Hunt & Live

Houston County, GA

169,631 residents · 376 sq mi · 451.1/sq mi · 9% rural

Climate
64.9°F
48.1" rain/yr
Water
humid
Aridity index 1.39
Hardiness
Zone 9b
Winter low ~26°F

About Houston County

Houston County is a county located in the central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. The population was 163,633 at the 2020 census. Its county seat is Perry; the city of Warner Robins is substantially larger in both area and population.

34
Prepper Suitability
worsebetter
National rank: #2526 of 3,109
Locator map
Location within the continental US

Prepper Assessment

Living in this area offers a humid subtropical climate with an annual mean temperature of 64.9°F and 48.1 inches of rainfall, supporting a growing season suitable for a variety of crops. The terrain is mostly flat, typical of the region, and with 9% rural land, there is some opportunity for self-sufficient living, though the population density of 451.1 people per square mile may limit privacy and space for larger homesteads. Access to water is generally good, but seasonal heat can be a challenge.

This area faces notable natural hazards, including a high risk of heat waves (FEMA rank 92) and hurricanes (rank 80), which could impact agricultural productivity and safety. The violence percentile is moderate at 56, suggesting a typical level of safety concerns, while the disaster percentile at 70 indicates a higher than average risk of experiencing significant disaster impacts. Additionally, the cost of living is relatively moderate, with median home prices around $189,500, but this may be prohibitive for some seeking affordable land.

Houston County may appeal to those who can manage a bustling environment and are prepared for the risks associated with heat and hurricanes. Individuals looking for a quieter, more remote homesteading experience may find the high population density and associated costs a drawback. Overall, those who thrive here will likely have resources to adapt to the climate and hazards, while those seeking solitude and lower risks may want to consider other locations.

AI-generated analysis based on county data (climate, hazards, density, housing, economy). For general orientation only.

Key Facts

Ranked #2,800 nationally
Out of 3,109 CONUS counties for composite prepper suitability.
#142 of 159 in GA
Ranked #142 of 159 counties statewide for prepper suitability.
Dominant hazard: heat wave
FEMA ranks heat wave risk at 92/100 here — the leading natural threat.
Urban: 451/sqmi
Densely populated at 451 people per square mile.
Climate profile
Classified as humid with a 64.9°F annual mean and 48.1" of annual precipitation. USDA hardiness zone 9b.
Housing & taxes
Median home value $189,500.

Score Breakdown

Violence
38
percentile (lower = safer)
Disasters
70
percentile (lower = safer)
Density
91
percentile (lower = emptier)
Overall FEMA Risk
70.5
NRI composite (0-100)

Natural Hazard Profile (FEMA NRI)

Cold Wave 45
Drought 67
Earthquake 79
Hail 71
Hurricane 81
Heat Wave 93
Riverine Flood 72
Ice Storm 43
Landslide 38
Lightning 86
Strong Wind 67
Tornado 79
Wildfire 68
Winter Weather 18

Monthly Climate (1991–2020 normals)

Average temperature
JFMAMJ JASOND
Monthly precipitation (inches)
JFMAMJ JASOND
Summer high
92°F
Winter low
36°F
Heating degree days
2,206
Cooling degree days
2,207

Housing & Economy

Median home value
$189,500
Median HH income
$76,968
Price to income
2.5×
Property tax rate
0.87%
~$1,642/yr median

Community Profile

Median age
36.1
Homeownership
66.9%
Poverty rate
9.7%
Unemployment
4.6%

Connectivity

Broadband households
77.6%
No internet access
8.3%

Explore Houston County Further

Similar Counties

Data sources. Prepper scores are national percentile ranks of firearm fatalities (County Health Rankings 2024 / CDC WONDER), FEMA National Risk Index 2023 composite disaster score, and population density (ACS 2022 + TIGER 2022 land area). Climate from NOAA nClimDiv 1991–2020 normals. Hardiness zone is estimated from climate data and may differ from the official USDA PHZM. Demographics and housing from Census ACS 5-year 2022. All scores are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute advice about where to live.