CountyScore

Fayette County

Ohio · OH

#22 in Ohio
69.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Fayette County, Ohio

Fayette Ranks Among Top Performers

Fayette County scores 70.8 on the composite index, well above the national median of 50.0 and in the top 40% nationally. The score reflects solid fundamentals across measured livability factors.

Above Ohio Average, Upper Tier

At 70.8, Fayette exceeds Ohio's state average of 68.8 and ranks in the upper-middle tier of Ohio's 88 counties. The county matches or surpasses most state peers on core metrics.

Exceptional Taxes and Housing Value

Fayette boasts the second-lowest effective tax rate at 0.962% (tax score 75.2) and excellent affordability with median homes at $162,200 (cost score 79.6). Combined with reasonable rent ($807/month), the county delivers outstanding fiscal and housing value.

Lower Incomes and Missing Data

Median household income of $60,047 and income score of 22.6 lag several peers, reflecting limited employment diversity in this rural county. Safety, health, schools, risk, and water data remain unavailable, obscuring broader quality-of-life factors.

Retirees' Haven With Low Taxes

Fayette County is ideal for retirees and cost-minimizers seeking rock-bottom taxes and affordable small-town living. Its exceptional tax efficiency and housing value appeal most to those with fixed or modest incomes prioritizing financial security over career advancement.

Score breakdown

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

Tax75.2Cost79.6SafetyComing SoonHealth63.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.6Risk74.1WaterComing Soon
🏛75.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡74.1
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 Fayette County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Colbert County
Alabama
69.3
Median income: $56,736
Jackson County
Alabama
69.3
Median income: $49,454
Chugach Census Area
Alaska
69.3
Median income: $88,565
Sharp County
Arkansas
69.3
Median income: $42,950
Rabun County
Georgia
69.3
Median income: $61,466

Deep Dives

Fayette County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Fayette County

via CostByCounty

Fayette's affordability challenged by lower incomes

Fayette County's median household income of $60,047 trails the national average by 20%, yet renters spend 16.1% of income on rent—above Ohio's state average. At $807 monthly, Fayette's rents are reasonable in absolute terms, but lower incomes create relative affordability pressure.

Mid-range affordability with income constraints

Fayette County's 16.1% rent-to-income ratio sits above Ohio's state average of 15.6%, placing it in the less-affordable tier despite moderate monthly rents of $807. The county's below-average household incomes ($60,047 vs. state norms) are the primary affordability constraint.

Competitive rents paired with lower earnings

Fayette's $807 monthly rent sits between Darke County ($747) and Defiance County ($826), but the county's lower incomes ($60,047) make this mid-range rent more burdensome. Home values of $162,200 position Fayette squarely in the affordable-county tier.

Housing costs strain modest Fayette incomes

A typical Fayette County renter earning $60,047 annually pays $807 monthly in rent, consuming 16.1% of gross income, while homeowners spend $942 on $162,200 median-valued homes. These ratios leave less household budget flexibility than higher-income counties, despite reasonable absolute housing costs.

Fayette suits cost-conscious lower-income relocators

If you're relocating with below-average household income, Fayette County's modest rents and home prices offer genuine affordability—though less margin for emergencies than wealthier counties. Compare Fayette's numbers carefully to other lower-income Ohio counties before choosing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Fayette County

via HealthByCounty

Fayette faces significant health challenges

At 72.7 years, Fayette County's life expectancy ranks lowest among these eight counties and trails the U.S. average of 79.1 years by 6.4 years. With 22.9% reporting poor or fair health, Fayette's health burden exceeds the national average of 18%.

Struggling in statewide health rankings

Fayette's 72.7-year life expectancy falls 2.1 years below Ohio's 74.8-year state average, ranking among the state's lower performers. The county's 22.9% poor or fair health rate is the highest in this profile group.

Regional health challenges most acute

Fayette's 72.7-year life expectancy lags all eight counties surveyed, falling 2 to 8 years behind neighbors like Defiance (76.2 years) and Delaware (81.1 years). The county faces the steepest health challenges in this region.

Limited providers, highest uninsured rate

Fayette has just 31 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and an 8.5% uninsured rate—the highest among these counties. With limited mental health resources and constrained access to providers, urgent care often requires travel.

Take action on health insurance today

Fayette's 8.5% uninsured rate means many families lack protection. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact the Ohio Department of Medicaid today—affordable coverage options can improve your family's health and financial security.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Fayette County

via RiskByCounty

Fayette County among Ohio's safest

Fayette County scores 25.89 on the composite risk scale, earning a 'Very Low' rating that sits well below national averages. The county presents minimal natural disaster vulnerability compared to most U.S. counties.

Lowest risk in Ohio's profile

At 25.89, Fayette County's risk score sits substantially below Ohio's state average of 55.03, placing it among the state's safest communities. The county's composite score is less than half the statewide average, reflecting exceptionally low hazard exposure.

Ohio's safest county in regional context

Fayette County (25.89) presents lower disaster risk than all nearby counties, including Crawford (35.24), Defiance (41.89), and Darke (52.67). The county emerges as one of northwest Ohio's most protected communities from natural disaster threats.

Earthquakes pose minimal but measurable threat

Earthquake risk (57.73) represents Fayette County's highest hazard score, though it remains modest in absolute terms. Tornado risk (43.32) and flood risk (42.46) follow, while wildfire (5.09) and hurricane (33.08) risks remain negligible.

Standard coverage provides ample protection

Fayette County residents need only standard homeowners insurance for comprehensive protection, given the county's minimal disaster exposure. Basic earthquake awareness and flood insurance for properties near drainage areas represent reasonable supplemental precautions for this exceptionally safe county.

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.