CountyScore

Darke County

Ohio · OH

#14 in Ohio
70.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Darke County, Ohio

Darke Among Ohio's Top Performers

Darke County scores 73.0 on the composite index, placing it well above the national median of 50.0 and in the top 35% nationally. The score reflects strong fundamentals across measured dimensions.

Best in This Eight-County Group

Darke's 73.0 score ranks it 4th highest among Ohio's 88 counties and tops the state average of 68.8 by a solid margin. It stands as the clear winner in this county comparison.

Unbeatable Tax and Housing Value

Darke boasts the lowest effective tax rate in this group at 0.930% and a tax score of 76.1, combined with excellent housing affordability (cost score 82.6, median home $169,100). The county delivers exceptional value for families seeking both low taxes and affordable housing.

Income and Data Gaps Present Trade-offs

Median household income of $64,654 is middling, and complete health, safety, school, and risk data remains unavailable. These gaps prevent a full quality-of-life picture, though existing metrics suggest strong fundamentals.

Best Choice for Budget-Minded Residents

Darke County is ideal for families and retirees prioritizing low taxes, affordable housing, and rural living without sacrificing economic stability. Its combination of strong scores across available dimensions makes it Ohio's strongest value play among these eight counties.

Score breakdown

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

Tax76.1Cost82.6SafetyComing SoonHealth70.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.6Risk47.3WaterComing Soon
🏛76.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.6
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
⚡47.3
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 Darke County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lafayette County
Arkansas
70.2
Median income: $37,237
Quitman County
Georgia
70.2
Median income: $36,838
Mahaska County
Iowa
70.2
Median income: $69,019
Jessamine County
Kentucky
70.2
Median income: $74,886
Lawrence County
Kentucky
70.2
Median income: $45,584

Deep Dives

Darke County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Darke County

via TaxByCounty

Darke offers some of the lowest taxes

At 0.930%, Darke's effective tax rate sits well below the national median of 1.54%, placing the county in the bottom quartile nationally. The median property tax of $1,572 is just 58% of the national median of $2,690, making Darke exceptionally affordable.

Darke ranks among Ohio's lowest

Darke's 0.930% effective rate ranks among the lowest in Ohio, falling notably below the state average of 1.148%. The median property tax of $1,572 trails the statewide average of $2,145 by 27%, reflecting both low rates and modest home values.

Darke leads the region in affordability

Neighboring Crawford (1.221%) and Defiance (1.117%) both tax at significantly higher rates than Darke's 0.930%. Among southwestern Ohio counties, Darke stands out as the most tax-favorable jurisdiction for homeowners.

What a Darke homeowner pays

On the median Darke home valued at $169,100, homeowners pay approximately $1,572 per year in property taxes—roughly $131 monthly. This modest burden makes Darke attractive for retirees and first-time buyers seeking low housing costs.

Even low-tax homes deserve review

Even in Darke's low-tax environment, overassessment occurs and property tax abatement appeals remain available at no cost. If your home's assessed value seems high relative to recent sales in your neighborhood, request a review from the county auditor.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Darke County

via CostByCounty

Darke County offers exceptional rental affordability

Renters in Darke County spend just 13.9% of their income on rent—well below both the national average and Ohio's state average of 15.6%. With a median household income of $64,654 and monthly rents of just $747, Darke delivers some of Ohio's best rent-to-income ratios.

Among Ohio's most affordable counties

Darke County ranks in the upper tier of Ohio affordability, with its 13.9% rent-to-income ratio beating the state average by more than a full percentage point. Residents pay $126 less monthly in rent than the state median, making homeownership and renting both accessible options.

Darke undercuts surrounding county costs

At $747 monthly rent, Darke beats nearby Crawford ($761) and Defiance ($826), and its $169,100 median home value is competitive with less affluent regional neighbors. The county consistently delivers the lowest housing costs among its northwest Ohio peers.

Balanced housing affordability for both renters

A typical Darke County renter earning $64,654 annually pays $747 monthly in rent, consuming just 13.9% of gross income, while homeowners spend $816 on $169,100 median-valued properties. This affordable ratio leaves substantial room in household budgets for other essentials and savings.

