countyscore
61
County Score
Safety 91.6Water Quality 86Soil Quality 82.2

County Report Card

About Jay County, Indiana

Jay County Well Above National Median

A composite score of 61.3 puts Jay County significantly ahead of the national median of 50.0. This high score reflects a quality of life that surpasses many counties across the country.

Outpacing the Indiana Average

Jay County’s 61.3 score beats the state average of 55.9 by a healthy margin. It represents a high-value pocket within the Indiana landscape.

High Safety and Extreme Affordability

Safety is a hallmark here with a score of 91.6, while a cost score of 67.5 highlights incredible affordability. Median home values are exceptionally low at just $110,100.

Low Income and Educational Hurdles

The income score of 23.2 reflects a lower median household income of $54,114. School scores are also low at 29.8, indicating a need for more resources in the classroom.

A Paradise for Budget-Conscious Buyers

Jay County is the perfect destination for retirees or those seeking the lowest possible entry price for homeownership. Its high safety and water quality scores ensure a secure, if modest, lifestyle.

204060801007267.891.636.329.821.377.28655.6Tax72Cost67.8Safety91.6Health36.3Schools29.8Income21.3Risk77.2Water86Weather55.661/100
This county
National avg
5 above average3 below average

Jay County DNA

Doverall

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

Jay County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (91.6/100) but notably weak in Income (21.3/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
72+20
Cost
67.8+19.799999999999997
Safety
91.6+36.599999999999994
Health
36.3-13.700000000000003
Schools
29.8-24.2
Income
21.3-29.7
Risk
77.2+30.200000000000003
Water
86+28
Weather
55.6
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$117,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$770/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$117,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$30,800/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $54,969/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

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
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Counties with similar scores

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Median income: $57,073
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Perry County
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Seward County
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Oneida County
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Price County
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Edgar County
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60.9

Nearby counties

Blackford County
Indiana
60.6
Randolph County
Indiana
56.6
Mercer County
Ohio
65.2
Delaware County
Indiana
40
Wells County
Indiana
65.7
Adams County
Indiana
57
Darke County
Ohio
61.6
Grant County
Indiana
45.5

Deep Dives

Jay County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in Jay County

via CrimeByCounty

Jay County is a Safety Leader

Jay County is one of the safest spots in the region with a total crime rate of 141.8 per 100K. This is drastically lower than the national average of 2,385.5, earning a safety score of 99.8.

Top-Tier Safety in Indiana

Jay County significantly outperforms the Indiana state safety average of 98.9. Two agencies report these low numbers, highlighting a community with very few criminal incidents per resident.

Stronger Safety Than Many Neighbors

Jay County's rate of 141.8 is much lower than Huntington's 569.5 and Jackson's 952.1. It stands out as a high-safety leader among its Indiana counterparts in the regional data.

Extremely Low Violent Crime Rates

Violent crime is nearly non-existent at just 9.8 per 100K, compared to the national average of 369.8. Property crime is similarly low at 132.0, meaning the vast majority of residents never experience a crime.

Vigilance Protects the Community

Low crime rates are a community achievement that requires continued effort to maintain. Staying aware of your surroundings and using basic home security helps keep Jay County exceptionally safe.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Jay County

via WeatherByCounty

A Typical Midwestern Four-Season Profile

Jay County averages 50.3°F annually, making it cooler than the typical U.S. county. The region experiences a humid continental climate defined by distinct seasonal variability.

Ranking Low on State Temperature Scales

The county's average temperature sits nearly two degrees below the Indiana statewide mark of 52.2°F. It remains one of the cooler jurisdictions in the eastern part of the state.

Consistent with East-Central Indiana Patterns

Jay shares a similar climate profile with neighboring Wells and Adams counties to the north. It receives 39.9 inches of rain, which is roughly four inches less than the Indiana average.

Mild Summers and Snowy Winters

The county sees a modest 13 days of extreme heat above 90°F during the 71.1°F summers. Winter brings 19.4 inches of snow and an average temperature of 28.2°F.

Insulate for Cold Winter Nights

Homeowners should prioritize attic insulation to maintain warmth during the sub-freezing January nights. A standard snow shovel or blower handles the 19 inches of annual accumulation.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Jay County

via SoilByCounty

Jay County's Near-Neutral Mollisols

Jay County's Mollisols have a pH of 6.42, sitting comfortably near the national 6.5 median and exceeding the 6.08 state average. This near-neutrality supports a diverse range of biological activity and high nutrient availability.

Heavy Silty Clay Composition

This silty clay soil contains 30.0% clay and 47.2% silt, making it denser than the average Indiana soil. While it provides superior nutrient retention, it can be more difficult to work when the ground is wet.

Strong Organic Matter and Water Storage

Organic matter is strong at 4.57%, nearly reaching the state average and far exceeding national levels. The available water capacity of 0.202 in/in matches the Indiana average, ensuring stable moisture for the growing season.

Managing Very Poor Drainage Class

The soil is very poorly drained and categorized as hydrologic group C/D. These heavy, clay-rich fields often require specialized tile drainage systems to be productive for large-scale agriculture.

High-Yield Gardening in Zone 6a

Zone 6a gardeners can rely on this soil’s high clay content to support thirsty crops like peppers and tomatoes. The natural fertility of these Mollisols provides a great head start for any home landscape.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Jay County

via LawnByCounty

Jay County's Premier Lawn Conditions

Jay County leads the group with a high lawn difficulty score of 76.4, making it far easier to maintain than the national average. This 6a zone provides a near-optimal balance of temperature and growing conditions for homeowners.

Stable Temperatures and Managed Water

The county sees 39.9 inches of annual rain, which is slightly below the state average but remains within the ideal range. With only 13 days of extreme heat, cool-season grasses spend less time in dormancy during the summer months.

Working with Heavy Silty Clay

A soil pH of 6.42 is excellent for lawn health, but the 30.0% clay content creates a very poorly drained environment. You will likely need to manage drainage and use aeration to prevent soil from becoming waterlogged and suffocating roots.

Battling Current Severe Drought

Despite its high overall score, 100% of Jay County is currently in severe drought after 28 weeks of dry conditions this year. Careful water management is required right now to help your turf survive these temporary but intense conditions.

Optimized Spring and Fall Planting

Standard cool-season blends are highly successful in this 6a hardiness zone. Plan to start seeding after the April 28 frost and finish your fall lawn care before the first frost arrives on October 15.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jay County's county score?
Jay County, Indiana has a composite county score of 61 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 Jay County rank among counties in Indiana?
Jay County ranks #34 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 Jay County, Indiana?
The median annual property tax in Jay County is $707, with an effective tax rate of 0.60%. This earns Jay County a tax score of 72/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Jay County?
The median household income in Jay County, Indiana is $54,969 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Jay County earns an income score of 21.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Jay County, Indiana a good place to live?
Jay County scores 61/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #34 in Indiana. The best way to evaluate Jay 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 Jay 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.