countyscore
63.4
County Score
Safety 93Income & Jobs 86.3Lawn Care 80.2

County Report Card

About Dearborn County, Indiana

An Elite National Ranking

Dearborn County shines with a composite score of 62.9, placing it far above the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a high standard of living across almost every category.

Far Above the Indiana Average

At 62.9, the county significantly outpaces the Indiana state average of 55.9. It serves as a high-performing model for suburban and rural balance.

High Earnings and Healthy Living

The county excels with an income score of 86.3 and a robust median household income of $82,693. Safety is also exceptional at 93.0, and the health score of 73.7 is among the best in the region.

Higher Costs for Premium Living

The cost score of 37.3 reflects higher housing prices, with a median home value of $227,100. Additionally, the school score of 47.5 is moderate and does not quite reach the heights of the county's other metrics.

Best for Prosperous Professionals

Dearborn County is a premier choice for high-earning families looking for safety and wellness. It offers a top-tier lifestyle for those who can manage slightly higher property values.

2040608010056.539.99373.747.586.354.857.565.2Tax56.5Cost39.9Safety93Health73.7Schools47.5Income86.3Risk54.8Water57.5Weather65.263.4/100
This county
National avg
3 above average

Dearborn County DNA

D+overall

How Dearborn County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Dearborn County excels in 4 of 9 measured dimensions, led by Safety (93/100). A few areas trail the national average, including Cost of Living (39.9/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
56.5
Cost
39.9-8.100000000000001
Safety
93+38
Health
73.7+23.700000000000003
Schools
47.5
Income
86.3+35.3
Risk
54.8
Water
57.5
Weather
65.2+9.200000000000003
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$243,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$845/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$243,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$33,800/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $84,735/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

5.9

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

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Douglas County
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Appomattox County
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Hampshire County
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Baca County
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Nearby counties

Ohio County
Indiana
67
Boone County
Kentucky
47.3
Ripley County
Indiana
65.3
Switzerland County
Indiana
66.3
Gallatin County
Kentucky
58.5
Hamilton County
Ohio
30.4
Franklin County
Indiana
60.3
Kenton County
Kentucky
49.7

Deep Dives

Dearborn County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Dearborn County

via TaxByCounty

Dearborn County taxes still below national median

Dearborn County's 0.760% effective rate generates a median tax of $1,726 annually—still roughly 36% lower than the national median of $2,690. Higher-valued homes push tax bills upward, but remain well below national averages.

Among Indiana's highest-taxed counties

At 0.760%, Dearborn County ranks among the state's highest effective tax rates, exceeding the state average of 0.671% by 13%. The median tax bill of $1,726 is about 44% above the state median of $1,199.

Highest tax rate in the region

Dearborn County's 0.760% effective rate is the highest among all nearby counties, including Crawford (0.737%), Clark (0.737%), and Daviess (0.680%). This reflects the county's higher funding requirements or assessment practices.

Median Dearborn home costs $1,726 yearly

A Dearborn County homeowner with the median property value of $227,100 pays approximately $1,726 per year in property taxes—among the highest in the region. Combined mortgage and escrow costs bring annual bills to roughly $1,722 to $1,733.

Challenge your Dearborn assessment today

Dearborn County homeowners facing high tax bills should review their property assessments for potential overvaluation. The free appeal process during reassessment season can deliver significant savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Dearborn County

via IncomeByCounty

Dearborn County exceeds national median

Dearborn County's median household income of $82,693 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by $7,938, placing it in the upper tier nationally. This 10.6% advantage reflects a stronger-than-average local economy and workforce earning power.

Indiana's highest earner in study group

At $82,693, Dearborn County tops Indiana's state median of $68,681 by $14,012 and leads all eight counties studied. The per capita income of $38,711 significantly exceeds the state average of $34,773, indicating broad-based prosperity across the county.

Clear income leader in the region

Dearborn County's $82,693 median outpaces every peer by substantial margins—$26,168 ahead of Crawford County ($48,993) and $10,395 ahead of Decatur County ($74,228). This leadership reflects economic advantages in manufacturing, logistics, and proximity to Cincinnati metro growth.

Excellent affordability despite high home values

Dearborn County's rent-to-income ratio of 12.3% is the lowest in the region, and the median home value of $227,100 remains achievable at 2.7 times median income. This balance positions households to build substantial home equity while maintaining strong liquidity.

Maximize growth with above-average income

Dearborn County households earning $82,693 can aggressively save 20-25% of income while maintaining excellent living standards—enabling rapid retirement account accumulation and diversified investment portfolios. This income advantage compounds dramatically over career spans, creating wealth trajectories far above regional and national peers.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Dearborn County

via CrimeByCounty

Dearborn County is Exceptionally Safe

Dearborn County reports a total crime rate of just 88.7 per 100K, a tiny fraction of the national 2,385.5 average. This results in a near-perfect safety score of 99.9 out of 100.

