CountyScore

Crawford County

Indiana · IN

#36 in Indiana
72.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Crawford County, Indiana

Crawford scores solidly above national median

Crawford County's composite score of 72.6 significantly outpaces the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 30% of U.S. counties. This advantage is driven primarily by exceptional housing affordability.

Modest edge over Indiana's typical county

At 72.6, Crawford County marginally exceeds Indiana's 71.2 state average, ranking in the solid middle-to-upper tier of the state's 92 counties. It offers a reliable livability profile compared to most Indiana communities.

Outstanding value in housing and taxes

Crawford's defining strength is its exceptional Cost Score of 87.4, with the lowest median rent ($629/month) and median home value ($115,400) in this group, paired with a Tax Score of 81.5. This extraordinary affordability makes it standout for budget-conscious households.

Income and health outcomes need attention

The county's most significant limitation is its Income Score of just 15.4, with median household income at $48,993—the lowest in this group. Health Score of 62.5 also trails peers, and missing data on schools and safety limits full assessment.

Ideal for retirees and rural minimalists

Crawford County is perfect for retirees on fixed incomes or individuals prioritizing ultra-low cost of living in a rural setting. It's less suitable for working families needing higher wages or those seeking comprehensive urban services.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81.5Cost87.4SafetyComing SoonHealth62.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome15.4Risk74.2WaterComing Soon
🏛81.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼15.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤62.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡74.2
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 Crawford County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Greene County
Alabama
72.6
Median income: $31,495
Macon County
Alabama
72.6
Median income: $45,951
Columbia County
Arkansas
72.6
Median income: $47,363
Lincoln County
Arkansas
72.6
Median income: $51,667
Little River County
Arkansas
72.6
Median income: $52,241

Deep Dives

Crawford County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Crawford County

via TaxByCounty

Crawford County taxes remain modest nationally

With an effective rate of 0.737%, Crawford County residents pay roughly one-quarter the national median property tax of $2,690. The median annual tax of $851 on lower-valued homes reflects affordability despite a high tax rate.

Above average in Indiana tax rankings

Crawford County's 0.737% effective rate exceeds the state average of 0.671%, placing it among Indiana's higher-taxed counties by rate. However, lower home values keep actual tax bills modest at $851 median.

Highest rate alongside Clark and Dearborn

Crawford County shares its 0.737% effective rate with Clark County and similarly high rates with Dearborn County (0.760%), making them the region's highest-taxed jurisdictions. This stands well above lower-rate neighbors like Clay (0.457%).

Median Crawford home costs $851 yearly

A Crawford County homeowner with the median property value of $115,400 pays approximately $851 per year in property taxes. Mortgage-inclusive costs rise to roughly $1,048 annually.

Review your Crawford County valuation

Crawford County residents can challenge property valuations if assessments exceed fair market value—a free appeal process available during reassessment periods. Many homeowners successfully reduce their tax burden through formal appeals.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Crawford County

via CostByCounty

Crawford County's affordability advantage

Crawford County residents spend 15.4% of their $48,993 income on rent—just below Indiana's 15.6% average despite earning the lowest median income in the region at $25,762 below the national average. This paradoxical affordability reflects Crawford's lowest-cost rental market in the comparative set.

Crawford: Budget-friendly Indiana option

Crawford County's 15.4% rent-to-income ratio sits marginally below the state average of 15.6%, placing it in the more affordable tier of Indiana counties. At just $629 monthly, median rent is $254 below the state average, making Crawford the most accessible rental market regionally.

Crawford's lowest rent benchmark

Crawford County's $629 monthly rent is the lowest across all peer counties—$149 below Cass County, the next-cheapest option. This makes Crawford the clear choice for renters prioritizing minimal monthly housing costs, though lower incomes mean affordability gains are tempered.

Crawford's modest housing footprint

With the region's lowest median household income of $48,993, Crawford residents still manage a 15.4% rent-to-income ratio by keeping housing costs to $629 in rent or $647 in mortgage payments. Median home values of $115,400 keep ownership accessible despite lower incomes.

