CountyScore

Harrison County

Ohio · OH

#7 in Ohio
72
County Score

County Report Card

About Harrison County, Ohio

Harrison County rises above national average

Harrison County's composite score of 72.1 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 72nd percentile nationwide. The county outperforms more than 7 in 10 U.S. counties on overall livability.

Strong performance in Ohio rankings

At 72.1, Harrison County surpasses Ohio's state average of 68.8, ranking among the top-performing counties in the state. This above-average score reflects solid livability conditions across multiple dimensions.

Exceptional affordability and low taxes

Harrison County excels in housing costs with a score of 84.9—the highest among these eight counties—featuring median home values of just $118,000 and rents at $753/month. The tax score of 73.0 reflects Ohio's lowest effective tax rate at 0.939%, providing significant tax relief.

Income levels present a constraint

The income score of 18.5 is the lowest in this group, with a median household income of $53,851 indicating limited earning potential. Data gaps on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors leave the full livability assessment incomplete.

Ideal for cost-conscious settlers

Harrison County appeals most to retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing maximum affordability and minimal tax exposure. The county's exceptional combination of cheap housing and low taxes makes it a practical choice for those with fixed or modest incomes.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73Cost84.9SafetyComing SoonHealth66SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.5Risk88.6WaterComing Soon
🏛73
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡88.6
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 Harrison County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Logan County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $54,237
Marion County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $46,953
Nevada County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $41,761
Archuleta County
Colorado
72
Median income: $76,524
Echols County
Georgia
72
Median income: $61,723

Deep Dives

Harrison County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Harrison County

via TaxByCounty

Harrison County has the lowest tax burden around

At 1.039%, Harrison County's effective property tax rate ranks among the lowest in the nation, putting residents in the bottom quintile of tax burden. The county's median property tax of $1,226 is less than half the national median of $2,690, offering rare affordability for homeowners.

Well below Ohio's average effective rate

Harrison County's 1.039% effective rate beats Ohio's 1.148% average by 109 basis points. This positions Harrison among Ohio's most tax-friendly counties, in the lower quarter statewide.

The cheapest option in the regional cluster

Harrison County's 1.039% rate is the lowest in its peer group, significantly undercutting Hardin (1.122%) and Henry County (1.177%). At just $1,226 in median annual tax, Harrison residents enjoy the region's lightest property tax load.

Median home value yields $1,226 annual tax

A homeowner with a median-valued property ($118,000) in Harrison County pays roughly $1,226 in annual property taxes. This total reaches $1,280 with a mortgage and drops to $1,175 for outright owners.

Even low-tax counties see assessment errors

Even in affordable Harrison County, overassessment can occur—studies indicate 1 in 10 homeowners nationwide could reduce their burden through appeal. Review your assessment relative to recent comparable sales to verify you're getting a fair valuation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Harrison County

via CostByCounty

Harrison's rent burden outpaces nation

Harrison County's 16.8% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national average, meaning renters here dedicate more of their income to housing than typical Americans. With a median household income of $53,851—28% below the national figure—housing costs hit harder on household budgets.

Harrison ranks among Ohio's least affordable

At 16.8%, Harrison County's rent-to-income ratio ranks near the bottom of Ohio counties, above the state average of 15.6%. This indicates tighter housing affordability relative to peers across the state.

Least affordable in the region

Harrison's rent-to-income ratio of 16.8% is the highest among its peer counties, though median rent at $753 remains modest. The challenge isn't high rents but rather lower-than-average incomes, which compress the household budget more than neighbors experience.

Harrison's tight housing math

On a $53,851 median household income, renters pay $753 monthly (16.8% of income), while homeowners pay $663 (14.8% of income). Homeownership appears more affordable here, though lower median home values ($118,000) and monthly costs suggest fewer equity-building options overall.

