Crawford County

Ohio · OH

#39 in Ohio
68.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Crawford County, Ohio

Crawford Outpaces National Median

Crawford County scores 69.6 on the CountyScore composite index, substantially ahead of the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the top 40% nationally, reflecting above-average livability across the dimensions measured.

Slightly Above Ohio Average

Crawford's 69.6 score edges out Ohio's state average of 68.8, ranking it solidly in the middle tier of Ohio's 88 counties. The county demonstrates competitive livability compared to its state peers.

Affordability Is the Main Draw

Crawford excels in housing affordability with a cost score of 83.3 and median home values at $123,600—well below state and national norms. The county also offers reasonable tax rates at 1.221% effective, paired with modest rent ($761/month), making it attractive for budget-conscious households.

Income Growth Lags Behind

The county's income score of 19.6 is notably low, with median household income at $55,477, below both state and national averages. Complete data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remains unavailable, limiting a fuller assessment of quality of life.

Ideal for Cost-Conscious Families

Crawford County suits families and retirees prioritizing affordability and low tax burden over high incomes or urban amenities. With strong housing value and a solid overall livability score, it appeals to those seeking rural or small-town life without breaking the bank.

Score breakdown

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

Tax67.9Cost83.3SafetyComing SoonHealth66.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.6Risk64.8WaterComing Soon
🏛67.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠83.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼19.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
66.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
64.8
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

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 taxes run below national average

At 1.221%, Crawford's effective tax rate sits well below the national median of 1.54%, placing the county in the lower half of U.S. property tax burdens. The median property tax here is $1,509, compared to a national median of $2,690—meaning Crawford homeowners pay roughly 56% less than the typical American.

Crawford ranks mid-pack in Ohio

Crawford's 1.221% effective rate edges above Ohio's state average of 1.148%, positioning the county slightly above the middle of Ohio's 88 counties. The median property tax of $1,509 runs below the state average of $2,145, reflecting both a lower rate and lower home values.

Crawford fits the regional pattern

Crawford neighbors Defiance County (1.117%) and Darke County (0.930%), all operating below the state average. Unlike its more affordable neighbors, Crawford's median home value of $123,600 sits closer to regional norms, making its slightly higher tax rate more noticeable to local homeowners.

What a Crawford homeowner pays

On the median Crawford home valued at $123,600, expect to pay roughly $1,509 per year in property taxes. This breaks down to about $126 per month, or $1,572 annually for mortgaged properties that include escrow taxes.

Your assessment might be too high

Many Ohio homeowners pay more than necessary because their properties are overassessed by county auditors. Crawford residents should request a property tax abatement review—a free process that could lower your annual bill if your home's assessed value exceeds its market value.

Cost of Living in Crawford County

via CostByCounty

Crawford's rent burden beats the nation

Renters in Crawford County spend 16.5% of their income on rent, slightly above the national average despite earning $19,278 less per year than the typical American household. At $761 per month, Crawford's median rent is 13% cheaper than the national typical, making it an affordable option for budget-conscious households.

Mid-pack in Ohio affordability stakes

Crawford County's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks above Ohio's state average of 15.6%, placing it in the middle tier of affordability across the state's counties. Renters here pay $112 less monthly than the state median rent of $873, offering modest savings compared to peers statewide.

Competitive with surrounding counties

Crawford's $761 rent sits between nearby Darke County ($747) and Defiance County ($826), making it a solidly affordable choice in northwest Ohio. Homeownership is similarly accessible, with a median value of $123,600—the lowest among its regional neighbors.

Housing takes its slice of Crawford budgets

A typical Crawford County renter earning $55,477 annually spends $761 monthly on rent, while homeowners carry $756 in monthly costs with a median home value of $123,600. Together, these costs consume roughly 16.5% of renter income—a manageable share that leaves room for other expenses.

Consider Crawford for value-focused living

If affordability tops your relocation priorities, Crawford County delivers lower rents and home prices than most Ohio neighbors without sacrificing community access. Compare these numbers to your current housing costs—you may find meaningful savings within striking distance of northwest Ohio.

Income & Jobs in Crawford County

via IncomeByCounty

Crawford lags national income mark

Crawford County's median household income of $55,477 falls 25.7% below the national median of $74,755, placing the county in the lower-income tier nationally. This gap suggests residents face greater economic pressures than the typical American household.

Below-average earnings in Ohio

At $55,477, Crawford's median household income ranks below Ohio's state average of $68,101 by nearly $12,600. The county's per capita income of $31,729 also trails the state average of $35,642, indicating structural income challenges.

Crawford's modest income standing

Crawford County ($55,477) earns less than nearby Darke County ($64,654) and Defiance County ($73,615), though slightly more than Fayette County ($60,047). Regional income variation suggests economic disparities across northwest Ohio's communities.

Affordable housing, tight household budgets

With a rent-to-income ratio of 16.5%, housing costs consume a manageable share of household income—below the 30% affordability threshold. However, the modest median income of $55,477 leaves limited room for savings, healthcare, and other essentials after rent.

Building financial resilience matters

Crawford residents earning $55,477 can strengthen their financial futures through employer retirement plans, modest investments in low-cost index funds, and emergency savings targets. Even small monthly contributions compound over time and create a buffer against income shocks.

Health in Crawford County

via HealthByCounty

Crawford falls behind on life expectancy

At 73.4 years, Crawford County residents live nearly 6 years less than the U.S. average of 79.1 years. The county's 22% poor or fair health rating also exceeds the national average of 18%, signaling persistent health challenges that deserve attention.

Below average health ranking in Ohio

Crawford's life expectancy of 73.4 years trails Ohio's state average of 74.8 years by 1.4 years. With nearly one-quarter of residents reporting poor or fair health, the county ranks among the lower-performing counties statewide.

Neighbors show better health trends

Nearby Darke County (75.5 years) and Defiance County (76.2 years) both outpace Crawford's life expectancy significantly. Crawford faces steeper health challenges than most adjacent counties, suggesting local factors may warrant targeted intervention.

Provider shortages limit healthcare access

Crawford has just 36 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—well below the national benchmark of 93 per 100K. With 7.5% of residents uninsured and limited mental health resources, timely healthcare access remains a barrier for many.

Explore health insurance options now

If you're among Crawford's 7.5% uninsured residents, you have options. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact Ohio's Medicaid program to explore coverage that fits your needs and budget.

Disaster Risk in Crawford County

via RiskByCounty

Crawford County's disaster risk profile

Crawford County scores 35.24 on the composite risk scale, earning a 'Very Low' rating—well below the national average. This places the county among Ohio's safer communities when it comes to natural disaster vulnerability overall.

Safest risks in Ohio's northwest

At 35.24, Crawford County's risk score sits significantly lower than Ohio's state average of 55.03. The county ranks favorably compared to most Ohio counties, reflecting relatively modest exposure across multiple hazard types.

Comparison with surrounding counties

Crawford County's risk profile (35.24) is comparable to nearby Defiance County (41.89) and considerably lower than neighboring Delaware County (78.75). Among its peer counties in northwest Ohio, Crawford remains one of the lowest-risk areas.

Earthquakes and floods pose greatest threats

Earthquake risk (52.00) and flood risk (51.91) represent Crawford County's most significant natural disaster concerns. While both scores remain moderate in absolute terms, tornado risk (42.05) is the third area residents should monitor, though it ranks lower than state averages.

Secure your property against water damage

Given flood and earthquake risks, homeowners should prioritize comprehensive flood insurance and ensure their property is properly grounded and braced. Standard homeowners policies don't cover flood damage, making a separate flood policy essential protection for Crawford County residents.

ByCounty Network

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