Carroll County's composite score of 74.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by nearly 50%, placing it in the 74th percentile of U.S. counties. This ranking reflects a county delivering genuine livability through low taxes, affordable housing, and solid health infrastructure. Carroll demonstrates that rural Indiana can compete on livability with national standards.
2 / 5
Above-Average Indiana Community
Carroll County scores 74.4, above Indiana's 71.2 state average, ranking it in the upper quartile of the state's 92 counties. The county outperforms most regional peers on overall livability, standing among Indiana's most desirable communities. This reflects balanced strength across multiple livability dimensions.
3 / 5
Tax Efficiency and Housing Affordability Stellar
Carroll County's tax score of 86.3 with an effective rate of 0.569% represents exceptional tax efficiency—among the lowest statewide. The cost score of 80.6 combines with median home values of $167,700 and median rent of $874/month to create genuine housing affordability. These two factors deliver substantial monthly savings for residents.
4 / 5
Income Growth Limited, Risk Moderate
The income score of 25.2 reflects median household income of $64,003, limiting economic mobility and career advancement potential. The risk score of 70.4 suggests moderate economic vulnerability and possible employment concentration. Limited data on schools, safety, and water quality creates blind spots in the full livability assessment.
5 / 5
Suits Practical, Cost-Conscious Households
Carroll County is ideal for families and individuals prioritizing low tax burden and affordable housing over wage growth and urban amenities. The county works well for retirees managing fixed incomes, remote workers, and self-employed professionals who benefit from tax efficiency. It's best for people valuing financial stability and small-town living over economic dynamism.
Carroll County's composite score of 74.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by nearly 50%, placing it in the 74th percentile of U.S. counties. This ranking reflects a county delivering genuine livability through low taxes, affordable housing, and solid health infrastructure. Carroll demonstrates that rural Indiana can compete on livability with national standards.
Above-Average Indiana Community
Carroll County scores 74.4, above Indiana's 71.2 state average, ranking it in the upper quartile of the state's 92 counties. The county outperforms most regional peers on overall livability, standing among Indiana's most desirable communities. This reflects balanced strength across multiple livability dimensions.
Tax Efficiency and Housing Affordability Stellar
Carroll County's tax score of 86.3 with an effective rate of 0.569% represents exceptional tax efficiency—among the lowest statewide. The cost score of 80.6 combines with median home values of $167,700 and median rent of $874/month to create genuine housing affordability. These two factors deliver substantial monthly savings for residents.
Income Growth Limited, Risk Moderate
The income score of 25.2 reflects median household income of $64,003, limiting economic mobility and career advancement potential. The risk score of 70.4 suggests moderate economic vulnerability and possible employment concentration. Limited data on schools, safety, and water quality creates blind spots in the full livability assessment.
Suits Practical, Cost-Conscious Households
Carroll County is ideal for families and individuals prioritizing low tax burden and affordable housing over wage growth and urban amenities. The county works well for retirees managing fixed incomes, remote workers, and self-employed professionals who benefit from tax efficiency. It's best for people valuing financial stability and small-town living over economic dynamism.
Score breakdown
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🏛86.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.569%, Carroll County's effective tax rate sits well below the national median of roughly 0.85%, placing it among the most tax-friendly counties in America. The median annual property tax of $954 represents just 35% of the national median of $2,690.
Carroll ranks among Indiana's lowest-tax counties
Carroll County's 0.569% effective rate ranks near the bottom of Indiana's 92 counties, well under the state average of 0.671%. Homeowners pay a median of $954 annually—$245 less than the state average—reflecting both moderate rates and property values.
Second-lowest rate in the region
Carroll County's 0.569% rate is lower than most regional peers, trailing only Brown County (0.470%) and well below Bartholomew (0.722%) and Benton (0.756%). Combined with modest home values, it produces some of the region's lowest annual tax bills.
Median home taxed at $954 annually
A home valued at Carroll County's median of $167,700 generates an annual property tax of $954. For mortgaged properties, the average bill rises to $1,098 due to escrow components, while non-mortgaged homes average $790.
Appeal opportunities exist even here
Carroll County's low-tax environment makes reassessment appeals particularly valuable—even modest savings compound meaningfully on a modest baseline. Comparing your assessed value to recent arm's-length sales in your area can reveal opportunities to reduce your already-favorable tax bill.
Carroll County renters spend 16.4% of income on housing—below national affordability thresholds despite a median household income of $64,003, slightly below the U.S. average of $74,755. At $874 monthly rent, this north-central county delivers reasonable housing relief for rural Hoosiers earning modest incomes.
