Beaver County

Pennsylvania · PA

#41 in Pennsylvania
64.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Beaver County, Pennsylvania

Beaver County Outperforms National Baseline

Beaver County's composite score of 65.6 beats the national median of 50.0 by 31%, positioning it in the upper-middle tier of American counties. This solid performance reflects balanced strengths in cost and tax factors.

Nearly Matches State Average

Beaver County scores 65.6, just 0.4 points below Pennsylvania's state average of 66.0, placing it right in the state's middle-to-upper range. This near-parity suggests Beaver County performs competitively within the broader state context.

Strong Value in Housing and Taxes

Beaver County achieves a cost score of 77.6 with a median home value of $185,500 and rent at $867 per month, offering solid affordability. The tax score of 61.8 and effective tax rate of 1.440% further strengthen its value proposition for cost-conscious households.

Lower Incomes Limit Wealth Building

The income score of 29.2 and median household income of $70,156 lag behind higher-scoring counties, potentially constraining long-term financial security. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unavailable for a fuller livability assessment.

Balanced Choice for Value Seekers

Beaver County suits families seeking a balanced mix of affordability, reasonable taxes, and modest community size without requiring premium local incomes. It appeals to those comfortable with modest earning potential but unwilling to compromise on housing cost efficiency.

Score breakdown

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

Tax61.8Cost77.6SafetyComing SoonHealth75.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.2Risk24.7WaterComing Soon
🏛61.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠77.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼29.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
75.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
24.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Beaver County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Beaver County

via TaxByCounty

Beaver's tax rate slightly above national median

Beaver County's effective rate of 1.440% exceeds the national median of 1.300%, placing it in the top 40% of U.S. counties by tax burden. The median property tax of $2,672 nearly matches the national median of $2,690, despite a home value of $185,500 that falls well below the national average of $281,900.

Above-average taxes for Pennsylvania

Beaver County's 1.440% effective rate tops Pennsylvania's state average of 1.317%. At $2,672 in median annual taxes, Beaver residents pay about 1% above the state median of $2,657.

Lower taxes than Allegheny, higher than Armstrong

Beaver County's 1.440% rate sits between Armstrong County (1.487%) and Allegheny County (1.569%), making it a moderate-tax option in Western Pennsylvania. The county offers a middle ground for homeowners weighing tax burden against regional living costs.

What the median homeowner pays yearly

A homeowner with a median-valued property ($185,500) in Beaver County pays approximately $2,672 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $2,819; without, it falls to $2,453.

Check if your home is fairly assessed

Many Beaver County residents may have properties valued higher than current market conditions warrant, especially if homes haven't been professionally reassessed recently. An assessment appeal is a straightforward way to verify your valuation and potentially lower your annual bill.

Cost of Living in Beaver County

via CostByCounty

Beaver undercuts national averages

Beaver County renters spend 14.8% of income on housing—below both the national average and Pennsylvania's state average of 16.5%. The county achieves this affordability despite a median household income of $70,156, offering strong value in the Pittsburgh region.

Beaver ranks among PA's best

Beaver County sits in Pennsylvania's top tier for affordability, with a rent-to-income ratio of 14.8% well below the state average of 16.5%. Monthly rent of $867 runs $93 below the state average, delivering measurable savings.

Beaver balances cost and convenience

Beaver's $867 rent splits the difference between affordable Armstrong ($802) and pricey Allegheny ($1,111), offering both savings and urban access. Home values near $185,500 similarly position Beaver as a middle-ground between rural and metro markets.

Beaver's balanced housing burden

Renters spend $867 monthly (14.8% of income), while homeowners pay $1,001 (17.1%), leaving households with manageable housing costs. The county's lower overall cost structure means residents keep more than 82% of income for other needs.

Beaver for suburban balance

Beaver County delivers real affordability while remaining close to Pittsburgh's job market—ideal if you want savings without sacrificing convenience. Compare to Armstrong for maximum affordability or Allegheny for more urban amenities.

