CountyScore

Crawford County

Pennsylvania · PA

#44 in Pennsylvania
63.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Crawford County, Pennsylvania

Crawford outpaces national livability baseline

Crawford County scores 67.0 on the composite index, well above the national median of 50.0, indicating strong overall livability for a U.S. county. This advantage derives primarily from exceptional housing affordability despite a higher tax burden than some peers.

Meets Pennsylvania's statewide average

With a score of 67.0, Crawford County essentially matches Pennsylvania's state average of 66.0, making it a representative choice within the commonwealth. The county occupies the middle ground among state options for cost-conscious households.

Exceptional housing affordability prevails

Crawford County's Cost Score of 82.4 reflects some of Pennsylvania's lowest housing costs, with median home value at $143,400 and median rent just $800 per month. These figures make the county highly attractive for renters and first-time buyers prioritizing affordability.

Tax rates and income are relative weaknesses

Crawford's Tax Score of 61.1 and effective tax rate of 1.46% are the highest among the eight-county comparison, offsetting some affordability gains. Income levels remain modest at $60,254 median household income, and health, safety, school, and environmental data are not yet available.

Suits price-driven renters and buyers

Crawford County appeals most to renters and home buyers for whom low purchase and rent prices outweigh slightly elevated property taxes. It's well-suited for individuals and families with modest incomes who can navigate the tax structure to maximize overall savings.

Score breakdown

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

Tax61.1Cost82.4SafetyComing SoonHealth67.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.7Risk24WaterComing Soon
🏛61.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡24
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

Fayette County
Georgia
63.6
Median income: $108,986
Maui County
Hawaii
63.6
Median income: $95,076
Macoupin County
Illinois
63.6
Median income: $68,518
East Baton Rouge Parish
Louisiana
63.6
Median income: $63,075
Kent County
Michigan
63.6
Median income: $80,390

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's rate exceeds national average

Crawford County's 1.464% effective tax rate ranks above both Pennsylvania's state average of 1.317% and the national median of 1.58%, making it a higher-tax county nationally. The median property tax of $2,099 reflects lower home values offsetting the higher rate.

Crawford ranks in Pennsylvania's upper tier

Crawford County's 1.464% effective rate places it among Pennsylvania's higher-tax counties, exceeding the state average of 1.317% by 11 percentage points. Despite lower median home values, the effective rate drives total tax burden above typical.

Crawford charges more than similar counties

Crawford County's 1.464% rate significantly exceeds nearby Clearfield (1.190%), Clinton (1.143%), and Columbia (1.138%), all similarly sized counties in the region. Even with homes worth roughly $143,400 versus $125,000-$199,000 in neighboring counties, Crawford's rate is notably higher.

Median homeowner pays $2,099 annually

On a median home value of $143,400, Crawford County homeowners pay approximately $2,099 in annual property taxes at the county's 1.464% effective rate. With a mortgage, taxes rise to $2,315; without one, they drop to $1,859.

Verify your assessment in high-tax county

In higher-tax counties like Crawford, the potential savings from correcting an overassessment are even greater, potentially saving $300-500 annually. File an appeal with Crawford County's assessment office if you believe your property is valued above its fair market worth.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Crawford County

via CostByCounty

Crawford keeps housing costs in balance

At 15.9%, Crawford County's rent-to-income ratio sits just below the national norm, offering renters reasonable housing affordability relative to the rest of the country. With median rent at $800 per month and household income at $60,254, residents enjoy slightly cheaper housing than the state average despite earning below the national median of $74,755.

Below Pennsylvania's affordability average

Crawford County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.9% runs favorably against Pennsylvania's state average of 16.5%, marking it as one of the more affordable counties in the state. The $800 monthly rent trails the state median by $160, providing meaningful budget relief for renters.

Competitive with Clearfield, beats most others

Crawford's $800 rent nearly matches Clearfield at $788 and slightly undercuts Clinton at $815, while costing significantly less than Columbia at $904. The county's 15.9% rent-to-income ratio ranks favorably among regional peers, second only to Elk County's exceptional 13.5%.

Housing costs align with income realities

Renters allocate roughly 16% of the $60,254 median household income to the $800 monthly rent, while homeowners spend about 15% on mortgage payments averaging $764 on homes valued at $143,400. Both renters and owners maintain reasonable housing-cost ratios here.

