Hunt & Live

Schley County, GA

4,496 residents · 167 sq mi · 26.9/sq mi · 100% rural

Climate
64.4°F
50.1" rain/yr
Water
humid
Aridity index 1.48
Hardiness
Zone 9b
Winter low ~25.8°F

About Schley County

Schley County is a county located in the west-central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 U.S. census, its population was 4,547. The county seat is Ellaville.

61
Prepper Suitability
worsebetter
National rank: #874 of 3,109
Locator map
Location within the continental US

Prepper Assessment

Living in Schley County offers a predominantly rural lifestyle with a population density of 26.9 people per square mile, allowing for ample space and privacy. The climate is characterized by an annual mean temperature of 64.4°F and 50.1 inches of rainfall per year, supporting a growing season suitable for a variety of crops in USDA zone 9b. The area is humid, which can be advantageous for gardening and self-sufficient living, although water management will be essential during dry spells due to the potential for drought.

Natural hazards in this area include hurricanes, ranked at FEMA 52, and drought, ranked at FEMA 45, which could impact agricultural efforts and overall safety. The violence percentile of 68 indicates that while it may not be the safest area, it is still relatively lower than many urban regions. The cost of living is reasonable with a median home price of $154,300 and a property tax rate of 0.93%, but access to broadband is limited, with only 56% of households subscribed.

This county may be a good fit for individuals or families seeking a quiet, rural environment with opportunities for gardening and self-sufficiency. Those who thrive here will likely be adaptable and comfortable with the potential for natural hazards. However, individuals reliant on high-speed internet for work or communication may find the limited broadband access a significant drawback, making it less suitable for remote work or digital entrepreneurship.

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

Key Facts

Ranked #664 nationally
Out of 3,109 CONUS counties for composite prepper suitability.
#15 of 159 in GA
Ranked #15 of 159 counties statewide for prepper suitability.
Dominant hazard: hurricane
FEMA ranks hurricane risk at 52/100 here — the leading natural threat.
Rural-suburban mix
26.9 people per square mile.
Climate profile
Classified as humid with a 64.4°F annual mean and 50.1" of annual precipitation. USDA hardiness zone 9b.
Housing & taxes
Median home value $154,300.

Score Breakdown

Violence
82
percentile (lower = safer)
Disasters
1
percentile (lower = safer)
Density
36
percentile (lower = emptier)
Overall FEMA Risk
0.6
NRI composite (0-100)

Natural Hazard Profile (FEMA NRI)

Cold Wave 4
Drought 45
Earthquake 20
Hail 9
Hurricane 52
Heat Wave 20
Riverine Flood 2
Ice Storm 2
Landslide 9
Lightning 11
Strong Wind 7
Tornado 14
Wildfire 22
Winter Weather 2

Monthly Climate (1991–2020 normals)

Average temperature
JFMAMJ JASOND
Monthly precipitation (inches)
JFMAMJ JASOND
Summer high
91°F
Winter low
35.8°F
Heating degree days
2,257
Cooling degree days
2,075

Housing & Economy

Median home value
$154,300
Median HH income
$53,274
Price to income
2.9×
Property tax rate
0.93%
~$1,431/yr median

Community Profile

Median age
38.4
Homeownership
75.2%
Poverty rate
15.9%
Unemployment
3.5%

Connectivity

Broadband households
55.8%
No internet access
19.3%

Explore Schley 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.