← Map/← Georgia/Counties/Cherokee

Cherokee
Georgia

269K

Population

$101K

Median Income

$477K

Median Home

R+39

Politics

This county as a story, on one page you can share·See it on the map with these filters

What stands out

Three things set Cherokee County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the median household income is in the top 3% of American counties ($100,824), the share working from home is in the top 3% of American counties (18%), and the typical two-bedroom rent is in the top 5% of American counties ($1,439 a month). Within Georgia it ranks 4th of 159 counties for the median household income.

Where you are

You live in Cherokee County, Georgia. 268,567 people live here with you. The population grew 1.9% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +3,993).

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 $100,824 a year, higher than 97% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $54,283. Unemployment runs 2.4%, lower than 88% of American counties. 18% of workers work from home.

Georgia takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $5,031 a year.

Home

The median home costs $477K, pricier than 92% of American counties, about 3.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,439 a month. Property tax is 0.71% of home value, roughly $2,556 a year on that median home, lower than 64% of American counties. 77% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.3 per 1,000 residents, lower than 79% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 13 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 79.6 years, longer than 89% of American counties. There are 303 active physicians in the county, about 11.3 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 11.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.25 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 85% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 39 points. 81% 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 61°F, highs near 72 and lows near 50, warmer than 71% of American counties. About 47 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 83 out of 100, riskier than 83% of American counties; the county has had 19 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 298 Mbps down, faster than 95% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.

Written from the figures below. Percentiles compare this county with every other county that reports the same figure; missing figures are left out rather than guessed.

Economy

Median Household Income$101K
This county
national avg ~$75K
Poverty Rate5.6%
This county
national avg ~11.5%
Unemployment Rate2.4%
This county
national avg ~3.8%
GDP per Capita$42,380
Federal Spending per Capita$275
Median Individual Earnings$52K
This county
national avg $45K
Professional/Management Workers44.1%
Average Adjusted Gross Income$99K
Avg Credit Score684
Work From Home %18.3%
This county
national avg 17.0%
Population Under 1823.5%
This county
national avg 22.0%
Single-Person Households18.8%
This county
national avg 28.0%
Banks & Finance Firms112
Income (20th Percentile)$46K
Income (80th Percentile)$179K
Income (95th Percentile)$250K
Bachelor's Degree or Higher39.5%
This county
national avg 34.3%
Less Than High School7.8%
This county
national avg 11.0%
Knowledge Economy GDP %11.9%
Dependency Ratio0.63
Medicare Spending / Person$2,604
SS Benefits / Person$3,536
Education Wage Premium2.14x
Median Earnings (Bachelor's)$77K
Median Earnings (Graduate)$83K
Median Earnings (HS Diploma)$39K
Public Assistance Recipients1.2%
Average Annual Wage$54K
Professional Services Concentration0.71x national
This county
1.0 = national average share
Federal Government Jobs Located Here354
Federal Share of Jobs Located Here0.5%
Residents Who Work for the Federal Government1.3%
Federal Civilian Share of Earnings0.6%
Federal Contract Dollars Performed Here (FY2025)$54M
Contract Dollars Relative to Local Wages0.01x wages
Largest Award's Share of Contract Dollars42%

Housing

Sources: Zillow ZHVI · Census ACS 2022 · Tax Foundation 2023 (effective rates)

Median Home Value$477K
This county
$340K state avg
$303K national
Median Sale Price$458K
This county
$303K national
Market Rent (ZORI)$2018/mo
This county
$1600/mo state avg
$1400/mo national
Property Tax Rate0.71%
This county
0.81% state avg
1.10% national

Annual tax on median home: $2,556

Affordability & Supply

HUD Fair Market Rent (2BR)$1,820/mo
Home Price Change (1 yr)+2.0%−+5.1% since 2024
Home Value to Income Ratio3.1x income
Severely Cost-Burdened Households10.7%
Homeownership Rate77.5%
This county
national avg ~65%

Market Activity

Sources: Zillow Research monthly · Redfin

Sale-to-List Ratio— Buyers market — homes selling below list
98.2%
Listings with Price Cuts— High — sellers are negotiating
26.5%
Sold Above List Price
17.4%
Median Days to Close
21 days
Active Listings
1,518
New Listings / Month
481

Source: Zillow Research · Updated monthly

Days on Market (Redfin)— Average pace
34 days
Months of Supply (Redfin)— Balanced market
3.2 mo
Sold Above List (Redfin)
20.0%

