Daviess County

Indiana · IN

#71 in Indiana
68.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Daviess County, Indiana

Daviess exceeds national average meaningfully

Daviess County's composite score of 68.4 surpasses the national median of 50.0, positioning it in the top 40% of U.S. counties. This solid national standing reflects competitive advantage in both tax climate and affordability.

Below Indiana's average performance

At 68.4, Daviess County falls short of Indiana's 71.2 state average, ranking in the middle-lower tier of the state's 92 counties. Other Indiana counties offer more robust overall livability.

Affordable living with decent incomes

Daviess demonstrates strength with a Cost Score of 81.2, median home values at $187,500, and a Tax Score of 83.1 reflecting a 0.680% effective tax rate. Median household income of $68,561 and an Income Score of 28.1 suggest reasonable earning potential.

Health outcomes and risk management concern

The Health Score of 59.2 is the lowest in this group, raising questions about community wellness and healthcare access. A Risk Score of 41.2 also indicates moderate vulnerability, while schools and safety data remain unavailable.

Suits families who can overlook health gaps

Daviess County appeals to working families seeking moderate incomes, affordable housing, and low taxes, provided they're willing to supplement healthcare with nearby regional facilities. It's less ideal for those prioritizing comprehensive local health services.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.1Cost81.2SafetyComing SoonHealth59.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.1Risk41.2WaterComing Soon
🏛83.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠81.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼28.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
59.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
41.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Daviess County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Daviess County

via TaxByCounty

Daviess County offers strong national tax value

Daviess County's 0.680% effective rate and $1,276 median annual tax is approximately 53% below the national median of $2,690. Despite higher-valued homes than some neighbors, residents enjoy well-below-average national tax burdens.

Slightly above Indiana's state average

At 0.680%, Daviess County's effective rate edges above the state average of 0.671%, placing it just slightly higher than the median Indiana county. The median tax of $1,276 exceeds the state median of $1,199 by about 6%.

Mid-range rates in broader region

Daviess County's 0.680% rate falls between higher-taxed Dearborn (0.760%) and lower-taxed Clinton (0.622%), making it a moderate option across the region. The county's higher home values push actual tax bills toward the regional high end.

Median Daviess home costs $1,276 yearly

A Daviess County homeowner with the median property value of $187,500 pays approximately $1,276 per year in property taxes. Including mortgage escrow, the annual cost is roughly $1,335.

Daviess homeowners can appeal assessments

If your Daviess County property is valued above comparable sales, you can file a free assessment appeal during the annual reassessment window. Many homeowners achieve meaningful savings through this straightforward process.

Cost of Living in Daviess County

via CostByCounty

Daviess County's strong affordability

Daviess County residents spend just 14.7% of their $68,561 income on rent—below both the national and Indiana state averages—making it one of the region's most affordable housing markets. At $837 monthly, median rent pairs with respectable local incomes to create favorable housing economics.

Daviess excels on state metrics

Daviess County's 14.7% rent-to-income ratio ranks it among Indiana's most affordable counties, falling just below the state average of 15.6%. This strong performance reflects balanced housing costs and solid regional wages.

Daviess matches Clay's rental pricing

Daviess County's $837 monthly rent ties with Clay County as the second-lowest in the region, beating Clinton ($915) and Clark ($1,058) while sitting just $59 above Cass ($778). Yet Daviess delivers higher median income ($68,561) than any peer except Dearborn and Decatur, creating superior overall affordability.

Daviess' efficient housing allocation

Daviess County households earning $68,561 allocate $837 to rent or $802 to mortgage payments—consuming 14.7% and 14.0% of income respectively. With median home values of $187,500, owners enjoy the region's lowest mortgage-to-income ratios.

Daviess: Top-tier Indiana choice

If you're relocating to Indiana and optimizing for housing affordability plus local income stability, Daviess County offers one of the state's best overall packages. Its 14.7% rent-to-income ratio rivals Clay County while delivering higher wages, making it exceptional value for cost-conscious relocators.

