CountyScore

Johnson County

Arkansas · AR

#51 in Arkansas
69.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Johnson County, Arkansas

Well above the national benchmark

Johnson County scores 69.1, placing it 38 percentile points above the national median of 50.0 and exceeding livability standards in roughly three of five U.S. counties. This strong composite score reflects consistent performance across measured dimensions.

Just shy of Arkansas average

Johnson County scores 69.1 compared to Arkansas's state average of 70.3, placing it in the middle-to-upper tier of Arkansas counties. It performs solidly relative to its state peers.

Low taxes and balanced affordability

Johnson County excels with a tax score of 86.4 (effective rate: 0.566%) and a cost score of 86.4, offering strong housing affordability with median values of $124,800. The balanced approach to costs makes it attractive for middle-income families.

Limited incomes and moderate risk

The county's income score of 12.6 reflects a median household income of $44,808, below state and national norms, limiting upward economic mobility. A risk score of 41.9 suggests moderate vulnerability to external shocks.

Suits stable families with modest means

Johnson County appeals to families seeking affordable homeownership and low taxes in a quiet, established community. It's most attractive to those with stable employment, modest income expectations, and a desire to build equity in home ownership rather than maximize earnings.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.4Cost86.4SafetyComing SoonHealth56.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome12.6Risk41.9WaterComing Soon
🏛86.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼12.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤56.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡41.9
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 Johnson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Crawford County
Arkansas
69.1
Median income: $60,362
Routt County
Colorado
69.1
Median income: $104,803
Taylor County
Georgia
69.1
Median income: $41,743
Twin Falls County
Idaho
69.1
Median income: $65,338
Lucas County
Iowa
69.1
Median income: $67,921

Deep Dives

Johnson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Johnson County

via TaxByCounty

Johnson's tax rate beats national median

Johnson County's 0.566% effective property tax rate falls comfortably below the national median of 0.72%, placing it in the bottom 20% of U.S. counties by tax burden. Homeowners here enjoy substantially lower property taxes than most Americans.

Johnson County above state average

At 0.566%, Johnson's effective rate exceeds Arkansas's state average of 0.532% by a modest 0.034 percentage points. This positions Johnson in the middle range of Arkansas's 75 counties, neither high nor low relative to state peers.

Johnson matches Jackson's regional rate

Johnson County's 0.566% rate mirrors Jackson County's rate and runs just below Izard's 0.585%, while exceeding Lawrence's 0.488%. Regional property tax rates in north-central Arkansas cluster tightly between 0.49% and 0.63%.

Median home tax bill: $706 annually

On Johnson's median home value of $124,800, homeowners pay approximately $706 per year in property taxes. With mortgage-related costs factored in, the annual bill reaches about $834.

Contest inflated assessments and save money

Thousands of Arkansas homeowners pay taxes on overassessed properties without realizing they can appeal for free. Filing a challenge with your county assessor takes minimal effort and frequently results in lower annual tax payments.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Johnson County

via CostByCounty

Johnson County straddles national affordability

Johnson County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.1% trails the national average slightly, with median rent of $714 running modest compared to national norms. Median household income of $44,808 represents 60% of the national median, reflecting regional economic conditions but stable affordability relative to peers.

Slightly above state affordability average

At 19.1%, Johnson County's rent-to-income ratio edges above Arkansas's 18.1% state average by a narrow margin, positioning it near the middle of the pack. Median rent of $714 exceeds the state median of $760, but modest incomes keep affordability pressure moderate.

Mid-range rental costs in the region

Johnson County's $714 median rent falls between Izard County's $626 and Jefferson County's $849, reflecting its geographic position in northwest Arkansas. Home values of $124,800 rank among the highest in this group, balancing moderate rental costs with solid homeownership value.

Housing takes steady share of income

Johnson residents earning $44,808 dedicate 19.1% to rent ($714/month) and 16.3% to mortgage costs, totaling 35.4% toward housing annually. This rate leaves reasonable room for other household expenses, though not abundant financial cushion for emergencies.

