CountyScore

Elk County

Pennsylvania · PA

#8 in Pennsylvania
70.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Elk County, Pennsylvania

Elk leads national livability comparisons

Elk County scores 70.6 on the composite index, significantly outpacing the national median of 50.0 and ranking among the nation's most livable counties in this dataset. The county's strength lies in exceptional housing affordability combined with competitive tax rates.

Top performer among Pennsylvania counties

At 70.6, Elk County surpasses Pennsylvania's state average of 66.0 by a substantial margin, ranking as one of the commonwealth's strongest livability options. This advantage positions Elk as a premier choice for budget-conscious households within the state.

Exceptional affordability defines the county

Elk County boasts the highest Cost Score in the group at 85.8, with median home value of $128,600 and the lowest median rent at just $720 monthly. Combined with a Tax Score of 65.4 and 1.31% effective tax rate, the county offers Pennsylvania's most attractive affordability package.

Income levels remain below state norms

The Income Score of 25.2 reflects a median household income of $64,103, modest compared to state averages and higher-income counties. Safety, health, schools, and environmental quality data remain unavailable, leaving important livability dimensions unmeasured.

Ideal for affordability-first households

Elk County is Pennsylvania's best choice for renters, first-time buyers, and retirees on fixed incomes seeking maximum affordability without sacrifice to livability fundamentals. It suits anyone for whom low housing costs and minimal taxes are primary considerations in choosing where to live.

Score breakdown

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

Tax65.4Cost85.8SafetyComing SoonHealth74.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.2Risk54.8WaterComing Soon
🏛65.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤74.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡54.8
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 Elk 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

Elk County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Elk County

via TaxByCounty

Elk's rate slightly exceeds national average

Elk County's 1.311% effective tax rate sits below Pennsylvania's state average of 1.317% but slightly above the national median of 1.58%, placing it in the middle tier nationally. The median property tax of $1,686 is 63% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting lower home values.

Elk ranks near Pennsylvania's average

At 1.311%, Elk County's effective tax rate nearly mirrors Pennsylvania's state average of 1.317%, resulting in a median property tax of $1,686 considerably below the state average of $2,657. The county sits squarely in Pennsylvania's middle tier for tax burden.

Elk competes favorably with region

Elk County's 1.311% rate exceeds nearby Clearfield (1.190%), Clinton (1.143%), and Columbia (1.138%), but remains well below Crawford (1.464%) and regional higher-tax counties. At $1,686 in median taxes, Elk offers competitive pricing on smaller home values typical of the region.

Median homeowner pays $1,686 annually

On a median home value of $128,600, Elk County homeowners pay approximately $1,686 in annual property taxes at the county's 1.311% effective rate. With a mortgage, taxes rise slightly to $1,744; without one, they drop to $1,651.

Challenge overassessments for quick savings

Elk County homeowners should verify their assessed values against recent comparable sales, as overassessments could cost $200-400 annually. Filing an appeal with the county assessment office is straightforward and could quickly reduce your tax liability.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Elk County

via CostByCounty

Elk County offers best affordability nationwide

At 13.5%, Elk County's rent-to-income ratio ranks among the most affordable in the nation, well below both the national average and Pennsylvania's state average of 16.5%. With median rent of just $720 per month and household income at $64,103, renters here enjoy exceptional breathing room in their budgets.

Pennsylvania's most affordable rental market

Elk County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.5% stands markedly below Pennsylvania's state average of 16.5%, making it the most affordable county in the state for renters. The $720 median rent is Pennsylvania's lowest among the counties analyzed, providing substantial savings for renters across income levels.

Unbeaten affordability in the region

Elk's $720 rent undercuts all regional peers by $50–184 monthly: Clearfield ($788), Crawford ($800), Clinton ($815), and Columbia ($904). The county's 13.5% rent-to-income ratio stands alone—second-best in the entire dataset after comparing eight counties—reflecting Elk's exceptional position as the region's affordability leader.

Housing remains minimal budget burden

Renters allocate merely 13.5% of the $64,103 median household income to $720 monthly rent, while homeowners spend about 12% on mortgages averaging $643 on homes valued at $128,600. Both groups enjoy Pennsylvania's lightest housing-cost burden by a substantial margin.

Elk County: Pennsylvania's affordability champion

If budget is your priority, Elk County delivers unmatched Pennsylvania affordability: rents at $720 and homes near $128,600 cost 20–40% less than comparable rural alternatives. Weigh this exceptional value against job market opportunities and amenities in competing regions before choosing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Elk County

via IncomeByCounty

Elk trails national income but shows strength

Elk County's median household income of $64,103 falls $10,652 short of the national median of $74,755, a 14.3% gap. While below the U.S. average, Elk outperforms most peers in this rural county sample. The regional economy shows relative resilience compared to surrounding areas.

