countyscore
39.1
County Score
Income & Jobs 71.6Soil Quality 61.4Lawn Care 59

County Report Card

About Clark County, Indiana

Challenges Below the National Average

Clark County carries a composite score of 40.2, which is significantly lower than the national median of 50.0. This indicates several structural areas where the county faces unique local pressures.

Below the State Average

At 40.2, the county ranks well under the Indiana average of 55.9. It struggles to match the overall livability metrics found in many other parts of the state.

Strong Incomes and Regional Opportunity

The county excels in earning potential with an income score of 71.9 and a median household income of $72,298. It also maintains a competitive tax score of 59.1, helping workers keep more of their paychecks.

High Risk and Safety Concerns

Environmental risk and safety are the primary challenges, with scores of 18.6 and 22.3 respectively. Housing costs are also a factor, as the cost score of 24.5 reflects higher price pressure in the area.

Best for Career-Driven Professionals

Clark County is a good match for individuals focused on career growth and higher wages. It suits those willing to trade off some safety and environmental stability for robust economic opportunities.

2040608010053.423.422.348.846.671.618.653.555.9Tax53.4Cost23.4Safety22.3Health48.8Schools46.6Income71.6Risk18.6Water53.5Weather55.939.1/100
This county
National avg
1 above average3 below average

Clark County DNA

Foverall

How Clark County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Clark County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Safety (22.3/100), though Income (71.6/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
53.4
Cost
23.4-24.6
Safety
22.3-32.7
Health
48.8
Schools
46.6
Income
71.6+20.599999999999994
Risk
18.6-28.4
Water
53.5
Weather
55.9
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Compare mortgage rates in Clark County

Whether buying or refinancing in Clark County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$222,900

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,129/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$222,900/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$45,160/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $74,214/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

8.1

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Oldham County
Kentucky
56.9
Floyd County
Indiana
43.8
Scott County
Indiana
56.4
Jefferson County
Kentucky
33.9
Trimble County
Kentucky
65.6
Washington County
Indiana
57.6
Jefferson County
Indiana
59.3
Harrison County
Indiana
61.4

Deep Dives

Clark County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Clark County

via CrimeByCounty

Clark County Beats National Crime Statistics

Clark County reports a total crime rate of 1993.7 per 100K, staying comfortably below the national average of 2,385.5. The county earns a 96.9 safety score, reflecting a secure environment for its residents.

Analyzing Clark's Standings Within Indiana

The county's crime rate is higher than the Indiana state average of 693.8 per 100K residents. Specifically, its violent crime rate of 195.9 is nearly double the state's 102.9 average, indicating an area for community focus.

Regional Comparisons for Clark Residents

Clark County faces more complex safety challenges than rural neighbors like Crawford, which reports near-zero crime. Despite this, it remains safer than many national urban centers with similar population densities.

Violent vs Property Crime Breakdown

The majority of reports involve property crime, which sits at 1797.8 per 100K people. Violent crimes make up about 10% of total reported incidents, which is a lower proportion than seen in many national metro areas.

Proactive Steps for Home Safety

With property crime as the leading statistic, residents should consider installing home security cameras and alarm systems. These tools provide a proven deterrent and help keep Clark County's safety score high.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in Clark County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Profiles in Clark County

Clark County soils show a distinctly acidic pH of 5.85, which is notably lower than the Indiana average of 6.08. While specific taxonomic data is limited for this area, the low pH suggests a need for lime amendments in most garden beds.

Silt-Heavy Soil Structure

The soil is dominated by 69.3% silt, paired with 19.9% clay and a low 10.8% sand content. This silty profile provides a smooth texture that can be prone to surface crusting if left bare during heavy rains.

Exceptional Water Storage Capacity

Organic matter matches the national average of 2.0%, though it trails the Indiana state average of 4.90%. Despite lower organic levels, the available water capacity is high at 0.208 in/in, offering great drought resilience for local plants.

Monitoring Moisture Infiltration

Official drainage class data is currently unavailable for this county, but high silt levels typically indicate moderate permeability. Gardeners should observe their specific plots for slow-draining areas after typical Indiana storms.

Thriving in the Southern Heat

Hardiness zone 6b supports a long growing season for heat-loving crops like peppers and tomatoes. Adding compost can help bridge the gap between the 2.0% organic matter level and the higher state standards to boost your harvest.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Clark County

via LawnByCounty

Clark County Lawn Care Challenges

Clark County scores a 59.0 for lawn difficulty, making it one of the more challenging regions in the state to maintain a perfect lawn. While it exceeds the national median, it falls significantly short of the 71.0 Indiana average.

High Rainfall Meets Intense Heat

Lawns here receive a generous 52.9 inches of annual rain, which is much higher than the state average of 44.2 inches. However, 37 extreme heat days per year can quickly scorch grass if proper irrigation isn't maintained during summer peaks.

Acidic Soil Requires Regular Buffering

The soil pH in Clark County sits at 5.85, which is more acidic than the ideal 6.0-7.0 range for most turf. Homeowners likely need to apply lime to raise the pH and unlock essential nutrients for the grass.

Monitoring Dry Spells in the South

Over 57% of the area is currently abnormally dry, even though the county only faced 4 weeks of drought last year. Focus on water conservation by mulching clippings to retain moisture on the soil surface.

Reliable Grass for Hardiness Zone 6b

Tall Fescue is highly recommended here due to its heat tolerance and ability to handle the 6b hardiness zone. While local frost data is limited, early autumn remains the most reliable window for successful seeding.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Clark County's county score?
Clark County, Indiana has a composite county score of 39.1 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Clark County rank among counties in Indiana?
Clark County ranks #87 among all counties in Indiana on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Clark County, Indiana?
The median annual property tax in Clark County is $1,716, with an effective tax rate of 0.77%. This earns Clark County a tax score of 53.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Clark County?
The median household income in Clark County, Indiana is $74,214 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Clark County earns an income score of 71.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Clark County, Indiana a good place to live?
Clark County scores 39.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #87 in Indiana. The best way to evaluate Clark County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Clark County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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