McDonough's Seismic Design Category, explained

Under the seismic model IBC and ASCE 7 use for new construction, McDonough is Category B. Low seismic hazard. Code requires basic seismic detailing (bracing, connections) but no special structural system restrictions. Nationally, McDonough ranks above 51% of the 4,875 cities in this dataset for seismic hazard - the 51th percentile.

How McDonough compares

USGS's underlying values for McDonough: 0.081g peak ground acceleration, 0.164g at short period, 0.08g at 1 second. Within Georgia alone, McDonough ranks 109 of 148 cities by seismic hazard - the 27th percentile in-state. McDonough has a population of about 32,803.

Bracing and bolting: the actual cost

A full earthquake retrofit typically runs $5,000-$10,000 nationally (around $7,000 typical), driven mainly by house size and foundation type, not by Georgia specifically. California's Earthquake Brace + Bolt grant, which covers a large share of this cost, is a California-only program and does not apply in Georgia.

Earthquake insurance for a McDonough home

A McDonough homeowner cannot buy a standalone earthquake policy in most cases - it is added to an existing homeowners policy as an endorsement, so the place to start is a regular home-insurance quote.

Where McDonough's figures come from

McDonough's Category B and every number above trace to USGS's own ASCE 7-16 Design Maps service - see the methodology guide. See the category explainer for what Category B does and doesn't tell you about McDonough.