CountyScore

Adams County

Pennsylvania · PA

#47 in Pennsylvania
63.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Adams County, Pennsylvania

Adams County Outpaces National Average

Adams County's composite livability score of 62.5 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper half of U.S. counties. This 25% advantage over the national baseline reflects solid fundamentals in affordability and tax burden across the region.

Slightly Below State Average

Adams County scores 62.5 against Pennsylvania's state average of 66.0, ranking it in the middle tier of the state's 67 counties. The 3.5-point gap suggests room for improvement compared to the state's strongest performers.

Affordable Living With Reasonable Taxes

The county excels in housing affordability with a cost score of 68.5, supported by a median home value of $256,100 and rental rates averaging $1,084 per month. Coupled with a tax score of 63.1 and an effective tax rate of just 1.394%, Adams County appeals to budget-conscious households.

Income Growth Lags Behind

Adams County's income score of 36.3 is a significant constraint, with a median household income of $81,071 trailing what stronger-scoring counties achieve. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unavailable, limiting a fuller assessment of livability.

Best for Budget-First Families

Adams County suits working families and retirees who prioritize low housing costs and modest tax burdens over high earning potential. It offers stable, affordable living in a county that performs solidly by national standards but has limited amenity and income diversity.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax63.1Cost68.5SafetyComing SoonHealth75.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome36.3Risk32.5WaterComing Soon
🏛63.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠68.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼36.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡32.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Adams County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Floyd County
Georgia
63.2
Median income: $62,540
Henry County
Illinois
63.2
Median income: $69,912
Barton County
Kansas
63.2
Median income: $56,733
Fayette County
Kentucky
63.2
Median income: $67,631
Nantucket County
Massachusetts
63.2
Median income: $119,750

Deep Dives

Adams County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Adams County

via TaxByCounty

Adams taxes run above the national norm

Adams County's effective tax rate of 1.394% exceeds the national median of 1.300%, placing it in the upper half of U.S. counties. The median property tax here is $3,569 annually—33% higher than the national median of $2,690—even though the median home value ($256,100) falls slightly below the national average.

Above-average burden within Pennsylvania

Adams ranks among Pennsylvania's higher-taxing counties with an effective rate of 1.394%, compared to the state average of 1.317%. At $3,569 in median annual taxes, Adams homeowners pay roughly 34% more than the state median of $2,657.

Steeper taxes than surrounding counties

Adams County's 1.394% rate outpaces nearby Beaver County (1.440%), though both exceed the state average. Among South-Central peers, Adams sits in the mid-to-upper range of tax burden.

What the median homeowner pays yearly

A homeowner with a median-valued property ($256,100) in Adams County pays approximately $3,569 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure rises slightly to $3,691; without one, it drops to $3,329.

Your property may be overassessed

Many homeowners in high-tax counties like Adams carry inflated assessed values and overpay as a result. A formal assessment appeal can lower your tax bill—often permanently—and is worth exploring if your home has declined in value or you believe the assessment is inaccurate.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Adams County

via CostByCounty

Adams keeps pace with nation

Adams County renters spend 16.1% of income on housing, slightly below the national average and well-aligned with affordability benchmarks. With a median household income of $81,071—$6,316 above the national median—Adams offers better financial breathing room than most U.S. counties.

Pennsylvania's affordable middle

Adams ranks in the middle tier of Pennsylvania's 67 counties for housing affordability, with a rent-to-income ratio of 16.1% compared to the state average of 16.5%. The county's $1,084 median rent runs $124 above the state average, but higher incomes keep the burden manageable.

Competitive with surrounding counties

Adams' median rent of $1,084 sits between nearby Berks County ($1,143) and Armstrong County ($802), making it a middle-ground option in south-central Pennsylvania. Homebuyers will find median values near $256,100, competitive with Berks but notably higher than rural Armstrong at $146,300.

Where Adams income goes

Renters spend $1,084 monthly (16.1% of median income), while homeowners pay $1,330 (19.6%). Together, these housing costs leave the average Adams household with solid discretionary income compared to most Pennsylvania counties.

