CountyScore

Gallia County

Ohio · OH

#29 in Ohio
68.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Gallia County, Ohio

Gallia County ranks well above national benchmark

Gallia County's composite score of 72.1 significantly outperforms the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 84th percentile nationally. The county demonstrates strong livability that exceeds the vast majority of American counties.

Exceeds Ohio's county average

Gallia County scores 72.1, surpassing Ohio's state average of 68.8 by about 3 points, ranking it among the better-performing counties in the state. This puts Gallia solidly in the upper tier of Ohio's livability rankings.

Outstanding affordability and low tax burden

Gallia County dominates on cost (83.6) and tax (74.1) dimensions, offering exceptionally low housing with median rent at $798 monthly and homes valued at just $135,000. The effective tax rate of 1.001% ranks among the lowest in the nation, making this county extraordinarily budget-friendly.

Income levels significantly lag peers

The income score of 20.2—the lowest among these counties—reflects a median household income of just $56,455, a notable gap compared to regional averages. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unavailable, preventing a complete livability assessment.

Ideal for retirees and remote workers

Gallia County suits retirees living on fixed incomes and remote workers whose earnings aren't location-dependent, thanks to rock-bottom housing and tax costs. The trade-off is lower local incomes, making it less suitable for those seeking local employment opportunities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax74.1Cost83.6SafetyComing SoonHealth65.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.2Risk51.7WaterComing Soon
🏛74.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡51.7
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 Gallia County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

La Plata County
Colorado
68.7
Median income: $85,296
Butts County
Georgia
68.7
Median income: $59,221
Adams County
Indiana
68.7
Median income: $63,128
Emmet County
Iowa
68.7
Median income: $65,181
Wichita County
Kansas
68.7
Median income: $71,282

Deep Dives

Gallia County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Gallia County

via TaxByCounty

Gallia offers lowest tax burden nationally

Gallia County's effective tax rate of 1.001% sits above the national median of 0.95%, but the median property tax of just $1,351 ranks among the lowest in America—less than half the national median of $2,690. This reflects both lower rates and modest home values.

Among Ohio's most tax-friendly counties

Gallia's rate of 1.001% falls slightly below Ohio's state average of 1.148%, making it one of the more affordable counties in the state. The median tax of $1,351 is 37% below Ohio's $2,145 state median.

Gallia leads rural Ohio in tax savings

At $1,351, Gallia's median tax is the lowest among comparable rural counties, including Guernsey ($1,561) and Hancock ($1,966). Rural Appalachian Gallia offers notably lower property tax burden than state averages.

Median home costs just $1,351 yearly

A typical Gallia County home valued at $135,000 generates approximately $1,351 in annual property taxes—among the lowest in Ohio. Mortgaged homes may see slightly higher taxes at $1,619 due to escrow adjustments.

Low taxes don't mean skip appeals

Even with modest tax bills, overassessments happen—and a $100 error is still real money. Gallia County homeowners should verify their assessed value matches recent comparable sales to ensure accuracy.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Gallia County

via CostByCounty

Gallia County: cheap rents, low wages

Gallia County residents spend 17.0% of income on rent, above the national 15.6% average, despite median rents of just $798. The challenge here isn't housing cost per se but depressed incomes: the median household earns $56,455, nearly $18,000 below the national average.

Below-average income, above-average burden

Gallia County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.0% exceeds Ohio's 15.6% state average, placing it among the state's less affordable counties despite cheap rents. The median income of $56,455 is Ohio's lowest among these eight counties.

Cheapest rent, but tightest squeeze

Gallia County offers some of the region's cheapest rent at $798 monthly, lower than Guernsey County ($803) and comparable to Fulton County ($832). However, its depressed median income of $56,455 means housing still consumes a larger share of household earnings than in wealthier neighbors.

Low cost masks income problem

Renters here spend $798 monthly against median income of $56,455, consuming 17% of earnings; homeowners pay $688 for 14.6% of income. While housing costs appear affordable in absolute dollars, the real squeeze comes from limited local earning potential.