Crawford suits budget-conscious relocators

If affordability tops your relocation priorities, Crawford rivals Clearfield and beats most of Pennsylvania; rents hover around $800 and homes average $143,400. Compare it to nearby Elk County for an even better deal, or evaluate whether you need the slightly higher amenities Columbia offers at premium pricing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Crawford County

via IncomeByCounty

Crawford trails the national income mark

Crawford County's median household income of $60,254 lags the national median of $74,755 by $14,501, a 19.4% gap. This places Crawford squarely in the lower-income tier among U.S. counties. Regional dependence on declining manufacturing and agriculture explains the persistent wage gap with national averages.

Below-average earner in Pennsylvania

Crawford County's $60,254 median household income sits $9,360 below Pennsylvania's state average of $69,614, placing it in the lower-middle tier statewide. Per capita income of $31,919 similarly lags the state average of $37,407. These metrics suggest Crawford faces economic headwinds shared across rural Pennsylvania.

Nearly tied with Clearfield, below peers

Crawford's $60,254 is nearly identical to Clearfield County ($60,181), but trails Columbia ($61,992) and Elk ($64,103) by meaningful margins. Clinton County ($58,842) is the only neighbor earning less. This tight clustering across the northwest reveals an economically homogeneous region facing similar structural challenges.

Low rent burden supports affordability

Crawford's 15.9% rent-to-income ratio is among the lowest in this county sample, translating to roughly $800 monthly rent on average. The median home value of $143,400 is highly accessible relative to household income, making homeownership feasible for many residents. These affordability advantages provide crucial financial breathing room.

Build equity through aggressive saving

Crawford residents should capitalize on low housing costs by aggressively funding savings and retirement accounts while wages remain stable. Consider purchasing a home to lock in affordable equity, then redirect rental equivalents into diversified investments. Over 15–20 years, even modest monthly contributions compound into substantial wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Crawford County

via HealthByCounty

Crawford struggles with coverage and longevity

At 75.5 years, Crawford County's life expectancy falls nearly 1 full year below the U.S. average of 76.4 years, while its 19.2% poor/fair health rate signals persistent wellness challenges. The county's 10.0% uninsured rate—the highest among these eight counties—compounds access barriers.

Worst coverage rate in Pennsylvania's cohort

Crawford's 75.5-year life expectancy trails Pennsylvania's 76.4-year average, placing it in the lower tier of state counties. Most concerning, its 10.0% uninsured rate significantly exceeds the state average of 7.0%, meaning roughly 4,700 Crawford residents lack health coverage.

Regional leader in uninsured residents

Crawford's 10.0% uninsured rate far exceeds all nearby counties, including Clearfield (6.4%) and Elk (6.0%), reflecting deeper economic or systemic barriers. At 61 primary care providers per 100,000, Crawford leads in physical provider access but fails to translate that into better coverage or longevity.

Coverage crisis masks provider availability

Though Crawford offers 61 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the highest in this cohort—nearly 1 in 10 residents cannot access their care due to lack of insurance. The gap suggests affordability, not availability, is the core barrier to health care in Crawford.

Crawford urgently needs coverage action

Nearly 4,700 Crawford County residents have no health insurance, the highest rate in this region and a crisis requiring immediate attention. Call 1-800-MEDICARE, visit Healthcare.gov, or contact Crawford County's health department today—Medicaid, CHIP, and marketplace plans can cover your family.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Crawford County

via RiskByCounty

Crawford faces elevated national risk

At 76.02, Crawford's composite risk score exceeds the national median, placing it in the higher risk quartile of U.S. counties while maintaining a Relatively Low rating. The county's vulnerability stems primarily from significant flood and tornado exposure, compounded by notable wildfire and earthquake concerns.

Higher risk than most Pennsylvania peers

Crawford's 76.02 score runs about 8.5 points above Pennsylvania's state average of 67.45, ranking it among the state's more hazard-exposed counties. Only the southern tier counties—particularly those in the central and southeastern regions—consistently exceed Crawford's risk levels.

Northwestern hazard concentration point

Crawford (76.02) faces notably higher composite risk than nearby Clinton County (51.78) and Clearfield County (67.11), making it the riskier anchor in its region. The county's northwestern location brings elevated tornado and flood potential compared to more sheltered areas of the state.

Flooding and tornadoes demand preparation

Flood risk reaches 87.18, the county's most severe hazard exposure, while tornado risk of 52.48 significantly exceeds state averages. Together, these two hazards create a weather pattern that can produce both sustained precipitation events and severe convective storms.

Flood coverage is non-negotiable here

With flood risk at 87.18, acquiring a National Flood Insurance Program policy should be your immediate priority—standard homeowners insurance will not cover water damage. Tornado risk of 52.48 also makes it wise to strengthen your home's roof attachment and consider a safe room or reinforced shelter area.

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.