CountyScore

Jefferson County

Indiana · IN

#60 in Indiana
70.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Jefferson County, Indiana

Jefferson County surpasses national median

Jefferson County's 70.6 composite score substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 41st percentile nationally. This southeastern Indiana county demonstrates competitive livability across tracked dimensions.

Slightly below Indiana average

Jefferson County scores 70.6 compared to Indiana's 71.2 state average, placing it just below the midpoint among Indiana's 92 counties. It represents a solid but slightly below-average Indiana county.

Balanced costs with decent taxes

Jefferson County offers an 83.7 tax score with a 0.659% effective rate, plus a 79.7 cost score reflecting median home values at $180,600. The 67.9 health score provides a stable foundation for family living.

Low incomes and missing data gaps

The income score of 22.5 with a $59,987 median household income trails state peers, limiting earning potential. School and safety data remain unavailable, obscuring critical factors for families evaluating relocations.

Good for value-conscious families

Jefferson County appeals to working families and individuals seeking moderate housing costs and tax advantages without high-income requirements, particularly those with established employment elsewhere. The balanced profile suits pragmatic relocators prioritizing stability over growth.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.7Cost79.7SafetyComing SoonHealth67.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.5Risk51.7WaterComing Soon
🏛83.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡51.7
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 Jefferson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Fremont County
Colorado
70.6
Median income: $61,027
Chattahoochee County
Georgia
70.6
Median income: $59,221
Jones County
Georgia
70.6
Median income: $68,259
Jerome County
Idaho
70.6
Median income: $69,338
Atchison County
Kansas
70.6
Median income: $62,164

Deep Dives

Jefferson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jefferson County

via TaxByCounty

Jefferson County taxes slightly above national median

Jefferson County's 0.659% effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 0.571% by roughly 90 basis points, ranking in the upper 40th percentile. At $1,191 annually on a median home of $180,600, homeowners face moderate-to-high tax burdens regionally.

Near Indiana's average tax rate

Jefferson County's 0.659% effective rate nearly matches Indiana's state average of 0.671%, placing it solidly in the middle of the pack statewide. The median tax of $1,191 aligns closely with Indiana's median of $1,199.

Mid-range taxes regionally

Jefferson County's 0.659% rate falls between Jackson County's advantageous 0.472% and Henry County's elevated 0.749%. Its $1,191 median tax exceeds Jackson and Jasper counties but trails higher-rate northern neighbors.

What you'll pay in Jefferson County

On the median home value of $180,600, Jefferson County homeowners pay approximately $1,191 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that climbs to $1,226 due to escrow requirements.

Assessment appeals remain worthwhile

Even at average tax rates, many Jefferson County homeowners carry assessments above current market values. File an appeal with your county assessor if your home's appraised value exceeds recent comparable sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Jefferson County

via CostByCounty

Jefferson County's Housing Affordability Strain

Jefferson County residents experience a 17.3% rent-to-income ratio, among the state's tightest, paired with a median household income of $59,987 that falls nearly $15,000 short of the national median. Monthly rents of $865 consume a troubling share of household budgets here.

Jefferson's Standing in Indiana

At 17.3%, Jefferson County's rent-to-income ratio ranks among Indiana's least affordable, exceeding the state average of 15.6% by 1.7 percentage points. The county's below-average income of $59,987 compounds the affordability challenge, making housing a significant budget strain.

Jefferson vs. Surrounding Counties

Jefferson County's 17.3% rent burden makes it one of the region's least affordable, surpassed only by Howard County at 17.6% and Jay County at 17.0%. While rents at $865 run moderate, the combination of modest housing costs and weak incomes creates persistent affordability pressure.

Jefferson County Housing Economics

Jefferson County residents earning the median $59,987 annually spend about $865 monthly on rent—a significant 17.3% of gross income. Homeowners face nearly identical $866 monthly costs on properties valued around $180,600, making ownership no easier than renting financially.

Relocating to Jefferson County?

