CountyScore

Jackson County

Ohio · OH

#19 in Ohio
69.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Jackson County, Ohio

Jackson County ranks highest nationally

Jackson County's composite score of 72.4 is the highest in this eight-county group and significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 72nd percentile nationally. The county delivers strong livability performance relative to most U.S. counties.

Top performer among Ohio counties

At 72.4, Jackson County ranks above Ohio's state average of 68.8 and leads this group in overall composite score. The county demonstrates superior livability conditions within the state.

Exceptional taxes and affordability

Jackson County boasts a tax score of 75.4 with an effective tax rate of 0.954% and a cost score of 82.9 supporting median home values of $140,400 and rents of $773/month. This combination offers strong financial incentives for relocation and settlement.

Income growth is limited

The income score of 21.5 reflects a median household income of $58,409, among the lower in this cohort, indicating constrained earning opportunities. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors is not yet available.

Best for tax-savvy budget planners

Jackson County suits retirees, remote workers, and families with fixed incomes seeking maximum tax advantages and low housing costs. The county's superior affordability and lowest-tier tax rates make it particularly attractive to those optimizing finances over career growth.

Score breakdown

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

Tax75.4Cost82.9SafetyComing SoonHealth63.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.5Risk64.3WaterComing Soon
🏛75.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡64.3
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 Jackson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Carroll County
Arkansas
69.5
Median income: $55,187
Burke County
Georgia
69.5
Median income: $50,739
Henderson County
Illinois
69.5
Median income: $65,651
Hamilton County
Iowa
69.5
Median income: $71,750
Coffey County
Kansas
69.5
Median income: $67,377

Deep Dives

Jackson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jackson County

via TaxByCounty

Jackson County offers strong tax affordability

At 0.954%, Jackson County's effective property tax rate ranks among the nation's lowest, placing it in the bottom 15% nationwide. The county's median property tax of $1,339 is roughly 50% below the national median of $2,690, delivering exceptional savings.

Well below Ohio's statewide average

Jackson County's 0.954% effective rate undercuts Ohio's 1.148% average by 194 basis points. This positions Jackson in the lower tier among Ohio's 88 counties, making it one of the state's most affordable.

Second-lowest rate in southern Ohio cluster

Jackson County's 0.954% rate ranks just above Highland (0.940%), making both counties exceptional values in southern Ohio. At $1,339 in median annual tax, Jackson residents enjoy one of the region's lightest property tax burdens.

Typical homeowner pays $1,339 yearly

A homeowner with a median-valued property ($140,400) in Jackson County pays approximately $1,339 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, that total rises to $1,394; without, it falls to $1,274.

Even in affordable Jackson, verify your assessment

Don't assume that low county-wide rates mean your individual assessment is accurate—verify your property's value against local comparables. If you suspect overassessment, Jackson County homeowners can appeal with minimal cost and potentially reduce their already-modest tax bills further.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Jackson County

via CostByCounty

Jackson's rent burden exceeds nation

At 15.9%, Jackson County's rent-to-income ratio sits above the national average, indicating renters dedicate more of their paychecks to housing than typical Americans. The median household income of $58,409 trails the national figure by 22%, compressing housing affordability.

Among Ohio's less affordable counties

Jackson County's 15.9% rent-to-income ratio ranks above Ohio's state average of 15.6%, positioning it among counties with tighter housing affordability. This above-average burden reflects lower incomes relative to statewide norms.

Jackson faces affordability headwinds

At 15.9%, Jackson's rent-to-income ratio ranks among the region's highest, trailing only Harrison (16.8%) and Hocking (15.8%). The county's $773 rent is reasonable, but below-average incomes create the region's second-tightest affordability situation.

Jackson's compressed budget picture

On a $58,409 median household income, renters pay $773 monthly (15.9% of income), while homeowners pay $770 (15.8% of income). Both figures approach tight thresholds, leaving limited cushion for other household expenses despite moderate rents and home values.

Jackson suits owners over renters

For relocators to Jackson County, homeownership creates slightly better affordability than renting, given owners pay nearly identical costs to renters while building equity. The county's $140,400 median home value and low ownership costs offer a genuine opportunity to transition from renting to ownership.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jackson County

via IncomeByCounty

Jackson's income trails national average

Jackson County's median household income of $58,409 falls 22% below the national median of $74,755. This significant gap reflects economic challenges common to southern Ohio's rural counties, where job opportunities remain limited and wages lag national trends.

