countyscore
53.3
County Score
Safety 72.9Cost of Living 71Water Quality 65.1

County Report Card

About Columbiana County, Ohio

Columbiana County Beats the Median

Columbiana County earns a composite score of 53.1, outperforming the national median of 50.0. This makes it a high-value outlier in the regional landscape.

Leading the Buckeye State

With a score of 53.1, the county sits well above the Ohio state average of 48.6. It is one of the more competitive counties in the state for overall livability.

Affordability and Community Safety

The county boasts an excellent cost score of 70.0 and a safety score of 72.9. With median home values at $139,100, it is one of the most accessible areas for homebuyers.

Limited Earning Potential

An income score of 34.2 reflects a median household income of $58,474, which is lower than the state average. Residents also face some natural disaster risks, evidenced by a risk score of 31.0.

A Haven for Retirees and Remote Workers

This county is perfect for those who bring their income with them or are on a fixed budget. It offers safety and extreme affordability that is difficult to find elsewhere in the state.

20406080100357172.942.244.828.53165.153.5Tax35Cost71Safety72.9Health42.2Schools44.8Income28.5Risk31Water65.1Weather53.553.3/100
This county
National avg
2 above average3 below average

Columbiana County DNA

Foverall

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

Columbiana County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (71/100) but notably weak in Income (28.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
35-17
Cost
71+23
Safety
72.9+17.900000000000006
Health
42.2
Schools
44.8-9.200000000000003
Income
28.5-22.5
Risk
31-16
Water
65.1
Weather
53.5
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Columbiana County?

Many homeowners in Columbiana County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$151,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$756/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$151,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$30,240/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $58,180/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

35.6

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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Counties with similar scores

Newton County
Indiana
Median income: $75,481
53.3
Luce County
Michigan
Median income: $54,893
53.3
Harrison County
Ohio
Median income: $54,414
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Bucks County
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Median income: $114,764
53.3
Indiana County
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Median income: $60,208
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Donley County
Texas
Median income: $58,750
53.3
Sherman County
Texas
Median income: $61,250
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Uinta County
Wyoming
Median income: $82,980
53.3

Nearby counties

Mahoning County
Ohio
38.3
Hancock County
West Virginia
66.5
Carroll County
Ohio
54.9
Jefferson County
Ohio
47.3
Beaver County
Pennsylvania
50.1
Lawrence County
Pennsylvania
51.8
Stark County
Ohio
37.5
Brooke County
West Virginia
70.6

Deep Dives

Columbiana County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Columbiana County

via TaxByCounty

Columbiana County taxes slightly above median

Columbiana County's effective tax rate of 1.070% sits above the national median of 0.84%, placing it in roughly the 52nd percentile nationally. The median property tax of $1,488 trails the national median of $2,690 by over $1,200, reflecting smaller homes in the county.

Moderate burden across Ohio

Columbiana County's effective rate of 1.070% sits just slightly below Ohio's state average of 1.148%, making it a moderate-tax jurisdiction. The median tax bill of $1,488 falls $657 below Ohio's median of $2,145, reflecting lower property values in the region.

Eastern Ohio's middle-ground county

Columbiana County's 1.070% rate sits between Carroll County's bargain 0.967% and Coshocton's nearly identical 0.968%, making it slightly more expensive than its eastern neighbors. It remains well below southwestern counties like Clark County at 1.246%.

What $139.1K home costs annually

A homeowner with a median-valued property of $139,100 in Columbiana County pays approximately $1,488 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, that obligation rises to $1,607.

Assessment checks apply here too

Though Columbiana County carries moderate tax rates, homeowners should still verify that their assessed values reflect current market conditions. Filing an appeal if your property is overvalued relative to recent comparable sales could yield meaningful annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Columbiana County

via IncomeByCounty

Columbiana struggles nationwide

Columbiana County's median household income of $58,474 lags the national median of $74,755 by 21.8%, placing it in the bottom 25% of U.S. counties. This gap reflects the county's dependence on legacy manufacturing and limited economic diversification.

Ohio's lower tier

At $58,474, Columbiana ranks in the bottom quartile of Ohio counties, running 14.1% below the state average of $68,101. Few Ohio counties report household incomes this far below statewide norms.

Lagging peer counties

Columbiana's $58,474 underperforms most regional peers, trailing Coshocton County ($54,687) narrowly but far behind Champaign ($74,239) and Butler ($81,194). Within its cohort, Columbiana faces steeper economic headwinds than most neighbors.

Housing pressure mounting

Columbiana's rent-to-income ratio of 15.1% combined with low household income creates real affordability strain, and median home values of $139,100 approach the limits of median-income purchasing power. Renters and first-time homebuyers face notable financial stress.

Focus on income advancement

Columbiana residents should pursue skills training and job advancement to close the significant income gap versus state and national peers. Even modest wage increases would unlock meaningful capacity for savings and long-term wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Columbiana County

via CrimeByCounty

Columbiana County ranks among the safest

Columbiana County boasts a stellar safety score of 99.0 out of 100. Its total crime rate of 647.8 per 100K is less than a third of the national average.