Income & Jobs in Beaver County

via IncomeByCounty

Beaver slightly below national median income

Beaver County's median household income of $70,156 falls 6.1% short of the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it modestly below national norms. The county remains competitive regionally despite underperforming the national average.

Middle-ground earnings for Pennsylvania

Beaver's $70,156 median household income edges just 0.8% above Pennsylvania's state average of $69,614, positioning it as fairly typical for the state. Per capita income of $39,805 slightly exceeds the state average of $37,407, suggesting stable earning patterns.

Outearns struggling rural neighbors

Beaver households earn $70,156, ahead of Armstrong County ($64,295) and Bedford County ($60,302), but behind prosperous Adams County ($81,071). Beaver occupies a middle position within western and central Pennsylvania's income hierarchy.

Housing costs remain manageable

Beaver's rent-to-income ratio of 14.8% ranks among the region's most affordable, keeping housing costs well below the 30% affordability standard. Median home values of $185,500 align well with the county's household earning capacity.

Balanced income supports modest growth plans

Beaver County residents with median earnings of $70,156 have stable foundation for savings and retirement planning. Focus on maximizing employer benefits, automating monthly savings, and exploring modest investment opportunities suited to moderate-income households.

Health in Beaver County

via HealthByCounty

Beaver County trails national health

At 75.6 years, Beaver County residents live 0.8 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years, a visible gap suggesting population-wide health challenges. The 16.1% poor/fair health rate is near-average nationally, but the low life expectancy indicates serious underlying health burdens.

Below Pennsylvania's health baseline

Beaver County's 75.6-year life expectancy falls 0.8 years short of Pennsylvania's 76.4-year state average, placing it in the lower tier of county performance. This shortfall reflects ongoing challenges in a county shaped by industrial decline and aging.

Struggling alongside Allegheny rivals

Beaver County's 75.6-year life expectancy is 1.3 years lower than neighboring Allegheny County (76.9 years), despite proximity to Pittsburgh's major medical institutions. Its 16.1% poor/fair health rate matches Allegheny exactly, suggesting shared industrial-era health patterns across western PA.

Provider shortage limits care options

With only 39 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Beaver County faces one of the lowest provider densities in the state, constraining preventive care access. The 4.9% uninsured rate is reasonable, but sparse providers mean even covered residents struggle to find appointments.

Get insured, then find care

Nearly 1 in 20 Beaver County residents lack insurance, adding complexity to healthcare access in an already tight provider market. Enrollment opens annually—visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to secure coverage and connect with available providers.

Disaster Risk in Beaver County

via RiskByCounty

Beaver County's Risk Slightly Above National Norms

Beaver County's composite risk score of 75.32 sits modestly above the national average, maintaining a relatively low risk rating overall. The county experiences more exposure to natural hazards than average American communities, particularly for flooding and tornadoes.

Below-Average Risk in Pennsylvania

Beaver County's score of 75.32 sits notably above Pennsylvania's statewide average of 67.45, yet remains in the lower-risk half of the state's counties. The county fares significantly better than neighboring Allegheny (98.09) and well below state hotspots like Berks.

Less Vulnerable Than Industrial Neighbors

Beaver County residents face less risk than neighboring Allegheny County (98.09) and Washington County, benefiting from less dense industrial development. Comparable to Armstrong County (69.34) and Butler County, Beaver sits in a safer tier than the Pittsburgh metro area.

Flooding and Tornadoes Dominate Hazard Profile

Flood risk peaks at 87.02 in Beaver County, reflecting vulnerability to the Ohio River and tributary systems. Tornado risk ranks as the second significant threat at 56.55, while wildfire (34.89) and earthquake (55.03) risks remain moderate.

Flood Insurance Essential; Standard Coverage Adequate

Beaver County homeowners should obtain flood insurance given the county's 87.02 flood risk, especially near river systems and low-lying areas. Standard homeowners policies cover tornado and wind damage adequately for most residents, making Beaver relatively straightforward to insure compared to higher-risk neighbors.

ByCounty Network

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