Best Georgia Counties To Live In Named: Niche Rankings

GEORGIA — Neighborhood ranking site Niche released its 2023 list of the best counties to live in across the Peach State, and high-ranking Oconee County topped the list.

Factors included public schools, housing, crime, the county’s diversity, available jobs and commuting - all featured on a Niche report card. User reviews are available.

Oconee is the number one Georgia county to live in, scoring A+ in the categories of public schools, health and fitness, housing, good for families and jobs.

Forsyth County followed in second place, closely mirroring Oconee's report card, while Cobb County came in at third.

Here are the top 10 Georgia counties and their full list of grades:

1. Oconee County

• Public Schools: A+
• Housing: A+
• Nightlife: C+
• Good for Families: A+
• Diversity: B-
• Jobs: A+
• Weather: B
• Cost of Living: B-
• Health & Fitness: A+
• Outdoor Activities: A-
• Commute: C+

2. Forsyth County

• Public Schools: A+
• Housing: A+
• Nightlife: B+
• Good for Families: A+
• Diversity: B+
• Jobs: A+
• Weather: B
• Cost of Living: C+
• Health & Fitness: A+
• Outdoor Activities: A-
• Commute: C-

3. Cobb County

• Public Schools: A
• Housing: A-
• Nightlife: A
• Good for Families: A+
• Diversity: A
• Jobs: A-
• Weather: B
• Cost of Living: C+
• Health & Fitness: A+
• Outdoor Activities: A-
• Commute: C

4. Fayette County

• Public Schools: A+
• Housing: A-
• Nightlife: A-
• Good for Families: A+
• Diversity: A
• Jobs: A-
• Weather: B
• Cost of Living: C+
• Health & Fitness: A+
• Outdoor Activities: A-
• Commute: C

5. Columbia County

• Public Schools: A+
• Housing: A
• Nightlife: B
• Good for Families: A+
• Diversity: A-
• Jobs: A-
• Weather: B+
• Cost of Living: B
• Health & Fitness: A
• Outdoor Activities: B+
• Commute: C

6. Gwinnett County

• Public Schools: A+
• Housing: B
• Nightlife: A
• Good for Families: A+
• Diversity: A+
• Jobs: B+
• Weather: B
• Cost of Living: C+
• Health & Fitness: A
• Outdoor Activities: A-
• Commute: C-

7. Fulton County

• Public Schools: B
• Housing: C+
• Nightlife: A+
• Good for Families: A
• Diversity: A
• Jobs: B+
• Weather: B
• Cost of Living: C
• Health & Fitness: A+
• Outdoor Activities: A
• Commute: B

8. Houston County

• Public Schools: A
• Housing: A-
• Nightlife: A-
• Good for Families: A+
• Diversity: A
• Jobs: A
• Weather: A-
• Cost of Living: B+
• Health & Fitness: B+
• Outdoor Activities: B
• Commute: B

9. Clarke County

• Public Schools: B
• Housing: C+
• Nightlife: A+
• Good for Families: A-
• Diversity: A
• Jobs: B-
• Weather: B
• Cost of Living: C+
• Health & Fitness: A
• Outdoor Activities: B+
• Commute: A

10. Cherokee County

• Public Schools: A
• Housing: B+
• Nightlife: B+
• Good for Families: A+
• Diversity: B
• Jobs: A
• Weather: B
• Cost of Living: C+
• Health & Fitness: A
• Outdoor Activities: A-
• Commute: C-