countyscore
50.3
County Score
Property Tax 84.6Lawn Care 74.8Water Quality 66.8

County Report Card

About Jackson County, Indiana

Jackson County Above the National Median

Jackson County holds a composite score of 51.5, which is slightly above the national median of 50.0. This performance suggests a stable environment with standard American amenities.

A Middle-Tier Indiana Performer

Jackson County's 51.5 score trails the Indiana state average of 55.9. It remains a viable alternative to more expensive urban centers, though it lacks the high composite scores of the state's top leaders.

Elite Tax Benefits and Solid Income

An exceptional tax score of 88.6 stems from a low 0.472% effective tax rate. This is paired with a strong income score of 67.0, supported by a median household income of $70,208.

Struggles in Educational Performance

The school score of 17.7 is remarkably low, indicating significant challenges in the local education system. Additionally, the cost score of 40.0 shows that housing is less affordable relative to income than in neighboring areas.

Ideal for High-Earning Tax Minimizers

This county is perfect for professionals who want to keep more of their $70,208 median income thanks to very low taxes. It is less suited for families who require top-tier public school systems.

2040608010084.638.258.745.217.762.547.166.858.8Tax84.6Cost38.2Safety58.7Health45.2Schools17.7Income62.5Risk47.1Water66.8Weather58.850.3/100
This county
National avg
2 above average1 below average

Jackson County DNA

Foverall

How Jackson County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Jackson County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (84.6/100) but notably weak in Schools (17.7/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
84.6+32.599999999999994
Cost
38.2-9.799999999999997
Safety
58.7
Health
45.2
Schools
17.7-36.3
Income
62.5+11.5
Risk
47.1
Water
66.8+8.799999999999997
Weather
58.8
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Jackson County

Whether buying or refinancing in Jackson County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

See Today's Rates

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$178,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,004/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$178,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$40,160/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $70,262/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

45.3

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare Jackson County with Tallapoosa County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Tallapoosa County
Alabama
Median income: $59,356
50.3
Northwest Arctic Borough
Alaska
Median income: $84,018
50.3
Effingham County
Illinois
Median income: $80,404
50.3
Elk County
Kansas
Median income: $64,609
50.3
Osceola County
Michigan
Median income: $58,267
50.3
Humphreys County
Mississippi
Median income: $33,731
50.3
Douglas County
Nevada
Median income: $90,754
50.3
Sandoval County
New Mexico
Median income: $86,636
50.3

Nearby counties

Bartholomew County
Indiana
52.8
Scott County
Indiana
56.4
Washington County
Indiana
57.6
Lawrence County
Indiana
56.9
Jennings County
Indiana
50.8
Brown County
Indiana
69.9
Monroe County
Indiana
42.8
Jefferson County
Indiana
59.3

Deep Dives

Jackson County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Jackson County

via TaxByCounty

Jackson County offers exceptional tax relief

Jackson County's 0.472% effective tax rate ranks among the lowest 15% nationally, well below the U.S. median of 0.571%. At $824 annually on a median home of $174,500, homeowners enjoy substantially lighter tax burdens than most American counties.

One of Indiana's most affordable tax counties

Jackson County's 0.472% effective rate sits well below Indiana's average of 0.671%, making it one of the state's tax bargains. The median tax of $824 is the lowest among peer counties, despite moderate home values.

Lowest-tax county in the region

Jackson County's 0.472% rate dramatically undercuts Henry (0.749%), Howard (0.733%), and Huntington (0.731%) counties to the north. This southern county offers nearly 40% lower effective rates than its regional neighbors.

What you'll pay in Jackson County

On a median home valued at $174,500, Jackson County homeowners pay only $824 annually—among the lowest in Indiana. With a mortgage, that reaches $890 due to escrow requirements.

Even low taxes deserve verification

Despite favorable rates, Jackson County homeowners should still verify their assessments are accurate. If your home's assessed value seems high relative to recent comparable sales, file an appeal with your assessor.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jackson County

via IncomeByCounty

Jackson County approaches national income

Jackson County's median household income of $70,208 narrows the gap with the national median of $74,755 to just $4,500, a 6% difference. This positioning puts Jackson County among stronger-earning regions in Indiana.

Above-average earner statewide

At $70,208, Jackson County exceeds Indiana's median of $68,681 by $1,527, ranking above average among the state's 92 counties. The per capita income of $33,127 runs slightly below state average, suggesting income concentration in fewer households.

Outearns most surrounding counties

Jackson County's $70,208 significantly exceeds Henry ($60,144), Jefferson ($59,987), and Jennings ($68,476) counties, but trails Jasper County ($79,634). Among its peer group, Jackson stands as a solid economic performer.

Housing costs reasonable

Jackson County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.2% remains well within affordable ranges, supporting household stability and savings capacity. The median home value of $174,500 aligns well with local incomes, making homeownership reasonably achievable.

