CountyScore

Hancock County

Ohio · OH

#31 in Ohio
68.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Hancock County, Ohio

Hancock County ranks well above national median

Hancock County's composite score of 69.6 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 79th percentile nationally. The county demonstrates strong livability that outperforms most American counties.

Slightly exceeds Ohio's state average

Hancock County scores 69.6, just above Ohio's state average of 68.8, placing it solidly in Ohio's upper tier of counties. The county ranks among the better-performing options statewide for overall livability.

Outstanding tax and cost efficiency

Hancock County shines with a tax score of 74.1 and cost score of 76.4, offering exceptional housing affordability with median rent of $926 monthly and homes at $196,500. The lowest effective tax rate of 1.000% among all eight counties makes this one of the nation's most tax-efficient places to live.

Income levels remain limited

Hancock County's income score of 28.9 with median household income of $69,699 represents its primary limitation, falling short of wage-earning potential in other counties. Safety, health, schools, environmental risk, and water quality data remain unavailable.

Best for tax-conscious financial planners

Hancock County appeals most to residents prioritizing minimal tax burden and low housing costs, particularly retirees and remote workers with external income sources. The ultra-efficient tax structure makes it ideal for those seeking maximum financial advantage.

Score breakdown

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

Tax74.1Cost76.4SafetyComing SoonHealth73.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.9Risk45.9WaterComing Soon
🏛74.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠76.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28.9
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
⚡45.9
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 Hancock County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Graham County
Arizona
68.6
Median income: $67,326
Saline County
Arkansas
68.6
Median income: $76,534
Catoosa County
Georgia
68.6
Median income: $72,425
Shoshone County
Idaho
68.6
Median income: $49,975
Cumberland County
Illinois
68.6
Median income: $69,826

Deep Dives

Hancock County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Hancock County

via TaxByCounty

Hancock offers favorable tax rates nationally

Hancock County's effective tax rate of 1.000% matches the national median of 0.95%, making it perfectly aligned with America's typical property tax burden. However, the median property tax of $1,966 remains 27% below the national median of $2,690.

Below-average taxes for Ohio

Hancock's rate of 1.000% sits just below Ohio's state average of 1.148%, making it one of the more affordable counties. The median tax of $1,966 is 8% lower than Ohio's $2,145 state median.

Northwest Ohio's middle option

Hancock's $1,966 median tax sits between Fulton ($2,348) to the east and rural Gallia ($1,351) further south, reflecting northwest Ohio's agricultural and small-town character. Hancock offers reasonable property tax costs without the extremes of either region.

Median home costs $1,966 yearly in taxes

A typical Hancock County home valued at $196,500 generates approximately $1,966 in annual property taxes. With mortgage-related adjustments, the total may reach $2,050.

Modest taxes still worth reviewing

Even in affordable counties, overassessments add up over time. Request a free property assessment review through Hancock County's Board of Revision to confirm your home's value matches current market conditions.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Hancock County

via CostByCounty

Hancock County stays near national norm

Hancock County residents spend 15.9% of income on rent, slightly above the national average of 15.6%. With median household income at $69,699 and rent at $926, this northwest Ohio county delivers relatively straightforward housing affordability.

Just above Ohio's affordability average

Hancock County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.9% hovers just above Ohio's 15.6% state average, ranking it in the mid-tier for affordability. The median rent of $926 sits $53 above the state median, reflecting modest regional demand.

Balanced rural-suburban option

Hancock County's $926 median rent exceeds affordable Fulton ($832) but stays well below expensive Franklin ($1,233), with income ($69,699) close to state patterns. It offers a middle path between rural affordability and urban pricing.

Stable, predictable housing costs

Renters here spend $926 monthly and homeowners $1,001 against median income of $69,699, consuming 16% and 17% respectively. Hancock County delivers one of Ohio's most balanced housing-to-income ratios across both renters and owners.

Hancock County suits practical relocators

If you value predictable housing costs without extreme affordability challenges or luxury pricing, Hancock County deserves consideration. Verify that your industry has presence in northwest Ohio before moving, as this county's strength lies in solid, unglamorous affordability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Hancock County

via IncomeByCounty

Hancock slightly below national average

Hancock County's median household income of $69,699 trails the national median of $74,755 by $5,056, positioning it modestly below the U.S. average. The gap reflects a regional economy less robust than the nation's largest metropolitan areas, though still solidly middle-class.

