CountyScore

Dubois County

Indiana · IN

#42 in Indiana
72
County Score

County Report Card

About Dubois County, Indiana

DuBois Ranks Above National Median

DuBois County's composite score of 72.0 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in approximately the 44th percentile nationally. The county demonstrates consistent strength across taxation, housing affordability, and income—a balanced livability profile.

Slightly Above State Average

DuBois scores 72.0, just above Indiana's average of 71.2, ranking it among the state's stronger-performing counties. This slight edge reflects particularly competitive tax and cost scores that align well with Indiana's best small counties.

Low Taxes and Strong Incomes

DuBois excels with a tax score of 84.0, an effective tax rate of 0.650%, and a median household income of $71,918—above state norms. The cost score of 80.8 keeps housing accessible despite higher home values, with a median of $212,500 and rent at $801 monthly.

Environmental and Safety Data Missing

School quality, safety, and water quality metrics are not yet available for DuBois, limiting full assessment of livability. The risk score of 40.9 sits in a middle range, suggesting moderate environmental or economic vulnerability that deserves closer examination.

Sweet Spot for Middle-Class Families

DuBois County offers an attractive balance for working families seeking reasonable taxes, affordable housing, and above-average incomes. It's particularly well-suited for families with stable employment who want small-town living without sacrificing income potential or educational resources.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84Cost80.8SafetyComing SoonHealth72.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.3Risk40.9WaterComing Soon
🏛84
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.3
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
⚡40.9
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 Dubois County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Logan County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $54,237
Marion County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $46,953
Nevada County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $41,761
Archuleta County
Colorado
72
Median income: $76,524
Echols County
Georgia
72
Median income: $61,723

Deep Dives

Dubois County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Dubois County

via TaxByCounty

Dubois County taxes well below national norm

Dubois County's 0.650% effective tax rate sits comfortably below the national median of 0.84%, placing it in the bottom 35% nationally. The median property tax of $1,382 is roughly half the $2,690 national average, making it an affordable choice.

Slightly below Indiana's average rate

Dubois County's 0.650% effective rate ranks just below Indiana's state average of 0.671%, making it a moderate option within the state. The median property tax of $1,382 is about $183 higher than the state median of $1,199, reflecting its higher median home values.

Competitive rates across south-central Indiana

Dubois County's 0.650% rate aligns with nearby DeKalb (0.628%) and Fountain (0.616%), but falls short of Elkhart's 0.819%. The median annual tax of $1,382 is higher than its neighbors, driven by stronger median home values of $212,500.

What a typical Dubois homeowner pays

The median home in Dubois County is valued at $212,500, resulting in an estimated annual property tax of around $1,382. Homeowners with mortgages and those without pay roughly the same ($1,373 vs. $1,394), indicating stable assessments.

Appeal if your home is overvalued

Dubois County homeowners who've seen recent spikes in assessed value should consider filing an appeal with the assessor's office. Many overassessed properties can be successfully challenged at no cost, potentially saving hundreds annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Dubois County

via CostByCounty

Dubois delivers strong rental affordability

Dubois County renters spend just 13.4% of their income on rent, besting the national average and ranking among America's most affordable rental markets. This southwestern Indiana county proves you can find genuine affordability without sacrificing income stability.

Indiana's rental value champion

At 13.4%, Dubois ranks well above the state average rent-to-income ratio of 15.6%, making it one of Indiana's most affordable counties for renters. The county stands out as a genuine value destination within the state.

Lowest rents in the regional cluster

Dubois's median rent of $801 undercuts the state average of $883 and beats most nearby counties, making it one of the region's rental bargains. Combined with solid local incomes, the county offers exceptional value.

Housing costs align with income

Renters pay $801 monthly while homeowners spend $872 against a healthy median income of $71,918. This balanced allocation means Dubois households dedicate about 13% to rent or 15% to mortgage, leaving ample room in their budgets.

