CountyScore

Defiance County

Ohio · OH

#15 in Ohio
70.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Defiance County, Ohio

Defiance Delivers Strong Livability

Defiance County scores 70.8 on the composite index, well above the national median of 50.0 and placing it in the top 40% nationally. The county demonstrates solid performance on core livability factors.

Above State Average, Mid-Tier Ranking

At 70.8, Defiance exceeds Ohio's state average of 68.8 and ranks in the mid-to-upper tier of Ohio's 88 counties. The county holds its own against most state peers.

Highest Incomes in Rural Ohio

Defiance leads this group in median household income at $73,615, with an income score of 31.4—the highest among these eight counties. Paired with low taxes (1.117% effective rate) and affordable housing (median $150,900), the county offers strong economic fundamentals.

Limited Data on Quality of Life

Safety, health, schools, risk, and water quality data remain unavailable, leaving gaps in the full livability assessment. These missing dimensions prevent confirmation of the county's true competitive standing.

Sweet Spot for Working Families

Defiance suits working families seeking rural or small-town life with above-average incomes and solid tax efficiency. The combination of strong earnings, affordability, and low tax burden makes it one of Ohio's most balanced choices for middle-class households.

Score breakdown

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

Tax70.8Cost80.6SafetyComing SoonHealth72.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome31.4Risk58.1WaterComing Soon
🏛70.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼31.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡58.1
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 Defiance 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

Defiance County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Defiance County

via TaxByCounty

Defiance taxes run well below national average

At 1.117%, Defiance's effective tax rate falls significantly below the national median of 1.54%, placing the county in the lower third of U.S. jurisdictions. The median property tax of $1,686 represents just 63% of the national median of $2,690, offering substantial relief.

Defiance ranks slightly below state average

Defiance's 1.117% effective rate nearly matches Ohio's state average of 1.148%, positioning the county right at the midpoint of Ohio's tax landscape. The median property tax of $1,686 falls below the statewide average of $2,145, benefiting from lower home values.

Defiance sits between regional extremes

Neighboring Darke County (0.930%) taxes slightly lower, while Crawford County (1.221%) taxes moderately higher, with Defiance at 1.117% splitting the difference. This balanced rate makes Defiance neither a tax haven nor a high-tax burden for the region.

What a Defiance homeowner pays

On the median Defiance home valued at $150,900, homeowners pay approximately $1,686 per year in property taxes—about $141 monthly. This affordable rate reflects the county's moderate tax burden and lower property values in northwestern Ohio.

Assessment appeals are free and simple

Defiance homeowners can request a property tax abatement review from the county auditor at no cost to challenge potentially inflated assessments. Many residents don't realize their homes may be assessed above fair market value—a quick appeal could lower your annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Defiance County

via CostByCounty

Defiance balances income and housing costs well

With a median household income of $73,615 (virtually matching the national average), Defiance County residents spend just 13.5% of income on rent—beating both the national benchmark and Ohio's state average of 15.6%. This strong income-to-cost alignment makes Defiance one of Ohio's most balanced housing markets.

Upper tier of Ohio housing affordability

Defiance County's 13.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Ohio's best affordability metrics, while residents enjoy incomes above the state norm. At $826 monthly rent (only slightly above the state median of $873), Defiance offers stable, predictable housing costs paired with competitive wages.

Slightly higher rent, higher income advantage

Defiance's $826 monthly rent runs 11% higher than Darke County's $747 but pairs with the highest median household income among northwest Ohio peers at $73,615. This income advantage makes Defiance's slightly elevated rents far more manageable than raw numbers suggest.

Strong earnings support manageable housing costs

A typical Defiance County renter earning $73,615 annually pays $826 monthly in rent, consuming just 13.5% of gross income, while homeowners spend $850 on $150,900 median-valued homes. The county's above-average incomes create substantial household budget flexibility for savings and discretionary spending.

Defiance rewards relocators seeking balance

If you're seeking a county where housing remains affordable while incomes stay competitive, Defiance County deserves serious consideration. Strong local employment and reasonable housing costs make this northwest Ohio county an underrated option for cost-conscious professionals and families.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Defiance County

via IncomeByCounty

Defiance nearly matches national income

Defiance County's median household income of $73,615 sits just 1.5% below the national median of $74,755, making it one of Ohio's strongest-earning counties. The county punches at the national average despite Ohio's regional economic challenges.

Top tier earner in Ohio

At $73,615, Defiance County's median household income exceeds Ohio's state average of $68,101 by $5,514, ranking it well above the state median. The county's economic profile reflects stable manufacturing and agricultural sectors.

Defiance leads northwest Ohio income

Defiance County ($73,615) outearns nearby Crawford ($55,477), Fayette ($60,047), and Darke ($64,654) counties, establishing it as the income leader in northwest Ohio. The $9,000+ advantage over Crawford reflects stronger regional employment.

Excellent housing affordability ratio

Defiance's rent-to-income ratio of 13.5% is among the lowest in the region, meaning housing consumes just over one-eighth of median household income. The median home value of $150,900 is highly accessible at this income level.

Build long-term wealth strategically

Defiance County residents earning $73,615 are well-positioned to invest aggressively in retirement accounts, education savings plans, and real estate. The county's affordability advantage means significant money can flow into wealth-building vehicles rather than housing.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Defiance County

via HealthByCounty

Defiance excels in life expectancy

Defiance County's 76.2-year life expectancy beats the U.S. average deficit, trailing the national average of 79.1 years by just 2.9 years. At 18.2% poor or fair health, the county performs better than the national average of 18%, suggesting effective local health management.

Among Ohio's healthiest counties

Defiance's 76.2-year life expectancy ranks 1.4 years above Ohio's 74.8-year state average, placing it in the upper tier statewide. The county's 18.2% poor or fair health rate is the best in this profile group.

Regional health leader with balance

Defiance's 76.2-year life expectancy trails only Delaware County (81.1 years) among neighbors, outpacing Crawford (73.4 years) and Darke (75.5 years) by significant margins. The county combines rural character with health outcomes more typical of urban centers.

Good coverage, solid provider network

With 6.5% uninsured and 55 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Defiance combines better-than-average coverage rates with reasonable access to primary care. The 230 mental health providers per 100K suggest residents can access behavioral health support.

Keep your coverage strong

Defiance's low 6.5% uninsured rate shows insurance access works here. If you're among those without coverage, or questioning your plan, visit Healthcare.gov to confirm you have the right protection.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Defiance County

via RiskByCounty

Defiance County among Ohio's safest

Defiance County scores 41.89 on the composite risk scale, earning a 'Very Low' rating well below national averages. The county's disaster exposure remains manageable across most hazard categories.

Well below state risk averages

At 41.89, Defiance County's risk score sits significantly lower than Ohio's state average of 55.03. The county ranks among Ohio's safer communities, reflecting its rural location and limited exposure to major hazard zones.

Low risk compared to regional peers

Defiance County (41.89) presents lower disaster risk than nearby Erie County (61.35) and considerably lower than adjacent Delaware County (78.75). Only Fayette County (25.89) and Crawford County (35.24) pose less risk among northwest Ohio counties.

Tornadoes and floods warrant attention

Tornado risk (63.71) and flood risk (59.35) represent Defiance County's primary natural disaster concerns. Earthquake risk (52.64) ranks third, while wildfire risk (6.90) remains negligible and hurricane risk (27.03) poses minimal threat.

Standard precautions provide solid protection

Defiance County residents should maintain comprehensive homeowners insurance and flood coverage for vulnerable properties near water bodies. A designated safe room or basement shelter for tornado protection is a worthwhile investment given the county's moderate tornado risk.

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.