CountyScore

Holmes County

Ohio · OH

#81 in Ohio
60.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Holmes County, Ohio

Holmes County exceeds national livability

Holmes County's composite score of 70.5 surpasses the national median of 50.0, ranking in approximately the 71st percentile among U.S. counties. The county delivers above-average livability relative to national benchmarks.

Ranks above Ohio average

At 70.5, Holmes County surpasses Ohio's state average of 68.8, positioning it in the upper tier of Ohio's counties. The county demonstrates solid livability metrics within the state context.

Second-highest incomes in group

Holmes County's income score of 32.2 reflects a median household income of $74,774, the second-highest in this eight-county cohort. The tax score of 71.0 supports this with an effective tax rate of 1.113%.

Housing costs are notably higher

The cost score of 79.6 is moderate, but median home values of $251,800 are substantially higher than all other counties in this group, reflecting the highest property costs. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental conditions is unavailable to complete the livability picture.

Suited for higher-earning families

Holmes County works best for professionals and established families with solid incomes who can afford elevated housing prices. The county's strong earnings potential and moderate tax treatment make it attractive to those seeking a wealthier community profile.

Score breakdown

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

Tax71Cost79.6SafetyComing SoonHealth41.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome32.2Risk39.6WaterComing Soon
🏛71
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼32.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤41.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡39.6
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 Holmes County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Imperial County
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Median income: $56,393
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Median income: $58,617
Iroquois County
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Median income: $62,439
Reno County
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60.7
Median income: $60,498
Charles County
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Median income: $120,592

Deep Dives

Holmes County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Holmes County

via TaxByCounty

Holmes County approaches the national median

At 1.113%, Holmes County's effective property tax rate sits just below the national average, putting residents in the moderate range nationwide. The county's median property tax of $2,802 nearly matches the national median of $2,690, reflecting both higher home values and a rate slightly below national norms.

Slightly below Ohio's statewide average

Holmes County's 1.113% effective rate edges below Ohio's 1.148% average by just 35 basis points. This positions Holmes just below the state middle among Ohio's 88 counties.

Moderate tax burden in eastern Ohio region

Holmes County's 1.113% rate places it in the moderate tier of its regional peer group. Its $2,802 median property tax is notably higher than nearby counties, reflecting Holmes's higher median home value of $251,800.

Highest home values mean highest tax bills

A homeowner with a median-valued property ($251,800) in Holmes County pays approximately $2,802 in annual property taxes. Whether you carry a mortgage ($2,691) or own outright ($2,917), this represents the highest tax burden among the profiled counties.

Holmes homeowners should verify assessments closely

With higher home values, even small assessment errors can translate into larger dollars owed; verify your property's assessed value against recent comparable sales. An appeal in Holmes County could yield substantial savings if overassessment is found.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Holmes County

via CostByCounty

Holmes tops Ohio on affordability

At 12.4%, Holmes County's rent-to-income ratio is among the nation's best, allowing renters to keep significantly more income for other needs. The median household income of $74,774 nearly matches the national average, while rents of $773 remain below state and regional norms.

Ohio's most affordable county

Holmes County's 12.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks as the state's best, beating the Ohio average of 15.6% by a substantial 3.2 percentage points. This superior affordability combines strong incomes with reasonable housing costs.

Holmes edges out even Henry County

At 12.4%, Holmes County's rent-to-income ratio ranks just below Henry County's 13.1%, making it the region's most affordable. Both counties significantly outpace peers, though Holmes achieves this with higher home values ($251,800) reflecting a different market dynamic.

Holmes' exceptional housing math

On a $74,774 median household income, renters pay $773 monthly (12.4% of income), while homeowners pay $986 (15.8% of income). Both ratios sit well below the 30% affordability threshold, providing substantial household flexibility even with higher ownership costs.

Holmes County: Ohio's best value play

For anyone relocating to Ohio, Holmes County offers unmatched affordability combined with solid incomes and reasonable rents. The county's $251,800 median home value reflects market strength, but the 12.4% rent-to-income ratio ensures both renters and owners find genuine value.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Holmes County

via IncomeByCounty

Holmes matches the national income

Holmes County's median household income of $74,774 essentially matches the national median of $74,755—a near-perfect alignment. This parity reflects Holmes's stable manufacturing and agricultural base, positioning it as an economic performer on par with the broader U.S. economy.

