CountyScore

Clinton County

Pennsylvania · PA

#18 in Pennsylvania
67.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Clinton County, Pennsylvania

Clinton ranks solidly above national norm

Clinton County's composite score of 69.2 significantly outperforms the national median of 50.0, demonstrating above-average livability for U.S. standards. The county benefits from low tax burdens and affordable housing that drive its national competitiveness.

Exceeds Pennsylvania's average performance

At 69.2, Clinton County surpasses Pennsylvania's state average of 66.0, placing it among the commonwealth's more livable counties. This edge reflects the county's particular appeal for those seeking rural affordability without sacrificing basic livability.

Tax efficiency and housing affordability

Clinton County boasts a Tax Score of 70.1 with an effective tax rate of 1.14% and a Cost Score of 80.4 featuring $815 monthly rent and $179,100 median home values. These metrics make the county an exceptionally attractive option for budget-conscious residents.

Income growth remains modest

The Income Score of 21.8 reflects a median household income of $58,842, among the lowest in the comparison group and below state norms. Safety, health, schools, and environmental quality data remain unavailable, leaving important livability questions unanswered.

Perfect for frugal rural seekers

Clinton County appeals most to retirees, remote workers, and families seeking maximum affordability in a rural setting with minimal tax burden. The county rewards those who prioritize cost of living over high incomes and urban amenities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax70.1Cost80.4SafetyComing SoonHealth70.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.8Risk48.2WaterComing Soon
🏛70.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡48.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Clinton County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lee County
Alabama
67.7
Median income: $61,123
Juneau City and Borough
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67.7
Median income: $100,513
Bacon County
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67.7
Median income: $50,310
Lee County
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67.7
Median income: $88,024
Clark County
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Median income: $70,625

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's rate undercuts national average

Clinton County's 1.143% effective tax rate ranks below both the state average of 1.317% and the national median of 1.58%, placing it in the lower-tax tier nationally. The median property tax of $2,047 represents just 76% of the national median of $2,690.

Clinton ranks in Pennsylvania's bottom third

At $2,047 in median annual property taxes, Clinton County ranks among the lowest-taxed counties in Pennsylvania, paying significantly less than the state average of $2,657. The county's 1.143% rate is one of the lowest across all 67 Pennsylvania counties.

Clinton offers relief compared to nearby counties

Clinton County's $2,047 median tax beats both Clearfield County ($1,488) and Columbia County ($2,266) depending on home values, though all three maintain favorable rates versus the state. The tri-county region shows property taxes ranging from 1.138% to 1.190%, making it consistently affordable.

Median homeowner pays $2,047 annually

On a median home value of $179,100, Clinton County homeowners pay approximately $2,047 in annual property taxes at the county's 1.143% effective rate. Homeowners with mortgages pay an estimated $2,186, while those without mortgages pay $1,831.

Appeal overassessments to reclaim taxes

Even in lower-tax counties, many homeowners face inflated assessments that cost hundreds annually. Clinton County residents who believe their property is overvalued can file an appeal to challenge the assessment and potentially reduce their tax liability.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Clinton County

via CostByCounty

Clinton renters strain above national average

At 16.6%, Clinton County's rent-to-income ratio slightly exceeds the national norm, meaning renters here allocate a bit more of their income to housing than Americans typically do. With median household income at $58,842—nearly $16,000 below the national average—residents face tighter affordability constraints despite modest rents of $815 per month.

Right at Pennsylvania's affordability midline

Clinton County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.6% matches the state average exactly, suggesting typical affordability pressures for Pennsylvania renters. The county's $815 median rent falls below the statewide median of $960, but lower incomes offset that advantage.

Middle of the pack regionally

Clinton's $815 rent runs higher than nearby Clearfield ($788) and Crawford ($800), but lower than Columbia ($904). The county's 16.6% rent-to-income ratio places it between Clearfield's 15.7% and Columbia's 17.5%, reflecting moderate affordability in Pennsylvania's rural northeast.

Mortgage costs outpace rent burden here

Renters allocate about 17% of the $58,842 median household income to the $815 monthly rent, while homeowners spend roughly 18% on mortgage payments of $881 per month on homes averaging $179,100. For homeowners especially, monthly costs creep toward affordability limits.

