Best counties to live in Georgia

- Overall Rank: 569
- Population: 204,953
- Median household income: $74,153
- Median home value: $277,900 (70% own)
- Median rent: $1,179 (30% rent)
- Top public schools: Flowery Branch High School (grade A minus), Cherokee Bluff Middle School (grade A minus), Spout Springs Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Lakeview Academy (grade A+), Riverside Preparatory Academy (grade A+), Maranatha Christian Academy (grade A+)
- Top places: Flowery Branch (grade A minus), Oakwood (grade B+), Gainesville (grade B)

- Overall Rank: 567
- Population: 46,326
- Median household income: $61,292
- Median home value: $188,800 (75% own)
- Median rent: $861 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Fairview Elementary School (grade A minus), Hazel Grove Elementary School (grade B+), Clarkesville Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Tallulah Falls School (grade A+), Trinity Classical School (grade B+), The Torch Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Clarkesville (grade A minus), Mount Airy (grade A minus), Demorest (grade A minus)

- Overall Rank: 548
- Population: 45,665
- Median household income: $55,958
- Median home value: $178,900 (62% own)
- Median rent: $974 (38% rent)
- Top public schools: Jerger Elementary School (grade B+), Thomas County Central High School (grade B+), Cross Creek Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Brookwood School (grade A), Thomasville Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Thomasville (grade B), Coolidge (grade B minus), Ochlocknee (grade B minus)

- Overall Rank: 546
- Population: 204,572
- Median household income: $54,561
- Median home value: $168,400 (50% own)
- Median rent: $1,038 (50% rent)
- Top public schools: Columbus High School (grade A+), Britt David Elementary Computer Magnet Academy (grade A minus), Richards Middle School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Brookstone School (grade A+), St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School (grade A), Calvary Christian School (grade A minus)
- Top places: Columbus (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 499
- Population: 77,033
- Median household income: $82,056
- Median home value: $280,600 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,007 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: Jefferson Middle School (grade A), Jefferson Academy (grade A), Jefferson High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Braselton Christian Academy (grade unavailable), Jackson Trail Christian School (grade unavailable), Easterseals Child Development Center at Jackson (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Braselton (grade A), Jefferson (grade A), Hoschton (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 459
- Population: 144,735
- Median household income: $76,930
- Median home value: $227,800 (66% own)
- Median rent: $1,326 (34% rent)
- Top public schools: Holly Springs Elementary School (grade A minus), Winston Elementary School (grade B+), South Douglas Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Heirway Christian Academy (grade A minus), Harvester Christian Academy (grade A minus), King's Way Christian School (grade B+)
- Top places: Lithia Springs (grade B+), Douglasville (grade B)

- Overall Rank: 436
- Population: 98,541
- Median household income: $57,868
- Median home value: $174,000 (63% own)
- Median rent: $890 (37% rent)
- Top public schools: Pepperell Primary School (grade A), Johnson Elementary School (grade A), Model Middle School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Darlington School (grade A+), Unity Christian School (grade B+), St. Mary School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Rome (grade B+), Lindale (grade B minus), Shannon (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 396
- Population: 296,266
- Median household income: $66,171
- Median home value: $256,400 (57% own)
- Median rent: $1,284 (43% rent)
- Top public schools: Savannah Arts Academy (grade A+), Savannah Early College High School (grade A minus), The STEM Academy (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: The Savannah Country Day School (grade A+), St. Andrew's School (grade A+), Savannah Christian Preparatory School (grade A)
- Top places: Dutch Island (grade A), Wilmington Island (grade B+), Whitemarsh Island (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 390
- Population: 79,829
- Median household income: $53,675
- Median home value: $172,500 (52% own)
- Median rent: $931 (48% rent)
- Top public schools: Portal Middle/High School (grade A minus), Brooklet Elementary School (grade A minus), Statesboro STEAM Academy College, Careers, Arts and Technology Academy (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Bulloch Academy (grade A minus), Trinity Christian School (grade B+), Bible Baptist Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Statesboro (grade B), Brooklet (grade A minus), Portal (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 367
- Population: 34,914
- Median household income: $85,936
- Median home value: $273,200 (89% own)
- Median rent: $869 (11% rent)
- Top public schools: New Mountain Hill Elementary School (grade A minus), Harris County Carver Middle School (grade A minus), Creekside School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Waverly Hall Christian Academy (grade A)
- Top places: Pine Mountain (grade A), Shiloh (grade A minus), Hamilton (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 328
- Population: 55,105
- Median household income: $68,104
- Median home value: $213,400 (65% own)
- Median rent: $1,136 (35% rent)
- Top public schools: Saint Marys Middle School (grade A), Sugarmill Elementary School (grade A), Kingsland Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Advance Learning Center (grade unavailable), New Hope Christian Academy (grade unavailable), Childtime of Kingsland (grade unavailable)
- Top places: St. Marys (grade A minus), Kingsland (grade A minus), Woodbine (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 322
- Population: 120,060
- Median household income: $66,895
- Median home value: $196,900 (68% own)
- Median rent: $1,055 (32% rent)
- Top public schools: Ithica Elementary School (grade A), Central Middle School (grade A), Central Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Oak Mountain Academy (grade A+), Holy Ground Baptist Academy (grade C+), Oak Grove Montessori School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Villa Rica (grade A minus), Carrollton (grade A minus), Temple (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 280
- Population: 44,995
- Median household income: $90,627
- Median home value: $276,100 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,390 (24% rent)
- Top public schools: McAllister Elementary School (grade A), Frances Meeks Elementary School (grade A), Richmond Hill Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Richmond Hill Montessori Preschool (grade unavailable), First Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Richmond Hill (grade A minus), Pembroke (grade B)