Harrison suits budget-conscious owners

If you're relocating to Ohio on a modest income, Harrison's low home values and owner costs offer a genuine path to ownership. The county's affordability challenge stems from income levels, not runaway housing prices—a crucial distinction for buyers ready to build equity.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Harrison County

via IncomeByCounty

Harrison's income trails the nation

Harrison County's median household income of $53,851 falls 28% short of the national median of $74,755. This positions Harrison among the lower-earning counties nationally, reflecting the economic challenges facing Ohio's eastern border counties.

Among Ohio's lower-income counties

At $53,851, Harrison County ranks significantly below Ohio's state average of $68,101, placing it in the bottom tier of the state's 88 counties. This gap of $14,250 underscores persistent economic headwinds in the region.

Harrison earns less than nearby peers

Harrison County's $53,851 median is the lowest among its neighbors—Hardin County ($58,001) and Jackson County ($58,409) both earn roughly $4,500–$4,700 more per household. Only shared industrial and rural challenges keep these eastern counties in similar income bands.

Rent costs stretch household budgets

At 16.8%, Harrison County's rent-to-income ratio is above the 20% affordability threshold, meaning renters spend approximately $755 monthly on housing. This elevated ratio signals that renters here face tighter budgets, limiting discretionary spending and savings potential.

Prioritize emergency savings first

With median income at $53,851 and housing costs consuming a larger share, Harrison County households should prioritize building a 3-6 month emergency fund before investing. Once secured, even modest amounts directed to tax-advantaged retirement accounts or community investment opportunities create long-term financial resilience.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Harrison County

via HealthByCounty

Harrison County's health lags nationally

With a life expectancy of 72.6 years, Harrison County residents live roughly 3.5 years less than the U.S. average of 76.1 years. One in five adults report poor or fair health, exceeding national averages and signaling higher rates of chronic disease and disability. These figures reflect both individual health behaviors and systemic barriers to care.

Below Ohio's health performance standard

Harrison County's 72.6-year life expectancy falls nearly 2.2 years short of Ohio's 74.8-year state average, placing it in Ohio's lower-performing counties. The 20 percent poor/fair health rate edges slightly above Ohio's median, suggesting persistent challenges in disease management and health maintenance. Residents struggle more with chronic conditions than typical Ohioans.

Access to providers remains limited

Harrison County has just 21 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—below Hardin County's 29 and well below Huron County's 55. Mental health services are equally sparse at 42 per 100,000, making depression and addiction treatment difficult to access. These shortages compound the county's already-stressed health outcomes.

One in eleven lacks health coverage

An estimated 8.8 percent of Harrison County residents—roughly one in eleven—are uninsured, outpacing Ohio's 7.5 percent average. Without insurance and with limited provider access, many residents delay care until conditions become emergencies. This cycle drives up costs and worsens health trajectories.

Find affordable coverage today

If you're uninsured in Harrison County, you have options—many at little to no cost. Visit healthcare.gov or call your local health department to learn about Medicaid, marketplace plans, or community health center services available in your area.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Harrison County

via RiskByCounty

Harrison County is exceptionally safe

With a composite risk score of 11.42, Harrison County ranks among the lowest-risk counties in the nation and dramatically outperforms Ohio's 55.03 state average. This very low rating reflects minimal exposure to most major natural disaster types.

Ohio's safest county overall

Harrison County's 11.42 composite score makes it the safest county in Ohio by a significant margin. This exceptional rating means residents enjoy lower natural disaster risk than virtually any other Ohioans.

Dramatically safer than surrounding counties

Harrison County's 11.42 score far outpaces all nearby counties: Hardin (24.43), Henry (33.81), Highland (43.19), and Hocking (47.30). Its position as Ohio's safest county makes it a notable outlier in its region.

All hazards remain well below average

Even Harrison County's highest-scoring risks—hurricane (34.75) and earthquake (23.79)—sit below state averages. Flood (27.32), tornado (18.23), and wildfire (16.95) risks are all minimal, making this truly one of America's safest counties.

Standard homeowners insurance provides solid protection

Residents of Harrison County can rely on basic homeowners coverage as a foundation of preparedness. A simple emergency kit and a conversation with your insurance agent about any optional coverage ensures you're protected without overextending.

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.