CountyScore

Hocking County

Ohio · OH

#49 in Ohio
67.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Hocking County, Ohio

Hocking County outperforms U.S. counties

With a composite score of 70.7, Hocking County ranks above the national median of 50.0, placing it in approximately the 71st percentile nationwide. The county delivers above-average livability conditions compared to the typical U.S. county.

Solid standing in Ohio

Hocking County's 70.7 score exceeds Ohio's state average of 68.8, positioning it among Ohio's stronger-performing counties. The county demonstrates competitive livability metrics within the state.

Balanced affordability and taxes

The county scores well on housing cost at 80.3, with median home values of $172,300 and rents at $806/month offering reasonable affordability. A tax score of 73.7 reflects a low effective tax rate of 1.014%, providing genuine tax relief.

Incomes remain a constraint

The income score of 23.4 reflects a median household income of $61,366, indicating limited earning potential compared to some peer counties. Complete livability assessment is pending data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors.

Great for balanced-budget seekers

Hocking County appeals to middle-income families and retirees seeking a balanced mix of affordable housing, low taxes, and stable living conditions. The county's all-around solid performance makes it suitable for those prioritizing overall value rather than any single standout feature.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73.7Cost80.3SafetyComing SoonHealth62.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.4Risk52.7WaterComing Soon
🏛73.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤62.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡52.7
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 Hocking County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Tuscaloosa County
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67.3
Median income: $63,947
Miller County
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67.3
Median income: $49,983
Inyo County
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67.3
Median income: $72,432
Cook County
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67.3
Median income: $50,133
Toombs County
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67.3
Median income: $54,130

Deep Dives

Hocking County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Hocking County

via TaxByCounty

Hocking County sits below the national average

At 1.014%, Hocking County's effective property tax rate ranks below the national median, offering meaningful savings for homeowners. The county's median property tax of $1,748 remains 35% lower than the national median of $2,690.

Slightly below Ohio's statewide effective rate

Hocking County's 1.014% effective rate trails Ohio's 1.148% average by 134 basis points. This positions Hocking in the lower-to-middle range among Ohio's 88 counties.

Middle ground between Highland and Jackson counties

Hocking County's 1.014% rate sits between Highland (0.940%) and Jackson (0.954%), making it moderate within southern Ohio's low-tax cluster. Its $1,748 median tax is higher than both neighbors, reflecting slightly higher home values.

Median home owner pays $1,748 annually

A homeowner with a median-valued property ($172,300) in Hocking County pays approximately $1,748 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $1,914; without, it drops to $1,449.

Appeal if your assessment seems high

Hocking County residents should compare their assessed value against local market data and recent comparable sales. An appeal is often free and can succeed if your property is found to be overvalued relative to similar homes in the area.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Hocking County

via CostByCounty

Hocking's rent slightly above average

At 15.8%, Hocking County's rent-to-income ratio edges slightly above the national average, indicating renters here spend marginally more on housing than typical Americans. The median household income of $61,366 is 18% below national levels, but rents of $806 remain moderate for the region.

Near-average affordability statewide

Hocking County's 15.8% rent-to-income ratio sits just above Ohio's state average of 15.6%, placing it squarely in the middle of county affordability rankings. This near-average position reflects statewide housing cost dynamics.

Hocking among less affordable options

At 15.8%, Hocking's rent-to-income ratio ranks higher than Henry, Holmes, and Highland counties but lower than Harrison and Jackson. The county's $806 median rent is moderate, but lower incomes relative to peers create slightly higher cost burdens.

Hocking's split affordability picture

On a $61,366 median household income, renters spend $806 monthly (15.8% of income), while homeowners pay $898 (17.6% of income). Homeownership costs approach the 20% threshold, though the median home value of $172,300 suggests solid long-term equity potential.

Hocking for renters, scrutinize ownership

Relocating to Hocking County works better for renters than aspiring homeowners, given stronger renter affordability relative to ownership costs. The county's moderate rents and growing home values make it appealing for those prioritizing flexibility over immediate homeownership.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Hocking County

via IncomeByCounty

Hocking's income falls short nationally

Hocking County's median household income of $61,366 trails the national median of $74,755 by 18%. This gap is typical for rural Ohio counties that depend on tourism, small manufacturing, and service-sector employment.

