Geauga County

Ohio · OH

#68 in Ohio
64.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Geauga County, Ohio

Geauga County surpasses national livability median

Geauga County's composite score of 63.0 beats the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 67th percentile nationally. The county delivers above-average livability compared to typical American counties, though with less cushion than top performers.

Slightly below Ohio's county average

Geauga County scores 63.0 versus Ohio's state average of 68.8, falling about 5.8 points short of the typical Ohio county. This positions it in the middle of the state's livability spectrum, with stronger and weaker options available statewide.

Highest income levels in the region

Geauga County's income score of 49.2 stands out among these counties, backed by a median household income of $100,783—nearly $30,000 above the median. This makes Geauga ideal for affluent households seeking suburban living with strong earning potential.

Higher housing and tax costs

The median home value of $305,100 and gross rent of $1,018 monthly rank among the highest, reflecting the county's more affluent character and higher cost of living. An effective tax rate of 1.486% also runs above the lowest-tax counties, and key data on safety, health, and schools remain unavailable.

Best for affluent suburban professionals

Geauga County appeals most to high-income families and professionals seeking upscale suburban living within commuting distance of major employment centers. The higher price point reflects premium housing and lifestyle amenities catering to wealthier households.

Score breakdown

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

Tax60.5Cost68.4SafetyComing SoonHealth75.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome49.2Risk39.7WaterComing Soon
🏛60.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠68.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼49.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
75.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
39.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Geauga County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Geauga County

via TaxByCounty

Geauga ranks in top 10% for property taxes

Geauga County's effective tax rate of 1.486% far exceeds the national median of 0.95%, and the median property tax of $4,533 sits 69% above the national median of $2,690. This affluent Cleveland suburb carries one of America's highest residential property tax burdens.

Second-highest tax rate in Ohio

Geauga's effective rate of 1.486% ranks among Ohio's highest, exceeded only by Greene County's 1.690%. The median tax of $4,533 is more than double Ohio's $2,145 state average.

Premium pricing for suburban living

Geauga's $4,533 median tax significantly exceeds Franklin ($4,110) and Hamilton ($3,461), driven by the county's $305,100 median home value—the highest among these eight counties. Geauga's desirable Cleveland suburbs command both high home prices and high taxes.

Median home costs $4,533 yearly in taxes

A typical Geauga County home valued at $305,100 generates approximately $4,533 in annual property taxes. With mortgage considerations, annual taxes may reach $4,693—a substantial year-round expense.

High taxes justify careful assessment review

With median tax bills exceeding $4,500, even a 3% overassessment costs homeowners over $130 annually. Geauga County residents should strongly consider hiring a professional appraiser to challenge potentially inflated assessed values.

Cost of Living in Geauga County

via CostByCounty

Geauga County: affluent and manageable

Geauga County residents spend just 12.1% of income on rent, beating the national average of 15.6% by over 3 percentage points. With median household income at $100,783—the highest among these eight counties—housing burdens feel lighter despite higher absolute costs.

Ohio's most affordable affluent county

Geauga County's rent-to-income ratio of 12.1% is Ohio's best, well below the state average of 15.6%. This suburban county combines high incomes and managed housing costs for genuinely easy affordability.

Premium homes, premium incomes

Geauga County's median home value of $305,100 far exceeds nearby Franklin ($265,700) and Greene ($238,000) counties, yet its rent-to-income ratio remains the lowest. Household incomes here average $100,783, enabling comfortable homeownership despite higher absolute prices.

Wealth makes housing easy

Renters pay $1,018 monthly and homeowners $1,415 against median income of $100,783, consuming just 12% and 17% respectively. Even with the state's highest home values, Geauga households dedicate the smallest share of earnings to housing.

Geauga rewards well-earning relocators

If your household income exceeds $90,000 and you seek quality suburban living, Geauga County delivers outstanding affordability despite premium housing prices. Verify your industry has strong local employment before moving, as this county's prosperity depends on high-earning sectors.

Income & Jobs in Geauga County

via IncomeByCounty

Geauga outearns nation by 35%

Geauga County's median household income of $100,783 towers $26,028 above the national median of $74,755, ranking it in the top 10% of U.S. counties. This exceptional income reflects a highly educated, affluent suburban population anchored by Cleveland's prosperous eastern suburbs.

