countyscore
50.8
County Score
Lawn Care 73.4Property Tax 72.2Disaster Risk 68.1

County Report Card

About Jennings County, Indiana

Jennings County Surpasses National Median

Jennings County earns a composite score of 52.1, keeping it above the national median of 50.0. It provides a standard of living that is consistent with solid American middle-class values.

Just Below the Indiana Average

A score of 52.1 means Jennings County slightly trails the Indiana state average of 55.9. While it performs well in certain pockets, it remains a mid-tier option within the state.

Low Taxes and Strong Income Growth

Jennings excels with a tax score of 76.0 and an income score of 63.0. The median household income of $68,476 is quite strong relative to its low effective tax rate of 0.584%.

Focusing on Schools and Utilities

The school score of 30.8 and water score of 32.8 are the county's low points. Residents may find that local public services require more support than the county's private economic metrics.

Best for Private Sector Workers

This county is a great fit for workers with solid incomes who want to maximize their take-home pay through low taxes. It offers a pragmatic balance of earnings and affordability.

2040608010072.23959.147.330.860.268.132.865.1Tax72.2Cost39Safety59.1Health47.3Schools30.8Income60.2Risk68.1Water32.8Weather65.150.8/100
This county
National avg
2 above average2 below average

Jennings County DNA

Foverall

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

Jennings County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (68.1/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (32.8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
72.2+20.200000000000003
Cost
39-9
Safety
59.1
Health
47.3
Schools
30.8-23.2
Income
60.2+9.200000000000003
Risk
68.1+21.099999999999994
Water
32.8-25.200000000000003
Weather
65.1+9.099999999999994
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Compare mortgage rates in Jennings County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$161,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$988/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$161,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$39,520/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $69,322/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

10.9

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
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Nearby counties

Bartholomew County
Indiana
52.8
Jefferson County
Indiana
59.3
Scott County
Indiana
56.4
Decatur County
Indiana
64.8
Jackson County
Indiana
50.3
Ripley County
Indiana
65.3
Trimble County
Kentucky
65.6
Brown County
Indiana
69.9

Deep Dives

Jennings County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jennings County

via TaxByCounty

Jennings County taxes near national average

Jennings County's 0.584% effective tax rate sits just above the national median of 0.571%, placing it in the middle 40th percentile. At $903 annually on a median home of $154,600, homeowners experience moderate tax burdens compared to national peers.

Below Indiana's average tax rate

Jennings County's 0.584% effective rate falls below Indiana's average of 0.671%, providing modest relief versus state peers. The median tax of $903 undercuts Indiana's median of $1,199 by roughly 25%.

More affordable than northern counties

Jennings County's 0.584% rate sits between Jackson County's low 0.472% and the higher-tax Henry, Howard, Huntington trio to the north. Its tax burden ranks favorably within the southeastern Indiana region.

What you'll pay in Jennings County

On a median home valued at $154,600, Jennings County homeowners pay roughly $903 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that increases to $1,023 due to lender escrow requirements.

Appeal if overassessed

Jennings County homeowners should verify their assessments reflect fair market value, especially if recent home sales in the area suggest lower valuations. Contact your assessor to request a reassessment or appeal process details.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jennings County

via IncomeByCounty

Jennings County approaches national average

Jennings County's median household income of $68,476 narrows the gap with the U.S. median of $74,755 to just $6,279, representing only an 8% shortfall. This positioning puts Jennings closer to national norms than most peer counties.

Competitive with Indiana average

Jennings County's $68,476 is nearly identical to Indiana's median of $68,681, placing it right at state average for earnings. Per capita income of $31,077 trails the state average of $34,773, suggesting income concentration in fewer households.

Mid-tier performer regionally

Jennings County ($68,476) outpaces Henry, Howard, Huntington, Jefferson, and Jay counties but trails Jackson ($70,208) and Jasper ($79,634). At the state median, Jennings represents solid middle-ground economic performance.

Housing costs well-managed

Jennings County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.9% ranks among the best in this eight-county group, enabling renters to maintain financial flexibility. The median home value of $154,600 aligns reasonably well with local earning power.

Build balanced investment approach

Jennings County households earning $68,476 should diversify savings across tax-advantaged and regular investment accounts for optimal wealth accumulation. Contributing $300 monthly to a mix of retirement and brokerage accounts at 7% annual returns generates roughly $350,000 in 30 years.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Jennings County

via CrimeByCounty

Jennings County Stays Below National Rates

Jennings County has a total crime rate of 945.3 per 100K, which is well below the national average of 2,385.5. This earns the county a 98.5 safety score.

