CountyScore

Guernsey County

Ohio · OH

#34 in Ohio
68.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Guernsey County, Ohio

Guernsey County ranks in top quartile nationally

Guernsey County's composite score of 71.0 significantly outpaces the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 81st percentile nationally. The county demonstrates strong livability that surpasses the majority of American counties.

Exceeds Ohio's county average

Guernsey County scores 71.0, just above Ohio's state average of 68.8, ranking it among Ohio's better-performing counties. The county stands solidly in the upper tier of Ohio's livability landscape.

Exceptional affordability and tax advantage

Guernsey County excels with a cost score of 81.7 and tax score of 73.8, offering minimal housing expenses with median rent of $803 monthly and homes at $154,100. The effective tax rate of 1.013% ranks among the nation's lowest, creating exceptional financial efficiency.

Lowest income levels among peers

Guernsey County's income score of 19.8 represents the lowest across these counties, with median household income of just $55,756. Safety, health, schools, and environmental assessments are not yet available, limiting the complete livability picture.

Ideal for income-independent retirees

Guernsey County best suits retirees and those with external income sources (pensions, investments, remote work) seeking minimal living costs. The ultra-low tax and housing environment makes it excellent for stretching fixed incomes, though local job opportunities are limited.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73.8Cost81.7SafetyComing SoonHealth64SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.8Risk62.5WaterComing Soon
🏛73.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼19.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤64
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡62.5
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 Guernsey County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

DeKalb County
Alabama
68.5
Median income: $51,149
Russell County
Alabama
68.5
Median income: $50,046
Talladega County
Alabama
68.5
Median income: $56,249
Dodge County
Georgia
68.5
Median income: $50,152
Rice County
Kansas
68.5
Median income: $63,947

Deep Dives

Guernsey County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Guernsey County

via TaxByCounty

Guernsey offers tax relief vs. national norm

Guernsey County's effective tax rate of 1.013% slightly exceeds the national median of 0.95%, but the median property tax of $1,561 falls 42% below the national median of $2,690. Rural Guernsey keeps tax bills modest despite above-median rates.

Below-average taxes for Ohio

Guernsey's rate of 1.013% sits below Ohio's state average of 1.148%, making it one of the more affordable counties statewide. The median tax of $1,561 is 27% lower than Ohio's $2,145 state median.

Middle ground among rural Ohio counties

Guernsey's $1,561 median tax falls between Gallia's $1,351 (lowest) and Hancock's $1,966, positioning it in the affordable tier of rural eastern Ohio. Home values averaging $154,100 keep the overall tax burden light.

Median home costs $1,561 yearly in taxes

A typical Guernsey County home valued at $154,100 generates approximately $1,561 in annual property taxes. Mortgaged homes may see modest increases to $1,659 due to escrow additions.

Even rural homeowners should verify value

Assessment errors affect all counties equally—rural Guernsey is no exception. Cross-check your assessed value against recent sales of similar properties and file an appeal if your home is overvalued relative to market comparables.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Guernsey County

via CostByCounty

Guernsey County stretches housing budgets

Guernsey County residents spend 17.3% of income on rent, above the national average of 15.6%, despite rural Ohio rents of just $803. Like nearby Gallia County, the real challenge here is depressed incomes: median household earnings of $55,756 rank among Ohio's lowest.

Rural affordability test: income matters more

Guernsey County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.3% exceeds Ohio's 15.6% state average, placing it among less affordable counties despite cheap rents. The median income of $55,756 is Ohio's second-lowest among these eight counties.

Cheap rent, tight squeeze

Guernsey County's $803 median rent nearly matches Gallia County's $798 and undercuts Fulton's $832, offering some of Ohio's cheapest housing. However, income levels ($55,756) are comparably depressed, making the affordability ratio still challenging.

Low rents can't overcome low wages

Renters here spend $803 monthly and homeowners $806 against median income of just $55,756, consuming 17% and 17% respectively. The absolute costs are manageable, but limited earnings make any housing expense feel substantial.

