Study: Happiest Cities in Georgia

By Rebecca Lake

Georgia is well known for peaches, peanuts and Bulldog football, but what it's really known for are people who are just as sweet as the iced tea. The good vibes that residents give off are infectious. That ripple effect can be felt most closely in the 10 happiest cities in Georgia, as determined by the folks at CreditDonkey.

Study Methodology

To find out which Georgia cities are the happiest, we began by gathering U.S. Census and FBI crime data for all those locations with a population of 5,000 or more. Each city was then assigned a ranking according to how it scored in seven different categories. Our final list represents those cities with the best cumulative rank based on the following:

Restaurants
Crime rate
Commute
Departure time
Income
Divorce rate
Housing

Gathering around the table for a home-cooked meal is a favorite Southern tradition, but we know that sometimes you need a break from the kitchen. We ranked each city based on the number of restaurants per capita to see where residents have the most dining choices.

If you don't feel safe at home, it's likely to detract from your happiness. Our study looked at the odds of being the victim of a violent crime in each city so you'll know where residents feel the most secure.

No one likes being stuck in a traffic jam. When that’s something you face on the way to work every day, you may begin to dread waking up, which is not a happy feeling. We factored in where residents have the least traffic woes, based on average commute times.

If you constantly hit the snooze button each morning, you could be inadvertently putting a damper on the day. Research has linked getting up early to a more positive outlook, so we considered the percentage of workers who start their day before 5 a.m.

When you're financially stressed, it can understandably be difficult to feel upbeat, especially if your paychecks don't seem to go as far as they should. To gauge how money corresponds to happiness, we looked at the median household income in each city.

Divorce can be emotionally devastating and it can take months or even years before you're able to look on the bright side of things again. We considered what percentage of men and women in each city are divorced as a measure of marital satisfaction.

There are a lot of costs that go along with owning a home, and when the burden is too much, it's not likely to put you in the best of moods. The last thing we considered is the percentage of income spent on housing in each city to see which places are the most budget-friendly.

10 Happiest Cities in Georgia

10. Rincon

Restaurants per capita: 1 per 383 inhabitants
Odds of being the victim of a violent crime: 1 in 2,250.3
Average commute time: 24.5 minutes
Percentage of residents leaving for work before 5 a.m.: 2.8%
Median household income: $61,912
Percentage of residents who are divorced: 4.2% of males, 15.6% of females
Percentage of income spent on housing: 21.6%

Rincon's name in Spanish roughly translates to "corner" or "little spot," and for the nearly 9,200 people who live here, it's certainly a cozy little nook. An excellent violent crime rate and reasonable housing costs landed it in the number 10 spot, but workers also have a lot to be happy about. On average, it takes less than 25 minutes to make the trip to the office, and residents earn a considerable median wage of nearly $62,000.

Did You Know: Georgia native and Southern literature icon Flannery O'Connor was born just down the road in Savannah.

9. Peachtree City

Restaurants per capita: 1 per 428 inhabitants
Odds of being the victim of a violent crime: 1 in 2,341.9
Average commute time: 28.6 minutes
Percentage of residents leaving for work before 5 a.m.: 3%
Median household income: $91,349
Percentage of residents who are divorced: 5.9% of males, 12.4% of females
Percentage of income spent on housing: 20%

The 34,000 people who call Peachtree City home are all smiles and for good reason. This planned suburban community is the perfect escape from the busier pace of Atlanta, especially when it comes to safety and financial stability. Residents earn the second highest median income, at more than $91,000, and whether you rent or buy, you won't have to worry about parting with too much of your hard-earned cash to cover housing costs.

Did You Know: Although set in Los Angeles, the Lifetime original series Drop Dead Diva was filmed primarily in Peachtree City.

8. Hinesville

Restaurants per capita: 1 per 579 inhabitants
Odds of being the victim of a violent crime: 1 in 228
Average commute time: 18.8 minutes
Percentage of residents leaving for work before 5 a.m.: 8.3%
Median household income: $44,596
Percentage of residents who are divorced: 9.6% of males, 10.6% of females
Percentage of income spent on housing: 24.8%

If you're a morning person who likes to get a jumpstart on the day, you'll feel right at home in Hinesville. About 35,000 people live here, and more than 8% of them head off to work bright and early, the highest percentage in our study. Hinesville ties for the shortest drive, averaging just under 19 minutes, and residents score a pretty decent payday, taking home nearly $45,000.