Slightly above Indiana's affordability standard
Carroll County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.4% exceeds Indiana's state average of 15.6% by 0.8 percentage points, placing it in the moderately expensive tier. Median rent of $874 falls just below the state median of $883, making Carroll nearly average within Indiana's rental landscape.
Middle ground between extremes
Carroll County's $874 rent positions it between Blackford's affordability champion ($635) and Allen County's metro prices ($976), serving as the region's middle option. Home values of $167,700 similarly occupy the middle ground, offering balance between accessibility and market appreciation potential.
Balanced budgeting for modest earners
Renters earning $64,003 annually ($5,334 monthly) allocate $874 to rent—16.4% of gross income, leaving reasonable cushion for other expenses. Homeowners pay just $795 monthly, an exceptional value suggesting Carroll's housing market offers attractive ownership pathways despite modest rental costs.
Carroll County: solid middle-ground choice
Carroll County delivers near-average Indiana rents ($874) and competitive home values ($167,700) with a manageable 16.4% rent-to-income ratio. If you're seeking small-town living without sacrificing affordability or amenities, Carroll offers genuine balance; verify local employment opportunities match your industry before committing to this quiet north-central county.
Carroll County's median household income of $64,003 falls about $10,750 short of the national median of $74,755. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier of American counties by household earning power.
Below Indiana's state average
At $64,003, Carroll County's median household income trails Indiana's state average of $68,681 by roughly 7%. The county ranks in the lower third of Indiana's 92 counties by household earnings.
Carroll among moderate peers
Carroll County's $64,003 income sits between Adams ($63,128) and Benton ($61,811), forming a struggling rural corridor. Stronger economies like Allen ($68,839) and Bartholomew ($80,365) offer sharply different prospects.
Tight housing and living costs
Carroll County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.4% is slightly elevated, and the $64,003 median income requires careful budgeting. Families must prioritize essential expenses to maintain financial stability.
Disciplined saving builds security
Carroll County residents should focus on automatic savings deductions and employer 401(k) plans to build wealth gradually. Free financial literacy programs and credit union services offer low-cost tools for modest but steady financial growth.
Carroll County ties national life expectancy highs
At 78.3 years, Carroll County's life expectancy ranks among the nation's best, topping both Indiana's state average (75.1 years) and the U.S. average (76.4 years) by over 2 years. With 17.7% reporting poor or fair health, the county demonstrates strong population health despite its small size.
Boone's equal among Indiana's healthiest
Carroll County ranks at Indiana's very top for life expectancy, tied with Boone County at 78.3 years—exceptional performance for a small, rural community. This outcome reflects decades of community investment in health and healthcare access.
Co-leader of regional health performance
Carroll County's 78.3-year life expectancy essentially ties Boone County's 78.2 years for the highest in this group, far exceeding Benton (74.5 years), Blackford (71.8 years), and Adams (77.0 years). The county stands as a model for rural health success.
Carroll County has the lowest primary care provider density of any county here at just 10 per 100,000 residents, suggesting residents may travel for routine care. However, 88 mental health providers per 100,000 and 9.7% uninsured indicate that residents maintain coverage despite provider distance.
Insurance bridges gaps in provider access
Carroll County's high life expectancy despite limited local providers suggests residents actively seek care and maintain insurance to do so. With 9.7% uninsured, slightly above the state average, ensuring you have coverage is vital to accessing care outside the county when needed.
Carroll County scores 29.64 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the very low risk category and substantially below national averages. Your county experiences minimal natural disaster exposure compared to most American communities.
Safer than Indiana average
Carroll County ranks in the lower-risk portion of Indiana's 92 counties with a score of 29.64, well below the state average of 45.52. Your county sits comfortably in the state's safer tier.
Safe in a moderate region
Carroll County's score of 29.64 exceeds safest neighbors like Benton County (4.87) and Blackford County (9.00), but trails riskier Adams County (52.13) to the south. Your county occupies the safer side of its regional range.
Flood and tornado risks modest
Flood risk reaches 47.23, Carroll County's highest score, while tornado risk of 42.56 remains below state patterns. All other hazards score below 48, reflecting consistently low exposure.
Standard insurance serves well
Carroll County's low disaster vulnerability means standard homeowners insurance adequately protects most properties. Keep weather alerts active during spring severe weather season and maintain basic emergency supplies as routine household preparation.