countyscore
64.5
County Score
Safety 93.1Property Tax 79.8Disaster Risk 79.8

County Report Card

About Fulton County, Indiana

Fulton County Outpaces the National Median

Fulton County earns a strong composite score of 64.4, comfortably exceeding the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a high overall quality of life relative to the rest of the country. Residents benefit from a blend of affordability and security that places the county in the top tier of national rankings.

A Top Performer in the Hoosier State

With a composite score of 64.4, Fulton County significantly outperforms the Indiana state average of 55.9. It stands out as one of the more desirable locations in Northern Indiana for balanced living. This performance highlights the county's ability to maintain high standards across multiple livability metrics.

Exceptional Safety and Low Tax Burdens

The county boasts an elite safety score of 93.1, making it one of the most secure environments in the region. Fiscal policy is another major advantage, with a tax score of 84.4 supported by a low effective tax rate of 0.514%. These factors provide residents with peace of mind and significant financial flexibility.

Opportunities for Health and Income Growth

While safe and affordable, the county faces a health score of 41.1 and an income score of 47.8. The median household income sits at $62,878, which is lower than some neighboring metropolitan areas. Investing in local healthcare access and economic diversification could help elevate these specific dimensions.

Ideal for Safety-Conscious, Budget-Minded Families

Fulton County is a premier choice for those prioritizing low crime and minimal tax burdens. The low median home value of $144,700 makes it highly accessible for first-time buyers. It is best suited for families looking for a quiet, fiscally conservative community.

2040608010079.860.893.141.148.438.179.853.255.8Tax79.8Cost60.8Safety93.1Health41.1Schools48.4Income38.1Risk79.8Water53.2Weather55.864.5/100
This county
National avg
4 above average1 below average

Fulton County DNA

D+overall

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

Fulton County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (93.1/100) but notably weak in Income (38.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
79.8+27.799999999999997
Cost
60.8+12.799999999999997
Safety
93.1+38.099999999999994
Health
41.1-8.899999999999999
Schools
48.4
Income
38.1-12.899999999999999
Risk
79.8+32.8
Water
53.2
Weather
55.8
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$156,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$839/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$156,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$33,560/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $61,360/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

29.4

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
Compare Fulton County with Webster County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

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Georgia
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Merrick County
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Piute County
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Dickenson County
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Big Horn County
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Nearby counties

Miami County
Indiana
61.6
Cass County
Indiana
51.2
Wabash County
Indiana
60.7
Marshall County
Indiana
57.5
Kosciusko County
Indiana
49.3
Pulaski County
Indiana
65.8
Starke County
Indiana
58.5
Carroll County
Indiana
61.7

Deep Dives

Fulton County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Fulton County

via TaxByCounty

Fulton's tax rate far below national median

At 0.514%, Fulton County's effective property tax rate ranks in the lowest 10% nationally—less than one-fifth the national median of 0.671%. Homeowners here pay $744 annually on a median home valued at $144,700, compared to the national median tax bill of $2,690.

Lowest-taxed county in Indiana

Fulton County has Indiana's lowest effective tax rate at 0.514%, significantly below the state average of 0.671%. This means Fulton homeowners pay roughly $455 less per year than the state median of $1,199.

Exceptional savings versus nearby counties

Fulton's 0.514% rate beats all surrounding counties, including Grant County (0.681%) and Greene County (0.689%). A homeowner with Fulton's median home value would save over $250 annually compared to living just across the county line.

What Fulton homeowners actually pay

The typical Fulton County home valued at $144,700 generates an annual property tax bill of $744. With mortgage interest, that figure rises to $922, but remains among Indiana's lowest tax burdens.

Check your assessment—savings are possible

Even in low-tax Fulton County, many homeowners are overassessed relative to their home's market value. Filing a property tax appeal could lower your assessment and reduce your annual bill further—a painless way to protect your equity.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Fulton County

via IncomeByCounty

Fulton lags behind national income

Fulton County's median household income of $62,878 falls $11,877 below the national median of $74,755. This 16% gap reflects economic challenges many rural Indiana counties face compared to more prosperous metros nationwide.

Below average among Indiana counties

At $62,878, Fulton's median household income ranks below Indiana's state average of $68,681 by $5,803. The county ranks in the lower half of Indiana's 92 counties for household earning power.

Regional income competition is tight

Fulton's $62,878 sits between Greene County ($59,753) and Gibson County ($67,763), placing it squarely in the middle of this rural cluster. All three counties struggle to match statewide income averages.

Housing costs remain manageable here

Fulton's 16.4% rent-to-income ratio means housing consumes just over one-sixth of typical household earnings, staying below the 30% affordability threshold. A median home value of $144,700 remains accessible on a $62,878 median income.

Build your financial foundation now

With lower income but reasonable housing costs, Fulton households have room to prioritize savings and retirement planning. Starting early with automatic contributions to 401(k)s and IRAs compounds advantage over time, especially for younger workers.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Fulton County

via CrimeByCounty

Fulton County Ranks Among Nation's Safest

Fulton County reports a total crime rate of just 88.2 per 100,000 residents, a stark contrast to the national average of 2,385.5. This exceptional data earns the county a safety score of 99.9 out of 100.

