CountyScore

Highland County

Ohio · OH

#30 in Ohio
68.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Highland County, Ohio

Highland County well above national norm

Highland County's composite score of 72.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 22 points, placing it in the 72nd percentile across the U.S. The county delivers above-average livability compared to most American counties.

Ranks above Ohio average

At 72.0, Highland County exceeds Ohio's state average of 68.8 and represents solid livability performance within the state. The county ranks in the upper segment of Ohio's 88 counties.

Lowest tax burden of the eight

Highland County boasts the strongest tax score of 75.8, with an effective tax rate of 0.940%—the lowest in this group. The cost score of 81.1 reflects solid housing affordability with median rents of $757/month and home values of $157,000.

Income levels are modest

The income score of 23.9 reflects a median household income of $62,008, which lags behind Henry County and Holmes County in this group. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental conditions is not yet available.

Perfect for tax-conscious retirees

Highland County suits retirees and fixed-income households seeking maximum tax savings paired with affordable housing and living costs. The county's combination of low taxes and reasonable affordability creates an attractive financial climate for those prioritizing every dollar.

Score breakdown

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

Tax75.8Cost81.1SafetyComing SoonHealth63.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.9Risk56.8WaterComing Soon
🏛75.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡56.8
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 Highland County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

La Plata County
Colorado
68.7
Median income: $85,296
Butts County
Georgia
68.7
Median income: $59,221
Adams County
Indiana
68.7
Median income: $63,128
Emmet County
Iowa
68.7
Median income: $65,181
Wichita County
Kansas
68.7
Median income: $71,282

Deep Dives

Highland County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Highland County

via TaxByCounty

Highland County offers rare tax affordability

At 0.940%, Highland County boasts one of the lowest effective property tax rates in the nation, ranking in the bottom 10% nationwide. The county's median property tax of $1,475 is nearly 45% below the national median of $2,690, making it exceptionally affordable.

Ohio's cheapest according to effective rate

Highland County's 0.940% effective rate significantly undercuts Ohio's 1.148% average, beating the state norm by 208 basis points. This positions Highland among Ohio's absolute cheapest counties for property tax burden.

Lowest rate among peer southern Ohio counties

Highland County's 0.940% rate is the lowest in its regional peer group, well below Hocking (1.014%) and Jackson (0.954%). At $1,475 in median annual tax, Highland delivers the region's most favorable tax environment.

Budget roughly $1,475 for median home

A homeowner with a median-valued property ($157,000) in Highland County pays approximately $1,475 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, that total rises slightly to $1,534; without, it drops to $1,378.

Even low rates warrant assessment review

Even in tax-friendly Highland County, assessment errors occur—verify your property's value aligns with recent comparable sales data. If you suspect overassessment, filing an appeal often costs nothing and could yield significant savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Highland County

via CostByCounty

Highland's balanced national position

Highland County's 14.7% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the national average, though median household income of $62,008 trails the national figure by 17%. Modest rents relative to regional and national standards create an affordable rental market despite below-average incomes.

Solidly affordable across Ohio

At 14.7%, Highland County's rent-to-income ratio ranks better than the Ohio state average of 15.6%, positioning it among more affordable counties statewide. This advantage benefits both renters and prospective homebuyers seeking value.

Highland maintains regional balance

Highland's rent-to-income ratio of 14.7% compares favorably to neighboring counties like Hocking (15.8%) and Jackson (15.9%), though Henry County (13.1%) remains the clear leader. At $757 monthly rent, Highland undercuts most peers while maintaining balanced housing costs.

Highland's housing cost distribution

On a $62,008 median household income, renters pay $757 monthly (14.7% of income), while homeowners pay $903 (17.5% of income). Homeownership costs rise above ideal thresholds, but median home values of $157,000 offer reasonable equity-building potential.

Highland appeals to strategic relocators

If renting flexibility matters more than immediate homeownership, Highland County delivers strong value with below-average rent burdens. The county's median home value of $157,000 and competitive rental market create multiple paths to stable, affordable housing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Highland County

via IncomeByCounty

Highland's income lags national average

Highland County's median household income of $62,008 falls 17% below the national median of $74,755. This gap reflects the economic patterns typical of south-central Ohio's rural counties, where agricultural and small-business economies create more modest household earnings.

