than 97% of American counties. There are 13 active physicians in the county, about 7.6 per 10,000 people. 14.9% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.53 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 96% of American counties. 84% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 26 points. 53% 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 39 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 42 out of 100, safer than 58% of American counties; the county has had 15 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 149 Mbps down, slower than 71% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.