Income & Jobs in Daviess County

via IncomeByCounty

Daviess County keeps pace with nation

Daviess County's median household income of $68,561 sits $6,194 below the national median of $74,755, placing it just 8.3% behind typical U.S. county earnings. This near-average performance reflects a balanced local economy with mixed employment sectors.

Matches Indiana's economic baseline

At $68,561, Daviess County nearly matches Indiana's state median of $68,681—a difference of only $120 that marks it as quintessentially typical for the state. The per capita income of $29,952 trails the state average of $34,773, suggesting income concentration among households.

Upper-middle earner among Indiana peers

Daviess County's $68,561 median ranks in the upper half of the study group, exceeding Clay County ($67,676), Clinton County ($63,690), and Cass County ($56,525). Only Dearborn County ($82,693) and Decatur County ($74,228) significantly outpace Daviess in the regional earnings hierarchy.

Housing values reward long-term holders

With the region's lowest rent-to-income ratio at 14.7% and a median home value of $187,500, Daviess County offers strong homeownership incentives. The $68,561 income supports comfortable housing costs while maintaining space for savings and investment.

Build equity through homeownership focus

Daviess County households earning $68,561 benefit from relatively affordable home prices and strong rental efficiency—positioning them to accumulate real estate equity over 15-30 years. Combined with diversified investments, homeownership here creates a dual-track wealth-building strategy accessible to middle-income families.

Health in Daviess County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy strong, but uninsured rate soars

At 76.1 years, Daviess County residents live just 2.9 years less than the US average of 79 years, one of the highest in this group. Yet with 22.3% reporting poor or fair health and a staggering 16.9% uninsured rate—nearly double the national average—coverage gaps undermine health gains.

Paradox: high life expectancy, high uninsured

Daviess County's 76.1-year life expectancy exceeds Indiana's 75.1-year state average, yet its 16.9% uninsured rate is the highest in the state by far. This paradox suggests a small, healthy population, but widespread coverage gaps threaten vulnerable residents.

Longest life expectancy, worst insurance gap

Daviess County's 76.1-year life expectancy matches or exceeds all neighboring counties, including Dearborn (76.2 years). However, its 16.9% uninsured rate dwarfs all peers—Clark County (7.4%), Clay County (6.8%), and Dearborn County (7.0%) all have far better coverage.

Insurance crisis despite adequate providers

Daviess County's 16.9% uninsured rate is a public health emergency, affecting 1 in 6 residents and creating barriers to preventive and routine care. With 42 primary care and 92 mental health providers per 100,000, the infrastructure exists—but affordability and access gaps prevent residents from using it.

Don't delay—secure coverage now

If you're among the 1 in 6 uninsured Daviess County residents, applying for coverage is critical and may be simpler than you think. Visit healthcare.gov, call 1-800-318-2596, or contact the Daviess County Health Department to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, and financial assistance programs.

Disaster Risk in Daviess County

via RiskByCounty

Daviess County faces above-average risk

Daviess County's composite risk score of 58.81 exceeds the national average, indicating heightened exposure to multiple natural hazards. While not among the nation's highest-risk areas, residents should take disaster preparedness seriously.

Above average risk for Indiana

At 58.81, Daviess County scores 29% higher than Indiana's state average of 45.52, placing it in the upper tier of the state's most hazard-exposed counties. Only a few Indiana counties face comparably high composite risk.

Riskier than most surrounding counties

Daviess County (58.81) faces higher risk than neighboring Crawford County (25.80) and Clay County (27.04), though slightly higher than Cass County (56.77). The county's risk profile stands out among its immediate neighbors.

Earthquakes and tornadoes pose major threats

Daviess County residents face highest risk from earthquakes (88.61) and tornadoes (72.14), both well above state averages. Flood risk (62.21) ranks third and can pose seasonal challenges during heavy rainfall or spring snowmelt.

Earthquake and tornado insurance essential

Standard homeowners policies don't cover earthquakes—add a separate policy given Daviess County's 88.61 earthquake risk score, among the highest in Indiana. Ensure tornado coverage is included and maintain a home emergency kit for the 72.14 tornado risk that makes severe storms a real concern.

ByCounty Network

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