Best counties to retire to in Georgia

Written by:
February 1, 2021
KudzuVine // Wikimedia Commons

Best counties to retire to in Georgia

Buyers and sellers of real estate alike—when asked what are the three most essential considerations about a property—will nearly always reply "location, location, location." While this answer is sometimes tongue-in-cheek, it is often quite accurate, and this reply perhaps applies to retirees more than any other demographic. Settling down after a lifetime of working and perhaps raising a family calls for the perfect location: a spot where you can enjoy life with as few concerns as possible.

When seniors aged 65 years or older decide on where they want to live out their golden years, they consider very specific factors, such as the cost of living, government services, health care facilities, weather and overall climate, crime rate, outdoor recreational activities, eating establishments, cultural and entertainment opportunities, and more.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to retire in Georgia using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, healthcare, recreation and weather.

Location is critical as retirees determine where to spend their senior years enjoying favorite activities; however, it’s a very unique decision based on a multitude of preferences and needs. Whether it be bustling downtowns or access to parks, affordable home prices or cultural amenities like museums, retirees seeking to settle in a permanent spot are sure to find a private paradise in any of these counties recommended by Niche because, in the end, there is no place like home—no matter the location.

Read on to discover the best counties to retire to in Georgia.

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Upstateherd // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Hart County

- Population: 25,631
- Median home value: $126,900 (76% own)
- Median rent: $699 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $41,358
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#24. McIntosh County

- Population: 14,120
- Median home value: $120,300 (78% own)
- Median rent: $869 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $47,114
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#23. Habersham County

- Population: 44,289
- Median home value: $146,000 (77% own)
- Median rent: $738 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $49,140
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Thomson200 // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Cobb County

- Population: 745,057
- Median home value: $237,800 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,157 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $75,153
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John Trainor // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Monroe County

- Population: 27,010
- Median home value: $163,800 (79% own)
- Median rent: $744 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $54,050
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#20. Chatham County

- Population: 287,049
- Median home value: $184,900 (54% own)
- Median rent: $1,044 (46% rent)
- Median household income: $54,911
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#19. Houston County

- Population: 151,682
- Median home value: $138,600 (64% own)
- Median rent: $897 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $58,770
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JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Bleckley County

- Population: 12,775
- Median home value: $97,900 (72% own)
- Median rent: $613 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $45,029
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Thomson200 // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Forsyth County

- Population: 219,880
- Median home value: $321,000 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,319 (16% rent)
- Median household income: $101,743
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Bubba73 // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Jones County

- Population: 28,548
- Median home value: $123,400 (80% own)
- Median rent: $764 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $53,155
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KudzuVine // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Catoosa County

- Population: 66,299
- Median home value: $140,000 (75% own)
- Median rent: $759 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $55,125
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Michael Rivera // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Seminole County

- Population: 8,437
- Median home value: $89,500 (68% own)
- Median rent: $726 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $34,338
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Scott Long // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Fannin County

- Population: 24,925
- Median home value: $185,600 (78% own)
- Median rent: $805 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $45,647
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Thomsonmg2000 // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Gilmer County

- Population: 29,922
- Median home value: $171,000 (75% own)
- Median rent: $741 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $49,389
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John Trainor // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Putnam County

- Population: 21,503
- Median home value: $165,300 (78% own)
- Median rent: $712 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $51,245
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#10. Towns County

- Population: 11,417
- Median home value: $205,600 (81% own)
- Median rent: $764 (19% rent)
- Median household income: $43,927
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Thomson200 // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Pickens County

- Population: 30,832
- Median home value: $185,700 (76% own)
- Median rent: $843 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $64,512
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Thomson200 // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Dawson County

- Population: 23,861
- Median home value: $215,500 (82% own)
- Median rent: $857 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $65,805
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FloNight (Sydney Poore) and Russell Poore // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Stephens County

- Population: 25,676
- Median home value: $94,300 (70% own)
- Median rent: $713 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $43,416
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#6. Oconee County

- Population: 37,017
- Median home value: $268,100 (83% own)
- Median rent: $970 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $88,308
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Bubba73 (Jud McCranie) // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Glynn County

- Population: 83,974
- Median home value: $168,700 (62% own)
- Median rent: $894 (38% rent)
- Median household income: $50,672
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Swall12345 // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Greene County

- Population: 16,976
- Median home value: $207,700 (71% own)
- Median rent: $691 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $49,755
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PTCdude // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Fayette County

- Population: 111,369
- Median home value: $269,900 (81% own)
- Median rent: $1,274 (19% rent)
- Median household income: $87,272
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KudzuVine // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Rabun County

- Population: 16,457
- Median home value: $164,900 (75% own)
- Median rent: $678 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $40,902
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#1. Union County

- Population: 22,775
- Median home value: $197,200 (78% own)
- Median rent: $731 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $44,978

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