Dubois is worth serious consideration

If you're seeking true rental affordability combined with decent wages, Dubois delivers on both counts at 13.4% rent-to-income. Use this county as your benchmark when evaluating other relocation options.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Dubois County

via IncomeByCounty

Dubois exceeds national income benchmarks

Dubois County households earn a median of $71,918 annually, about $2,837 below the national median of $74,755 but still in the solid middle-income range. The county performs reliably against national standards, approaching parity with the broader U.S. economy.

Tops Indiana's state average income

Dubois County's median household income of $71,918 surpasses Indiana's state average of $68,681 by more than 4%, placing it firmly in the upper-middle tier among the state's counties. This above-average performance reflects a stronger local economic base.

Leads smaller neighboring counties

Dubois ($71,918) ranks second among the measured counties, edged only by Franklin County ($79,702) and Floyd County ($78,179), but comfortably outpaces Fountain County ($62,526) and Elkhart County ($65,617). This county anchors a more prosperous subregion.

Strong housing affordability in Dubois

A rent-to-income ratio of 13.4% means residents spend roughly $801 monthly on housing costs—one of the lowest ratios among the measured counties. The median home value of $212,500 is supported by solid median incomes, leaving room for financial flexibility.

Dubois residents can invest confidently

With robust income and low housing-cost ratios, Dubois households have substantial capacity to fund retirement accounts, education savings, and taxable investments. Consider diversifying investments across stocks, bonds, and real estate to build generational wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Dubois County

via HealthByCounty

Dubois leads Indiana in longevity

At 77.8 years, Dubois County residents live 3 years longer than the U.S. average of 74.8 years. Just 18.3% report poor or fair health, well below the national average of 17%, making Dubois a standout for health and longevity.

Indiana's healthiest county by lifespan

Dubois's 77.8-year life expectancy is the highest in Indiana, exceeding the state average of 75.1 years by 2.7 years. The county's 18.3% poor/fair health rate also ranks above average, solidifying Dubois as a model for healthy outcomes statewide.

Leading the region in health outcomes

Dubois's 77.8-year life expectancy significantly outpaces neighboring counties like Elkhart (76.2) and Fountain (73.8). The county's strong performance suggests effective healthcare delivery and community health practices that other regions can learn from.

Good access meets responsible uninsured rates

Dubois offers 76 primary care providers and 140 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, ensuring broad access to care. At 7.8% uninsured, the county is nearly on par with Indiana's 8.4% state average, meaning most residents have the coverage needed for regular care.

Keep Dubois's health advantage going strong

Even as Dubois County leads the state in health outcomes, 7.8% of residents lack coverage—a gap that could undermine individual and community health. Make sure you're covered by exploring options at healthcare.gov or contacting your local health department to close this gap.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Dubois County

via RiskByCounty

Dubois Balances Multiple Moderate Threats

Dubois County scores 59.13 on composite risk, moderately above Indiana's average of 45.52 and in the Relatively Low category nationwide. The county faces a balanced mix of hazard exposures rather than dominating risks in any single category.

Mid-Range Risk Within Indiana

Dubois ranks in the middle tier of Indiana counties by composite risk, falling below the highest-risk counties but above the safest ones. Its profile reflects typical southern Indiana hazard patterns.

Moderate Risk in Southern Indiana

Dubois's score of 59.13 positions it between low-risk counties like Franklin (34.22) and higher-risk neighbors like Floyd (75.38). Its risk level is notably lower than neighboring Elkhart County (83.75).

Earthquake Risk Is the Surprising Leader

Earthquake risk registers highest at 87.47, followed closely by flood risk at 66.06, reflecting Dubois's proximity to seismic zones and vulnerable water systems. Tornado risk at 58.75 rounds out the county's top three hazards.

Earthquake and Flood Coverage Priority

Dubois homeowners should strongly consider standalone earthquake insurance, given the county's elevated seismic risk, alongside comprehensive flood coverage. Wind and tornado protection through homeowners insurance remains essential.

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.