Slightly below Ohio's average

At $62,008, Highland County sits 9% below Ohio's average county median of $68,101, ranking in the middle-lower range of the state's 88 counties. This positions Highland just underneath the state average, suggesting moderate economic performance compared to state peers.

Highland earns modestly in its region

Highland County's $62,008 household income falls between Jackson County ($58,409) and Hocking County ($61,366), placing it in a cluster of mid-range rural incomes. All three counties share similar economic structures centered on smaller towns and service sectors.

Housing affordability supports savings

Highland County's 14.7% rent-to-income ratio is comfortably affordable, with renters spending roughly $763 monthly on housing. This below-threshold ratio leaves household budgets flexible enough to accommodate essential expenses and modest savings contributions.

Leverage affordable housing for investing

Highland County's median income of $62,008 and healthy 14.7% rent ratio create opportunity for intentional financial growth. Starting or increasing contributions to retirement accounts, opening a high-yield savings account, or exploring homeownership can help residents build equity and long-term security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Highland County

via HealthByCounty

Highland County faces significant health gaps

With a life expectancy of 73.1 years, Highland County residents live nearly 3 years less than the U.S. average of 76.1 years. Nearly one in four (22.9 percent) report poor or fair health, significantly outpacing the national average of 18 percent. These disparities reflect decades of economic stress and limited healthcare access.

Below state average across the board

Highland County's 73.1-year life expectancy trails Ohio's 74.8-year average by 1.7 years, ranking it firmly in the lower half of Ohio counties. The 22.9 percent poor/fair health rate exceeds Ohio's median, indicating higher prevalence of diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions. Residents struggle more with preventable health challenges than typical Ohioans.

Provider access is mixed but mental health shines

Highland County offers 28 primary care providers per 100,000—comparable to Hardin and slightly below Huron—but stands out with 241 mental health providers per 100,000, among the highest regionally. This mental health strength suggests the county has recognized and invested in addressing depression, addiction, and behavioral health crises. However, primary care gaps still limit preventive disease management.

One in twelve residents uninsured

An estimated 8.6 percent of Highland County residents lack health insurance, above Ohio's 7.5 percent average. Without coverage and facing economic hardship, many delay necessary care and manage chronic conditions inconsistently. Mental health access, while strong, can only partly compensate for gaps in primary and preventive care.

Insurance is your bridge to better health

In Highland County, where preventive care access is limited, health insurance becomes even more critical. Visit healthcare.gov or contact Highland County's health department to explore Medicaid, marketplace options, or community health services that can connect you to primary care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Highland County

via RiskByCounty

Highland County faces elevated regional risk

At 43.19, Highland County's composite risk score exceeds the national average and sits just below Ohio's 55.03 state average. This relatively low rating indicates moderate—not high—hazard exposure compared to the typical American county.

Mid-range risk among Ohio counties

Highland County's 43.19 score places it slightly below the state average, ranking it in Ohio's moderate-risk tier. The county faces more natural hazard exposure than safer peers but less than Ohio's highest-risk areas.

Higher risk than most nearby counties

Highland County's 43.19 score exceeds Hardin (24.43), Harrison (11.42), Henry (33.81), and Jackson (35.75), but trails Hocking (47.30), Holmes (60.40), and Huron (50.29). It sits at the higher end of its regional peer group's risk profile.

Earthquakes, wildfire, and flooding dominate

Highland County's top three risks are earthquake (61.96), wildfire (60.34), and flood (56.65)—all above state average and representing genuine hazard exposure. Tornado risk (56.20) also approaches state average levels, while hurricane risk remains moderate at 45.89.

Invest in comprehensive hazard coverage

Beyond standard homeowners insurance, Highland County residents should seriously consider earthquake and flood endorsements, which are typically sold as separate policies. Create a defensible space around your home to reduce wildfire risk, and ensure your emergency supplies include water, medications, and important documents.

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.