Skip to content
Submit

Decatur County

GA · Pop. 29,118 · Suburban County

71/100Homestead Score

Decatur County is a suburban county in Georgia, spanning 597 square miles with 29,118 residents at a density of 48.8 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on cotton, peanuts, corn. The median home price is $146,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.93%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 245-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.9°F and average winter lows of 38.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 53.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Memorial Hospital and Manor is 2.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 85.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.93%
Growing Season: 245 days
Broadband: 85.4%
Density: 48.8/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 245-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.93% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $146,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Memorial Hospital and Manor, with an emergency room, is just 2.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on cotton, peanuts, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • A poverty rate of 24.8% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.

At a glance

Decatur County, GA is a strong overall fit for homesteading.

Homestead score
71/100
Median home price
$146k
Property tax
0.93%
Growing season
245 days (zone 9a)
Annual rainfall
53.1"
Broadband
85.4%
Nearest hospital
Memorial Hospital and Manor, 2.4 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.93%
Median Household Income$50,485
Poverty Rate24.8%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$146K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone9a
Growing Season245 days
Annual Rainfall53.1 inches
Avg Summer High91.9°F
Avg Winter Low38.9°F
Top CropsCotton, Peanuts, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought8/10
Wildfire7/10
Tornado9/10
Flood8/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalMemorial Hospital and Manor (2.4 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage85.4%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.6%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Decatur County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Decatur County?
Decatur County is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 245-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.9°F, and average winter lows of 38.9°F. The established crops are cotton, peanuts, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $146,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.93%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 85.4% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
Memorial Hospital and Manor is 2.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

Explore Georgia Resources

Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you

LandWatch

Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.

Browse Land Listings

Lands of America

The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.

Search Rural Properties

AcreTrader

Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.

Explore Farmland Investments

More counties in Georgia

All Georgia counties

Nearby counties

The closest counties to Decatur County by distance, including across state lines.

Data sources

Verified

Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.