Chatham
Georgia

What stands out

Three things set Chatham County apart from the other 3,142 counties: natural-hazard risk is among the riskiest in America (99 of 100), homeownership is in the bottom 5% of American counties (57%), and the typical two-bedroom rent is in the top 10% of American counties ($1,235 a month). Within Georgia it ranks 1st of 159 counties for natural-hazard risk.

Where you are

You live in Chatham County, Georgia. 296,266 people live here with you. The population grew 0.9% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +972).

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 $66,171 a year, higher than 65% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $61,834. Unemployment runs 3.0%, lower than 64% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 21 minutes each way.

Georgia takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,302 a year.

Home

The median home costs $342K, pricier than 78% of American counties, about 3.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,235 a month. Property tax is 0.94% of home value, roughly $2,418 a year on that median home, higher than 56% of American counties. 57% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.7 per 1,000 residents, lower than 62% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 21 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 76.3 years, longer than 56% of American counties. There are 1,270 active physicians in the county, about 42.9 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 1.7 of 5 stars. 15.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.66 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 88% of American counties. 91% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 19 points. 61% 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 78 and lows near 57, warmer than 90% of American counties. About 45 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 99 out of 100, riskier than almost every county in America; the county has had 19 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 266 Mbps down, faster than 81% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.3 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 4 breweries, 18 museums, 1 National Park Service site.