Hendricks County

Indiana · IN

#81 in Indiana
66
County Score

County Report Card

About Hendricks County, Indiana

Hendricks leads across dimensions

Hendricks County's composite score of 66.0 beats the national median of 50.0 by 32%, reflecting solid performance in income, health, and risk management. However, it sits below the top-performing quartile nationally.

Below Indiana state average

At 66.0, Hendricks trails Indiana's state average of 71.2 by over 5 points, placing it in the lower-middle segment of the state's counties. Higher housing costs and tax burdens drive this underperformance.

High incomes and excellent health

Hendricks' income score of 48.6 reflects median household earnings of $99,988, the third-highest in this group. Its health score of 78.1 ranks among the best, suggesting robust healthcare infrastructure and community wellness.

Cost remains a significant barrier

The cost score of just 62.5 reflects median home values of $281,500 and rent at $1,364/month, sharply limiting affordability. The tax score of 78.8 and effective rate of 0.833% also rank among the group's highest burdens.

For established professionals seeking growth

Hendricks County suits dual-income professional households and established families comfortable with above-average housing costs in exchange for strong health services and income potential. It's a suburban choice for those who've already climbed the economic ladder.

Score breakdown

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

Tax78.8Cost62.5SafetyComing SoonHealth78.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome48.6Risk23.2WaterComing Soon
🏛78.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠62.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼48.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
78.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
23.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Hendricks County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Hendricks County

via TaxByCounty

Hendricks taxes rank high but remain reasonable

Hendricks County's effective tax rate of 0.833% ranks in the top 30% nationally, making it a higher-tax community. However, the annual median bill of $2,344 still trails the national median of $2,690, reflecting strong tax-to-value efficiency despite the elevated rate.

Among Indiana's highest-tax counties

At 0.833%, Hendricks County significantly exceeds Indiana's average of 0.671%, ranking in the upper tier statewide. The median tax of $2,344 nearly doubles the state median of $1,199, driven by both higher rates and above-average home values at $281,500.

Second-highest taxes in the central region

Hendricks County's 0.833% rate ranks second only to Hamilton County (0.881%) and well above Hancock County (0.680%) and Grant County (0.681%). A homeowner with Hendricks's median home would pay roughly $600 more annually than an identical home in Hancock County.

What Hendricks homeowners pay in taxes

A typical Hendricks County home valued at $281,500 carries an annual property tax bill of $2,344. With mortgage-related additions, homeowners see effective annual costs rise to approximately $2,316, reflecting the county's higher overall tax burden.

Higher taxes make appeals especially worthwhile

In Hendricks County, where median taxes exceed $2,300 annually, even small percentage reductions through appeals deliver substantial savings. If your home's assessment exceeds comparable recent sales in your neighborhood, filing an appeal could reduce your annual bill by $200 or more.

Cost of Living in Hendricks County

via CostByCounty

Hendricks balances affluence with strain

Hendricks County households earn $99,988—34% above the national average—but face a 16.4% rent-to-income ratio, the joint-highest in this analysis. At $1,364 monthly rent, Hendricks represents high-income living with premium housing costs that consume more earnings than expected.

High income, high housing pressure

Hendricks's 16.4% rent-to-income ratio matches Fulton County and exceeds Indiana's 15.6% state average, surprising given strong $99,988 median incomes. The median rent of $1,364 ranks second-highest among these eight counties, indicating suburban Indianapolis pricing pressure.

Premium Indianapolis suburb pricing

Hendricks's $1,364 rent is second only to Hamilton County ($1,468) and its $281,500 median home value trails only Hamilton's $379,100, positioning it as an affluent commuter-shed community. Despite strong incomes, residents here pay more proportionally than similarly-earning Hancock County.

Hendricks's income-housing tension

Renters allocate $1,364 monthly while homeowners pay $1,371—nearly identical and the second-highest monthly costs in the analysis. Even at $99,988 income, this consumes 16% of household budgets, leaving these affluent residents less discretionary room than lower-cost Hancock or Harrison counties.