Below Ohio's county median

At $61,366, Hocking County earns 10% less than Ohio's average county median of $68,101, placing it in the lower-middle tier of the state's 88 counties. This positioning reflects Hocking's status as a smaller rural economy within the state.

Hocking earns similarly to regional peers

Hocking County's $61,366 income sits between Highland County ($62,008) and Jackson County ($58,409), clustering with other south-central Ohio rural counties. This regional pattern suggests shared economic structures centered on smaller towns, tourism, and agriculture.

Rent costs consume a notable share

At 15.8%, Hocking County's rent-to-income ratio sits near the affordability warning zone, with renters spending roughly $813 monthly. While still below the 20% danger threshold, this ratio leaves less flexibility for households balancing other costs and savings goals.

Strategic savings build financial stability

With median income at $61,366 and moderately tight housing costs, Hocking County households benefit from deliberate financial planning. Starting with automatic payroll deductions to savings or retirement accounts—even $50–100 monthly—compounds into meaningful wealth over time while maintaining monthly budget discipline.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Hocking County

via HealthByCounty

Hocking County trails national health standards

Hocking County residents have a life expectancy of 72.6 years, falling 3.5 years short of the U.S. average of 76.1 years. One in four (23.8 percent) report poor or fair health, well above the national average of 18 percent, signaling high rates of chronic disease and limited disease management. These gaps persist despite emerging healthcare investments.

Lower-ranked county within Ohio

Hocking County's 72.6-year life expectancy falls 2.2 years below Ohio's 74.8-year average, placing it among Ohio's lower-performing counties for longevity. The 23.8 percent poor/fair health rate significantly exceeds Ohio's median, reflecting higher prevalence of chronic illness and disability. Residents experience worse health outcomes than most Ohioans.

Strong provider access despite rural challenges

Hocking County bucked rural trends with 43 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—well above Hardin (29) and Harrison (21)—and exceptional mental health access at 243 per 100,000. This provider abundance suggests focused county investments in healthcare infrastructure and suggests access is not the primary barrier to better health. Instead, economic factors and health behaviors may drive worse outcomes.

Provider access can't overcome broader barriers

Despite above-average primary care and exceptional mental health provider density, Hocking County's uninsured rate stands at 8.5 percent, above Ohio's 7.5 percent. When residents lack insurance, even good provider networks can't reach them—delayed diagnoses and unmanaged chronic diseases result, driving up poor health rates.

Use Hocking County's strong providers

Hocking County has invested heavily in healthcare providers—don't miss out by remaining uninsured. Visit healthcare.gov to find affordable coverage and unlock access to the primary care and mental health services your county has made available.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Hocking County

via RiskByCounty

Hocking County faces moderate disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 47.30, Hocking County runs slightly below Ohio's 55.03 state average and above the national median. This relatively low rating reflects above-average but not extreme hazard exposure.

Mid-tier risk across Ohio

Hocking County's 47.30 score places it near Ohio's state average, ranking it in the moderate-risk middle of the state's counties. It faces more natural hazard exposure than Ohio's safest counties but less than the highest-risk regions.

Riskier than western peers, safer than eastern

Hocking County's 47.30 score exceeds Hardin (24.43), Harrison (11.42), Henry (33.81), and Jackson (35.75), but trails Highland (43.19), Holmes (60.40), and Huron (50.29). Its position reflects southeastern Ohio's moderately elevated hazard exposure.

Flooding dominates; earthquakes secondary

Flood risk (68.83) is Hocking County's standout hazard—one of the county's highest scores and well above state average. Earthquake (34.64) and tornado (33.78) risks are secondary concerns, while wildfire (12.69) and hurricane (15.44) pose minimal threat.

Prioritize flood insurance and drainage

Flood insurance is essential in Hocking County, especially if your property is near a waterway or in a flood-prone zone—check FEMA flood maps to understand your risk. Ensure gutters, downspouts, and yard drainage direct water away from your foundation, and keep important documents and photos stored safely outside your home.

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.