countyscore
40.6
County Score
Lawn Care 89.8Soil Quality 75.1Disaster Risk 74.1

County Report Card

About Fayette County, Ohio

Trailing the National Median Score

Fayette County earns a composite score of 40.4, placing it below the national median of 50.0. The score reflects a mix of high environmental resilience and low social metrics.

Lower Ranking in the State

The county's score of 40.4 sits below the Ohio average of 48.6. It struggles to match the safety and health outcomes found in neighboring counties.

Resilience and Lower Tax Burdens

The Risk Score of 74.1 indicates excellent resilience against natural disasters. Residents also benefit from a lower tax burden, evidenced by a Tax Score of 40.9.

Safety and Health Improvements Needed

Low Safety (20.5) and Health (35.1) scores are the county's primary challenges. The median household income also remains modest at $60,047.

Best for Low-Tax Seekers

Fayette is suited for individuals seeking a quiet lifestyle with low natural risk and reduced taxes. It appeals to those looking for a lower entry price into the regional housing market.

2040608010040.448.820.535.144.643.774.157.761.9Tax40.4Cost48.8Safety20.5Health35.1Schools44.6Income43.7Risk74.1Water57.7Weather61.940.6/100
This county
National avg
1 above average3 below average

Fayette County DNA

Foverall

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

Fayette County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Safety (20.5/100), though Disaster Risk (74.1/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
40.4-11.600000000000001
Cost
48.8
Safety
20.5-34.5
Health
35.1-14.899999999999999
Schools
44.6-9.399999999999999
Income
43.7
Risk
74.1+27.099999999999994
Water
57.7
Weather
61.9
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Think property taxes are too high in Fayette County?

Many homeowners in Fayette County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$170,700

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$822/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$170,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$32,880/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $63,275/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

20.8

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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Nearby counties

Clinton County
Ohio
46.7
Madison County
Ohio
48.3
Greene County
Ohio
38
Highland County
Ohio
53.5
Ross County
Ohio
37.1
Pickaway County
Ohio
41.1
Clark County
Ohio
32.1
Pike County
Ohio
50.4

Deep Dives

Fayette County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Fayette County

via TaxByCounty

Fayette offers below-average tax burden

At 0.962%, Fayette's effective tax rate sits well below the national median of 1.54%, placing the county in the bottom quartile nationally. The median property tax of $1,561 represents just 58% of the national median of $2,690, making Fayette exceptionally tax-friendly.

Fayette ranks among Ohio's lowest

Fayette's 0.962% effective rate ranks among the lowest in Ohio, falling clearly below the state average of 1.148%. The median property tax of $1,561 trails the statewide average of $2,145 by 27%, reflecting both low rates and modest property values.

Fayette competes with Darke for affordability

Fayette's 0.962% rate virtually ties Darke County (0.930%) as the region's most affordable tax jurisdiction. Both southwestern Ohio counties offer comparable tax relief, making either attractive for budget-conscious homeowners.

What a Fayette homeowner pays

On the median Fayette home valued at $162,200, homeowners pay approximately $1,561 per year in property taxes—roughly $130 monthly. This modest burden, combined with modest property values, makes Fayette an economical choice for many Ohio families.

Low taxes don't guarantee fair assessments

Even in low-tax Fayette, overassessment happens—and the county auditor offers free property tax abatement reviews to correct inflated values. Request a review if your home's assessed value exceeds what comparable properties recently sold for in your area.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Fayette County

via IncomeByCounty

Fayette trails national income baseline

Fayette County's median household income of $60,047 falls 19.7% below the national median of $74,755, placing the county in the lower-income range nationally. The $14,708 gap indicates residents face greater economic constraints than average Americans.

Below-average income in Ohio

Fayette County's median household income of $60,047 runs about $8,050 below Ohio's state average of $68,101, ranking it in the lower half statewide. Per capita income of $31,573 trails the state average of $35,642.

Fayette among county group's lower earners

Fayette County ($60,047) earns more than only Crawford County ($55,477) in this analysis, but substantially less than Darke ($64,654) and Defiance ($73,615). The modest income reflects limited employment concentration in higher-wage sectors.

Affordable housing, tight household finances

Fayette County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.1% keeps housing costs manageable, but the $60,047 median income leaves limited cushion for savings and emergencies. Families must prioritize essential expenses carefully to build financial security.

Start small, think long-term wealth

Fayette residents earning $60,047 should focus on employer retirement plans and automatic savings strategies, even starting with modest monthly amounts. Building discipline around saving—even $50-100 monthly—compounds significantly over decades through low-cost index funds.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Fayette County

via CrimeByCounty

Fayette's Public Safety Profile

Fayette County maintains a solid safety score of 96.7 with three agencies reporting data. Its total crime rate of 2,062.2 per 100,000 is lower than the national average of 2,385.5. These statistics indicate a generally safe environment for the community.

