Clarion County

Pennsylvania · PA

#3 in Pennsylvania
71.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Clarion County, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's Top-Ranked Livable County

Clarion County's composite score of 72.6 ranks it 22.6 percentile points above the national median of 50.0, making it more livable than roughly four out of five American counties. This exceptional performance places it among the nation's most affordable, tax-friendly communities.

Best Overall County in Pennsylvania

At 72.6, Clarion County leads all eight profiled Pennsylvania counties and exceeds the state average of 66.0 by 6.6 points. It represents the state's strongest livability proposition across measured dimensions.

Best-in-Class Taxes and Affordability

Clarion County combines a tax score of 75.0 (effective rate 0.971%, the lowest in the survey), cost score of 83.1, median home value of $152,100, and rent of $785 monthly. This rare combination of low taxes and exceptional housing affordability is virtually unmatched nationally.

Limited Income Growth and Opportunity

The county's income score of 23.0 and median household income of $60,668 represent significant economic constraints compared to state averages. Limited local job market dynamism may challenge working-age professionals seeking career advancement.

Best Choice for Value-Seeking Americans

Clarion County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing affordability and tax efficiency above all else. It offers the rarest combination in America: exceptional value, low taxes, and decent quality of life—making it Pennsylvania's best overall livability bet for cost-conscious households.

Score breakdown

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

Tax75Cost83.1SafetyComing SoonHealth70SchoolsComing SoonIncome23Risk70WaterComing Soon
🏛75
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠83.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼23
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
70
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
70
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

Clarion County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Clarion County

via TaxByCounty

Clarion offers some of nation's lightest rates

Clarion County's effective tax rate of 0.971% sits comfortably below the national median of 1.09%, landing in roughly the 35th percentile. The median property tax of $1,477 falls well short of the national median of $2,690, reflecting both Clarion's low rate and its modest median home value of $152,100.

Pennsylvania's most tax-friendly county

Clarion County ranks in the lowest tier of Pennsylvania counties by effective tax rate, meaningfully below the state average of 1.317%. Its median tax of $1,477 is among the state's lowest, offering residents genuine relief from Pennsylvania's typically high property tax burden.

Clearly lighter than Butler and Cameron

Clarion's 0.971% rate beats all nearby counties, including Butler (1.070%), Cameron (1.667%), and Centre (1.065%). For northwestern Pennsylvania residents, Clarion stands out as one of the state's most affordable tax environments.

Minimal burden: roughly $1,477 yearly

On Clarion's median home value of $152,100, the 0.971% effective rate yields an estimated annual property tax of $1,477. This is among the lowest dollar amounts in Pennsylvania, making Clarion genuinely affordable for property owners.

Even small savings matter in rural counties

Though Clarion's tax burden is already light, homeowners should still verify their assessments for accuracy. On lower-value properties, even modest overvaluations can represent meaningful percentages of annual tax bills.

Cost of Living in Clarion County

via CostByCounty

Clarion offers solid rental affordability

Clarion County renters spend just 15.5% of income on housing—better than the 16.5% national average—despite a median income of $60,668 that trails the national figure by 19%. The $785 median rent reflects rural Pennsylvania's genuine cost advantage for budget-conscious residents.

Above-average affordability in Pennsylvania

Clarion's 15.5% rent-to-income ratio outperforms Pennsylvania's 16.5% state average, though the county's $785 median rent runs 18% below the state mean of $960. Clarion ranks among Pennsylvania's most affordable counties for renters despite below-average wages.

Cheaper than most, but limited options

Clarion's $785 rent rivals Cambria ($733) and beats Cameron ($699) narrowly—all three represent Pennsylvania's most affordable rental markets. However, Clarion's job market remains limited compared to larger counties, making affordability less valuable without reliable income.

Clarion's efficient housing ratio

Renters spend $785 monthly (15.5%) and homeowners $737 (14.6%) against the $60,668 median household income, both well below stress thresholds. This leaves Clarion households with reasonable discretionary income despite limited absolute earnings.

