Clinton County

Indiana · IN

#41 in Indiana
72.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Clinton County, Indiana

Clinton scores well above U.S. median

Clinton County's composite score of 72.1 comfortably exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 30% of U.S. counties. This strong national position reflects balanced strengths in affordability and tax climate.

Exceeds Indiana average by narrow margin

At 72.1, Clinton County slightly surpasses Indiana's state average of 71.2, ranking in the upper-middle tier of the state's 92 counties. It performs competitively among Indiana communities.

Low taxes and moderate affordability

Clinton excels with a Tax Score of 84.8 backed by a 0.622% effective tax rate, and a Cost Score of 78.5 with median home values of $157,300. Health outcomes register at 67.4, supporting overall community wellness.

Income growth lags competitive peer counties

The Income Score of 25.0 with median household income at $63,690 suggests limited wage advancement and career trajectory. Schools, safety, and water quality data remain unavailable, though risk management shows strength at 69.5.

Solid choice for balanced small-town living

Clinton County works well for families seeking a balance of low taxes, reasonable housing costs, and small-town stability without expecting significant income growth. It's particularly suited to retirees and those whose income needs are already met.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.8Cost78.5SafetyComing SoonHealth67.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome25Risk69.5WaterComing Soon
🏛84.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠78.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼25
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
67.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
69.5
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

Clinton County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Clinton County

via TaxByCounty

Clinton County taxes well below national standard

Clinton County's 0.622% effective rate produces a median tax of just $979 annually—about 64% lower than the national median of $2,690. This places Clinton homeowners in the national tax-value sweet spot.

Slightly below Indiana's state average

At 0.622%, Clinton County's effective rate falls slightly under the state average of 0.671%, making it a moderate-tax county in Indiana's 92-county landscape. The median tax bill of $979 is slightly below the state median of $1,199.

Balanced rates among regional peers

Clinton County's 0.622% rate sits between lower-taxed Clay (0.457%) and higher-taxed Cass (0.694%), positioning it as a middle option. The region shows considerable variation in tax approaches.

Median Clinton home costs $979 annually

A Clinton County homeowner with the median property value of $157,300 pays approximately $979 per year in property taxes. When combined with mortgage escrow, the annual bill is roughly $939 to $1,048 depending on mortgage status.

Appeal your assessment if overvalued

Clinton County homeowners who believe their property is overassessed can challenge valuations free of charge during reassessment windows. Many find success in reducing tax bills through this straightforward appeal process.

Cost of Living in Clinton County

via CostByCounty

Clinton County's above-average pressure

Clinton County renters spend 17.2% of their $63,690 income on housing—above both the national average and Indiana's 15.6% state benchmark. This places Clinton County in the less affordable tier nationally, despite modest incomes that fall $11,065 short of the U.S. median.

Clinton ranks less affordable statewide

At 17.2%, Clinton County's rent-to-income ratio exceeds Indiana's average by 1.6 percentage points, positioning it among the state's less affordable counties. Monthly rents of $915 represent the second-highest in the immediate region, creating affordability pressure on local renters.

Clinton higher than most peers

Clinton County's $915 monthly rent ranks second only to Clark County ($1,058) and exceeds Cass ($778), Clay ($837), and Daviess ($837) by $78–$137 per month. This makes Clinton one of the pricier rental markets among neighboring counties.

Clinton's income-housing mismatch

Clinton residents with $63,690 median income face $915 in monthly rent or $881 in mortgage costs, each consuming roughly 17.2% and 16.6% of earnings. The median home value of $157,300 sits between lower-cost neighbors and pricier markets, creating mixed ownership affordability.

Clinton requires income consideration

Clinton County's 17.2% rent-to-income ratio makes it less ideal if housing affordability is your priority; neighboring Clay, Daviess, and Crawford counties offer better ratios. However, if employment prospects are strong locally, the slightly higher rents may be justified by economic opportunity.