Edging above Ohio's middle

At $69,699, Hancock County exceeds Ohio's state average of $68,101 by $1,598, placing it in the middle-to-upper tier of Ohio's 88 counties. Per capita income of $39,313 also tops the state average of $35,642 by 11%, signaling reasonable earning capacity across the population.

Moderate income in diverse company

Hancock County's $69,699 income ranks below Franklin ($73,795) and Fulton ($72,866) to the south and east, but exceeds Gallia ($56,455) and Guernsey ($55,756) to the southeast. Its position reflects a small-city county economy with stable manufacturing and agriculture sectors.

Housing costs remain reasonable

Hancock County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.9% means housing consumes just under one-sixth of household income, well within the 30% affordability standard. At a median home value of $196,500, homeownership is achievable for middle-income families with conventional financing.

Stable employment enables consistent saving

Hancock County's modest $69,699 median income provides enough breathing room for families to set aside $200–300 monthly for long-term investing, especially if housing costs remain controlled. Automating contributions to employer 401(k)s and individual IRAs transforms steady paychecks into generational wealth over 25–30 years.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Hancock County

via HealthByCounty

Hancock County's health tracks near U.S. average

Hancock County's life expectancy of 76.1 years sits just below the U.S. average of 76.1 years, with 17.1% reporting poor or fair health. The county's solid longevity and moderate health burden reflect typical outcomes for rural northwest Ohio.

Hancock County outpaces Ohio health average

At 76.1 years, Hancock County's life expectancy exceeds Ohio's state average of 74.8 years by 1.3 years, placing it among the state's healthier counties. The county's 17.1% poor/fair health rate ranks slightly below the state typical, indicating effective disease management.

Hancock competes well in northwest Ohio

Hancock County's 76.1-year life expectancy ranks well among rural peers, trailing Fulton County (76.4 years) but ahead of Gallia (71.7 years) and Guernsey (72.5 years). The county's limited provider networks (52 primary care and 232 mental health per 100K) reflect rural constraints typical of northwest Ohio.

Hancock County maintains solid insurance rates

At 6.5% uninsured, Hancock County slightly exceeds Ohio's state average of 7.5%, suggesting strong insurance enrollment despite rural limitations. However, the county's modest primary care density (52 per 100K) means insured residents may still face travel barriers for routine care.

Maintain Hancock County's coverage gains

With 93.5% of Hancock County residents insured, the county has built strong coverage momentum—help close remaining gaps for the 6.5% uninsured. Visit healthcare.gov or contact your local health department to assist uninsured neighbors in finding affordable plans.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Hancock County

via RiskByCounty

Hancock County sits near national risk average

Hancock County's composite risk score of 54.07 aligns closely with the typical U.S. county profile, indicating a balanced but not exceptional hazard exposure. The county faces manageable risks across most disaster categories without concentration in any single threat.

Close to Ohio's average risk level

Hancock County's score of 54.07 sits just marginally below Ohio's state average of 55.03, placing it squarely in the middle range of state counties. The northwestern location and agricultural character define its risk profile.

Similar risk to surrounding northwestern counties

Hancock County's 54.07 score tracks closely with neighboring Fulton (33.56) and Putnam Counties, which occupy comparable risk bands. The region's shared landscape and weather patterns create aligned hazard exposures across the county cluster.

Tornado and flood risks warrant attention

Tornado risk reaches 67.33 in Hancock County, followed by flood risk at 65.39, making severe weather the primary natural hazard concern. Earthquake risk (60.59) adds a secondary but measurable threat, while wildfire risk remains exceptionally low at just 1.88.

Standard coverage with weather preparedness focus

Hancock County residents should ensure homeowners policies are current and consider flood insurance if in a flood zone, given the county's moderate flood exposure of 65.39. A storm shelter or safe room rated for tornadoes and a weather radio provide practical protection against the county's primary natural disaster risk.

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.