CountyScore

Jay County

Indiana · IN

#30 in Indiana
73.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Jay County, Indiana

Jay County exceeds national baseline

Jay County's 73.2 composite score substantially outperforms the national median of 50.0, ranking in the top 46th percentile nationally. This east-central Indiana county demonstrates solid livability across its measured dimensions.

Above-average performer for Indiana

Jay County scores 73.2 against Indiana's 71.2 state average, placing it in the upper-middle tier of Indiana's 92 counties. It represents a stronger-than-typical Indiana county overall.

Unbeatable affordability and low taxes

Jay County delivers the lowest median home value at $110,100 and the lowest rent at $766/month among these eight counties, combined with an 85.3 tax score and 0.604% effective rate. This combination creates exceptional affordability for budget-conscious households.

Income and health concerns linger

The income score of 18.7 with just $54,114 median household income is the lowest in this group, paired with a 64.2 health score. The 77.2 risk score is also the highest, suggesting environmental or other hazard concerns.

Ideal for retirees and remote workers

Jay County suits retirees living on fixed incomes, remote workers with portable earnings, and financially resourceful individuals unconcerned with local employment, thanks to rock-bottom housing costs. The high-risk score warrants investigation, but affordability is unmatched in this cohort.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.3Cost83.4SafetyComing SoonHealth64.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.7Risk77.2WaterComing Soon
🏛85.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤64.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡77.2
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 Jay County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Perry County
Alabama
73.2
Median income: $34,368
Crowley County
Colorado
73.2
Median income: $47,563
Putnam County
Indiana
73.2
Median income: $76,182
Vermillion County
Indiana
73.2
Median income: $59,363
Linn County
Missouri
73.2
Median income: $61,975

Deep Dives

Jay County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jay County

via TaxByCounty

Jay County offers moderate tax relief

Jay County's 0.604% effective tax rate sits slightly above the national median of 0.571%, placing it in the middle range nationwide. At $665 annually on the lowest median home value statewide ($110,100), this county offers the cheapest absolute tax bills in the region.

Below Indiana's average tax burden

Jay County's 0.604% effective rate falls below Indiana's average of 0.671%, offering relief compared to state peers. The median tax of $665 represents the lowest dollar amount among all sampled counties, thanks to modest property values.

Lowest-cost taxes in absolute dollars

Jay County's $665 median tax is significantly lower than surrounding counties with higher property values and effective rates. Even Jackson County's advantageous 0.472% rate produces a $824 bill due to higher home values.

What you'll pay in Jay County

On a median home valued at $110,100, Jay County homeowners pay just $665 annually—the lowest absolute tax bill in this analysis. With a mortgage, expect approximately $688 due to escrow requirements.

Confirm your assessment reflects market value

Low-value counties still benefit from occasional assessment reviews to ensure valuations align with actual sales prices. If you believe your home is overassessed, request a reassessment from your county assessor.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Jay County

via CostByCounty

Jay County's Income and Housing Challenge

Jay County faces the hardest affordability battle in this regional cluster, with a 17.0% rent-to-income ratio and the lowest median household income at just $54,114—nearly $21,000 below the national average. At $766 monthly, rents are the cheapest available, but incomes simply don't stretch far enough to ease the burden.

Jay County's Affordability Struggle

Jay County's 17.0% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Indiana's 15.6% state average, and its median income of $54,114 ranks among the state's lowest. The county's rock-bottom housing costs at $766 monthly can't fully compensate for wages that lag statewide norms.

Jay County: The Region's Toughest Market

Jay County's 17.0% rent burden and $54,114 median income stand out as the least favorable in this cluster—even Henry County's lower incomes are cushioned by better housing-to-income ratios. At $766 monthly, Jay's rents are the cheapest, but that advantage disappears against wages stretched thin.

Jay County's Tight Housing Equation

Jay County residents earning just $54,114 annually dedicate about $766 monthly to rent—17.0% of gross income, the highest burden here. Homeownership at $745 monthly on properties valued around $110,100 looks affordable in isolation but demands careful budgeting given limited local incomes.