Sale-to-List Cross-Reference

Zillow 98.2%  ·  Redfin 98.7%

Source: Redfin · Updated monthly

Health

Life Expectancy79.6 yrs
This county
national avg ~78.5 years
Hospital Rating4.0 / 5
This county
national avg 3.0 stars
Food Insecurity7.7%
This county
national avg ~11%
Food Environment Index8.5 / 10
This county
higher = better access
Primary Care Shortage Score0
This county
national avg 5
Mental Health Shortage Score0
Dental Care Shortage Score0
Healthcare Shortage Score0.0
Healthcare Offices497
Obesity Rate (BRFSS)33.1%
This county
national avg 32.0%
Smoking Rate (BRFSS)11.7%
This county
national avg 14.0%
Poor Health Rate (BRFSS)15.8%
This county
national avg 18.0%
Physical Inactivity (BRFSS)23.0%
This county
national avg 24.0%
High Blood Pressure (BRFSS)30.8%
This county
national avg 32.0%
Active Physicians303
Nursing Home Rating1.7 / 5
This county
national avg ~3 stars
ER Visits per 1,000 Medicare Patients515 / 1,000
Medicare Cost per Beneficiary$12,666
Uninsured (under 65)11.8%
This county
national avg ~10%
Adults with Depression20.7%

Education

Math Test Scores3.30 grade level
Reading Test Scores3.20 grade level
HS Diploma Holders33,616
Bachelor's Degree Holders50,928
HS Completion Rate92.2%
This county
national avg ~85%
Private Schools89

Safety

Violent Crime Rate3.3 / 1,000
This county
national avg ~4.0
Firearm Fatality Rate11.4 / 100K
This county
national avg ~13.6/100K
Homicide Rate2.4 / 100K
This county
national avg ~7.5/100K
Drug Overdose Rate17.9 / 100K
This county
national avg ~21/100K
Traffic Fatalities26
Social Vulnerability (CDC SVI)20th pct
Drug Overdose Deaths (2024)13.3 / 100K
Suicide Rate14.7 / 100K
This county
national avg ~14/100K

Climate & Air Quality

Natural Amenity Scale1.9
January Sunshine0.14
January Temperature0.71
Average Temp61°F+1.3% since 2022
Avg High Temp72°F+1.1% since 2022
Avg Low Temp50°F+1.2% since 2022
Median AQIAQI 57
Good Air Days97 days/yr
Unhealthy Air Days21 days/yr
Annual Precipitation47.0 in/yr-6.6% since 2022
Avg Storm Events14.6 storms/yr
Avg Annual Storm Damage$522K
Drought Index (2022)-0.47
Heating Degree Days2,997 HDD/yr
This county
national avg ~4,500 HDD/yr
Cooling Degree Days1,584 CDD/yr
This county
national avg ~1,200 CDD/yr
Heating Degree Days (1901–2000 Baseline)3,474 HDD/yr
Cooling Degree Days (1901–2000 Baseline)1,483 CDD/yr
Avg Tornadoes / Year0.6
Avg Flood Events / Year0.2
Avg Hail Events / Year1.0
Avg Hurricane Events / Year0.00
Avg Wildfire Events / Year0.0
Avg Winter Storms / Year0.0
Avg Heat Events / Year0.0
Natural Hazard Risk (FEMA)83 / 100
Community Resilience (FEMA)51 / 100
Federal Disaster Declarations19 since 1953
Fine Particulate Pollution (PM2.5)9.3 µg/m³
This county
EPA standard 9 µg/m³

Outdoor & Recreation

Historic Places (NRHP)9 properties
FAA-Registered Airports5 total
Airports (excl. heliports)2 airports

Internet & Remote Work

Download Speed298 Mbps
This county
national avg ~120 Mbps
Upload Speed147 Mbps
Fixed Internet (Q1 2026)428 Mbps
Mobile Internet (Q1 2026)333 Mbps
Mobile Upload (Q1 2026)18 Mbps
Mobile Latency (Q1 2026)33 ms
Households with 100Mbps+97.4%
This county
national avg 75.0%
Cellular-Only Internet7.3%
This county
national avg 8.0%
Fixed Upload Speed (Q1 2026)214 Mbps

EV Infrastructure

EV Charging Stations60 stations
DC Fast Chargers28 chargers
Level 2 EV Chargers100

Commute & Transit

Remote Workers25,506 workers
Public Transit Commuters277 workers
Walk to Work (workers)757 workers
Extreme Commutes (90+ min)3,940 workers
Bike Commuters0.0%
Walk to Work0.5%

Families & Childcare

Childcare Cost Burden20.9%
This county
national median ~27% of household income
Childcare Centers9.2 per 10K residents
Childcare Facilities53