Did You Know: Hinesville sits adjacent to Fort Stewart, the Army's largest installation east of the Mississippi River.

7. St. Marys

Restaurants per capita: 1 per 503 inhabitants
Odds of being the victim of a violent crime: 1 in 227.4
Average commute time: 19.6 minutes
Percentage of residents leaving for work before 5 a.m.: 2.2%
Median household income: $56,702
Percentage of residents who are divorced: 5.2% of males, 11.1% of females
Percentage of income spent on housing: 21.1%

Living in St. Marys is guaranteed to lift your spirits, especially if being surrounded by natural beauty improves your mood. Close to 18,000 residents live here full-time, but thousands of visitors pass through each year on their way to Cumberland Island. Aside from a decent commute time and a healthy median income, locals enjoy some of the best seafood around at places like Lang's Marina and Seagles.

Did You Know: Spanish explorers put down stakes in St. Marys a year after the founding of St. Augustine, making it the second-oldest city in the nation.

6. Glennville

Restaurants per capita: 1 per 434 inhabitants
Odds of being the victim of a violent crime: 1 in 519.4
Average commute time: 18.8 minutes
Percentage of residents leaving for work before 5 a.m.: 2%
Median household income: $47,721
Percentage of residents who are divorced: 8.9% of males, 14.8% of females
Percentage of income spent on housing: 16.2%

With only 5,200 residents, Glennville is downright tiny compared to some of the other cities in our study, but it's certainly big on charm. This quiet rural community ties with Hinesville for the shortest average commute, but it takes top honors when it comes to housing costs. On average, residents spend just a tad over 16% of their income for a place to live, leaving plenty of wiggle room in your budget.

Did You Know: Glennville belongs to the small region that represents the only place in the world where Vidalia onions are grown.

5. Alpharetta

Restaurants per capita: 1 per 212 inhabitants
Odds of being the victim of a violent crime: 1 in 1,429.3
Average commute time: 25.3 minutes
Percentage of residents leaving for work before 5 a.m.: 0.8%
Median household income: $91,991
Percentage of residents who are divorced: 6.4% of males, 11.9% of females
Percentage of income spent on housing: 18.6%

Alpharetta has become known as a haven of sorts for families and professionals who want to stay close to the Atlanta area while avoiding some of the hassles associated with big city living. About 62,000 people make their home here. In terms of safety, housing costs and how much they earn, they have lots of reasons to jump for joy. Alpharetta also scored the best rating for restaurants per capita, with spots like Smokejack and Pappadeaux drawing rave reviews.

Did You Know: Alpharetta hosts a number of public events throughout the year, including the Brew Moon Festival, the Scarecrow Harvest, and the Wire and Wood Songwriters Festival.

4. Richmond Hill

Restaurants per capita: 1 per 255 inhabitants
Odds of being the victim of a violent crime: 1 in 1,081.2
Average commute time: 22.2 minutes
Percentage of residents leaving for work before 5 a.m.: 4.1%
Median household income: $63,695
Percentage of residents who are divorced: 9.3% of males, 11.2% of females
Percentage of income spent on housing: 24.5%

The city of Richmond Hill takes our fourth place spot, largely thanks to how safe its neighborhoods are and the higher median income its roughly 10,400 inhabitants earn. A little over 4% of residents are on their way to work before sunrise, and on average, it takes workers who live here about 22 minutes to get to their place of employment. If you're in the mood for a night out with friends, Molly MacPherson's offers up Scottish-style pub food and the East Coast's largest selection of single malt Scotch whisky.

Did You Know: Richmond Hill is named after Henry Ford's winter home, Richmond, which was built here in 1925.

3. Perry

Restaurants per capita: 1 per 446 inhabitants
Odds of being the victim of a violent crime: 1 in 305.7
Average commute time: 19.1 minutes
Percentage of residents leaving for work before 5 a.m.: 3.3%
Median household income: $51,377
Percentage of residents who are divorced: 10.1% of males, 13.4% of females
Percentage of income spent on housing: 18.4%

Just under 15,000 people live in Perry, and seeing their city in our number three spot is surely cause to celebrate. Home prices are a steal, with residents spending around 18% of their income on average for housing. Making your way into work shouldn't be too stressful, with an average commute of around 19 minutes. If you're looking for homestyle comfort food favorites served up in a cozy atmosphere, The Swanson can't be beat.

