Blair County's composite score of 69.8 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 40%, placing it in the top quarter of U.S. counties. This strong showing reflects particular excellence in tax burden and housing affordability.
2 / 5
Well Above State Average
Blair County scores 69.8, notably 3.8 points above Pennsylvania's state average of 66.0, ranking it in the upper tier of state counties. This performance ties it with Bradford County as the second-strongest in this group.
3 / 5
Best-in-Class Tax Rates and Housing Costs
Blair County's tax score of 71.6 and effective tax rate of 1.092% are among the lowest in this cohort, paired with a cost score of 80.1 featuring median home values of $156,700 and rent at $854 per month. This combination delivers exceptional financial efficiency.
4 / 5
Lower Incomes Constrain Purchasing Power
The income score of 22.9 and median household income of $60,594 are among the lowest in this group, limiting discretionary spending and wealth accumulation. Safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unmeasured in current data.
5 / 5
Outstanding for Tax and Cost Conscious
Blair County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and budget-prioritizing families seeking minimal tax liability and housing expenses. The lower local income levels are offset by exceptional affordability, making it a strong choice for those not dependent on area employment.
Blair County's composite score of 69.8 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 40%, placing it in the top quarter of U.S. counties. This strong showing reflects particular excellence in tax burden and housing affordability.
Well Above State Average
Blair County scores 69.8, notably 3.8 points above Pennsylvania's state average of 66.0, ranking it in the upper tier of state counties. This performance ties it with Bradford County as the second-strongest in this group.
Best-in-Class Tax Rates and Housing Costs
Blair County's tax score of 71.6 and effective tax rate of 1.092% are among the lowest in this cohort, paired with a cost score of 80.1 featuring median home values of $156,700 and rent at $854 per month. This combination delivers exceptional financial efficiency.
Lower Incomes Constrain Purchasing Power
The income score of 22.9 and median household income of $60,594 are among the lowest in this group, limiting discretionary spending and wealth accumulation. Safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unmeasured in current data.
Outstanding for Tax and Cost Conscious
Blair County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and budget-prioritizing families seeking minimal tax liability and housing expenses. The lower local income levels are offset by exceptional affordability, making it a strong choice for those not dependent on area employment.
Score breakdown
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🏛71.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Blair County taxes run well below national average
Blair County's effective rate of 1.092% falls below the national median of 1.300%, placing it in the bottom 40% of U.S. counties for tax burden. The median annual property tax of $1,711 is roughly 36% lower than the national median of $2,690, offering substantial savings compared to typical American counties.
Below Pennsylvania's average tax rate
Blair County's 1.092% effective rate falls below Pennsylvania's state average of 1.317%. Median annual taxes of $1,711 run 36% below the state median of $2,657, making Blair one of the state's most tax-friendly counties.
Second-lowest taxes in the region
Blair County's 1.092% rate ranks second only to Bedford County (0.811%) among the eight counties, offering significant tax advantages. The county provides a middle ground between Bedford's exceptional rate and the higher-tax counties of Eastern Pennsylvania.
What the median homeowner pays yearly
A homeowner with a median-valued property ($156,700) in Blair County pays approximately $1,711 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that rises to $1,803; without, it falls to $1,601.
Low taxes don't guarantee accurate assessments
Even in tax-friendly counties like Blair, properties can be overvalued on the assessment rolls. Filing an assessment appeal costs nothing and can verify that your home is valued fairly relative to comparable properties in your area.
Blair County renters spend 16.9% of income on housing, above the national average but in line with Pennsylvania's state average of 16.5%. The median household income of $60,594 trails national levels, meaning the housing cost burden feels proportionally heavier.
Blair near state affordability average
Blair County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.9% sits just above Pennsylvania's state average of 16.5%, placing it squarely in the middle tier. Monthly rent of $854 runs $106 below the state average of $960, offering some offset to the higher ratio.
Blair bridges rural and suburban costs
Blair's $854 rent falls between affordable rural counties (Armstrong at $802, Bedford at $771) and pricier suburbs (Berks at $1,143). Home values near $156,700 similarly position Blair as a middle-ground market for the region.
