CountyScore

Fulton County

Pennsylvania · PA

#1 in Pennsylvania
73.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Fulton County, Pennsylvania

Fulton Ranks in Top National Quartile

Fulton County's composite score of 71.7 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 43%, placing it in the top quarter of U.S. counties. This ranking reflects a compelling combination of low taxes, affordable housing, and reasonable incomes.

Among Pennsylvania's Best

Fulton scores 71.7 versus Pennsylvania's 66.0 average, ranking it in the upper tier of the state's counties. This performance positions Fulton as one of the commonwealth's more attractive communities.

Tax Relief Meets Housing Value

Fulton delivers a tax score of 73.4 with an effective rate of just 1.028% and a cost score of 82.0, supporting median home values of $206,000 and rents averaging $781. This combination offers solid value without extreme affordability sacrifices.

Income Growth Opportunity Is Limited

Fulton's income score of 25.7 and median household income of $64,798 suggest moderate earning potential relative to its housing costs. Complete data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors are not yet available.

Ideal for Value-Conscious Professionals

Fulton appeals to families seeking low taxes and reasonable housing in a less rural setting than Forest or Fayette counties. The score profile works well for dual-income households who want affordability without sacrificing suburban amenities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73.4Cost82SafetyComing SoonHealth73.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.7Risk92.3WaterComing Soon
🏛73.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡92.3
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 Fulton County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Las Animas County
Colorado
73.9
Median income: $50,408
Phillips County
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73.9
Median income: $60,372
Blackford County
Indiana
73.9
Median income: $47,560
O'Brien County
Iowa
73.9
Median income: $68,216
Allen County
Kentucky
73.9
Median income: $59,029

Deep Dives

Fulton County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Fulton County

via TaxByCounty

Fulton offers low rates despite decent home values

Fulton County's effective tax rate of 1.028% ranks well below the national median of 1.317%, placing it in roughly the 25th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $2,118 is substantially lower than the national median of $2,690, even as typical homes approach $206,000 in value.

Fulton ranks among Pennsylvania's lowest-tax counties

At 1.028%, Fulton's effective rate is among the lowest in the state, sitting well below the Pennsylvania average of 1.317%. The median tax bill of $2,118 is roughly $539 lower than the state median, providing meaningful savings to property owners.

Fulton competes well with neighboring counties

Fulton's 1.028% rate is lower than Forest (1.038%), Fayette (1.195%), and Franklin (1.115%), making it one of the region's most tax-efficient counties. A Fulton homeowner pays roughly $200–$1,100 less annually than residents of higher-taxing counties, despite competitive home values.

Median Fulton home costs about $2,118 yearly

A typical Fulton home worth $206,000 carries an annual property tax bill of $2,118. With a mortgage, that bill rises to $2,271; without one, it drops to $1,948.

Fulton homeowners can further reduce taxes via appeals

Even in one of Pennsylvania's lowest-tax counties, assessment errors occur. Requesting an informal review or formal appeal of your property's assessed value could trim another $200–$400 from your annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Fulton County

via CostByCounty

Fulton County Offers Solid Rental Affordability

Fulton County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.5% ranks among the most affordable in this group and sits below both the national average of 15.8% and Pennsylvania's state average of 16.5%. With a median household income of $64,798, local earners maintain healthy financial flexibility for non-housing expenses.

Fulton Ranks in PA's Most Affordable Counties

At 14.5%, Fulton County's rent-to-income ratio is among Pennsylvania's lowest, indicating strong rental affordability relative to local incomes. Monthly rent of $781 sits 19% below the state median of $960, delivering genuine savings compared to statewide norms.

Fulton Balances Affordability with Home Values

Fulton's $781 monthly rent falls between Greene ($754) and Huntingdon ($795), while its $206,000 median home value ranks second-highest in this group after Franklin's $236,300. This combination suggests Fulton attracts buyers seeking newer or better-quality housing stock without the premium costs of Franklin.

Housing Takes Just 14.5% of Household Income

Fulton County households earning $64,798 medially pay $781 for rent or $817 for mortgage, consuming only 14.5% and 15.2% of income respectively—among the region's lowest burdens. This leaves substantial room in budgets for savings, education, and other priorities.