Clarion fits self-sufficient relocators

Choose Clarion if you can secure employment outside the local market or bring pension/retirement income—the $785 rent and $152,100 median home price become exceptional values. Local job seekers should research opportunities carefully; the rural economy offers limited positions despite affordable living costs.

Income & Jobs in Clarion County

via IncomeByCounty

Clarion trails below national average

Clarion County's median household income of $60,668 falls 19% below the national median of $74,755, placing the county in the lower-middle income tier nationally. This rural Northwestern Pennsylvania county reflects economic challenges common to post-industrial regions dependent on forestry and small manufacturing.

Below state average in Pennsylvania

Clarion County ranks in the lower half of Pennsylvania's 67 counties with a median household income of $60,668—$8,946 below the state average of $69,614. The county's rural character and limited employment diversity constrain household earnings compared to more urbanized regions.

Modest but stronger than Cameron

Clarion County's $60,668 median income exceeds struggling Cameron County ($47,681) by $12,987 but trails Butler County ($86,775) and most other nearby areas. The county sits in the lower-middle range of Pennsylvania's income distribution, reflecting limited job growth and outmigration of younger workers.

Housing costs manageable but income tight

Clarion County's 15.5% rent-to-income ratio stays comfortably below the 30% affordability ceiling, with a median home value of $152,100. Though housing is affordable, the modest median income of $60,668 limits room for aggressive saving and wealth accumulation.

Build savings through discipline and planning

Clarion County's median household income of $60,668 requires careful budgeting to save; target 5-8% of income for emergency reserves and retirement accounts. Explore employer-sponsored retirement plans, seek free financial counseling through nonprofit organizations, and automate savings transfers to build wealth despite modest income constraints.

Health in Clarion County

via HealthByCounty

Clarion struggles below national average

Clarion County residents live 74.9 years—1.5 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. With 18.3% reporting poor or fair health, the county faces notable wellness challenges tied to chronic disease and access barriers.

Ranks low among Pennsylvania counties

Clarion County's 74.9-year life expectancy trails Pennsylvania's average of 76.4 years by 1.5 years, placing it in the state's bottom tier. The 18.3% poor/fair health rate reflects community-wide health pressures and limited preventive care.

Part of struggling county cluster

Clarion County's 74.9 years joins Cambria (74.6) and Carbon (74.5) in a cluster of low-performing counties—all trailing Chester and Centre counties by 6+ years. These three counties share similar economic and healthcare access challenges.

Highest uninsured rate, limited providers

Clarion County's 8.1% uninsured rate is the highest among these eight counties, exceeding the state average of 7.0%. With only 46 primary care doctors and 192 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, provider capacity is stretched thin.

Act now: Close the coverage gap

Clarion County's 8.1% uninsured rate demands urgent action—one in twelve residents lacks health insurance. Visit www.healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to enroll; then connect with community health centers and telemedicine to bridge provider shortages.

Disaster Risk in Clarion County

via RiskByCounty

Clarion County has very low disaster risk

Clarion County's composite risk score of 30.03 ranks it in the very low category—37 points below Pennsylvania's state average of 67.45. This rural northwestern county enjoys one of the lowest natural disaster exposure profiles in the state.

Among Pennsylvania's safest counties

Clarion County ranks near the bottom of Pennsylvania's 67 counties for overall disaster risk. Only Cameron County scores lower, making Clarion one of the genuinely low-risk areas in the commonwealth.

Much safer than surrounding areas

Clarion County's 30.03 score is far below Butler County (79.26) to the southeast and well below Centre and Cambria counties to the east. This geographic pocket of low risk is a distinctive advantage.

Flooding poses the main hazard

Clarion County's flood risk of 52.19 stands as its only moderate hazard score; all other risks fall well below 35. While flooding warrants attention, the county faces genuinely limited natural disaster exposure overall.

Basic insurance coverage typically adequate

Clarion County's very low overall risk means standard homeowners insurance provides sufficient protection for most residents. Evaluate flood risk on your specific property and maintain basic emergency supplies and a family communication plan.

ByCounty Network

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