Comparing Fayette to Ohio

The county's crime rate of 2,062.2 per 100,000 is above the state average of 1,412.3. However, its safety score of 96.7 is just slightly below the state average of 97.8. Fayette County balances local safety needs effectively relative to state benchmarks.

Regional Safety Context

Fayette County's crime rate of 2,062.2 is slightly lower than Fairfield County's 2,290.2. While it has higher rates than Darke County's 394.2, it remains well within national safety norms. This consistency makes it a reliable region for residents.

Violent vs. Property Crime

Violent crime in Fayette is low at 152.2 per 100,000, well under the national rate of 369.8. Property crime is the main contributor to local data at 1,910.0 per 100,000. Residents are much more likely to encounter property issues than violent ones.

Keeping Fayette Homes Secure

With property crime at 1,910.0, residents should focus on securing homes and vehicles. Simple actions like installing motion lights and locking doors can significantly reduce local theft risks. Maintaining these habits helps support Fayette's 96.7 safety score.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Fayette County

via WeatherByCounty

Average American temperate conditions

Fayette County averages 51.8°F annually, almost exactly matching the typical climate profile for the central United States. It experiences moderate humidity and standard seasonal transitions.

Aligned with the state average

The county's 51.8°F average temperature sits just 0.3 degrees above the Ohio state average of 51.5°F. It serves as a benchmark for typical Ohio weather patterns.

Average rainfall for the region

With 40.8 inches of annual precipitation, Fayette is nearly identical to the state average of 41.2 inches. It is slightly cooler than neighboring Franklin County to the northeast.

Low snowfall and warm summers

Fayette sees only 18.3 inches of snow per year, significantly less than northern Ohio counties. Summers are warm but stable, featuring 12 days of extreme heat above 90°F.

Manageable winters and steady rain

The relatively low 18.3 inches of snow makes winter maintenance easier than in the snow belt. Residents should prepare for 12 days of extreme heat and consistent rainfall throughout the year.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Fayette County

via SoilByCounty

Elite Mollisols of Fayette

Fayette County features Mollisols, which are among the most fertile soils in the world, with a near-ideal pH of 6.49. This is significantly higher than the Ohio average of 5.97 and right at the national median.

Heavy Silty Clay Loam

The dominant texture is silty clay loam, consisting of 50.8% silt, 25.3% sand, and 22.6% clay. This heavy texture provides exceptional structural stability and a high capacity for nutrient storage.

Resilient and Productive Soil

Organic matter is lower at 2.82% compared to the state average, but the soil remains highly productive. The available water capacity of 0.195 in/in is better than the state average, aiding crop resilience.

Managing a High Water Table

These soils are classified as very poorly drained and fall into hydrologic group B/D. This indicates a high water table that requires significant drainage management for both farming and basement construction.

Agricultural Excellence in 6b

In hardiness zone 6b, Fayette County is a premier spot for high-yield agriculture. The Mollisol base is perfect for a lush home garden, provided you manage the naturally heavy moisture.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Fayette County

via LawnByCounty

Fayette County's Elite Lawn Score

Fayette County is a standout with a lawn difficulty score of 89.8, the highest in this group and far easier than the national median of 50.0. Its hardiness zone 6b status and rich soil make it a premier location for effortless lawn care.

Perfect Balance of Water and Sun

The county receives 40.8 inches of annual rain and sees only 12 extreme heat days, which is lower than the state average. This creates a low-stress environment for the 3,244 growing degree days that drive seasonal grass development.

Ideal Silty Clay Loam

The soil pH of 6.49 is nearly perfect for turfgrass, falling right in the middle of the ideal 6.0-7.0 range. Although the silty clay loam is very poorly drained, this often helps maintain moisture during the hotter summer months.

Strong Natural Resistance

With only 6 weeks of drought over the past year and zero current dry areas, Fayette lawns are naturally resilient. The heavy soil texture keeps the 40.8 inches of annual rain accessible to roots for much longer than in neighboring counties.

The Best Place for Bluegrass

The fertile soil and 6b zone are perfect for high-quality Kentucky bluegrass. Plan your planting between the April 23 spring frost and the October 21 fall frost to achieve the best results with minimal effort.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fayette County's county score?
Fayette County, Ohio has a composite county score of 40.6 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 Fayette County rank among counties in Ohio?
Fayette County ranks #69 among all counties in Ohio 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 Fayette County, Ohio?
The median annual property tax in Fayette County is $1,601, with an effective tax rate of 0.94%. This earns Fayette County a tax score of 40.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Fayette County?
The median household income in Fayette County, Ohio is $63,275 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Fayette County earns an income score of 43.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Fayette County, Ohio a good place to live?
Fayette County scores 40.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #69 in Ohio. The best way to evaluate Fayette 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 Fayette 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.