Fulton Delivers Balanced Value and Affordability

If you're relocating to Pennsylvania, Fulton County offers an attractive middle ground: rental affordability at 14.5% of income with median home values of $206,000 that support quality housing stock. Compare Fulton's balance against Franklin's premium pricing ($1,071 rent) or Greene's lower home values ($146,200) to find your best fit.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Fulton County

via IncomeByCounty

Fulton falls slightly behind the nation

Fulton County's median household income of $64,798 trails the national median of $74,755 by $9,957, placing it below the national average but ahead of many rural counties. The gap is modest relative to other Pennsylvania regions, suggesting a moderately healthy economy.

Below Pennsylvania's average income

Fulton's $64,798 income falls $4,816 short of Pennsylvania's state average of $69,614, placing it in the lower-middle tier of the state's 67 counties. The county underperforms regional peers but remains economically stable.

Fulton earns more than western counties

Fulton's $64,798 outearns Forest ($50,061), Fayette ($56,093), Indiana ($58,739), and Erie ($61,476), but trails Franklin ($74,946). Among this group, Fulton occupies a solid middle position with stronger fundamentals than its western neighbors.

Rent exceptionally affordable here

At 14.5%, Fulton's rent-to-income ratio is among the lowest of these eight counties, indicating strong housing affordability. Median home values of $206,000 remain reasonable relative to local incomes, supporting both renting and homeownership.

Capitalize on low housing costs

Fulton households earning $64,798 enjoy an exceptional advantage: below-average housing costs free up income for savings and investment. Prioritize building an emergency fund and exploring homeownership to build equity in an affordable market.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Fulton County

via HealthByCounty

Fulton meets U.S. health expectations

At 75.7 years, Fulton County's life expectancy is just 0.4 years below the U.S. average of 76.1 years, indicating solid population health. With 17.1% reporting poor or fair health—below the 17.9% national average—Fulton shows good chronic disease management and preventive care uptake.

Fulton ranks near Pennsylvania average

Fulton's 75.7-year life expectancy is 0.7 years below Pennsylvania's 76.4 average, placing it in the middle tier of the state's health rankings. The county's 17.1% poor/fair health rate is among the state's better outcomes, suggesting effective health system function.

Fulton shows balanced health profile

Fulton's 75.7-year life expectancy sits between struggling counties like Forest (70.9) and Fayette (72.5) and healthier peers like Franklin (77.2), reflecting a rural county with modest but functional health infrastructure. At 21 primary care providers per 100K, Fulton has limited routine care capacity, but 62 mental health providers per 100K suggests emerging behavioral health focus.

Low uninsured rate, limited primary care

Fulton's 6.1% uninsured rate—the joint-lowest among the eight counties—means most residents have a healthcare pathway. However, with just 21 primary care providers per 100K, residents face significant access delays and may rely on emergency departments for preventive care.

Fulton residents: maintain your coverage

Fulton's already-low uninsured rate shows most residents understand coverage's value; if you're among the 6.1% without insurance, closing that gap is urgent. Call 1-800-318-2596 or visit healthcare.gov to explore your options and secure coverage before open enrollment closes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Fulton County

via RiskByCounty

Fulton County ranks among America's safest

With a composite risk score of just 7.76, Fulton County sits in the bottom 1% nationally for natural disaster risk—an exceptional "Very Low" rating. This score places Fulton among the most secure counties in the entire United States.

Second-safest county in Pennsylvania

Fulton's 7.76 score is the second-lowest in Pennsylvania, falling far below the state average of 67.45. Only Forest County offers even lower disaster risk in the commonwealth.

Safer than all adjacent counties

Fulton's 7.76 composite score dramatically outperforms neighboring Huntingdon (50.25), Franklin (76.40), and Maryland counties. The county's rural, inland location away from seismic zones and storm tracks drives this exceptional safety.

Hurricane risk the only notable concern

Even in ultra-low-risk Fulton, hurricane risk registers at 71.21—still moderate but exceptional for Pennsylvania's interior. All other hazards score well below state averages, with wildfire (22.77) and tornado (15.49) risks minimal.

Standard insurance meets your needs

Fulton County residents can confidently rely on basic homeowner's insurance without specialized riders for floods or earthquakes. An annual policy review suffices; Fulton offers some of the lowest natural disaster risk in the nation.

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.