- Overall Rank: 279
- Population: 761,209
- Median household income: $76,044
- Median home value: $301,100 (58% own)
- Median rent: $1,464 (42% rent)
- Top public schools: Talley Street Elementary School (grade A+), DeKalb School of the Arts (grade A), Oakhurst Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: The Paideia School (grade A+), Marist School (grade A+), Midtown International School (grade A+)
- Top places: Candler Park (grade A+), Decatur (grade A+), North Decatur (grade A+)

- Overall Rank: 231
- Population: 118,257
- Median household income: $52,821
- Median home value: $177,800 (54% own)
- Median rent: $951 (46% rent)
- Top public schools: Scintilla Charter Academy (grade A), Pine Grove Middle School (grade A), Hahira Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Valwood School (grade A), Highland Christian Academy (grade B+), Georgia Christian School (grade B minus)
- Top places: Hahira (grade A minus), Valdosta (grade B), Lake Park (grade B minus)

- Overall Rank: 215
- Population: 20,171
- Median household income: $81,524
- Median home value: $293,300 (74% own)
- Median rent: $1,003 (26% rent)
- Top public schools: Morgan County Middle School (grade A), Morgan County Elementary School (grade A), Morgan County High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Philadelphia Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Madison (grade A), Bostwick (grade A minus), Buckhead (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 186
- Population: 32,968
- Median household income: $83,632
- Median home value: $208,800 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,144 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Lee County Elementary School (grade A minus), Lee County Middle School - West Campus (grade A minus), Twin Oaks Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Montessori Preparatory Academy of Lee (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Leesburg (grade A minus), Smithville (grade B minus)

- Overall Rank: 184
- Population: 147,449
- Median household income: $90,031
- Median home value: $291,900 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,326 (24% rent)
- Top public schools: Coweta Charter Academy (grade A), Brooks Elementary School (grade A minus), Northgate High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: The Heritage School (grade A), Trinity Christian School (grade B+), Central Christian School (grade B+)
- Top places: Senoia (grade A+), Newnan (grade A minus), Grantville (grade B minus)

- Overall Rank: 167
- Population: 84,566
- Median household income: $65,970
- Median home value: $238,000 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,031 (33% rent)
- Top public schools: Glynn Academy (grade A), Oglethorpe Point Elementary School (grade A), St. Simons Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Frederica Academy (grade A+), Heritage Christian Academy (grade B+), Brunswick Christian Academy (grade B)
- Top places: St. Simons (grade A), Country Club Estates (grade B+), Dock Junction (grade B+)

- Overall Rank: 152
- Population: 28,287
- Median household income: $74,867
- Median home value: $204,100 (83% own)
- Median rent: $872 (17% rent)
- Top public schools: Monroe County Middle School - Banks Stephens Campus (grade A), T.G. Scott Elementary School (grade A minus), Mary Persons High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Wynfield Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Forsyth (grade A minus), Culloden (grade C+)