Civic & Community

Voter Turnout80.7%
This county
national avg ~55%
Volunteering Rate1.0%
Income Inequality (Gini)3.904
Nonprofit Organizations1,041
Veterans Share7.5%
This county
national avg 7.0%
Married Adults59.6%
Never-Married Adults26.2%
Divorced Adults9.3%
Religious Organizations121
Asian Population2.0%
Native American Population0.7%
Membership Associations7.0 per 10K residents

Lifestyle & Services

Full-Service Restaurants0.67 per 1K residents
Colleges & Universities1
Nursing & Care Facilities33
Grocery Stores63
Arts & Entertainment Venues38
Hotels & Lodging24
Recreation Businesses81
Professional Services Firms937
Veterinary Practices97
Real Estate Firms377
Debt Burden
Avg Mortgage Balance$79K
Avg Student Loan Balance$9K
Avg Credit Card Balance$5K
Loan Delinquency Rate42.3%
This county
national avg 4.0%

Innovation

Inventor Rate0.16%
Drone Delivery Sites1 site

Politics

R+39

2024 Presidential · Georgia was R+2 statewide

vs Georgia State

Income tax
5.49%Same (state law)
Property tax
0.71%0.81% state avg
Politics
R+39R+2
COL Index
91state index (no county figure)

Population & Migration

Net Domestic Migration 2023

↑ +4K

More people arriving than leaving

IRS Wealth Migration

Lower-income migration pattern (IRS: 0.91x avg income)

Economic Mobility

42%

chance a low-income child reaches the middle class

Source: Opportunity Insights

Real Estate

Find Homes in Cherokee County

Median home value: $477K

View on Zillow →View on Realtor.com →

Opens in a new tab

Explore Other Georgia Counties

Barrow County, GeorgiaBartow County, GeorgiaBen Hill County, GeorgiaBerrien County, GeorgiaBibb County, GeorgiaBleckley County, GeorgiaBrooks County, GeorgiaBryan County, GeorgiaBulloch County, GeorgiaBurke County, GeorgiaButts County, GeorgiaCalhoun County, GeorgiaAll Georgia counties →

Full Georgia profile

Taxes, cost of living, crime, schools, gun laws and more.

View Georgia →

Data: Census ACS, BLS, Zillow, USDA Natural Amenities, OpenElections 2024, CMS, NCES. Vintage 2022–2025. News via Google News.

Your Priorities

Adjust and every page updates live

Quick Profiles

Dial in your priorities

Annual Income

$150K

Affects effective income tax rate

$0$500K$5M+

Retirement Savings

$0

Affects pension and SS tax burden

None$500K$10M+

Social Security

None

Annual Social Security benefit

None$150K/yr

My Property Is Worth

$400K

Affects property tax burden

Tax burden ↓$1M$50M+

Home Buying Budget

$400K

Compared to state median home price

Hard to find$250K$5M+

Monthly Rent Budget

Don't care

Compared to state median 2BR rent

Don't care$10K/mo

Job Market

Don't care

State unemployment and job growth

Don't careHot market

Airport Access

Don't care

Direct flight destinations from state hubs

Don't careMust have hub

City vs Country

Mid-size city

% urban population

Deep countryBig city

Sunshine

Don't care

Annual sunny days per state

Don't careMax sunshine

Food Scene

Don't care

Restaurants per 100K residents

Don't careWorld-class

Political Preference

Neutral

State's political lean

LiberalConservative

Gun Laws

Neutral

State gun law grade (Giffords)

Gun Control2A Freedom

Abortion Access

Neutral

State abortion access policy

Pro-ChoiceNeutralPro-Life

Community

None

Congregations per 100K residents

AvoidDon't careSeek

Sports & Entertainment

Don't care

Pro sports teams and major venues

Don't careMust have pro teams

Cannabis Laws

Neutral

State cannabis legality

Prefer LegalNeutralPrefer Prohibition

Retiree Community

Neutral

% population 65+ (Census)

Young areaRetirement-heavy

Dating Market

Neutral

% adults never-married (Census)

Singles sceneFamily community

Safety / Low Crime

Don't care

Violent crime rate per 100K (FBI)

Don't careVery safe

School Quality

Don't care

K-12 rank (Education Week)

Don't careTop-ranked

Healthcare Access

Don't care

Healthcare system rank (Commonwealth Fund)

Don't careTop-ranked

Childcare Affordability

Don't care

Cost of living proxy for childcare affordability

Don't careMust be affordable