Tracking Close to Indiana Averages

Two agencies report data for the county, placing its crime rate slightly above the Indiana state average of 693.8. Its safety score of 98.5 is just below the state average of 98.9.

Similar Safety to Jackson County

Jennings tracks closely with Jackson County, which has a nearly identical crime rate of 952.1. Both counties are significantly safer than Howard County but more active than Henry County.

Property Theft is the Main Concern

The county records 79.7 violent crimes and 865.6 property crimes per 100K people. These rates mean that while property theft is the main concern, violent incidents remain rare compared to national levels.

Secure Your Property Effectively

To mitigate property crime risks, residents should focus on home lighting and perimeter security. Staying informed about local trends through neighborhood apps can help prevent theft before it happens.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Jennings County

via WeatherByCounty

Matching the National Median Climate

Jennings County averages 54.8°F annually, placing it right in line with the national median temperature. The climate is humid and temperate, providing a balance between North and South.

Warmer than the Statewide Average

This average is over two degrees warmer than the Indiana state average of 52.2°F. It sits firmly in the warmer southern half of the state's climate rankings.

High Rainfall in the Muscatatuck Region

The county receives 49.3 inches of annual rain, making it wetter than neighbors like Bartholomew. It shares the humid, lush characteristics of the surrounding region.

Humid Summers and Light Snowfall

Summer temperatures average 73.8°F and produce 19 days of heat above 90°F. Winter is relatively mild compared to the north, averaging 34.3°F with 17.2 inches of snow.

Manage High Moisture and Humidity

Effective gutter systems and yard drainage are vital to manage the high 49.3-inch annual precipitation. HVAC systems should be rated for both high humidity and moderate summer heat spikes.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Jennings County

via SoilByCounty

Jennings County's Young Entisol Profile

Jennings County features Entisols with a pH of 6.01, which is almost identical to the Indiana state average. This slightly acidic foundation is common for these younger soils that have not yet developed distinct layers.

High Silt Content for Smooth Fields

The soil is predominantly silt (64.6%) with 17.8% clay and 17.6% sand. This high silt ratio provides a smooth feel and high water retention, though it lacks the structural stability of sandier soil mixes.

Building Organic Matter for Better Yields

At 1.89%, the organic matter is lower than the national average and well below the state's 4.90% mark. Despite this, the available water capacity of 0.207 in/in is higher than the state average, offering a good moisture reservoir.

Navigating Hydrologic Runoff Risks

While specific drainage classes are unavailable, the Entisol order and C/D hydrologic group suggest moderate runoff risks. These soils require careful management to prevent erosion on sloped terrain during heavy rains.

Long Growing Seasons in Zone 6b

The 6b hardiness zone allows for a long season of warm-weather crops like sweet potatoes and okra. Focus on building soil health with cover crops to overcome the lower organic matter levels in your backyard.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Jennings County

via LawnByCounty

Easier Lawn Care in Jennings County

With a difficulty score of 73.4, Jennings County offers an easier lawn care experience than both the state (71.0) and national (50.0) benchmarks. This 6b hardiness zone is well-suited for a variety of robust turfgrasses.

Rainy Skies and Long Growing Cycles

The county receives 49.3 inches of annual rain, providing plenty of natural irrigation compared to the state average of 44.2. A healthy 3,789 growing degree days ensures that your grass has ample warmth to thrive throughout the year.

Testing Soil for Optimal Health

The soil pH of 6.01 is on the lower end of the ideal spectrum and may require monitoring to ensure it doesn't become too acidic. With a balanced mix of 17.8% clay and 17.6% sand, the soil provides a versatile medium for most cool-season grass types.

Consistent Water Resilience

Jennings County is largely avoiding the severe drought seen elsewhere, with only 4 weeks of drought recorded in the past year. Currently, 87.6% of the area is abnormally dry, but the overall water outlook remains very positive for lawn health.

Prime Time for Planting

Heat-tolerant grasses like Tall Fescue perform exceptionally well in the 6b climate. Your primary growing window stretches from the last spring frost on April 21 to the first fall frost on October 21.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jennings County's county score?
Jennings County, Indiana has a composite county score of 50.8 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 Jennings County rank among counties in Indiana?
Jennings County ranks #69 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 Jennings County, Indiana?
The median annual property tax in Jennings County is $971, with an effective tax rate of 0.60%. This earns Jennings County a tax score of 72.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Jennings County?
The median household income in Jennings County, Indiana is $69,322 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Jennings County earns an income score of 60.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Jennings County, Indiana a good place to live?
Jennings County scores 50.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #69 in Indiana. The best way to evaluate Jennings 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 Jennings 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.