A Safety Leader in Indiana

Dearborn's crime rate is nearly eight times lower than the Indiana state average of 693.8 per 100K. Its violent crime rate of 21.7 is also significantly lower than the state's 102.9 benchmark.

Leading the Way in Regional Security

Dearborn is much safer than nearby Clark County and rivals the low-crime environment of Crawford. It provides one of the most secure living environments in the entire state of Indiana.

Minimal Risks for Local Residents

Property crime is remarkably low at 67.0, and violent crime is even lower at 21.7 per 100K. These statistics show that residents face very little risk to their personal safety or their belongings.

Preserving Peace in Dearborn

Simple deterrents like motion-activated lights and visible security decals help maintain the county's excellent record. Community engagement remains the best way to keep crime rates at these historic lows.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Dearborn County

via WeatherByCounty

Moderate and Very Humid

Dearborn County’s 51.3°F average temperature is slightly cooler than the national median. However, its 47.5 inches of precipitation makes it much wetter than the national average.

Colder and Wetter than Indiana

Despite its southeastern position, the county is nearly a degree cooler than the state average of 52.2°F. It receives significantly more precipitation than the Indiana average of 43.9 inches.

Fewer Extreme Heat Days

Dearborn only sees 7 days above 90°F annually, which is fewer than many surrounding counties. It maintains a damp climate with 15.9 inches of annual snowfall.

Mild Summers and Damp Winters

Summers are relatively comfortable with a July average of 72.3°F. Winter temperatures average 30.5°F, often bringing a mix of rain and 15.9 inches of snow.

Prioritize Dehumidification

With 47.5 inches of rain, moisture control in basements and crawlspaces is essential. Standard heating systems are adequate for the manageable 28.0°F January average.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Dearborn County

via SoilByCounty

Deep Silt Loams of Dearborn

Dearborn County soils are primarily Alfisols with a silt loam texture and a pH of 6.22. This makes the soil slightly less acidic than the state average, offering a comfortable range for most backyard garden plants.

Silt-Dominant Soil Structure

The soil is remarkably silty at 64.5%, with a clay content of 20.6% and a low 14.9% sand component. This creates a fine-textured soil that is excellent for retaining applied fertilizers and providing a smooth seedbed.

Average Fertility and Moisture

Organic matter levels stand at 2.26%, which is healthy by national standards but trails the 4.90% state average. The available water capacity of 0.203 in/in is almost exactly in line with the Indiana norm, ensuring reliable water access.

Monitoring Slow Infiltration

These are moderately well-drained soils belonging to hydrologic group D. They can experience slow infiltration rates during heavy Indiana downpours, so gardeners should be mindful of potential surface runoff.

Apples and Herbs Thrive Here

Zone 6b gardeners can enjoy a long season and a respectable 68.0 soil score. Perennial herbs and orchard fruits like apples do particularly well in these silt-heavy, moisture-retaining soil profiles.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Dearborn County

via LawnByCounty

Top-Tier Lawn Growing Conditions

Dearborn County is a standout with a lawn difficulty score of 80.2, far exceeding both state and national averages. Its Zone 6b climate provides one of the most hospitable environments for turf in Indiana.

Mild Summers and Plentiful Rain

The county experiences only 7 extreme heat days, much fewer than the state average of 20. Combined with 47.5 inches of annual precipitation, lawns here enjoy a gentle climate that minimizes summer dormancy.

Excellent Silt Loam Foundation

The moderately well-drained silt loam soil features a 6.22 pH, falling right in the sweet spot for grass health. This soil type naturally retains the nutrients and moisture needed for a lush, thick carpet of green.

Low Drought Vulnerability

With only 4 weeks in drought over the last year, Dearborn County remains relatively lush. Only 42.6% of the area is currently abnormally dry, meaning basic conservation practices are usually enough to maintain health.

Perfect Window for Seeding

Cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass are ideal for this temperate 6b climate. Plan your seeding between the last spring frost on April 30 and the first fall frost on October 16 for the best establishment.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dearborn County's county score?
Dearborn County, Indiana has a composite county score of 63.4 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Dearborn County rank among counties in Indiana?
Dearborn County ranks #19 among all counties in Indiana on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Dearborn County, Indiana?
The median annual property tax in Dearborn County is $1,789, with an effective tax rate of 0.73%. This earns Dearborn County a tax score of 56.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Dearborn County?
The median household income in Dearborn County, Indiana is $84,735 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Dearborn County earns an income score of 86.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Dearborn County, Indiana a good place to live?
Dearborn County scores 63.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #19 in Indiana. The best way to evaluate Dearborn County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Dearborn County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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