CountyScore

Decatur County

Indiana · IN

#12 in Indiana
74.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Decatur County, Indiana

Decatur ranks among America's best counties

Decatur County's composite score of 74.8 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 25% of U.S. counties. This elite standing reflects exceptional balance across tax, affordability, and income dimensions.

Indiana's strongest counties tier

At 74.8, Decatur County decisively surpasses Indiana's 71.2 state average, ranking among the state's top-performing counties out of 92. This positions it as one of Indiana's most attractive communities overall.

Tax efficiency, affordability, and solid incomes

Decatur excels with a Tax Score of 84.9 backed by a 0.619% effective tax rate, a Cost Score of 79.3 with median home values at $189,900, and an Income Score of 31.8 with median household income at $74,228. Health outcomes are strong at 72.3, rounding out a well-balanced profile.

Limited data gaps require independent research

Schools, safety, and water quality information are unavailable, preventing complete livability assessment. However, the high Risk Score of 76.9 suggests strong risk management and stability across measured dimensions.

Ideal for families seeking balanced excellence

Decatur County is perfect for working families seeking the rare combination of low taxes, affordable housing, solid incomes, and good health outcomes. It's an excellent choice for those who want community stability without financial stress.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.9Cost79.3SafetyComing SoonHealth72.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome31.8Risk76.9WaterComing Soon
🏛84.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼31.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡76.9
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 Decatur County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Cleveland County
Arkansas
74.8
Median income: $50,509
Steuben County
Indiana
74.8
Median income: $71,483
Wallace County
Kansas
74.8
Median income: $60,263
Garrett County
Maryland
74.8
Median income: $69,031
Holt County
Missouri
74.8
Median income: $58,516

Deep Dives

Decatur County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Decatur County

via TaxByCounty

Decatur County property taxes well below national average

Decatur County's 0.619% effective rate produces a median tax of $1,176 annually—about 56% lower than the national median of $2,690. This positions Decatur homeowners in a favorable national tax environment.

Slightly below Indiana's state average

At 0.619%, Decatur County's effective rate sits just under the state average of 0.671%, making it a slightly lower-taxed county in Indiana's 92-county ranking. The median tax bill of $1,176 is nearly equal to the state median of $1,199.

Moderate rates among regional peers

Decatur County's 0.619% rate aligns closely with Clinton (0.622%) while falling below higher-taxed Dearborn (0.760%) and above lower-taxed Clay (0.457%). The county occupies the middle ground in the broader region.

Median Decatur home costs $1,176 yearly

A Decatur County homeowner with the median property value of $189,900 pays approximately $1,176 per year in property taxes. When combined with mortgage escrow, the annual bill averages roughly $1,218.

Decatur homeowners should verify assessments

If your Decatur County property assessment seems inflated compared to similar local homes, you can file a free appeal during reassessment season. Many homeowners successfully challenge overvalued assessments and lower their taxes.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Decatur County

via CostByCounty

Decatur County's above-average position

Decatur County renters spend 13.4% of their $74,228 income on housing—below both the national and Indiana state averages while earning nearly identical to the U.S. median of $74,755. This favorable combination makes Decatur one of the region's affordability leaders.

Decatur ranks among Indiana's best

Decatur County's 13.4% rent-to-income ratio sits well below Indiana's average of 15.6%, placing it among the state's most affordable counties. At $828 monthly, median rent is nearly $55 below the state average, contributing to this strong affordability position.

Decatur competes with top markets

Decatur County's $828 monthly rent ranks among the region's lowest, undercut only by Crawford ($629) but matching Cass and undercutting Clark and Clinton. Combined with solid median income of $74,228, Decatur delivers a 13.4% rent-to-income ratio that competes with Dearborn and Daviess.

Decatur's balanced housing equation

Decatur residents earning $74,228 allocate $828 to rent or $938 to mortgage payments—consuming 13.4% and 15.2% of income respectively. Median home values of $189,900 position ownership as accessible relative to strong local wages.