Jefferson County's 17.3% rent-to-income ratio and modest incomes signal tight household budgets for most residents, making it a challenging move unless you're relocating with above-average income or employment already secured. If you're considering Jefferson for lower housing costs, recognize that the real affordability gains vanish without stable, competitive employment.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jefferson County

via IncomeByCounty

Jefferson County below national benchmark

Jefferson County's median household income of $59,987 falls roughly $14,800 short of the U.S. median of $74,755, a 20% gap. This income shortfall places Jefferson among communities facing economic headwinds compared to national averages.

Below average across Indiana

Jefferson County's $59,987 trails Indiana's median of $68,681 by $8,694, ranking it in the lower portion of state counties. Per capita income of $32,420 also falls below the state average of $34,773, signaling limited per-person earning capacity.

Weakest in its immediate region

Jefferson County ($59,987) ranks second-lowest in this group, surpassing only Jay County ($54,114) and trailing Henry County ($60,144). Jennings County ($68,476) to the west substantially outperforms Jefferson by nearly $8,500.

Housing costs press heavily

Jefferson County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.3% sits at the upper threshold of affordability, with renters allocating a substantial share to housing costs. Paradoxically, the median home value of $180,600 ranks high in this group, creating tension between housing costs and lower household incomes.

Start small, build momentum

Jefferson County households earning $59,987 should use employer retirement plan matching as a foundation, treating it as free money toward long-term security. Increasing automatic savings by even 1% annually compounds significantly—$25 monthly invested at 7% grows to $50,000+ over 30 years.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Jefferson County

via HealthByCounty

Jefferson County's life expectancy trails nation

At 73.7 years, Jefferson County residents live approximately 5.2 years less than the U.S. average of 78.9 years. With 20.3% reporting poor or fair health, the county exhibits chronic disease burdens that limit both lifespan and quality of life.

Below state average on all health fronts

Jefferson County's 73.7-year life expectancy falls 1.4 years short of Indiana's 75.1-year state average, while the 20.3% poor/fair health rate and 7.4% uninsured rate both approach state averages. The county ranks in the lower tier for health outcomes among these eight counties.

Moderate care access across sectors

Jefferson County's 60 primary care providers per 100K exceed Henry County and Jasper County but trail Jackson County's 67 per 100K. Mental health services at 127 per 100K are robust, providing solid psychiatric resources for residents navigating behavioral health challenges.

Decent provider access, mediocre health outcomes

With 60 primary care physicians per 100K and 127 mental health providers per 100K, Jefferson County has reasonable provider availability, yet 20.3% of residents report poor or fair health. The 7.4% uninsured rate suggests coverage is not the primary barrier—care quality, preventive culture, or socioeconomic factors may be driving worse outcomes.

Ensure coverage for all Jefferson County residents

Jefferson County's 7.4% uninsured rate means roughly 1 in 13 residents lack health insurance and struggle to afford care. Visit healthcare.gov, explore Medicaid expansion, or work with your employer benefits to secure affordable coverage and get preventive care on track.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Jefferson County

via RiskByCounty

Jefferson County moderately above average

Jefferson County scores 48.28 on the composite risk scale, slightly exceeding Indiana's 45.52 state average while remaining in the relatively low category nationally. This profile reflects concentrated tornado risk offset by lower wildfire and hurricane exposure.

Middle-to-upper risk tier statewide

Jefferson County ranks above the state median among Indiana's 92 counties for natural disaster risk, placing it in the upper-middle tier. Roughly 55% of Indiana counties present lower overall risk exposure than Jefferson.

Riskier than nearby southern counties

Jefferson County's 48.28 score exceeds neighboring Jennings County (31.90) and Clark County to the southeast, making it one of the higher-risk areas in southern Indiana. Jackson County (52.93) to the west presents marginally higher exposure.

Tornadoes the overwhelming threat

Tornado risk dominates at 82.06 in Jefferson County, among Indiana's highest and driving the county's above-average composite score. Earthquake risk (61.48) ranks moderately elevated, while flood (55.95), hurricane (20.40), and wildfire (9.41) risks remain secondary concerns.

Prioritize tornado protection coverage

Jefferson County residents must secure homeowners insurance with strong wind and hail coverage, as tornado risk (82.06) represents the dominant natural hazard. Earthquake insurance is a practical add-on given the 61.48 seismic score.

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.