Clark County

Indiana · IN

#82 in Indiana
65.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Clark County, Indiana

Clark outpaces national average decisively

Clark County's composite score of 65.9 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, positioning it in the top 35% of U.S. counties. This advantage reflects strong fundamentals in tax efficiency and health outcomes.

Below-average performer within Indiana

Clark County's 65.9 score falls noticeably below Indiana's 71.2 state average, ranking in the lower-middle tier of the state's 92 counties. This suggests other Indiana counties offer more attractive overall livability profiles.

Higher incomes and solid health metrics

Clark County stands out with a median household income of $72,298 and an Income Score of 30.6, paired with a Health Score of 68.6—among the stronger health outcomes in this group. The Tax Score of 81.5 reflects a reasonable 0.737% effective tax rate.

Affordability and risk present trade-offs

Housing costs are notably higher here, with median home values at $212,400 and rents at $1,058/month, resulting in a Cost Score of only 72.7. The low Risk Score of 18.6 also warrants attention, though limited data on schools and safety prevents full assessment.

Best for professionals with stable income

Clark County appeals to working professionals and established families who can afford higher housing costs in exchange for better incomes and health services. It's less suited to retirees on fixed budgets or first-time homebuyers seeking maximum affordability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81.5Cost72.7SafetyComing SoonHealth68.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.6Risk18.6WaterComing Soon
🏛81.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠72.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼30.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
68.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
18.6
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

Clark County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Clark County

via TaxByCounty

Clark County taxes remain well below national average

Clark County's effective rate of 0.737% generates a median annual tax of $1,566—still roughly 42% lower than the national median of $2,690. Even with higher home values than some neighbors, Clark homeowners enjoy substantial tax savings versus most American counterparts.

Among Indiana's higher-taxed counties

At 0.737%, Clark County ranks above the state average of 0.671%, placing it in the upper tier of Indiana's 92 counties for effective tax rate. The median tax bill of $1,566 exceeds the state median of $1,199 by about 31%.

Highest rate in the immediate region

Clark County's 0.737% effective rate is the highest among nearby counties like Cass (0.694%), Clinton (0.622%), and Clay (0.457%). The gap reflects differing local funding needs and assessment practices across the region.

Median Clark home pays $1,566 annually

With a median home value of $212,400, Clark County residents pay an estimated $1,566 per year in property taxes at the current rate. Mortgage-inclusive costs bring the annual obligation to approximately $1,611.

Challenge your Clark County assessment

Many Clark County homeowners carry inflated assessments that don't reflect actual property values. Filing an appeal during reassessment season costs nothing and frequently yields meaningful tax reductions.

Cost of Living in Clark County

via CostByCounty

Clark County's housing squeeze

Clark County residents spend 17.6% of their $72,298 median income on rent—exceeding both the national and state averages despite earning nearly in line with the U.S. median. At $1,058 per month, Clark County's rent is 20% above Indiana's state average, signaling tighter affordability in this market.

Among Indiana's pricier counties

Clark County ranks above the state average of 15.6% for rent-to-income ratio at 17.6%, placing it in the less affordable tier of Indiana counties. This combination of higher rents and moderate incomes makes Clark County one of the state's more expensive housing markets.

Clark leads region in rent costs

At $1,058 monthly, Clark County's median rent is the highest among its peer counties—exceeding Cass ($778), Clay ($837), and Daviess ($837) by significant margins. Only renters in Clinton County ($915) come close, making Clark the region's premium rental market.

Clark's housing payment reality

Clark County households earning $72,298 annually face $1,058 in monthly rent or $1,080 in mortgage payments, each consuming roughly 17.6% and 18% of income respectively. With a median home value of $212,400, ownership requires substantial financial capacity compared to neighboring counties.

Clark County isn't the bargain play

If housing affordability drives your relocation decision, Clark County's 17.6% rent-to-income ratio makes it less attractive than nearby alternatives like Clay or Daviess counties. However, if you're relocating for employment and income is less constrained, Clark's proximity to Louisville and stronger job market may justify the premium.