Leverage stable income for wealth

Jackson County households earning $70,208 are positioned to save 15-20% of gross income toward retirement and investment accounts. This higher earning power allows for more aggressive wealth-building strategies like diversified stock portfolios and real estate investment.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Jackson County

via CrimeByCounty

Jackson County Outperforms National Trends

Jackson County reports a total crime rate of 952.1 per 100K, which is well below the national mark of 2,385.5. It holds a solid safety score of 98.5.

Slightly Above the Indiana Average

The county’s crime rate is higher than the Indiana state average of 693.8 per 100K. Three agencies report data here, showing a safety profile slightly below the state average score of 98.9.

Tracking Closely with Neighbors

Jackson's crime rate of 952.1 is nearly identical to neighboring Jennings County's 945.3. Both counties show higher activity levels than more rural areas like Henry County.

Property Crime Drives Local Figures

Most reported incidents are property crimes, which sit at 869.9 per 100K. Violent crime remains low at 82.2, which is less than a quarter of the national violent crime rate of 369.8.

Simple Steps for Better Safety

With property crime being the primary concern, residents should focus on securing outdoor equipment and vehicles. Consistent lighting and alarm systems provide an extra layer of defense for local homes.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Jackson County

via WeatherByCounty

Warm and Wet National Context

Jackson County is warmer than the national median with an annual average of 53.1°F. It is a humid transition zone with high annual precipitation of 49.3 inches.

One of Indiana’s Warmest Counties

This is one of Indiana's warmer counties, exceeding the state average of 52.2°F. It is also significantly wetter than the state norm of 43.9 inches.

Warmer and Much Less Snowy

Jackson is warmer than its northern neighbors and receives much less snow, totaling only 12.3 inches. It is also significantly wetter than Hamilton and Hancock counties.

Hot Summers and Mild Winters

Summers are hot and humid, averaging 73°F with 20 days exceeding 90°F. Winters are the mildest in this group, staying around 32°F with limited snowfall.

Prioritize Cooling and Waterproofing

High-capacity air conditioning is vital for the 20 days of extreme heat. Basement waterproofing is a smart investment given the nearly 50 inches of annual rain.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Jackson County

via SoilByCounty

Navigating Jackson County's Acidic Silt

Jackson County features a more acidic profile with a pH of 5.96, falling below both the national median and the state average of 6.08. Growers here often monitor lime levels to optimize performance for sensitive crops.

Fine-Textured Soils for Focused Management

Silt makes up nearly 60% of the soil, paired with 22.3% sand and 17.9% clay. This high silt concentration creates a fine-textured soil that holds water tightly but can be prone to erosion if not managed.

Managing Lower Organic Reserves

Organic matter sits at 1.96%, which is just below the national average and significantly lower than Indiana's 4.90% average. The water capacity of 0.198 in/in requires careful irrigation management to ensure consistent yields.

Slow Permeability and Fine Particles

While specific drainage class data is limited, the high silt concentration often indicates slower permeability. Landowners should consider these traits when planning construction projects or intensive farming operations.

Extended Seasons in Zone 6b

Hardiness Zone 6b allows for a longer growing season, making Jackson County a great spot for melons and berries. Adding compost helps boost organic matter and improves the overall productivity of your home garden.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Jackson County

via LawnByCounty

Top-Tier Conditions in Jackson County

Jackson County boasts a lawn difficulty score of 74.8, making it one of the more favorable places in the state to grow grass. The slightly warmer 6b hardiness zone allows for a longer active growing period for your turf.

High Rainfall for Thirsty Lawns

The county receives 49.3 inches of rain annually, which is over 5 inches more than the state average. This abundant moisture supports 3,496 growing degree days, though you will need to monitor for fungus during the 20 days of extreme heat.

Slightly Acidic Soil Challenges

The soil pH of 5.96 is just below the ideal 6.0 threshold, meaning a light application of lime may help unlock soil nutrients. The texture contains 17.9% clay, providing a decent balance of moisture retention and air space.

Strong Natural Moisture Resilience

With only 5 weeks in drought over the last year, Jackson County is much wetter than its northern neighbors. While 100% of the area is currently 'abnormally dry,' the lack of severe drought makes maintenance much simpler.

Early Starts and Long Seasons

Turf-type Tall Fescue is an excellent choice for this 6b zone thanks to its heat tolerance. You can begin lawn work early after the April 16 frost and enjoy a long season until the frost returns on October 21.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jackson County's county score?
Jackson County, Indiana has a composite county score of 50.3 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Jackson County rank among counties in Indiana?
Jackson County ranks #71 among all counties in Indiana on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Jackson County, Indiana?
The median annual property tax in Jackson County is $881, with an effective tax rate of 0.49%. This earns Jackson County a tax score of 84.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Jackson County?
The median household income in Jackson County, Indiana is $70,262 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Jackson County earns an income score of 62.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Jackson County, Indiana a good place to live?
Jackson County scores 50.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #71 in Indiana. The best way to evaluate Jackson County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Jackson County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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