Decatur offers premium affordability

If you're relocating to Indiana and seeking the best combination of housing affordability and wage stability, Decatur County ranks among your top choices with a 13.4% rent-to-income ratio. Compare it directly with Daviess and Dearborn counties for the state's most favorable relocations.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Decatur County

via IncomeByCounty

Decatur County matches U.S. earnings baseline

Decatur County's median household income of $74,228 sits just $527 below the national median of $74,755, achieving near-perfect parity with typical U.S. county income. This alignment places Decatur County squarely at the American middle-class income level.

Above-average earner within Indiana

At $74,228, Decatur County exceeds Indiana's state median of $68,681 by $5,547, ranking it among the state's higher-income counties. The per capita income of $36,726 also tops the state average of $34,773, signaling well-distributed earning strength.

Second-highest earner in regional group

Decatur County's $74,228 ranks second only to Dearborn County ($82,693) among the eight studied counties, surpassing Clark County ($72,298) and Daviess County ($68,561). This positions Decatur as a prosperity leader in the region alongside Dearborn.

Balanced housing costs support wealth building

Decatur County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.4% and median home value of $189,900 create favorable conditions for both renters and prospective homebuyers. At 2.6 times median income, home prices remain accessible while housing costs leave substantial room for savings and investment.

Invest confidently at near-national income

Decatur County households earning $74,228—at national average levels—can follow standard 15-20% savings targets across 401(k)s, IRAs, and taxable accounts. This disciplined approach, applied consistently over 30+ years, creates six-figure portfolios and substantial long-term wealth accumulation for middle-class families.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Decatur County

via HealthByCounty

Decatur County life expectancy below US average

At 74.0 years, Decatur County residents live approximately 5 years less than the US average of 79 years. With 16.5% reporting poor or fair health—modestly below the national average of 18%—the county shows moderate health risk despite life expectancy gaps.

Below Indiana state average

Decatur County's 74.0-year life expectancy falls 1.1 years short of Indiana's 75.1-year state average, placing it in the lower half of the state's counties. The county's 16.5% poor/fair health rate is better than the state average, yet life expectancy suggests chronic disease and behavioral health challenges.

Highest primary care access, lower life expectancy

Decatur County's 74.0-year life expectancy lags nearby Clay County (75.0 years) and Dearborn County (76.2 years), despite having the highest primary care provider density at 61 per 100,000. This mismatch suggests that access alone doesn't guarantee outcomes—utilization and health behaviors matter equally.

Well-insured, well-served for primary care

Decatur County's 6.6% uninsured rate is among the lowest in the group and well below Indiana's 8.4%, supporting broad access to coverage. With 61 primary care providers per 100,000—the highest in this comparison—residents have abundant access to routine care, though mental health services at 46 per 100,000 are relatively limited.

Check your coverage and find a PCP

With strong insurance rates and abundant primary care options, Decatur County residents should verify coverage and establish relationships with local providers. If uninsured, visit healthcare.gov to explore affordable plans and use the county's robust network of primary care clinics.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Decatur County

via RiskByCounty

Decatur County enjoys low risk

Decatur County's composite risk score of 23.12 sits well below the national average, placing it among the safer counties across the country. Residents face below-average exposure to major natural disasters.

Among Indiana's lowest-risk counties

Decatur County scores 23.12, roughly 49% below Indiana's state average of 45.52, ranking it among the state's safest counties. Very few Indiana counties have lower composite risk scores.

Among the safest in the region

Decatur County (23.12) ranks among the lowest-risk counties in its immediate area, comparable to Clay County (27.04) and Crawford County (25.80). The county enjoys significantly lower hazard exposure than most surrounding areas.

Tornado and earthquake risks are modest

Decatur County's primary natural hazard risks come from tornadoes (59.54) and earthquakes (59.19), both moderate by state standards. Flood risk (36.51) ranks third, while wildfire and hurricane risks remain minimal.

Basic insurance coverage should suffice

Decatur County's low overall risk means standard homeowners insurance adequately covers most major perils for typical residents. Consider earthquake coverage given the 59.19 earthquake risk, and maintain a basic emergency kit—but overall, disaster insurance needs are minimal compared to most Indiana counties.

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.