Evaluate Clinton alongside neighboring alternatives

Clinton offers moderate housing costs in a rural setting, but renters and owners alike should compare it to Elk County (lowest rents regionally) or Clearfield (slightly cheaper overall). If steady income and small-town life appeal to you, Clinton's affordability tracks reasonably with Pennsylvania's county average.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Clinton County

via IncomeByCounty

Clinton's income trails national average

Clinton County's median household income of $58,842 falls $15,913 short of the national median of $74,755, representing a 21.3% gap. This places Clinton among the lowest-earning counties nationally, reflecting regional dependence on declining sectors. The national comparison underscores why many residents seek employment in higher-wage urban centers.

Lowest incomes in Pennsylvania's set

Clinton County ranks at the bottom of this eight-county sample with a median household income of $58,842, trailing Pennsylvania's state average of $69,614 by $10,772. Per capita income of $31,762 also ranks lowest in this peer group. This persistent gap suggests structural economic challenges requiring workforce development investment.

Below all adjacent county earners

Clinton's $58,842 median household income places it squarely at the bottom of neighboring counties—Clearfield ($60,181), Columbia ($61,992), and Crawford ($60,254) all earn measurably more. The consistent gap across the region signals that Clinton faces particular economic headwinds. A deeper look at industry composition might reveal opportunities for targeted economic diversification.

Housing affordability provides crucial buffer

Clinton's 16.6% rent-to-income ratio—just above the national 30% affordability threshold—means renters spend roughly $810 monthly on average. The median home value of $179,100 is reasonable relative to household income, providing first-time homebuyers with achievable entry points. This affordability keeps basic housing costs manageable despite wage challenges.

Leverage low housing costs for financial gains

Clinton residents can exploit lower housing costs to build wealth faster than higher-income peers in expensive counties. Prioritize setting aside 10–15% of gross income for savings and retirement accounts, even if amounts start small. Use tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs and Roth conversions to stretch modest incomes into meaningful long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Clinton County

via HealthByCounty

Clinton exceeds national life expectancy slightly

Clinton County residents average 76.6 years of life, slightly outpacing the U.S. average of 76.4 years. However, 19.1% report poor or fair health, a rate that exceeds both state and national wellness trends and suggests underlying health disparities.

Middle-of-pack health outcomes in PA

At 76.6 years, Clinton's life expectancy sits marginally above Pennsylvania's 76.4-year average, placing it in the middle tier of state counties. The county's 8.5% uninsured rate, however, ranks above the state average of 7.0%, indicating higher financial barriers to care.

Struggling against regional peers

Clinton County's 19.1% poor/fair health rate ties it with neighboring Clearfield as among the highest in the region. With only 35 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Clinton faces steeper rural provider challenges than Columbia County (57 per 100K) and other nearby areas.

Serious primary care shortage signals alarm

Clinton's 35 primary care providers per 100,000 residents ranks among the lowest in the region, creating real barriers to routine checkups and preventive medicine. The 8.5% uninsured rate means approximately 2,200 Clinton residents navigate healthcare without coverage, compounding access challenges.

Bridge the coverage gap in Clinton

Nearly 1 in 12 Clinton County residents lack health insurance, exposing them to catastrophic medical costs and delaying necessary care. Explore coverage today at Healthcare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE—options exist for individuals, families, and seniors seeking affordable protection.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Clinton County

via RiskByCounty

Clinton ranks among safer U.S. counties

A composite risk score of 51.78 places Clinton in the lower half of national disaster risk, earning a Relatively Low rating. This means residents here face significantly less natural hazard exposure than the average American county, though some localized flood and hurricane threats persist.

Pennsylvania's safest county profile

Clinton's score of 51.78 ranks substantially below Pennsylvania's state average of 67.45, making it one of the state's least hazard-exposed counties. Only a handful of Pennsylvania counties maintain lower composite risk scores, positioning Clinton as a relative safe haven within the state.

Notably safer than surrounding areas

Clinton's 51.78 score significantly underperforms both Clearfield County (67.11) to the west and Columbia County (62.05) to the southeast, offering measurably lower risk across almost all hazard categories. The county's northeastern location insulates it from many of the flood and seismic vulnerabilities that affect central and eastern Pennsylvania.

Flood risk outpaces other hazards considerably

While Clinton faces lower overall risk than most Pennsylvania counties, flooding remains the dominant concern with a risk score of 71.34. Tornado and wildfire risks remain minimal at 27.26 and 15.20 respectively, giving residents a relatively simple hazard landscape to prepare for.

Flood insurance should be your priority

Despite Clinton's overall safety, the 71.34 flood risk score means standard homeowners insurance won't cover water damage—a flood policy is essential for property protection. Given the county's low wildfire and tornado exposure, you can focus your preparedness efforts and insurance dollars on flood-related risks.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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