Ohio's wealthiest county region

Geauga County's $100,783 income leads all eight counties in this dataset and ranks among Ohio's very wealthiest, outpacing the state average of $68,101 by 48%. Per capita income of $50,431 is 41% above the state average of $35,642, indicating sustained prosperity across the workforce.

Commands income lead over peers

Geauga County's $100,783 income stands $15,565 ahead of Greene County ($85,218), the second-highest earner in this group, and $28,000 above Franklin County ($73,795). Its income advantage over rural counties like Gallia ($56,455) and Guernsey ($55,756) exceeds 80%, reflecting profound regional economic disparities.

Wealth supports homeownership easily

Despite a median home value of $305,100—the highest in this dataset—Geauga County's rent-to-income ratio of only 12.1% demonstrates that even expensive homes remain highly affordable for these high-earning households. This ratio leaves substantial room for savings, investments, and discretionary spending.

High earners must maximize tax-advantaged investing

Geauga County households earning $100,783 can leverage their income advantage through maxed-out 401(k) contributions ($23,000 annually), backdoor Roth IRAs, and taxable brokerage accounts to build generational wealth. Strategic tax planning with a financial advisor becomes increasingly valuable at this income level, potentially saving tens of thousands annually.

Health in Geauga County

via HealthByCounty

Geauga County defies Ohio health trends

Geauga County's life expectancy of 80 years ranks among the nation's best, exceeding the U.S. average by 3.9 years and Ohio's average by 5.2 years. With only 15.6% reporting poor or fair health, the county represents one of Ohio's healthiest pockets.

Geauga County's health stands out statewide

At 80 years, Geauga County's life expectancy ranks among Ohio's highest, outpacing the state average of 74.8 years by 5.2 years. The county's 15.6% poor/fair health rate indicates strong population wellness and access to preventive care.

Geauga leads Greater Cleveland health outcomes

Geauga County's 80-year life expectancy significantly exceeds neighboring Franklin County (75.5 years) and Hamilton County (75.5 years), reflecting suburban affluence and healthcare access. The county's smaller provider network (69 primary care per 100K) works effectively, suggesting high health literacy and preventive care culture.

Geauga's uninsured rate remains elevated

Despite its strong health outcomes, Geauga County's 9.2% uninsured rate exceeds Ohio's average of 7.5%, suggesting coverage gaps persist even in wealthy areas. The county provides adequate provider density (69 primary care and 270 mental health per 100K), making insurance access the primary barrier to care.

Close coverage gaps in Geauga County

Even in a healthier county, 9.2% of Geauga residents lack health insurance—a gap worth closing immediately. Visit healthcare.gov or contact your employer's benefits office to secure coverage and maintain the county's strong health trajectory.

Disaster Risk in Geauga County

via RiskByCounty

Geauga County modestly exceeds national risk average

With a composite risk score of 60.27, Geauga County sits slightly above the typical U.S. county profile, indicating relatively low but measurable hazard exposure. The county faces well-distributed risks across multiple disaster types rather than concentrated vulnerability.

Slightly elevated risk within Ohio

Geauga County's score of 60.27 marginally exceeds Ohio's state average of 55.03, placing it in the middle range of state counties. The northeast location and Lake Erie proximity contribute to its specific risk profile.

In line with northeastern Ohio peers

Geauga County's 60.27 score closely tracks neighboring Lake and Ashtabula Counties, which occupy similar risk bands. The region's shared topography and weather patterns create comparable hazard exposures across the county cluster.

Flooding and severe weather dominate exposure

Flood risk reaches 73.28 in Geauga County, the most significant hazard, while tornado risk scores 59.57 and wildfire risk 42.27. Earthquake risk (46.15) remains moderate but warrants attention given the county's proximity to seismic zones.

Dual coverage recommended for comprehensive protection

Geauga County residents in flood zones should obtain separate flood insurance, as standard policies exclude water damage from rising waters or heavy precipitation. A secure safe room rated for tornadoes and regular home maintenance to address wildfire defensibility around structures provide layered protection against the county's primary threats.

ByCounty Network

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