countyscore
45.5
County Score
Soil Quality 80.3Lawn Care 72.1Property Tax 57.9

County Report Card

About Grant County, Indiana

Grant County Navigates National Averages

Grant County earns a composite score of 47.6, placing it slightly below the national median of 50.0. While it faces some headwinds, it remains competitive with many other Midwestern counties of similar size. The score reflects a community in transition with specific areas of high value.

A More Affordable Indiana Alternative

With a score of 47.6, Grant County trails the Indiana state average of 55.9. However, this lower score is largely driven by economic factors rather than high costs, as the county remains a leader in affordability. It provides a niche for residents looking to minimize housing expenses within the state.

Deep Affordability and Low Taxes

Grant County excels in cost of living with a score of 60.4 and a median home value of just $116,000. The tax score of 65.3 also benefits residents through an effective tax rate of 0.681%. These factors make it one of the most budget-friendly locations for housing in the region.

Boosting Economic and Safety Metrics

The county faces significant challenges with an income score of 22.8 and a safety score of 37.4. The median household income of $54,007 is lower than state and national benchmarks. Addressing these socioeconomic factors is key to improving the overall quality of life for current residents.

Best for Budget-First Homeowners

Grant County is most attractive to individuals prioritizing low-cost housing and low taxes. With a median rent of $799, it offers some of the most attainable living costs in Indiana. It is a practical choice for retirees or those on fixed incomes looking to maximize their purchasing power.

2040608010057.95737.439.843.518.530.656.855Tax57.9Cost57Safety37.4Health39.8Schools43.5Income18.5Risk30.6Water56.8Weather5545.5/100
This county
National avg
5 below average

Grant County DNA

Foverall

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

Grant County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Income (18.5/100), though Cost of Living (57/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
57.9
Cost
57+9
Safety
37.4-17.6
Health
39.8-10.200000000000003
Schools
43.5-10.5
Income
18.5-32.5
Risk
30.6-16.4
Water
56.8
Weather
55
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Compare mortgage rates in Grant County

Whether buying or refinancing in Grant County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$122,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$853/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$122,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$34,120/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $53,522/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

13.6

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

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Counties with similar scores

Dale County
Alabama
Median income: $54,963
45.5
Ouachita County
Arkansas
Median income: $49,268
45.5
Hamilton County
Florida
Median income: $50,144
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Dubuque County
Iowa
Median income: $77,630
45.5
McCracken County
Kentucky
Median income: $64,373
45.5
Oxford County
Maine
Median income: $60,173
45.5
Lincoln County
Missouri
Median income: $89,278
45.5
Lincoln County
North Carolina
Median income: $80,016
45.5

Nearby counties

Blackford County
Indiana
60.6
Wells County
Indiana
65.7
Delaware County
Indiana
40
Huntington County
Indiana
54.3
Tipton County
Indiana
65.1
Madison County
Indiana
41.6
Miami County
Indiana
61.6
Wabash County
Indiana
60.7

Deep Dives

Grant County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Grant County

via TaxByCounty

Grant County taxes remain quite low nationally

Grant County's effective tax rate of 0.681% ranks in the bottom 25% nationwide, making it a tax-friendly community. Residents pay just $790 annually on a median home of $116,000—less than 30% of the national median tax bill of $2,690.

Slightly above Indiana average, still reasonable

At 0.681%, Grant County's effective rate hovers just above Indiana's average of 0.671%. The median annual tax of $790 falls well below the state median of $1,199, reflecting the county's modestly valued homes.

Competitive tax rates across central Indiana

Grant County's 0.681% rate aligns closely with Hancock County (0.680%) and undercuts Greene County (0.689%) and Gibson County (0.730%). The tax differences are minimal across this region, making local services more important than tax rates to homeowners.

Grant homeowners pay modest annual taxes

A typical Grant County home worth $116,000 generates an annual property tax bill of just $790. This makes property ownership remarkably affordable, with taxes adding only $861 when mortgage-related assessments are included.

Even modest bills can be reduced through appeals

Grant County homeowners often overpay on property taxes due to outdated or inflated assessments. Filing an appeal with the county assessor can verify your home's true market value and potentially lower your tax liability.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Grant County

via IncomeByCounty

Grant faces steepest income challenge

Grant County's median household income of $54,007 trails the national median of $74,755 by $20,748—a sobering 28% gap. The county ranks among the lower-income counties nationally, reflecting structural economic headwinds.

Lowest income among these eight

Grant's $54,007 median household income falls $14,674 below Indiana's state average of $68,681. The county faces tougher economic conditions than most other Indiana counties, demanding focus on workforce development.

Significant gap from nearby counties

Grant's $54,007 lags well behind neighboring Fulton ($62,878) and Greene ($59,753), representing the lowest income in this regional cluster. The gap suggests Grant residents face different employment and wage challenges.

Housing affordability pressures emerge

Grant's 17.8% rent-to-income ratio is the highest among these counties, straining household budgets on modest incomes. A $116,000 median home value is affordable, but renters shoulder proportionally higher costs.