Adams for balanced affordability

If you're relocating to Pennsylvania, Adams County delivers above-average income with reasonable housing costs—ideal if you want suburban proximity without urban-level rents. Compare these figures to neighboring Berks and Armstrong to find your sweet spot in south-central PA.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Adams County

via IncomeByCounty

Adams earns above the national average

Adams County's median household income of $81,071 outpaces the U.S. median of $74,755 by about 8.5%, placing it solidly in the upper-middle tier nationally. This advantage reflects a stronger local economy and workforce earning capacity compared to most American counties.

Top earner in Pennsylvania's county rankings

Adams ranks among Pennsylvania's highest-earning counties, with a median household income of $81,071 versus the state average of $69,614—a 16.4% premium. Per capita income of $39,339 also exceeds the state average of $37,407, signaling broad-based economic strength.

Outearns surrounding Keystone counties

Adams households earn $81,071, considerably more than nearby Beaver County ($70,156) and Bedford County ($60,302). This income advantage positions Adams residents with greater financial flexibility compared to rural neighbors in south-central Pennsylvania.

Strong income supports local housing costs

At a 16.1% rent-to-income ratio, Adams County stays well below the affordability threshold of 30%, meaning renters spend roughly one-sixth of income on housing. The median home value of $256,100 remains accessible for households earning the county's $81,071 median income.

Build long-term wealth with stable earnings

Adams County residents earning above-average incomes are well-positioned to save and invest for retirement. With manageable housing costs and strong per-capita earnings of $39,339, households have real opportunity to pursue financial planning and wealth-building strategies.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Adams County

via HealthByCounty

Adams County leads on life expectancy

At 78.8 years, Adams County residents live nearly 2 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years. The county's 16.8% poor/fair health rate also sits below the national median, suggesting overall health outcomes that outpace much of the country.

Outpacing Pennsylvania's health profile

Adams County's 78.8-year life expectancy ranks it well above Pennsylvania's state average of 76.4 years—a meaningful 2.4-year advantage. This positions Adams as one of the healthier counties in a state with mixed health outcomes across regions.

A bright spot in south-central PA

Adams County's life expectancy of 78.8 years significantly exceeds nearby Berks County (77.8 years) and beats York County residents by roughly 18 months. Its 16.8% poor/fair health rate ties it with Allegheny County, suggesting urban-suburban health parity despite geographic distance.

Healthcare access reflects rural reality

With 54 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Adams County has capacity but below state averages for specialist care. The 7.0% uninsured rate matches Pennsylvania's state average, meaning roughly 1 in 14 residents lack coverage—a barrier to preventive care in an otherwise healthy county.

Close the coverage gap in Adams

If you're among the 7% uninsured in Adams County, your better health outcomes can improve further with consistent access to care. Visit healthcare.gov or contact the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to explore Medicaid and marketplace plans available this season.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Adams County

via RiskByCounty

Adams County's Risk: Right at National Baseline

With a composite risk score of 67.53, Adams County sits nearly in line with the national average, rating as relatively low overall. This means residents face moderate natural disaster exposure comparable to many American communities, though certain hazards deserve specific attention.

Slightly Below Pennsylvania's Average Risk

Adams County's score of 67.53 sits just marginally above Pennsylvania's statewide average of 67.45, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's risk spectrum. Among Pennsylvania's 67 counties, Adams ranks in the lower-to-moderate tier for overall hazard vulnerability.

Adams Safer Than Urban Neighbors

Adams County faces notably less risk than nearby Allegheny County (98.09 score), which includes Pittsburgh and experiences significantly higher flood and tornado exposure. Compared to other central Pennsylvania neighbors like Berks County (92.72), Adams residents enjoy a comparatively lower hazard profile.

Hurricanes and Earthquakes Pose Biggest Threats

Hurricane risk tops Adams County's hazard list at 84.06, reflecting the region's susceptibility to Atlantic storm systems even at this inland distance. Earthquake risk follows at 72.65, while flooding (76.21) and tornado risk (46.25) round out the county's exposure profile.

Prepare for Multiple Hazards with Right Coverage

Adams County residents should prioritize flood insurance given the county's 76.21 flood risk score—standard homeowners policies don't cover flooding. Consider earthquake coverage as well, and ensure your policy addresses wind and tornado damage, particularly if you live in mobile housing or rural areas.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.