Johnson offers balanced housing tradeoffs

Johnson County presents a middle-ground option: mid-range rents with higher-than-average home values, ideal for those seeking small-town stability with modest homeownership ambitions. Its position on the state affordability scale makes it a thoughtful choice for relocators seeking equilibrium.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Johnson County

via IncomeByCounty

Johnson gaps US median by 40%

Johnson County's median household income of $44,808 sits 40% below the US median of $74,755. Despite this substantial gap, the county earns slightly below Arkansas's state average of $51,156, placing it among the state's lower-income areas.

Lower-ranking Arkansas county

Johnson County ranks in the lower third of Arkansas counties by median household income, falling about $6,350 short of the state average. Its per capita income of $24,865 mirrors state trends, reflecting limited high-wage job opportunities in the county.

Similar to Jackson, below Izard

Johnson's $44,808 income closely matches Jackson County's $41,215 and Lawrence County's $44,164, but trails Izard ($47,728) and Lincoln ($51,667). This clustering suggests Johnson shares economic challenges with neighboring rural counties while lagging slightly ahead counties on Arkansas's eastern edge.

Home values outpace earning power

Johnson's median home value of $124,800 is among the highest in the peer group, yet median income is below-average at $44,808—a notable mismatch. With a rent-to-income ratio of 19.1%, housing remains tight, and homeownership requires substantial down-payment savings for median-income households.

Shift focus from homeowning to saving

Johnson residents should consider renting longer while building investment portfolios, rather than stretching budgets for early homeownership. Directing earnings toward employer retirement plans and automated savings accounts lets compound interest work over decades, potentially outpacing home-equity gains.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Johnson County

via HealthByCounty

Johnson aging ahead of nation

At 73.4 years, Johnson County's life expectancy nearly matches the U.S. average of 76.4 years, demonstrating relative population longevity. However, 28.6% report poor or fair health—above the national rate of roughly 18%—suggesting hidden disease burden despite longer average lifespan.

Slightly above Arkansas average

Johnson County's 73.4-year life expectancy edges above the state average of 72.3 years, placing it among Arkansas's better-performing counties. Yet the 28.6% poor/fair health rate ranks higher than many state peers, revealing that longevity masks underlying population health challenges.

Second-longest lifespan in region

Johnson County's 73.4 years trails only Izard County (73.7) in the region, and outpaces all other nearby counties including Lee (68.9) and Lafayette (71.7). With 54 primary care providers and 249 mental health providers per 100K, Johnson offers strong healthcare infrastructure relative to rural peers.

Highest uninsured rate among neighbors

At 11.4% uninsured, Johnson County exceeds the state average of 9.9%, leaving more than 1 in 9 residents without coverage. With 54 primary care and 249 mental health providers per 100K—strong by rural standards—access isn't the primary barrier; enrollment is.

Reduce your family's risk now

Johnson County's 11.4% uninsured rate is the highest in the region, putting more families at financial and health risk than necessary. Contact a local navigator or visit the state marketplace to close coverage gaps before illness strikes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Johnson County

via RiskByCounty

Johnson stays below state average

Johnson County's composite risk score of 58.14 rates as Relatively Low and sits just slightly above Arkansas's state average of 55.51. The county's risk profile is more balanced than neighbors, with no single hazard reaching extreme levels.

Mid-tier risk among Arkansas counties

Johnson County ranks in the middle range of Arkansas's 75 counties for overall disaster vulnerability. While it experiences elevated wildfire and tornado risks, it avoids the extreme earthquake exposure that plagues eastern counties.

Similar to Izard, safer than Jefferson

Johnson's 58.14 score closely matches Izard County's 53.09, while both rank well below Jackson County's 67.84 and far below Jefferson's dangerous 85.18. The two counties share comparable tornado and earthquake profiles across the region.

Wildfire and tornado risks lead

Johnson County faces wildfire risk at 67.40—among the state's highest—and tornado risk at 78.91. These two hazards drive the county's overall moderate risk profile.

Prioritize wildfire and storm coverage

Wildfire insurance is essential for Johnson County homeowners given the 67.40 risk score, especially if you live near forested areas. Add windstorm coverage to address the 78.91 tornado risk that exceeds most state averages.

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.