Did You Know: The Georgia National Fair is held in Perry every year.

2. Pooler

Restaurants per capita: 1 per 412 inhabitants
Odds of being the victim of a violent crime: 1 in 735.2
Average commute time: 22.1 minutes
Percentage of residents leaving for work before 5 a.m.: 4.1%
Median household income: $72,518
Percentage of residents who are divorced: 8.9% of males, 8.9% of females
Percentage of income spent on housing: 22.2%

The nearly 21,000 people who've put down roots in Pooler agree that it's an outstanding place for folks of all ages to live, work and play. It may be our runner-up, but there's a lot to like, especially when you consider how much higher incomes are here compared to some of the other locations on our list. Residents tend to feel pretty safe, and buying a home won't do too much damage to your wallet.

Did You Know: General Sherman and his troops set up camp in Pooler in December 1864, shortly before the city of Savannah's eventual surrender.

1. Tyrone

Restaurants per capita: 1 per 388 inhabitants
Odds of being the victim of a violent crime: 1 in 3,516.5
Average commute time: 27.2 minutes
Percentage of residents leaving for work before 5 a.m.: 6%
Median household income: $88,406
Percentage of residents who are divorced: 3.4% of males, 8.7% of females
Percentage of income spent on housing: 23.1%

Named after Ireland's County Tyrone, this city of nearly 7,000 residents is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for our happiness study. Why is that? First, there's the astoundingly low violent crime, which is the best of any of our 10 cities. Then there's the combined divorce rate of 12.1%, also the lowest in our study. Finally, Tyrone residents bring in a median income of more than $88,000, which isn't exactly chump change.

Did You Know: Tyrone's Sandy Creek High School counts several NFL players among its most famous alumni, including Calvin Johnson and Kedric Golston.

We know there are a lot of great cities that didn't make our list. If your hometown is one of them, don't feel blue. To be sure, there's a lot to be said for places like Atlanta and Columbus, especially for job-seekers. The cities that scored a spot in our rankings proved to be the happiest based on the numbers. But that doesn't mean that the rest of Georgia's residents don't have plenty to smile about.