Income & Jobs in Clinton County

via IncomeByCounty

Clinton County notably below national average

Clinton County's median household income of $63,690 trails the national median of $74,755 by $11,065, placing the county 15% below typical U.S. earning levels. This gap reflects regional economic constraints and limited high-wage employment options.

Below Indiana's median but near average

At $63,690, Clinton County sits $5,091 below Indiana's state median of $68,681, marking it as a below-average county within the state economy. The per capita income of $30,108 falls noticeably short of the state average of $34,773, suggesting fewer high-earning individuals.

Mid-tier earnings in regional context

Clinton County's $63,690 exceeds struggling Crawford County ($48,993) by $14,697 but lags behind Clay County ($67,676) and most wealthier neighbors like Daviess County ($68,561). The county occupies the lower-middle tier of regional income distribution.

Housing costs demand careful budgeting

Clinton County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.2% remains within healthy bounds, but the median home value of $157,300 represents 2.5 times the median household income—higher leverage than many peers. Prospective homebuyers should plan carefully and prioritize strong down-payment savings.

Start investing early despite income constraints

Clinton County households earning $63,690 should prioritize employer 401(k) matches and individual retirement accounts before pursuing discretionary spending. Even modest early investments—$150-200 monthly in a diversified fund—can create meaningful long-term wealth despite current income limitations.

Health in Clinton County

via HealthByCounty

Clinton County lags US life expectancy

At 74.4 years, Clinton County residents live approximately 4.6 years less than the US average of 79 years. With 18.9% reporting poor or fair health—just below the national average of 18%—the county shows room for improvement across health metrics.

Slightly below Indiana state average

Clinton County's 74.4-year life expectancy falls 0.7 years short of Indiana's 75.1-year state average, placing it in the lower half of the state. The county's 18.9% poor/fair health rate is better than the state average, yet life expectancy trends suggest chronic disease burden.

Significant primary care access gap

Clinton County's life expectancy of 74.4 years is comparable to Cass County (74.9 years) but trails Clay County (75.0 years) by a modest margin. The county faces a critical access gap with only 15 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—less than one-third the rate of neighboring Clay County's 49.

Higher uninsured rate, severe provider shortage

Clinton County's 9.9% uninsured rate is the highest among its neighbors and exceeds Indiana's 8.4%, leaving roughly 1 in 10 residents without coverage. The acute shortage of primary care providers at just 15 per 100,000 creates a healthcare access crisis, compounded by mental health gaps.

Uninsured? Explore coverage immediately

With nearly 1 in 10 Clinton County residents uninsured, securing coverage is urgent—visit healthcare.gov to compare plans and check Medicaid eligibility. Contact the Clinton County Health Department to learn about sliding-scale clinics and community health centers if costs are a barrier.

Disaster Risk in Clinton County

via RiskByCounty

Clinton County ranks among safest areas

Clinton County's composite risk score of 30.53 places it well below the national average, indicating below-average exposure to major natural hazards. This county enjoys some of the lowest disaster risk in the country.

Low-risk county by Indiana standards

Clinton County scores 30.53, about 33% below Indiana's state average of 45.52, ranking it among the state's safest counties. Only a small number of Indiana counties have lower composite risk scores.

Safest county in the local region

Clinton County (30.53) faces the lowest composite risk of any county in its immediate vicinity, edging out Clay County (27.04) as one of the safest areas in central Indiana. Surrounding counties all score measurably higher.

Tornado and earthquake risks dominate

Clinton County's biggest hazard is tornado risk (56.71), followed by earthquake risk (59.67), while flood risk (34.86) remains relatively low. Even these "highest" local risks remain below-average compared to most Indiana counties.

Standard insurance likely sufficient

Clinton County's low overall risk profile means a standard homeowners insurance policy covers most major perils adequately. Consider earthquake coverage given the 59.67 earthquake risk, but overall, disaster insurance needs are minimal compared to other Indiana counties.

ByCounty Network

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