countyscore
61.4
County Score
Property Tax 80.4Lawn Care 74Income & Jobs 72.2

County Report Card

About Harrison County, Indiana

Harrison County Outperforms National Median

Harrison County earns a composite score of 60.1, significantly higher than the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a well-rounded profile with strengths in both fiscal policy and safety. It ranks as a top-tier county for overall quality of life on a national scale.

A Leading Indiana County

Exceeding the state average of 55.9, Harrison County is one of the more desirable places to live in Southern Indiana. Its score of 60.1 highlights a community that is performing better than many of its neighbors. This success is driven by a balanced approach to economic health and public safety.

Favorable Taxes and High Incomes

The county excels with a tax score of 81.1, featuring a low effective tax rate of 0.545%. Its income score is also impressive at 72.4, with a healthy median household income of $72,468. This fiscal strength allows residents to keep more of what they earn.

Addressing Housing Costs and Risk

A cost score of 41.8 shows that while not expensive by national standards, housing is becoming more competitive with a median home value of $219,200. The risk score of 49.0 also suggests a need for continued focus on resilience against natural hazards. These areas represent the primary hurdles for future development.

A Top Choice for Fiscally-Minded Families

Harrison County is best suited for families and retirees looking for low taxes and a safe environment. The combination of high safety (72.1) and high income (72.4) makes it a very stable place to build a life. It offers a high-value proposition for those who want a strong return on their residency.

2040608010080.449.172.157.946.872.24967.161.5Tax80.4Cost49.1Safety72.1Health57.9Schools46.8Income72.2Risk49Water67.1Weather61.561.4/100
This county
National avg
3 above average

Harrison County DNA

Doverall

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

Harrison County excels in 4 of 9 measured dimensions, led by Property Tax (80.4/100). A few areas trail the national average, including Schools (46.8/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
80.4+28.400000000000006
Cost
49.1
Safety
72.1+17.099999999999994
Health
57.9
Schools
46.8
Income
72.2+21.200000000000003
Risk
49
Water
67.1+9.099999999999994
Weather
61.5
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$229,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$836/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$229,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$33,440/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $74,475/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

17.6

per 100K

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

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Meade County
Kentucky
58.3
Floyd County
Indiana
43.8
Jefferson County
Kentucky
33.9
Crawford County
Indiana
61.5
Bullitt County
Kentucky
49.8
Hardin County
Kentucky
48.6
Clark County
Indiana
39.1
Washington County
Indiana
57.6

Deep Dives

Harrison County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Harrison County

via TaxByCounty

Harrison has Indiana's lowest tax rate

Harrison County's effective tax rate of 0.545% ranks in the lowest 5% nationally—Indiana's most tax-friendly county in this analysis. At $1,195 annually on a median home of $219,200, Harrison homeowners enjoy remarkable tax efficiency on reasonably valued properties.

Lowest-taxed county statewide by far

At 0.545%, Harrison County's effective rate sits well below Indiana's average of 0.671%, the second-lowest in the state analysis. The median tax of $1,195 runs just below the state median of $1,199, showing exceptional efficiency on above-average-valued homes.

Dramatic tax savings versus surrounding counties

Harrison County's 0.545% rate beats every surrounding county, including Fulton (0.514%, which taxes only lower-valued homes). A Harrison homeowner with the county median home value would save $250–400 annually compared to residents in neighboring Hancock County.

Harrison homeowners pay efficient tax bills

A typical Harrison County home valued at $219,200 generates an annual property tax bill of just $1,195. This remarkable tax-to-value ratio makes Harrison an exceptionally affordable county for middle-class homeowners seeking tax efficiency.

Even low rates deserve assessment verification

Harrison County's favorable tax environment doesn't guarantee accurate assessments. Homeowners should verify that their assessments reflect recent neighborhood sales; even in tax-friendly counties, appeals can yield modest but meaningful savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Harrison County

via IncomeByCounty

Harrison nearly matches national income

Harrison County's median household income of $72,468 approaches the national median of $74,755, trailing by just $2,287—a 3% difference. The county performs near the U.S. average, suggesting solid economic health relative to national benchmarks.

Right at Indiana's average income

At $72,468, Harrison slightly exceeds Indiana's state average of $68,681 by $3,787, placing it comfortably above the state median. The county performs better than most of Indiana's counties on household earnings.

Upper tier of this regional group

Harrison's $72,468 trails Hendricks and Hamilton but leads all other counties in this survey by $8,000-$18,000. The county benefits from proximity to Louisville metro and Ohio River commerce.

Best housing affordability in group

Harrison's 14.3% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest among all eight counties, providing exceptional housing affordability. The $219,200 median home value pairs excellently with $72,468 median household income.

Balanced incomes fuel steady wealth

Harrison families with solid incomes and the lowest housing-cost burdens can commit comfortably to retirement savings and regular investments. The combination of above-average earning and superior affordability creates ideal conditions for building substantial long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Harrison County

via CrimeByCounty

Harrison County Shows Strong Safety Profile

Harrison County features a total crime rate of 665.2 per 100,000, well under the national average of 2,385.5. The county receives a safety score of 98.9.