Surpassing state-level safety benchmarks

With a safety score of 99.0, the county far exceeds the Ohio average of 97.8. The violent crime rate of 46.2 is impressively lower than the state average of 180.9.

Extremely safe compared to regional peers

Columbiana's 647.8 crime rate is lower than almost all surrounding areas, though it trails Carroll County's record low. It remains a regional leader in keeping violent crime rates down.

Violent crime is remarkably infrequent

The violent crime rate is just 46.2 per 100K, making physical crime very rare in this community. Property crime accounts for 601.6 incidents per 100K, which is still quite low.

Maintaining peace through awareness

Even in very safe areas, home security systems provide peace of mind and discourage theft. Local residents benefit from a community where violent crime is the exception, not the rule.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Columbiana County

via WeatherByCounty

Cooler Northern Temperate Zone

Columbiana County averages 49.9°F annually, making it cooler than the national median. This region experiences shorter, milder summers and more pronounced winter conditions.

Below the Ohio Temperature Average

Columbiana is notably cooler than the state average of 51.5°F. Its July average of 71.3°F is nearly 4 degrees lower than the warmest parts of southern Ohio.

The Region’s Cool Spot

Columbiana is the only county in this group with an annual average below 50°F. It feels significantly cooler than Coshocton County, which averages 51.5°F and has more consistent summer warmth.

Mild Summers and Cold Winters

The county only sees 15 days of extreme heat over 90°F, keeping summer averages at a comfortable 69.7°F. Winters are harsher, with a January average of 26.4°F and a winter-long average of 29.0°F.

Invest in Winter Preparation

While specific snowfall data is missing, the cold January temperatures suggest a need for high-performance heating. Residents can enjoy lower cooling costs during the mild summer, where temperatures rarely stay extreme.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Columbiana County

via SoilByCounty

Intense Acidity and Rich Carbon

Columbiana County soil is quite acidic with a pH of 5.46, falling well below the national median of 6.5. This acidity is typical of the region's high-organic upland soils compared to the state average of 5.97.

Silt and Sand Dominance

The soil consists of 49.3% silt and 23.6% sand, with a relatively low clay content of 16.5%. This creates a friable texture that is easy to dig, though it requires care to prevent erosion.

Massive Organic Matter Reserves

At 9.29%, the organic matter content is nearly double the Ohio average of 4.85%. This massive carbon reserve provides incredible natural fertility, though the water capacity of 0.173 in/in is slightly below the state average.

High Organic Content Influences Water

While official drainage classifications are not recorded here, the exceptionally high organic matter suggests the soil acts like a sponge. Landowners should monitor for localized saturation in low-lying areas.

Vibrant Zone 6a Gardens

This acidic, organic-rich soil is a dream for acid-loving plants like blueberries and azaleas. If you want to grow vegetables, a little lime will unlock the massive nutrient potential held in this dark, rich earth.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Columbiana County

via LawnByCounty

Tackling the Challenges of Columbiana

Columbiana County presents a harder challenge with a lawn difficulty score of 64.9, which is below the Ohio state average of 76.0. As a Zone 6a region, it requires more technical knowledge and maintenance than neighboring counties. Despite the challenges, it still remains easier to grow here than in many other parts of the country.

Cool Summers with a Shorter Season

The county experiences only 15 extreme heat days, matching the state average and keeping summer stress low. However, the 2823 growing degree days represent a shorter, cooler season compared to southern Ohio. Homeowners should maximize the peak growing months of May, June, and September.

Overcoming Acidic Soil Conditions

The soil pH of 5.46 is the primary hurdle here, falling well below the 6.0-7.0 ideal range for lawns. This high acidity can prevent grass from absorbing essential nutrients even if you fertilize regularly. Heavy and consistent lime applications are necessary to bring this soil into a productive state.

Navigating Pockets of Dryness

Columbiana has faced 9 weeks of drought over the last year, and 9.1% of the area is currently classified as abnormally dry. This vulnerability makes consistent irrigation more important here than in wetter parts of the state. Focus on building organic matter in the soil to help it retain moisture during these dry spells.

Timing a Challenging Zone 6a Start

Fine fescues are a great option for the cooler, more acidic conditions found here. Note that the last spring frost typically occurs late on May 02, so wait until mid-May for any spring seeding. Early fall is usually the most successful time to plant, provided you have corrected the soil pH first.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Columbiana County's county score?
Columbiana County, Ohio has a composite county score of 53.3 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 Columbiana County rank among counties in Ohio?
Columbiana County ranks #29 among all counties in Ohio 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 Columbiana County, Ohio?
The median annual property tax in Columbiana County is $1,527, with an effective tax rate of 1.01%. This earns Columbiana County a tax score of 35/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Columbiana County?
The median household income in Columbiana County, Ohio is $58,180 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Columbiana County earns an income score of 28.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Columbiana County, Ohio a good place to live?
Columbiana County scores 53.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #29 in Ohio. The best way to evaluate Columbiana 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 Columbiana 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.