Darke delivers unbeatable housing value

If low housing costs are your move metric, Darke County ranks among Ohio's smartest choices for both renters and buyers. Compare your current rent or mortgage to Darke's numbers—you're likely to find meaningful monthly savings without sacrificing access to regional jobs or services.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Darke County

via IncomeByCounty

Darke earning below national median

Darke County's median household income of $64,654 runs 13.5% below the national median of $74,755, placing the county in the lower-middle-income range nationwide. The gap reflects Ohio's manufacturing-heavy economy relative to higher-wage national sectors.

Slightly above Ohio's average income

Darke County's median household income of $64,654 exceeds Ohio's state average of $68,101 by a small margin, putting it in the middle tier statewide. Per capita income of $34,446 runs slightly below the state average of $35,642.

Darke outpaces Crawford and Fayette counties

Darke County ($64,654) earns more than Crawford ($55,477) and Fayette ($60,047) but less than Defiance ($73,615), positioning it as a mid-range income community in northwest Ohio. The $4,000+ gap from Defiance suggests regional economic variation driven by local employment.

Strong affordability for renters and homeowners

Darke County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.9% is among the most affordable in this group, allowing households to keep housing costs well under 30% of income. The median home value of $169,100 is accessible relative to the $64,654 median income.

Capitalize on low housing costs

Darke County's affordability frees up household dollars for savings, retirement contributions, and wealth-building investments. Residents should prioritize maxing out employer 401(k) matches and building a diversified investment portfolio with surplus income.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Darke County

via HealthByCounty

Darke near national health averages

Darke County's 75.5-year life expectancy remains about 3.6 years below the U.S. average of 79.1 years, while its 19.3% poor or fair health rate mirrors national patterns. The county shows moderate health status relative to national benchmarks.

Above Ohio average for life expectancy

Darke County's 75.5-year life expectancy exceeds Ohio's 74.8-year state average by seven months. With a 19.3% poor or fair health rating, the county ranks in the upper-middle tier of Ohio's health performance.

Competitive with surrounding counties

Darke's 75.5-year life expectancy matches or beats several adjacent counties, though Defiance (76.2 years) and Delaware (81.1 years) show even stronger outcomes. The county represents solid rural health performance within its region.

Moderate provider access, manageable coverage

Darke has 47 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 7.4% uninsured—both near state averages. Mental health resources at 97 per 100K remain below ideal levels, requiring residents to sometimes travel for specialized care.

Check your coverage today

With 7.4% of Darke residents uninsured, coverage gaps remain. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact the Ohio Department of Medicaid to explore plans and ensure your family has the protection it needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Darke County

via RiskByCounty

Darke County moderately below national risk

Darke County scores 52.67 on the composite risk scale, earning a 'Relatively Low' rating that reflects moderate disaster exposure. While slightly below the national average, the county still faces meaningful risks across multiple hazard types.

Below-average risk for southwest Ohio

At 52.67, Darke County scores just slightly below Ohio's state average of 55.03, indicating relatively moderate risk in state context. The county's profile reflects typical exposure patterns for rural southwest Ohio communities.

Moderate risk among western peers

Darke County (52.67) faces higher risk than nearby Fayette County (25.89) and Defiance County (41.89), but lower risk than surrounding Delaware County (78.75). The county's position in the regional risk spectrum reflects its mixed geographic and demographic characteristics.

Tornado and earthquake threats dominate

Tornado risk (81.81) and earthquake risk (80.12) represent Darke County's most significant natural disaster concerns, both scoring in the high range. Flood risk (60.11) poses a secondary threat, while wildfire risk (12.31) remains minimal.

Prioritize tornado and earthquake readiness

Darke County residents should build or designate a basement safe room rated for tornado winds and secure heavy furniture and appliances for earthquake safety. Consider earthquake insurance as a supplemental policy, alongside standard homeowners coverage and flood insurance for vulnerable properties.

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.