Matching the Indiana State Average

Harrison County's safety score of 98.9 exactly matches the Indiana state average. Two reporting agencies provide comprehensive data to keep local residents informed and safe.

Mixed Safety Comparisons with Neighbors

Harrison's crime rate of 665.2 is higher than Gibson County's 469.6. However, it maintains a much lower crime profile than several other counties in the region.

Property Crime Levels Remain Low

The property crime rate is 496.4, while violent crime is 168.8 per 100,000. Violent crime is less than half the national average, making the county safer than most U.S. regions.

Protect Your Family and Property

Security starts at the front door with reliable locks and entry sensors. Local crime data suggests that property crime is the most likely threat to residential peace of mind.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Harrison County

via WeatherByCounty

A High-Precipitation Regional Climate

While specific temperature data is limited, Harrison County receives a high 47.3 inches of annual precipitation. This rainfall total exceeds many national averages for temperate regions.

Damp Conditions in Southern Indiana

The county’s 47.3 inches of rain is notably higher than the Indiana state average of 43.9 inches. Residents experience a wetter climate than many of their northern state counterparts.

Wetter Than the Central State

Compared to nearby Jackson County's 49.3 inches, Harrison is slightly drier but still more humid than central Indiana. The region generally trends warmer and wetter than the state's northern tier.

Moist Seasons and Transitional Weather

While specific seasonal temperature averages are missing, the high annual rainfall suggests very wet springs and autumns. Residents typically navigate a transition zone between the Midwest and the Upland South.

Focus on Moisture and Rain Readiness

Homeowners should focus on moisture control and high-quality rain gear given the 47.3 inches of annual precipitation. Monitor local forecasts for river-valley humidity and sudden summer storms.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Harrison County

via SoilByCounty

Silt-rich profiles in the Southern Hills

Harrison County has an average pH of 5.93, which is more acidic than the national median of 6.5 and slightly below the state average of 6.08. While taxonomic details are unavailable, the low sand content suggests a unique mineral profile. This acidity may require monitoring for sensitive garden plants.

Massive silt content defines the texture

With a staggering 68.5% silt and only 12.7% sand, Harrison County's soil is exceptionally smooth and fine-grained. The 18.8% clay content provides necessary structure, though the dominant silt can make the soil prone to erosion. It is a highly moisture-retentive mix that feels like flour when dry.

High water capacity despite low organic matter

Organic matter sits at 2.14%, which is lower than the Indiana average of 4.90% but slightly above the national average. Remarkably, the available water capacity is 0.207 in/in, surpassing the state average. This indicates that the silt-heavy texture is doing the heavy lifting for water storage.

Consistent moisture in a 63.8-rated soil

Harrison County earns a soil score of 63.8, reflecting its position in the more rugged terrain of southern Indiana. While specific drainage classes are not provided, the high silt and water capacity suggest the ground stays moist. This can be a benefit during the hot, dry summers typical of the region.

Extended growing seasons in Zone 6b

Located in hardiness zone 6b, Harrison County enjoys a slightly milder climate for gardening and farming. The silt-heavy soil is excellent for moisture-loving plants like berries and leafy greens. Consider adding compost to boost the organic matter and unlock this soil's full potential.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Harrison County

via LawnByCounty

Easier growing on the southern border

Harrison County is one of Indiana's easier regions for lawn care, scoring a 74.0 on our difficulty scale. Located in Zone 6b, it enjoys a milder climate and higher score than the state average of 71.0.

High rainfall boosts natural health

The county receives a healthy 47.3 inches of annual rainfall, significantly above the national ideal of 30-50 inches. This consistent moisture helps maintain turf density and color with less supplemental irrigation than northern counties.

Slight acidity may require lime

The soil pH of 5.93 is slightly acidic, meaning a light application of lime may be necessary to reach the ideal 6.0-7.0 range. With a low sand content of 12.7%, the soil likely retains moisture well throughout the growing season.

Strong resilience against drought cycles

This county shows excellent resilience, with only three weeks of drought recorded over the past year. Current conditions show about 56.8% of the area is abnormally dry, which is a much lower risk profile than the state average.

Heat-tolerant choices for Zone 6b

For this environment, heat-tolerant Tall Fescue is a standout performer that stays green even as summer temperatures rise. Check local soil conditions in early April to begin your spring planting before the humidity sets in.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Harrison County's county score?
Harrison County, Indiana has a composite county score of 61.4 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 Harrison County rank among counties in Indiana?
Harrison County ranks #31 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 Harrison County, Indiana?
The median annual property tax in Harrison County is $1,224, with an effective tax rate of 0.53%. This earns Harrison County a tax score of 80.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Harrison County?
The median household income in Harrison County, Indiana is $74,475 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Harrison County earns an income score of 72.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Harrison County, Indiana a good place to live?
Harrison County scores 61.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #31 in Indiana. The best way to evaluate Harrison 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 Harrison 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.