Guernsey County for remote workers only

Guernsey County's bargain rents appeal primarily to remote workers or retirees whose income arrives from outside the county. Local job seekers should carefully research Guernsey's limited employment landscape before relocating based on housing costs alone.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Guernsey County

via IncomeByCounty

Guernsey trails nation by 25%

Guernsey County's median household income of $55,756 falls $18,999 below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lowest income quartile nationally. This gap reflects a rural, post-industrial economy with limited high-wage job opportunities.

Among Ohio's most economically challenged

Guernsey County's $55,756 median income ranks among Ohio's lowest, trailing the state average of $68,101 by $12,345. Per capita income of $32,089 falls short of the state average of $35,642, signaling systemic economic strain.

Mirrors rural peer Gallia County

Guernsey County's $55,756 income nearly mirrors Gallia County ($56,455) to the southwest, suggesting shared rural challenges across southeastern Ohio. Both counties lag peers like Greene ($85,218) and Geauga ($100,783) to the west and north by more than 50%.

Low housing costs provide refuge

Guernsey County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.3% and median home value of just $154,100 mean housing remains affordable—one of the few bright spots for residents on limited incomes. This housing affordability prevents deeper financial distress but does little to address the underlying income shortfall.

Small contributions compound over time

Guernsey County households earning $55,756 face tight budgets, but even $25 monthly ($300 yearly) into a long-term investment account grows to $18,000+ over 20 years with market returns. Prioritizing any available retirement match from employers and using low-cost index funds maximizes wealth-building potential on limited means.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Guernsey County

via HealthByCounty

Guernsey County faces steep health decline

Guernsey County's life expectancy of 72.5 years lags the U.S. average by 3.6 years, with 22.6% reporting poor or fair health—among the worst rates in Ohio. The county's combination of low longevity and high health burden reflects deep rural and economic challenges.

Guernsey County ranks among Ohio's unhealthiest

At 72.5 years, Guernsey County's life expectancy falls 2.3 years below Ohio's state average of 74.8 years, placing it in the bottom tier. The county's 22.6% poor/fair health rate ranks among the state's worst, signaling concentrated poverty and chronic disease.

Guernsey's struggles mirror rural Appalachian Ohio

Guernsey County's 72.5-year life expectancy ranks second-lowest among surveyed counties, better only than Gallia (71.7 years), and trails Greene County by nearly 5 years. The county's sparse primary care network (37 per 100K) compounds access barriers in this economically struggling region.

Insurance barriers compound Guernsey's health crisis

Guernsey County's 8.3% uninsured rate matches Gallia County's, leaving nearly 2,000 residents without health coverage in a county already struggling with chronic disease. The county's critically low primary care provider density (37 per 100K) means even insured residents face severe access barriers.

Guernsey County: Get health coverage now

With 8.3% uninsured and severe health challenges, Guernsey County residents must prioritize health coverage immediately. Call 1-800-318-2596 or visit healthcare.gov to explore Medicaid expansion and marketplace subsidies designed for counties facing economic hardship.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Guernsey County

via RiskByCounty

Guernsey County ranks among safest U.S. counties

With a composite risk score of 37.50, Guernsey County sits well below the national average, placing it in the safer tier of American counties. The county's eastern Ohio location and terrain create relatively low exposure across most hazard categories.

Below-average risk within Ohio

Guernsey County's score of 37.50 sits comfortably below Ohio's state average of 55.03, ranking it among the safer Ohio counties. The rural, eastern location insulates it from many of the natural disaster pressures affecting more populated state areas.

Among the lowest-risk counties in region

Guernsey County's 37.50 score outperforms surrounding Jefferson and Belmont Counties, which score in the 42–50 range. Its position in eastern Ohio provides protection from major flood corridors and high-frequency tornado paths.

Flood and earthquake pose modest threats

Guernsey County's flood risk reaches 58.91 and earthquake risk 38.49, both manageable compared to state and national benchmarks. Tornado risk (36.77) and hurricane risk (40.72) remain well-controlled, with wildfire risk negligible at 31.11.

Standard insurance meets most protection needs

Guernsey County's low overall risk means standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate coverage for most residents. Homeowners in flood-prone valley areas should still consider flood insurance as a prudent addition, and a basic emergency preparedness plan ensures readiness for the modest tornado and earthquake risks the county faces.

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.