Crawford for ultra-affordable relocation

If you're relocating on a tight budget and can secure remote employment or tap location-independent income, Crawford County offers Indiana's most affordable rental market. Compare it with nearby Cass County if you can trade slightly lower rents for moderately better local wages.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Crawford County

via IncomeByCounty

Crawford County faces significant income gap

Crawford County's median household income of $48,993 runs $25,762 below the national median of $74,755, representing a stark 34.5% shortfall. This places Crawford among the lowest-income counties nationally and signals substantial economic stress and limited wage-earning opportunities.

Lowest income county in study group

At $48,993, Crawford County ranks last among Indiana's county peers at nearly $20,000 below the state median of $68,681. The per capita income of $28,760 trails the state average of $34,773, indicating concentrated poverty and limited individual earning power.

Significantly trails all regional comparisons

Crawford County's $48,993 median is the lowest in the region—over $15,000 below Cass County ($56,525) and $33,700 below Dearborn County ($82,693). Even struggling Clinton County ($63,690) earns $14,697 more per household than Crawford.

Affordable housing masks deeper challenges

Crawford County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.4% and median home value of $115,400 suggest housing affordability, but these numbers reflect depressed values rather than prosperity. Low income combined with limited property appreciation potential creates barriers to long-term wealth accumulation.

Prioritize education and skill investment

For Crawford County households earning $48,993, wealth-building starts with career development—whether through trade certifications, associate degrees, or targeted job training programs. Even small monthly investments in financial tools (employer retirement plans, savings accounts) compound over decades and create pathways to higher income.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Crawford County

via HealthByCounty

Crawford County faces severe health challenges

At 72.9 years, Crawford County's life expectancy is the lowest in this group and trails the US average by over 6 years. With 22.9% of residents reporting poor or fair health—nearly 5 percentage points above the national average—the county signals a public health crisis.

Poorest health outcomes in Indiana

Crawford County's 72.9-year life expectancy falls 2.2 years below Indiana's state average of 75.1 years, ranking among the worst in the state. The county's 22.9% poor/fair health rate substantially exceeds the state average, indicating persistent socioeconomic and structural barriers to health.

Significantly behind all peer counties

Crawford County's 72.9-year life expectancy trails even lower-performing neighbors like Clark County (73.2 years) and Clinton County (74.4 years). Limited data on primary care providers complicates assessment, but the county's health metrics suggest critical access and quality-of-care gaps.

Uninsured, underserved, and vulnerable

Crawford County's 10% uninsured rate is the second-highest among these counties, affecting 1 in 10 residents and exceeding Indiana's 8.4% average. Primary care provider data is unavailable, but 67 mental health providers per 100,000 suggest some behavioral health infrastructure.

Apply for coverage and community support

If you're uninsured in Crawford County, Medicaid expansion and marketplace coverage may provide affordable options—apply at healthcare.gov today. Call 211 or contact the Crawford County Health Department for free or low-cost clinics and supportive health services.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Crawford County

via RiskByCounty

Crawford County faces minimal risk

Crawford County's composite risk score of 25.80 ranks among the lowest in the nation, well below the national average. Residents here enjoy below-average exposure to major natural disasters across all hazard types.

Indiana's safest counties include Crawford

Crawford County scores 25.80, about 43% below Indiana's state average of 45.52, placing it among the state's lowest-risk areas. Few Indiana counties can match Crawford County's low composite risk score.

Safest in the southern Indiana region

Crawford County (25.80) ranks among the lowest-risk counties in its immediate area, with only Clay County (27.04) comparable in safety. All surrounding counties score noticeably higher in composite disaster risk.

Tornadoes present the main threat

Crawford County's primary natural hazard risk comes from tornadoes (60.50), which remains moderate by statewide standards. Flood risk (40.87) ranks second, while wildfire (8.46) and hurricane (12.77) risks are minimal.

Basic homeowners coverage usually adequate

Crawford County's low overall risk means standard homeowners insurance covers the primary perils adequately for most residents. A home emergency kit for tornadoes and regular roof inspections offer practical protection in this very safe county.

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.