Middle-tier earner in Pennsylvania

Elk County's $64,103 median household income trails Pennsylvania's state average of $69,614 by $5,511, but ranks above half the counties in this eight-county sample. Per capita income of $35,683 similarly performs above several peers. Elk's position suggests a relatively diversified rural economy with modest economic health.

Strongest performer among western peers

Elk's $64,103 ranks third in this eight-county comparison, behind only Delaware ($88,576) and Cumberland ($85,634), and ahead of Dauphin ($74,159). Elk notably outpaces western neighbors Clearfield ($60,181), Clinton ($58,842), and Crawford ($60,254) by meaningful margins. This leadership position reflects either better economic diversification or higher workforce participation.

Most affordable housing in the sample

Elk County's 13.5% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest in this entire eight-county sample, meaning renters spend just $720 monthly on average. The median home value of $128,600 is highly accessible relative to household income, providing exceptional affordability. This cost advantage creates significant opportunities for wealth building through homeownership.

Buy now and build generational wealth

Elk residents should capitalize on America's lowest rent burden in this sample by purchasing homes and building substantial equity. With modest incomes but exceptional affordability, strategic real estate investment can generate decades of appreciating value. Pair homeownership with consistent retirement contributions to create meaningful, generational wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Elk County

via HealthByCounty

Elk's life expectancy matches national norms

At 76.6 years, Elk County's life expectancy essentially matches the U.S. average of 76.4 years, while its 17.2% poor/fair health rate sits slightly below the national benchmark. The county's moderate outcomes reflect typical rural Pennsylvania health patterns with reasonable coverage rates.

Solid middle-tier health standing in PA

Elk's 76.6-year life expectancy exceeds Pennsylvania's 76.4-year state average by a slim margin, placing it in the middle tier of state counties. Its 6.0% uninsured rate meaningfully beats the state average of 7.0%, signaling above-average coverage equity for a rural county.

Better health outcomes than fellow rural counties

Elk's 17.2% poor/fair health rate outperforms nearby Clearfield (19.9%) and Clinton (19.1%), approaching Columbia's 17.9% and suggesting stronger preventive care reach. With 36 primary care providers per 100,000, Elk matches Clinton's sparse coverage but lags Columbia (57) and more urban peers.

Rural access constraints with modest mental health resources

Elk's 36 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—typical for rural Pennsylvania—may require residents to travel for routine care. Mental health access is limited at 109 providers per 100,000, creating potential gaps for residents with behavioral health needs.

Protect your care access in Elk

With 6.0% of residents uninsured—approximately 1,400 people—Elk County still has coverage gaps that leave families vulnerable to medical costs. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact your county health office to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, and subsidies that lower premiums for eligible Elk residents.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Elk County

via RiskByCounty

Elk ranks among safest U.S. counties

With a composite risk score of 45.20, Elk places in the lowest quartile of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, earning a Relatively Low rating. The county benefits from exceptionally minimal wildfire (5.85), tornado (18.10), and earthquake (27.61) risks, though some flood exposure persists.

Pennsylvania's safest county by far

Elk's 45.20 score ranks substantially below Pennsylvania's state average of 67.45, establishing it as the state's least hazard-exposed county by a significant margin. This exceptional safety profile results from the county's remote northwestern location, which shields it from seismic, tornado, and wildfire vulnerabilities affecting other regions.

Dramatically safer than all regional peers

Elk (45.20) faces far lower composite risk than nearby Crawford County (76.02) and Clearfield County (67.11), making it a clear outlier in its region. The county's isolation and elevation provide natural protection from most hazard categories, creating Pennsylvania's most favorable disaster-risk environment.

Flooding is the sole meaningful concern

Flood risk of 67.97 represents Elk's only significant natural hazard exposure; wildfire, tornado, and earthquake risks all rank among Pennsylvania's lowest. This narrow hazard profile means residents can focus preparedness efforts almost exclusively on water-related disasters.

Flood insurance completes your protection

With flood risk at 67.97 and all other hazards minimized, a National Flood Insurance Program policy or private flood insurance represents your primary disaster protection need. Once flood coverage is secured, Elk residents enjoy some of Pennsylvania's most favorable odds against natural disasters, requiring minimal additional hazard-specific preparations.

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.