Towns
Georgia

What stands out

Against every county in America, Towns County is unusual in three ways: the overdose death rate is among the lowest in America (-999 per 100,000), the property tax rate is in the bottom 5% of American counties (0.38%), and rainfall is in the top 5% of American counties (57 inches a year). Within Georgia it ranks 4th of 159 counties for the overdose death rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Towns County, Georgia. 12,546 people live here with you. The population grew 0.6% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +196).

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 $55,574 a year, lower than 65% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $44,811. Unemployment runs 4.1%, higher than 72% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home.

Georgia takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,773 a year.

Home

The median home costs $400K, pricier than 86% of American counties, about 4.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $684 a month. Property tax is 0.38% of home value, roughly $1,067 a year on that median home, lower than 95% of American counties. 79% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.8 per 1,000 residents, lower than 55% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 77.4 years, longer than 69% of American counties. There are 13 active physicians in the county, about 10.4 per 10,000 people. 15.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.20 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 66% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 61 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 78% 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 57°F, highs near 68 and lows near 46, warmer than 56% of American counties. About 57 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 14 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 230 Mbps down, faster than 64% of American counties. For a night or a weekend out: 1.2 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.