Premium Indianapolis suburb life

Hendricks County attracts high-earners seeking quality schools and suburban amenities near Indianapolis, but those incomes get taxed heavily by housing costs relative to peers. Compare with Hancock County's better affordability-to-income ratio if you value dollars-over-prestige in your relocation.

Income & Jobs in Hendricks County

via IncomeByCounty

Hendricks thrives well above national median

Hendricks County's median household income of $99,988 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by $25,233—a strong 34% advantage. The county ranks among the most affluent nationwide, reflecting Indianapolis-area prosperity and professional employment.

Second-richest county in Indiana

At $99,988, Hendricks ranks only behind Hamilton County ($117,957) statewide and exceeds Indiana's average of $68,681 by $31,307. The county captures top-tier earning power across Indiana's 92 counties.

Wealthy peer only to Hamilton

Hendricks's $99,988 trails Hamilton by $17,969 but outpaces Hancock County ($91,326) and all others in this survey by substantial margins. The two counties dominate the wealth rankings in this Indiana sample.

Premium incomes support premium homes

Hendricks's 16.4% rent-to-income ratio—equal to Fulton's but on much higher income—shows that even $281,500 median homes remain comfortably affordable. Higher incomes absorb premium housing costs without financial stress.

Optimize wealth with serious planning

Hendricks households earning $99,988 should work with financial advisors to maximize tax-advantaged accounts, diversify investments, and plan for estate needs. With six-figure household incomes, strategic wealth management creates lasting generational prosperity.

Health in Hendricks County

via HealthByCounty

Hendricks achieves above-average longevity

Hendricks County residents live to 78.6 years, exceeding the U.S. average of 78.9 years by only 0.3 years—essentially on par with national norms. Just 15% report poor or fair health, the second-lowest rate in this comparison, indicating strong disease prevention and management.

Ranks among Indiana's healthiest counties

At 78.6 years, Hendricks County's life expectancy exceeds Indiana's 75.1-year state average by 3.5 years, placing it in the top tier of counties. The 15% poor/fair health rate trails only Hamilton's 11%, demonstrating excellence in population health.

Second only to Hamilton in region

Hendricks' 78.6-year life expectancy trails only Hamilton County's 80.7 but significantly outpaces rural neighbors like Grant (70.8) and Fulton (73.7). The county's 49 primary care and 147 mental health providers per 100,000 support this strong performance, though less dense than Hamilton's network.

Low uninsured rate and solid provider access

With 5.9% uninsured—well below the state average of 8.4%—Hendricks has nearly universal coverage, removing cost barriers to care. The county's 147 mental health providers per 100,000 ensure residents access behavioral health services, critical for overall health equity.

Maintain coverage to sustain health gains

Hendricks County has built a healthy community through high insurance uptake and preventive care systems. Verify annual coverage through Indiana's marketplace and continue regular preventive screenings to keep health outcomes strong.

Disaster Risk in Hendricks County

via RiskByCounty

Hendricks faces substantial risk exposure

Hendricks County's composite risk score of 76.81 places it in the "Relatively Low" category but well above the national average. Tornado exposure (87.02) and exceptionally high flood risk (81.01) make Hendricks one of Indiana's more hazardous counties.

Second-highest risk in Indiana

Hendricks' 76.81 score ranks second only to Hamilton County (88.80) among all Indiana counties, nearly 70% above the state average of 45.52. Both tornado (87.02) and flood (81.01) risks place Hendricks in the state's most-threatened tier.

Only Hamilton exceeds Hendricks risk

Hendricks County's 76.81 sits substantially above all neighbors except Hamilton County (88.80), reflecting its elevated position in the state's risk hierarchy. Hancock County to the east (44.02) faces markedly lower exposure, highlighting Hendricks' distinct hazard profile.

Tornadoes and severe flooding are serious

Tornado risk at 87.02 is near the state's maximum, making severe thunderstorm preparedness a critical priority for Hendricks residents. Flood risk at 81.01 compounds this threat dramatically, particularly in the White River valley and low-lying areas prone to inundation.

Invest in comprehensive protection

Homeowners must maintain robust wind and hail coverage and designate or construct a safe shelter for tornado season. Flood insurance is essential; elevate utilities, maintain working sump pumps, and review flood maps to understand your property's actual risk.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.