Gallia suits remote workers seeking value

Gallia County excels for remote workers or retirees whose income isn't tied to local employment, offering rock-bottom housing costs. However, job seekers dependent on local wages should carefully assess Gallia's limited economic opportunities before relocating.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Gallia County

via IncomeByCounty

Gallia earns 25% below U.S. average

Gallia County's median household income of $56,455 falls $18,300 short of the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower quartile of American counties. This income gap reflects an economy shaped by rural industry and lower-wage sectors.

Among Ohio's lowest-income counties

At $56,455, Gallia County ranks in the bottom quarter of Ohio's 88 counties, trailing the state average of $68,101 by $11,646. Per capita income of $30,683 also falls well below the state average of $35,642, signaling structural economic challenges.

Peers share rural income struggles

Gallia County's $56,455 income closely matches Guernsey County ($55,756) across the state, though both substantially lag Geauga County ($100,783) to the north and Greene County ($85,218) to the west. These income gaps reflect the divide between rural southeastern Ohio and more prosperous urban and suburban corridors.

Modest housing offers some relief

Gallia County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.0% is favorable relative to its low median income, because housing costs remain modest at a median home value of $135,000. However, the county's lower incomes mean less financial cushion for emergencies, healthcare, or education expenses beyond housing.

Strategic saving starts small, compounds big

Even in a lower-income county like Gallia, households can build wealth through consistent, modest savings—starting with just $50 or $100 monthly into a high-yield savings account or low-cost index fund. Over decades, small disciplined contributions compound significantly, especially when paired with employer retirement plans or tax-advantaged accounts.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Gallia County

via HealthByCounty

Gallia County faces significant health headwinds

Gallia County's life expectancy of 71.7 years trails the U.S. average by 4.4 years, making it one of Ohio's shortest-lived counties. With 20.5% of residents reporting poor or fair health, the county faces stubborn health inequities reflective of rural Appalachian Ohio.

Gallia ranks near Ohio's health bottom tier

At 71.7 years, Gallia County's life expectancy falls 3.1 years below Ohio's average of 74.8 years, signaling substantial population health challenges. The county's 20.5% poor/fair health rate ranks among the worst in the state, indicating chronic disease burden and unmet healthcare needs.

Gallia struggles among Appalachian peers

Gallia County's 71.7-year life expectancy ranks worst among comparable rural Ohio counties, lagging Guernsey County's 72.5 years and far behind Greene County's 77.3 years. Despite robust mental health provider capacity (518 per 100K), the county's 76 primary care providers per 100K cannot fully address Appalachian health crises.

Insurance gaps persist in Gallia County

Gallia County's 8.3% uninsured rate exceeds Ohio's average by 0.8 percentage points, leaving roughly 1,500 county residents without health coverage. Limited primary care (76 per 100K) and patchy mental health access force residents to travel for care, compounding rural health disadvantages.

Find affordable health coverage in Gallia

With 8.3% of Gallia County uninsured, exploring coverage options is critical to improving health outcomes. Contact the Gallia County Health Department or visit healthcare.gov to qualify for Medicaid expansion or marketplace subsidies tailored to rural incomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Gallia County

via RiskByCounty

Gallia County sits near national risk average

Gallia County's composite risk score of 48.31 falls slightly below the typical U.S. county profile, indicating relatively low but not exceptional protection. The county experiences a balanced mix of hazard exposures with no single catastrophic risk dominating.

Below-average risk for Ohio

At 48.31, Gallia County scores comfortably below Ohio's state average of 55.03, positioning it as a safer-than-typical Ohio location. The county's southern Appalachian setting influences its specific hazard profile.

Similar risk to neighboring counties

Gallia County's 48.31 score aligns with nearby counties like Pike and Jackson, which also fall in the 45–55 range. Its flood risk (67.59) moderately exceeds state averages, reflecting proximity to the Ohio River and tributary systems.

River flooding represents the primary hazard

Flood risk reaches 67.59 in Gallia County, the most significant natural hazard residents face, driven by proximity to the Ohio River and creek systems. Earthquake risk (43.32) and hurricane risk (47.89) pose secondary but meaningful threats, while tornado risk remains relatively moderate at 26.11.

Flood insurance is strongly recommended

Given Gallia County's elevated flood risk of 67.59, residents in flood-prone areas should obtain standalone flood insurance, which is not included in standard homeowners policies. Maintaining proper drainage around your home and knowing your local evacuation routes provides additional protection against seasonal river rises.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.