Jay County: Proceed With Caution

Jay County's ultra-cheap housing costs of $766 monthly and home values under $111,000 attract relocators on tight budgets, but the county's low median income of $54,114 signals limited job prospects. Only consider Jay if you're relocating with employment already secured or remote work that pays above-county-median wages.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jay County

via IncomeByCounty

Jay County significantly below national

Jay County's median household income of $54,114 falls nearly $20,600 below the U.S. median of $74,755, representing a 27% income gap. This substantial shortfall reflects economic challenges facing rural manufacturing-dependent communities.

Lowest earner among eight counties

Jay County ranks at the bottom of this group and trails Indiana's median of $68,681 by $14,567, positioning it among the state's lower-income counties. Per capita income of $27,105 significantly lags the state average of $34,773, indicating limited earning opportunities per resident.

Struggles compared to nearby areas

Jay County ($54,114) trails all peers in this analysis, falling more than $4,000 below Henry County ($60,144), the second-lowest earner. This county faces the steepest income challenge among these eight communities.

Housing costs strain budgets

At 17.0%, Jay County's rent-to-income ratio sits at the upper affordability limit, meaning renters dedicate significant portions of earnings to housing. The median home value of $110,100 remains among the lowest in the group, yet represents substantial commitment for lower-income households.

Prioritize emergency savings first

Jay County households earning $54,114 should begin by building a 3-6 month emergency fund before investing, protecting against financial shocks. Once emergency savings are established, even $50 monthly in low-cost index funds begins building long-term wealth and financial resilience.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Jay County

via HealthByCounty

Jay County faces steep health disparities

At 73.1 years, Jay County residents live roughly 5.8 years less than the U.S. average of 78.9 years. More than 1 in 5 residents (22.3%) report poor or fair health—the highest rate in this eight-county group—indicating severe chronic disease and population stress.

Among Indiana's worst health outcomes

Jay County's 73.1-year life expectancy lags Indiana's 75.1-year average by 2 years, and the 22.3% poor/fair health rate is the worst in Indiana among these counties. At 8.9% uninsured, Jay County also exceeds Indiana's 8.4% state average, creating compounding barriers to care.

Fewest doctors, most health problems

Jay County has the lowest primary care density (30 per 100K) outside Jasper County and minimal mental health services (90 per 100K), yet residents report the worst health in the group. This provider shortage directly impacts access to chronic disease management, making preventive and acute care unavailable when needed.

Low access, high uninsurance, poor health

Jay County's combination of 30 primary care providers per 100K, 90 mental health providers per 100K, and 8.9% uninsured creates a perfect storm for poor health outcomes. Over 1 in 5 residents report poor or fair health, and without robust provider networks, residents delay care until conditions worsen.

Jay County: get coverage and care now

With 8.9% of residents uninsured—1 in 11 people—Jay County needs aggressive outreach to close coverage gaps. Call 1-800-MEDICARE, visit healthcare.gov, or contact the Jay County health department immediately to enroll in Medicaid or marketplace plans and connect with available primary care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Jay County

via RiskByCounty

Jay County: Indiana's lowest-risk area

Jay County's composite risk score of 22.87 ranks among the lowest in the nation, placing it firmly in the very low category and well below Indiana's 45.52 state average. Residents here face dramatically lower natural disaster exposure than the typical American.

Safest county in Indiana

Jay County ranks as Indiana's lowest-risk county for natural disaster exposure among all 92 counties in the state. No other Indiana county presents a substantially lower comprehensive hazard profile.

Safest spot in northeast Indiana

Jay County's 22.87 risk score substantially underperforms Randolph County (to the west) and Adams County, making it the clear low-risk leader in northeast Indiana. Even Huntington County (38.23) to the west carries nearly double the risk exposure.

Moderate tornado risk, minimal others

Tornado risk reaches 61.70 in Jay County, the primary concern but still below Indiana state norms. Earthquake risk (56.97) ranks moderate locally, while wildfire (5.18), flood (36.80), and hurricane risks (38.51) remain minimal to very low.

Standard homeowners insurance suffices

Jay County residents need only basic homeowners insurance with wind and hail coverage for tornado preparedness, as natural disaster exposure here is minimal. Flood and earthquake insurance are optional add-ons, given the very low risk scores across those hazards.

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.