Strategic career moves matter most

Grant County households benefit most from investing in education, certifications, and job transitions that boost earning power directly. Even modest increases in household income—through job changes or additional earners—create meaningful wealth-building capacity.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Grant County

via CrimeByCounty

Grant County Crime Below National Levels

Grant County reports a total crime rate of 1,442.3 per 100,000, which remains nearly 1,000 points lower than the national average of 2,385.5. The county earns a respectable safety score of 97.7.

Closing the Gap with State Averages

The county's safety score of 97.7 is slightly lower than the Indiana state average of 98.9. Four local agencies work together to manage crime rates in this active community.

Navigating Safety in Central Indiana

Grant County's crime rate of 1,442.3 is higher than neighbor Hancock County's rate of 1,183.7. However, it still maintains a lower overall rate than many high-density urban centers.

Property Crime Dominates Local Reports

Property crime accounts for 1,331.1 of the total rate, while violent crime stays relatively low at 111.2 per 100,000. For every violent incident, there are roughly 12 property-related reports.

Protecting Assets in Grant County

With property crime as the primary concern, residents should focus on securing homes and vehicles. Visible security cameras and bright perimeter lighting serve as effective deterrents against theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Grant County

via WeatherByCounty

Cooler Temperatures and Balanced Precipitation

Grant County averages 50.4°F annually, which is over three degrees cooler than the national median of 53.8°F. The county experiences a typical humid continental climate with four distinct and well-defined seasons.

Below the Indiana Temperature Average

The county's average temperature of 50.4°F sits below the Indiana state average of 52.2°F. Precipitation is also slightly lower than the state mean, with 41.8 inches of annual rainfall compared to 43.9 inches.

Moderate Snowfall Compared to Northern Neighbors

Grant County sees 24.5 inches of snow, which is significantly less than Elkhart’s 41 inches but more than southern neighbors like Franklin. Its 14 extreme heat days are standard for central Indiana counties.

Temperate Summers and Bracing Winters

Summers are manageable with a July average of 73.2°F and two weeks of extreme heat. Winters are chilly, averaging 28.0°F from December to February with two feet of snow distributed throughout the season.

Seasonal Maintenance for a Four-Season Climate

Residents should plan for a balanced climate by prepping snow shovels for the 24.5-inch winter and checking AC units for the 14 days of summer heat. Home gardens benefit from the consistent 41.8 inches of annual precipitation.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Grant County

via SoilByCounty

Rich silty clay Mollisols dominate Grant

Grant County features silty clay textures and belongs to the fertile Mollisols order. Its average pH of 6.39 is nearly ideal, sitting just below the national median of 6.5 and well above the Indiana average of 6.08. These soils represent some of the most naturally productive land in the Midwest.

Heavy clay mix ensures nutrient retention

The composition includes 49.6% silt and a significant 25.4% clay, providing high structural strength. With only 22.7% sand, this soil can be difficult to work when wet but holds onto fertilizers exceptionally well. The high clay content provides a dense foundation for both roots and structures.

Elite soil score with high water capacity

Grant earns an impressive soil score of 80.3, far exceeding the state average of 71.4. Its available water capacity of 0.202 in/in hits the state benchmark perfectly, while organic matter remains solid at 4.09%. This combination makes the county a powerhouse for high-yield agriculture.

Very poor drainage requires careful planning

Soils here are classified as very poorly drained and belong to hydrologic group C/D. This means the heavy clay and silt trap water, often requiring surface ditches or subsurface tiles to prevent flooding. Backyard gardeners should consider raised beds to avoid 'wet feet' for their plants.

A corn and soybean paradise in 6a

Hardiness zone 6a and the nutrient-dense silty clay make Grant County perfect for row crops and heavy-feeding vegetables. Brassicas like broccoli and cabbage thrive in these moisture-retentive soils. Grab a spade and take advantage of this top-tier Indiana dirt.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Grant County

via LawnByCounty

High scores for Grant County growers

With a difficulty score of 72.1, Grant County is one of the easier places in Indiana to maintain a lawn. This score beats both the state average of 71.0 and the national benchmark of 50.0.

Mild temperatures favor cool-season varieties

The local climate is well-suited for turf, providing 41.8 inches of rain and a manageable 14 extreme heat days. These conditions favor cool-season grasses that thrive within the 3,119 growing degree days available annually.

Silty clay requires drainage management

The soil features an excellent pH of 6.39, but the silty clay texture is classified as very poorly drained. Frequent core aeration is necessary to prevent compaction and waterlogging in this heavy 25.4% clay environment.

Severe drought demands water conservation

Currently, 100% of the county is under severe drought conditions, following 32 weeks of drought over the past year. Adhering to local water restrictions and utilizing drought-resistant seed blends is critical for lawn survival right now.

Seeding for the long term

Kentucky Bluegrass thrives here, especially when established in late spring after the April 26 frost. Ensure your lawn is well-rooted before the first frost typically arrives on October 20.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Grant County's county score?
Grant County, Indiana has a composite county score of 45.5 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 Grant County rank among counties in Indiana?
Grant County ranks #77 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 Grant County, Indiana?
The median annual property tax in Grant County is $884, with an effective tax rate of 0.72%. This earns Grant County a tax score of 57.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Grant County?
The median household income in Grant County, Indiana is $53,522 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Grant County earns an income score of 18.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Grant County, Indiana a good place to live?
Grant County scores 45.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #77 in Indiana. The best way to evaluate Grant 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 Grant 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.