Income & Jobs in Clark County

via IncomeByCounty

Clark County slightly behind national median

Clark County's median household income of $72,298 sits just $2,457 below the national median of $74,755, placing it nearly at parity with typical U.S. county earnings. This near-match suggests Clark County households enjoy income levels comparable to the American middle class.

Above-average earner among Indiana counties

At $72,298, Clark County exceeds Indiana's state median of $68,681 by $3,617, signaling stronger-than-average economic performance within the state. The county's per capita income of $36,386 also tops the state average of $34,773, reflecting a relatively affluent local workforce.

Competing well with regional peers

Clark County's $72,298 median beats nearby Cass County ($56,525) by $15,773 and outperforms Clinton County ($63,690) by $8,608. Only Dearborn County ($82,693) and Decatur County ($74,228) significantly outpace Clark in the broader region, placing it firmly in the upper-middle tier.

Strong income supports homeownership goals

With a median home value of $212,400 and a rent-to-income ratio of 17.6%, Clark County households have solid purchasing power and manageable rental costs. The $72,298 income supports both affordable renting (under 30% of earnings) and a realistic path to home equity accumulation.

Leverage above-average income for investing

Clark County's income advantage over state and national peers creates opportunity for accelerated wealth-building through consistent retirement contributions and diversified investments. Households earning $72,298 can realistically save 15-20% of income annually while maintaining comfortable living standards.

Health in Clark County

via HealthByCounty

Clark County faces significant health gap

At 73.2 years, Clark County's life expectancy lags the US average by nearly 6 years, positioning it among the lower-performing counties nationally. Only 19% of residents report poor or fair health, which is below the national average of 18%, suggesting acute health challenges beyond self-reported health status.

Lower life expectancy than Indiana average

Clark County's 73.2-year life expectancy falls 1.9 years short of Indiana's 75.1-year state average, placing it among the state's lower-ranked counties. The county's 19% poor/fair health rate is better than the state average, yet the life expectancy gap indicates deeper structural health issues.

Trailing nearby counties significantly

Clark County's 73.2-year life expectancy trails Dearborn County (76.2 years) and Decatur County (74.0 years) by over a year. Primary care provider density at 38 per 100,000 is lower than Clay County's 49 and Dearborn's 45 per 100,000.

Below-average uninsured but access concerns

Clark County's 7.4% uninsured rate is better than Indiana's state average of 8.4%, yet primary care provider availability at just 38 per 100,000 residents is a bottleneck. With 257 mental health providers per 100,000, the county has strong behavioral health capacity.

Verify coverage and find local providers

While 7.4% of Clark County residents are uninsured, those with coverage should confirm it's active and identify a primary care provider now. Use healthcare.gov or call 211 to find local clinics and specialists accepting new patients.

Disaster Risk in Clark County

via RiskByCounty

Clark County ranks among highest-risk areas

Clark County's composite risk score of 81.36 places it well above the national average, signaling significant and diverse natural hazard exposure. This is one of Indiana's most hazard-prone counties, requiring serious disaster preparedness and comprehensive insurance.

Highest-risk county in Indiana

Clark County's score of 81.36 towers 79% above Indiana's state average of 45.52, making it by far the highest-risk county in the state. No other Indiana county comes close to this level of composite disaster exposure.

Far riskier than surrounding counties

Clark County (81.36) faces dramatically higher risk than all adjacent counties, including Dearborn County (45.23) and Crawford County (25.80). The concentration of multiple hazard types in Clark County is exceptional within Indiana.

Tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods threaten

Clark County residents face extreme tornado risk (95.17—the highest in Indiana), combined with severe earthquake (84.26) and flood (81.17) risks. This convergence of three major hazards makes Clark County the state's most disaster-prone area.

Multi-hazard insurance coverage critical

Clark County residents must secure tornado coverage, earthquake insurance, and flood insurance—standard homeowners policies cover only some of these perils. Given the county's extreme 95.17 tornado risk and 84.26 earthquake risk, comprehensive coverage isn't optional; it's essential protection for your family and assets.

ByCounty Network

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