CountyScore

Benton County

Indiana · IN

#33 in Indiana
73.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Benton County, Indiana

Benton County Significantly Above National Mark

Benton County's composite score of 73.1 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by nearly 50%, placing it in the 73rd percentile nationally. This makes Benton one of the more livable counties across the United States, particularly notable for its affordability profile. The county punches above its weight in overall livability despite modest income levels.

Outpaces Indiana State Average

Benton County scores 73.1, surpassing Indiana's 71.2 state average to rank well above the middle of the state's 92 counties. The county represents a top-quartile performer statewide, competing with some of Indiana's most livable communities. This ranking reflects strong performance across multiple dimensions despite income constraints.

Affordability and Low Taxes Shine

Benton County boasts exceptional housing affordability with a median home value of just $135,400 and median rent of $834/month—among the lowest in the state. The tax score of 81.0 and effective rate of 0.756% further enhance the county's cost advantages. These two factors combine to create significant monthly savings for resident households.

Income and Risk Present Concerns

The income score of 23.7 with median household income of $61,811 reflects limited wage growth potential compared to state peers. More concerning is the risk score of 95.2—among the highest in this analysis—suggesting vulnerability to economic disruption or instability. Limited data on schools, safety, and health outcomes adds uncertainty.

Best for Affordable Living Seekers

Benton County suits retirees, fixed-income families, and remote workers who can maintain income independently while enjoying minimal cost of living. The exceptional affordability makes it attractive for those prioritizing financial security and predictable expenses over wage growth. It's best for people comfortable trading economic dynamism for stability and low costs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81Cost80.3SafetyComing SoonHealth64.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.7Risk95.2WaterComing Soon
🏛81
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤64.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡95.2
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 Benton County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Moffat County
Colorado
73.1
Median income: $70,975
Twiggs County
Georgia
73.1
Median income: $55,439
Kiowa County
Kansas
73.1
Median income: $73,214
Owen County
Kentucky
73.1
Median income: $59,706
Franklin Parish
Louisiana
73.1
Median income: $44,103

Deep Dives

Benton County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Benton County

via TaxByCounty

Benton County taxes remain well below national

Benton County's 0.756% effective tax rate sits significantly below the national median of roughly 0.85%, placing it among America's more tax-friendly counties. The median property tax of $1,024 is less than 38% of the national median of $2,690.

Benton slightly above Indiana state average

At 0.756%, Benton County's rate exceeds Indiana's 0.671% state average, putting it in the upper half of the state's counties. However, its modest home values of $135,400 keep the actual tax bill—$1,024 annually—close to the state median of $1,199.

Lowest home values in northeast cluster

Benton County's median home value of $135,400 is the lowest among regional peers like Adams ($173,100) and Allen County ($194,300). This lower valuation base, despite a moderate tax rate, results in the region's smallest tax bills in absolute dollars.

Median home taxed at $1,024 annually

A home valued at Benton County's median of $135,400 generates an annual property tax of $1,024. For mortgaged properties, the average bill rises to $1,074, while non-mortgaged homes average $907.

Lower values don't mean skip assessments

Even in modestly valued counties like Benton, assessments can drift above true market value, especially after property transfers or market dips. Reviewing your assessment every few years—or after a sale of a comparable home—ensures you're paying a fair share.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Benton County

via CostByCounty

Benton County offers modest affordability relief

Benton County renters spend 16.2% of income on housing—below the national affordability threshold and competitive with most U.S. counties. At a median household income of $61,811 (17% below the national average of $74,755) with $834 monthly rent, this rural county delivers accessible housing despite below-average earning power.

Slightly above Indiana's affordability average

Benton County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.2% edges above Indiana's state average of 15.6%, though modestly. With median rent of $834, it falls just below the state median of $883, positioning Benton as a borderline-affordable option within Indiana's rental landscape.

Competitive with surrounding rural areas

Benton County's $834 rent undercuts nearby Carroll County ($874) and rivals Adams County ($799) in rural affordability. Home values of $135,400 represent one of Indiana's lowest, offering entry-level ownership opportunities in this sparsely populated northwest region.