- Overall Rank: 131
- Population: 128,864
- Median household income: $48,692
- Median home value: $242,600 (41% own)
- Median rent: $1,045 (59% rent)
- Top public schools: Clarke Central High School (grade A minus), Chase Street Elementary School (grade B+), Barrow Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Monsignor Donovan Catholic High School (grade A), Athens Christian School (grade B+), St. Joseph Catholic Parish School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Athens (grade A), Winterville (grade A minus)

- Overall Rank: 124
- Population: 268,567
- Median household income: $100,824
- Median home value: $358,400 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,580 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Bascomb Elementary School (grade A), Dean Rusk Middle School (grade A), Hickory Flat Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Lyndon Academy (grade A), Cherokee Christian Schools (grade A minus), Compass Prep Academy (grade B)
- Top places: Woodstock (grade A+), Ball Ground (grade A), Holly Springs (grade A)

- Overall Rank: 89
- Population: 957,977
- Median household income: $82,296
- Median home value: $307,300 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,594 (33% rent)
- Top public schools: Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science & Technology (grade A+), Buford Senior Academy (grade A+), Buford High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Notre Dame Academy (grade A+), Greater Atlanta Christian School (grade A+), Wesleyan School (grade A+)
- Top places: Suwanee (grade A+), Duluth (grade A+), Mountain Park (grade A+)

- Overall Rank: 56
- Population: 156,921
- Median household income: $92,571
- Median home value: $259,000 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,295 (21% rent)
- Top public schools: Stallings Island Middle School (grade A), Parkway Elementary School (grade A), River Ridge Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Augusta Preparatory Day School (grade A+), Evans Christian Academy (grade A), Augusta Christian Schools (grade A minus)
- Top places: Evans (grade A+), Martinez (grade A), Grovetown (grade A minus)

- Overall Rank: 54
- Population: 164,117
- Median household income: $76,968
- Median home value: $189,500 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,094 (33% rent)
- Top public schools: C. B. Watson Primary School (grade A), Houston County High School (grade A), Matthew Arthur Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: The Westfield School (grade A minus), Sacred Heart Catholic School (grade unavailable), Warner Robins Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Perry (grade A), Warner Robins (grade A minus), Centerville (grade A minus)

- Overall Rank: 46
- Population: 1,061,944
- Median household income: $86,267
- Median home value: $398,300 (54% own)
- Median rent: $1,529 (46% rent)
- Top public schools: Alpharetta High School (grade A+), Northview High School (grade A+), Milton High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Fulton Science Academy Private School (grade A+), The Westminster Schools (grade A+), Pace Academy (grade A+)
- Top places: Johns Creek (grade A+), Alpharetta (grade A+), Atlantic Station (grade A+)

- Overall Rank: 16
- Population: 119,259
- Median household income: $105,910
- Median home value: $369,700 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,693 (18% rent)
- Top public schools: McIntosh High School (grade A+), Starrs Mill High School (grade A), Rising Starr Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: The Forest School: An Acton Academy (grade A+), Counterpane Montessori School (grade A), Foundry Academy (grade A)
- Top places: Tyrone (grade A+), Peachtree City (grade A+), Fayetteville (grade A)

- Overall Rank: 12
- Population: 765,813
- Median household income: $94,244
- Median home value: $346,000 (66% own)
- Median rent: $1,535 (34% rent)
- Top public schools: Walton High School (grade A+), Wheeler High School (grade A), Hillgrove High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: The Walker School (grade A+), Mount Paran Christian School (grade A+), Whitefield Academy (grade A+)
- Top places: Smyrna (grade A+), Vinings (grade A+), Kennesaw (grade A)

- Overall Rank: 9
- Population: 41,978
- Median household income: $116,221
- Median home value: $389,200 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,391 (16% rent)
- Top public schools: North Oconee High School (grade A+), Dove Creek Elementary School (grade A+), Rocky Branch Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Athens Academy (grade A+), Prince Avenue Christian School (grade A), Westminster Christian Academy (grade A minus)
- Top places: Bogart (grade A+), Watkinsville (grade A+), North High Shoals (grade A)

- Overall Rank: 7
- Population: 253,225
- Median household income: $131,660
- Median home value: $451,100 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,779 (15% rent)
- Top public schools: Alliance Academy for Innovation (grade A+), Lambert High School (grade A+), South Forsyth High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Pinecrest Academy (grade A+), Friendship Christian School (grade A), Covenant Christian Academy (grade A minus)
- Top places: Cumming (grade A)

This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.