Outperforming the Indiana Safety Average

With a safety score of 99.9, Fulton County significantly exceeds the Indiana state average of 98.9. Local reporting agencies maintain one of the most secure environments for residents in the state.

Lower Crime Rates Than Regional Neighbors

Fulton's crime rate of 88.2 is remarkably lower than neighboring Gibson County, which sits at 469.6. The county provides a level of security that remains rare even for rural Indiana.

Minimal Violent Crime Levels Reported

Violent crime occurs at a rate of 4.9 per 100,000, while property crime accounts for 83.3. Both figures represent a small fraction of the national property crime rate of 2,015.7.

Stay Vigilant in a Safe Community

While crime is low, maintaining home security helps keep these numbers down for the long term. Simple measures like motion-sensor lighting provide effective deterrence against opportunistic property crimes.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Fulton County

via WeatherByCounty

Colder and Snowier than the National Average

Fulton County averages 50.2°F annually, making it significantly cooler than the 53.8°F national median. The county is characterized by its cold winters and a higher-than-average snowfall for the midwestern United States.

Below Average Temperatures for the State

The county's 50.2°F average temperature puts it two degrees below the Indiana state average of 52.2°F. Precipitation also lags slightly behind the state mark, with 40.8 inches recorded annually.

Heavy Snow Compared to Central Neighbors

Fulton receives 30.1 inches of snow annually, which is notably higher than the 24.5 inches found in nearby Grant County. Its winter temperatures are among the coldest in the region, averaging just 27.5°F.

Short Warm Summers and Long Snowy Winters

Summer heat is limited, with only 13 days a year reaching above 90°F and a July average of 73.0°F. Winter is the dominant season, bringing 30 inches of snow and average January lows near 24.6°F.

Snow Equipment and Winter Home Sealing

With 30.1 inches of snow, a reliable snowblower is a standard necessity for Fulton County residents. Energy efficiency efforts should focus on heating and sealing windows against the cold 27.5°F winter average.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Fulton County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Mollisols define Fulton's loamy landscape

Fulton County features a dominant loam texture within the rich Mollisols taxonomic order. Its average pH of 5.35 sits significantly lower than the national median of 6.5, indicating highly acidic conditions. This acidity suggests a need for lime management to optimize local crop yields.

A sand-heavy mix with unique texture

The soil composition contains 56.2% sand, 20.6% silt, and 8.8% clay. This high sand content provides excellent workability and aeration but typically speeds up nutrient leaching. Fortunately, the massive organic matter content helps counteract the coarse sand grains.

Exceptional organic matter drives growing potential

At 11.68%, Fulton's organic matter is more than double the state average of 4.90%. Despite this richness, the available water capacity of 0.181 in/in falls slightly below the Indiana average of 0.202. This means the soil holds nutrients well but dries out faster than neighboring counties.

Poor drainage requires active water management

The county's soil is classified as poorly drained and falls into hydrologic group B/D. These conditions mean the ground stays saturated for long periods without intervention like tiling or raised beds. Builders and farmers must plan for slow runoff and potential seasonal ponding.

Productive gardening in Hardiness Zone 6a

With a 6a hardiness rating, Fulton is ideal for cool-season vegetables and hardy perennials. The high organic matter provides a fantastic base for heavy feeders like corn and squash. Start your garden today to take advantage of some of the most carbon-rich soil in the state.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Fulton County

via LawnByCounty

Moderate maintenance challenges in Fulton County

Fulton County scores a 59.2 on our difficulty scale, making lawn care more challenging than the Indiana average of 71.0. While it is easier than the national median of 50.0, the USDA Hardiness Zone 6a climate requires specific seasonal strategies.

Stable rainfall supports steady turf growth

The county receives 40.8 inches of annual precipitation, which aligns well with the ideal lawn range of 30-50 inches. With 3,097 growing degree days and only 13 extreme heat days, cool-season grasses generally avoid the severe summer stress seen in southern Indiana.

Acidic loamy soil needs significant adjustment

Local soil features a pH of 5.35, which is notably lower than the 6.0-7.0 ideal for healthy turf. This loamy soil is poorly drained despite a 56.2% sand content, requiring lime applications and aeration to improve nutrient uptake and drainage.

Extended dry periods threaten lawn health

The county endured 39 weeks of drought over the past year, and the entire area currently experiences abnormally dry conditions. To combat these spells, homeowners should prioritize deep, infrequent watering early in the morning to encourage deep root systems.

Timing your seeding for success

Kentucky Bluegrass or Tall Fescue are the best fits for this Zone 6a climate. Aim to seed after the last frost on April 23 or in late summer before the first frost arrives on October 21.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fulton County's county score?
Fulton County, Indiana has a composite county score of 64.5 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 Fulton County rank among counties in Indiana?
Fulton County ranks #17 among all counties in Indiana 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 Fulton County, Indiana?
The median annual property tax in Fulton County is $844, with an effective tax rate of 0.54%. This earns Fulton County a tax score of 79.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Fulton County?
The median household income in Fulton County, Indiana is $61,360 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Fulton County earns an income score of 38.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Fulton County, Indiana a good place to live?
Fulton County scores 64.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #17 in Indiana. The best way to evaluate Fulton 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 Fulton 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.