Holmes exceeds Ohio's average

At $74,774, Holmes County earns 10% more than Ohio's average county median of $68,101, ranking among the state's better-performing counties. This above-average standing reflects stronger employment and wage conditions than most other Ohio regions.

Holmes leads its neighboring counties

Holmes County's $74,774 household income significantly exceeds Hardin County ($58,001) and Jackson County ($58,409), though trails Henry County's $79,267. This leadership position underscores Holmes's relative economic strength in north-central Ohio.

Housing costs are exceptionally affordable

Holmes County's 12.4% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest among all eight counties, meaning renters spend roughly $773 monthly. This best-in-class affordability ratio maximizes household flexibility for essential expenses, savings, and discretionary spending.

Maximize advantage through diversified investing

With national-median income and the lowest rent ratio in this cohort, Holmes County residents enjoy ideal conditions for wealth-building. Households should consider maximizing 401(k) matching, opening education savings accounts, or exploring homeownership and investment property opportunities to compound long-term financial growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Holmes County

via HealthByCounty

Holmes County: longest life, starkest disparities

At 78.2 years, Holmes County boasts the highest life expectancy of any comparison county—exceeding the U.S. average of 76.1 years by more than 2 years. Yet paradoxically, 25.2 percent report poor or fair health, the highest rate among comparison counties, creating a puzzling disconnect: residents live long but report feeling sick. This contradiction likely reflects cultural differences in health reporting or the burden of managing chronic disease for decades.

Exceptional longevity masks deeper challenges

Holmes County's 78.2-year life expectancy ranks at the very top in Ohio, exceeding the state average of 74.8 years by 3.4 years. However, the 25.2 percent poor/fair health rate—the worst among comparison counties—suggests residents live longer but face higher disease burdens. Religious and cultural factors may influence both longevity and health reporting patterns.

Severe insurance crisis and provider scarcity

Holmes County faces a healthcare catastrophe: 34.8 percent of residents lack health insurance—more than four times Ohio's 7.5 percent average—the worst uninsured rate by far in this region. With only 20 primary care and 20 mental health providers per 100,000, Holmes has the sparsest provider network among comparison counties. This combination of uninsurance and provider scarcity creates a barrier to care unlike any other county here.

Crisis-level uninsurance and healthcare isolation

More than one in three Holmes County residents (34.8 percent) have no health insurance, the highest rate in the entire comparison group and nearly five times Ohio's average. Combined with the county's minimal primary care and mental health provider networks, this leaves most residents unable to access any preventive care. The result: high rates of unmanaged chronic disease despite living longer.

Holmes County: insurance access is urgent

In Holmes County, where uninsurance reaches 35 percent, getting covered is not optional—it's essential. Visit healthcare.gov immediately or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore every available option: Medicaid, marketplace plans, and subsidies may be available even if you've been told you don't qualify.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Holmes County

via RiskByCounty

Holmes County faces elevated disaster risk

At 60.40, Holmes County's composite risk score exceeds Ohio's 55.03 state average and sits above the national median. This relatively low rating signals above-average but manageable hazard exposure for residents and property owners.

Among Ohio's higher-risk counties

Holmes County's 60.40 score ranks it above the state average and in Ohio's upper-risk tier. The county faces more natural hazard exposure than the majority of Ohio's counties.

Riskiest county in its peer group

Holmes County's 60.40 score significantly exceeds all nearby counties: Hardin (24.43), Harrison (11.42), Henry (33.81), Highland (43.19), Jackson (35.75), and Hocking (47.30), and only trails Huron (50.29) among its eight-county cohort. It stands out as notably more hazard-exposed than its region.

Tornadoes and flooding lead, wildfire significant

Holmes County faces three substantial hazards: tornado risk (66.73), flood risk (71.18)—the highest in its peer group—and wildfire risk (46.88), all above or near state average. Hurricane (52.02) and earthquake (41.86) risks are secondary but noteworthy.

Build comprehensive, multi-hazard preparedness

Holmes County residents should bundle homeowners insurance with flood and earthquake coverage, then identify a tornado safe room and maintain a weather radio. Clear vegetation around your property, ensure proper drainage, and keep emergency supplies including water, medications, and documents in a waterproof, portable container.

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.