The Top 50 Happiest Cities in Georgia

Rank	City	People per Restaurants and Bars	Violent Crime Odds	Average Commute Time	% Leaving Before 5am	Median Household Income	% Male Divorce¹	% Female Divorce¹	Income Spent on Housing
1	Tyrone	387.6	1 in 3,516.5	27.2	6.0%	$88,406	3.4%	8.7%	23.1%
2	Pooler	412.0	1 in 735.2	22.1	4.1%	$72,518	8.9%	8.9%	22.2%
3	Perry	446.4	1 in 305.7	19.1	3.3%	$51,377	10.1%	13.4%	18.4%
4	Richmond Hill	254.9	1 in 1,081.2	22.2	4.1%	$63,695	9.3%	11.2%	24.5%
5	Alpharetta	212.3	1 in 1,429.3	25.3	0.8%	$91,991	6.4%	11.9%	18.6%
6	Glennville	433.5	1 in 519.4	18.8	2.0%	$47,721	8.9%	14.8%	16.2%
7	St. Marys	503.0	1 in 227.4	19.6	2.2%	$56,702	5.2%	11.1%	21.1%
8	Hinesville	579.2	1 in 228.0	18.8	8.3%	$44,596	9.6%	10.6%	24.8%
9	Peachtree City	427.9	1 in 2,341.9	28.6	3.0%	$91,349	5.9%	12.4%	20%
10	Rincon	383.3	1 in 2,250.3	24.5	2.8%	$61,912	4.2%	15.6%	21.6%
11	Milton	1,459.0	1 in 2,271.4	29.6	1.2%	$116,890	5.8%	10.4%	18.1%
12	Kingsland	465.3	1 in 201.0	21.5	4.8%	$56,079	10.6%	12.1%	23.1%
13	Sandy Springs	404.1	1 in 523.5	24.2	2.2%	$65,353	7.6%	13.0%	21.4%
14	Bremen	295.7	1 in 481.4	25.8	2.4%	$50,724	10.0%	12.2%	18.7%
15	Centerville	941.4	1 in 371.8	18.9	1.4%	$59,671	13.5%	13.7%	20.8%
16	Johns Creek	762.1	1 in 1,861.3	30.2	1.1%	$109,553	5.8%	9.7%	21%
17	Jesup	244.5	1 in 146.3	20.8	7.5%	$32,879	17.5%	12.2%	20.8%
18	Decatur	251.3	1 in 506.8	23.8	1.0%	$72,020	8.1%	14.6%	22.3%
19	Roswell	405.6	1 in 698.0	26.5	1.0%	$79,385	7.3%	12.8%	21.6%
20	Snellville	268.0	1 in 555.4	32.3	3.3%	$62,537	6.3%	10.9%	24.2%
21	Fayetteville	205.1	1 in 651.8	33.1	3.4%	$64,632	6.9%	14.2%	23%
22	Warner Robins	570.3	1 in 189.2	19.7	3.2%	$46,250	11.2%	14.2%	22.4%
23	Suwanee	154.8	1 in 722.8	31.8	1.4%	$85,401	4.1%	12.9%	23.5%
24	Fort Oglethorpe	219.7	1 in 262.3	19.5	1.4%	$38,518	14.3%	16.2%	17.8%
25	Tifton	219.4	1 in 138.6	15.8	4.7%	$32,192	11.0%	14.9%	24.2%
26	Cartersville	198.1	1 in 392.0	21.1	2.7%	$45,280	13.8%	18.0%	22.7%
27	Americus	399.8	1 in 77.6	16.2	6.6%	$28,798	6.1%	13.5%	25.5%
28	Camilla	337.3	1 in 300.5	16.3	6.2%	$27,975	7.3%	15.2%	27.5%
29	Columbus	523.5	1 in 197.4	19.1	4.4%	$41,443	10.6%	15.3%	24.7%
30	Eastman	232.2	1 in 136.1	21.5	4.3%	$25,768	7.5%	12.5%	20.9%
31	Douglas	236.7	1 in 102.3	15.7	6.1%	$30,888	11.4%	15.2%	24.9%
32	Gainesville	233.5	1 in 307.9	22	2.2%	$40,159	7.9%	11.5%	25.8%
33	Lilburn	191.7	1 in 262.6	25.9	2.7%	$55,545	7.9%	12.8%	26%
34	Duluth	183.7	1 in 787.1	27.8	2.0%	$59,107	8.9%	16.3%	24.4%
35	Commerce	499.6	1 in 478.3	23.4	5.5%	$38,531	10.8%	18.8%	24.5%
36	Dalton	261.0	1 in 382.6	16.5	0.7%	$35,991	14.6%	13.4%	23.9%
37	Kennesaw	322.8	1 in 1,017.3	30.9	3.8%	$62,111	10.6%	15.6%	24.7%
38	Woodstock	285.6	1 in 585.9	33.7	1.6%	$68,033	6.8%	13.6%	22.9%
39	Carrollton	240.0	1 in 158.8	19.5	4.6%	$34,239	10.8%	12.7%	27.5%
40	Loganville	208.7	1 in 714.3	36.2	4.2%	$55,928	8.5%	15.6%	24.8%
41	Adel	229.1	1 in 206.5	22	3.0%	$31,901	10.0%	11.1%	24.2%
42	Dublin	279.6	1 in 141.0	17.8	3.1%	$28,965	9.1%	14.5%	23.2%
43	Acworth	408.0	1 in 1,902.9	33.4	2.5%	$54,529	7.8%	11.3%	25.2%
44	Toccoa	254.7	1 in 129.0	19.1	3.2%	$31,480	18.9%	10.4%	22.7%
45	Calhoun	259.2	1 in 455.5	19.1	3.1%	$29,529	9.4%	13.4%	26.7%
46	LaGrange	367.2	1 in 239.8	18.4	4.0%	$30,653	8.8%	12.6%	28.8%
47	Smyrna	341.9	1 in 326.3	26.1	2.3%	$56,886	11.2%	15.5%	23.8%
48	Newnan	352.3	1 in 272.7	27.9	4.9%	$50,563	9.7%	14.9%	26%
49	Lawrenceville	228.5	1 in 422.3	32.8	7.2%	$42,420	9.1%	13.1%	29.2%
50	Conyers	138.8	1 in 234.2	28.8	10.6%	$41,542	10.8%	18.6%	27.5%

¹Treated as one combined metric for ranking purposes (at a 50:50 male to female ratio).

Rebecca Lake is a journalist at CreditDonkey, a credit card comparison and reviews website. Write to Rebecca Lake at rebecca@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.

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