Blair's moderate housing burden
Renters spend $854 monthly (16.9% of income), while homeowners pay $851 (17.1%)—notably balanced between rental and ownership. The county's modest incomes mean these percentages reflect a tighter squeeze than higher-income areas.
Blair for modest-income living
Blair County offers reasonable housing costs for those with lower to moderate incomes, though job opportunities may be more limited than larger metros. Compare to nearby Armstrong and Bedford for even greater savings, or Berks for more employment options.
Blair County's median household income of $60,594 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by nearly 18.9%, indicating significant income disadvantage. This gap reflects Blair's struggles with manufacturing decline and limited job growth in central Pennsylvania.
Among Pennsylvania's lowest-income counties
Blair's $60,594 median household income falls 13% below Pennsylvania's state average of $69,614, ranking it among the state's economically challenged counties. Per capita income of $34,593 trails the state average of $37,407 by nearly 8%.
Similar struggles as neighboring rural counties
Blair households earn $60,594, nearly identical to neighboring Bedford County ($60,302) and Bradford County ($62,482). Both struggle with rural economic headwinds across central Pennsylvania.
Housing affordability stretched at median income
Blair's 16.9% rent-to-income ratio signals manageable rental costs, though limited median income constrains broader financial flexibility. Median home value of $156,700 represents meaningful commitment for households earning just $60,594.
Focus on stable employment and education
Blair County residents earning $60,594 should prioritize career advancement, training programs, and credential-building to increase earning potential. Even modest increases in household income compound significantly over decades of compound savings and investment.
At 74.7 years, Blair County residents live 1.7 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years—the worst gap in this county group. The 20.0% poor/fair health rate is the highest in the group, indicating concentrated chronic disease, preventable mortality, and significant health disparities.
Pennsylvania's health trouble zone
Blair County's 74.7-year life expectancy trails Pennsylvania's 76.4-year average by 1.7 years—the largest gap in this group—placing it among the state's most challenged counties. The 20.0% poor/fair health rate is the worst in Pennsylvania's set, signaling urgent health intervention needs.
Worst outcomes in central PA
Blair County's 74.7-year life expectancy and 20.0% poor/fair health rate are the poorest metrics across all eight counties, with no neighboring county approaching this health burden. This suggests concentrated demographic aging, industrial decline, and health inequities concentrated in central Pennsylvania's hardest-hit regions.
Strong provider access amid health crisis
Blair County has 77 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and notably 304 mental health providers per 100,000—excellent capacity suggesting recognition of behavioral-health needs. Despite this, the 6.3% uninsured rate and low life expectancy suggest barriers beyond provider availability, pointing toward social and economic drivers of poor health.
Coverage is only step one in Blair
Blair County's crisis-level health outcomes demand immediate action; ensure you have coverage as a foundation, then connect with the robust mental-health and primary-care resources available. Visit healthcare.gov or call Blair County's Department of Human Services to enroll in Medicaid or marketplace plans designed for Pennsylvanians in hardship.
Blair County Moderately Above National Average Risk
Blair County's composite risk score of 77.67 sits noticeably above the national average, maintaining a relatively low risk rating overall. The county experiences moderate natural disaster exposure driven primarily by flooding, hurricanes, and tornadoes.
Above-Average Risk for Pennsylvania
Blair County's score of 77.67 exceeds Pennsylvania's statewide average of 67.45 by roughly 15 percent, placing it in the upper half of the state's counties. The county ranks significantly safer than Allegheny (98.09) and Berks (92.72), but riskier than many rural peers.
Riskier Than Neighboring Bedford County
Blair County residents face more hazard exposure than adjacent Bedford County (68.23), though both share similar geographic characteristics. The county compares closely to Huntingdon County and other south-central Pennsylvania communities.
Flooding, Hurricanes, and Tornadoes Top Threats
Flood risk ranks highest at 87.47 in Blair County, reflecting vulnerability to the Juniata River and regional water systems. Hurricane (78.81) and tornado (58.87) risks follow, while wildfire (32.00) presents only modest exposure.
Flood Insurance Priority; Standard Coverage Sufficient
Blair County homeowners should obtain flood insurance given the county's 87.47 flood risk, particularly near river corridors and low-lying areas. Standard homeowners policies adequately cover tornado and wind damage for most residents, making Blair relatively straightforward to insure.