Among Ohio's lowest-income counties

At $58,409, Jackson County earns 14% less than Ohio's average county median of $68,101, placing it in the lower tier of the state's 88 counties. This positions Jackson alongside other economically distressed rural regions in southeast and south-central Ohio.

Jackson earns least among peer counties

Jackson County's $58,409 is the lowest median income in this eight-county group, trailing even Harrison County ($53,851) and Harrison County ($53,851). Alongside Hardin County ($58,001), Jackson reflects the broader income challenges of rural southern and eastern Ohio.

Rent costs strain household budgets

At 15.9%, Jackson County's rent-to-income ratio approaches the affordability warning threshold, with renters spending roughly $778 monthly. While still below 20%, this elevated ratio leaves less cushion for savings and unexpected expenses, signaling budget pressure for renting households.

Small steps build long-term security

With median income at $58,409 and elevated housing costs, Jackson County households should prioritize building a small emergency fund before aggressive investing—even $25–50 monthly compounds over time. Local financial institutions, credit counseling services, and workplace retirement plans offer accessible pathways to begin wealth-building today.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Jackson County

via HealthByCounty

Jackson County faces significant health challenges

With a life expectancy of 71.2 years, Jackson County residents live nearly 5 years less than the U.S. average of 76.1 years—one of the largest gaps among comparison counties. Roughly one in five (21.9 percent) report poor or fair health, well above the national average of 18 percent. These disparities point to serious obstacles in accessing and affording healthcare.

Jackson ranks among Ohio's lowest performers

Jackson County's 71.2-year life expectancy trails Ohio's 74.8-year average by 3.6 years—the worst performance in the comparison group. The 21.9 percent poor/fair health rate exceeds Ohio's median, indicating higher disease burdens and worse disease management than typical Ohioans. Jackson represents one of Ohio's most challenged health markets.

Strong mental health access can't overcome other barriers

Jackson County offers 43 primary care providers per 100,000—respectable for a rural county—but exceptional mental health access at 331 per 100,000, the highest of any comparison county. Despite this mental health strength, Jackson's overall health outcomes remain poor, suggesting that substance use and behavioral health crises are only part of the challenge. Economic hardship and limited insurance coverage drive broader health disparities.

Uninsurance compounds systemic health gaps

An estimated 8.5 percent of Jackson County residents lack health insurance, above Ohio's 7.5 percent average. When uninsured residents face economic strain and limited income, they skip preventive care entirely—leading to late diagnoses, emergency-room crises, and worse health trajectories. Insurance access alone won't fix Jackson's health crisis, but it's an essential first step.

Jackson County: don't delay getting covered

Jackson County's severe health challenges make insurance coverage essential, not optional. Visit healthcare.gov or call your local health department today to explore Medicaid, marketplace options, and subsidies—coverage can mean the difference between managing health and facing health crises.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Jackson County

via RiskByCounty

Jackson County maintains very low disaster risk

At 35.75, Jackson County's composite risk score runs below the national average and significantly lower than Ohio's 55.03 state average. This very low rating places residents in a relatively protected position nationwide.

Ranks among Ohio's safer counties

Jackson County's 35.75 score situates it well below the state average and in Ohio's lower-risk tier. The county's solid standing reflects moderate to low exposure across most major natural hazard types.

Safer than most peer counties

Jackson County's 35.75 score exceeds only Hardin (24.43) and Harrison (11.42), but trails Henry (33.81), Highland (43.19), Hocking (47.30), Holmes (60.40), and Huron (50.29). It ranks as one of the safer counties in its regional cohort.

Flooding and hurricane pose modest concern

Flood risk (57.19) and hurricane risk (49.40) are Jackson County's two highest hazard scores, both approaching or exceeding state average but remaining moderate in absolute terms. Earthquake (45.55) and tornado (33.87) risks are secondary, while wildfire (20.36) is minimal.

Standard coverage with flood consideration

Jackson County residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance and seriously consider flood coverage if your property is near a waterway or in a flood zone. A basic emergency kit and a conversation with your insurance agent about optional earthquake or hurricane riders ensures comprehensive preparedness.

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.