Tight household budgets benefit from low housing

Renters earning $61,811 annually ($5,151 monthly) allocate $834 to rent—16.2% of gross income, leaving modest cushion for other essentials. Homeowners pay $864 monthly, creating similar affordability pressures across both tenure types in this lower-income county.

Benton County: maximum affordability, minimal income

Benton County delivers some of Indiana's lowest home values ($135,400) and reasonable rents, but earn the lowest median household income statewide at $61,811. If housing cost is your sole concern, Benton offers relief; if career advancement and income growth matter, weigh limited local job markets against its undeniable housing affordability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Benton County

via IncomeByCounty

Benton trails well behind nation

Benton County's median household income of $61,811 falls roughly $12,900 short of the national median of $74,755. This 17% gap reflects a struggling rural economy well below the American average.

Below Indiana's benchmark

Benton County's $61,811 median household income lags Indiana's state average of $68,681 by about 10%. The county ranks in the lower quarter of Indiana's 92 counties by household earnings.

Benton among the weaker counties

Benton County's $61,811 income is slightly better than Blackford County ($47,560) but trails Adams ($63,128) and Carroll ($64,003). The broader region struggles compared to stronger economies in Allen ($68,839) and Bartholomew ($80,365).

Limited cushion for families

Benton County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.2% is manageable, but the modest $61,811 median income leaves little margin for saving or handling emergencies. Families must budget carefully to maintain financial stability.

Small steps build lasting wealth

Benton County residents should prioritize high-yield savings accounts and employer retirement benefits to gradually build wealth despite modest earnings. Even $50–$100 monthly contributions to a Roth IRA can compound significantly over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Benton County

via HealthByCounty

Benton County faces significant health challenges

Life expectancy in Benton County is 74.5 years—significantly below both Indiana's state average (75.1 years) and the national average (76.4 years). With 22.0% of residents reporting poor or fair health, the county faces real health headwinds affecting daily life for many residents.

Among Indiana's health struggles

Benton County ranks in the lower half of Indiana counties for health outcomes, trailing the state average by a full year in life expectancy. This gap signals that residents here face cumulative health challenges—from chronic disease management to healthcare access—that demand attention.

Struggling compared to regional peers

Benton County's 74.5-year life expectancy lags significantly behind Adams County (77.0 years), Boone County (78.2 years), and Brown County (76.7 years). Even neighboring Blackford County, despite its own challenges, edges ahead at 71.8 years, indicating Benton faces particular healthcare barriers.

Limited providers compound access challenges

Benton County has just 23 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—less than half the average among these eight counties—and only 57 mental health providers per 100,000. With 9.7% of residents uninsured, above the state average of 8.4%, barriers to care compound for vulnerable populations.

Insurance is your first step to better health

In a county with limited providers and tight healthcare resources, having active health insurance is critical to accessing what care exists. If you're uninsured or underinsured, visit healthcare.gov or call 211 to explore Medicaid and Marketplace options—getting covered is the first step toward better outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Benton County

via RiskByCounty

Benton County faces minimal risk

Benton County scores just 4.87 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the very low risk category and far below national averages. Your county enjoys some of the lowest disaster vulnerability in the United States.

Indiana's safest county

Benton County ranks as Indiana's lowest-risk county with a composite score of 4.87, compared to the state average of 45.52. No county in Indiana is safer from natural disasters than Benton.

Safest in a low-risk region

Benton County's score of 4.87 is even lower than nearby Blackford County (9.00) and Carroll County (29.64), making it the regional leader in disaster resilience. Your county occupies the safest corner of an already-safe area.

Tornado exposure most notable

Even in Benton County's low-risk environment, tornado risk reaches 29.45—still modest compared to statewide patterns. All other hazards score below 42, reflecting consistently minimal disaster exposure.

Standard coverage suffices here

With disaster risks among the nation's lowest, standard homeowners insurance is typically adequate for Benton County residents. Still maintain a weather radio and basic emergency kit for routine storm season preparedness.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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