Kosciusko County's score of 69.6 ranks significantly above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 30% of U.S. counties for overall livability. This reflects strong performance on fundamentals like affordability and tax efficiency.
2 / 5
Just Below Indiana's Average
At 69.6, Kosciusko County sits slightly below Indiana's average of 71.2 but remains a solid performer statewide. The county ranks in the upper-middle tier among the state's 92 counties.
3 / 5
Lowest Taxes in This Analysis
Kosciusko County boasts the strongest tax score (85.4) with an exceptional effective rate of just 0.598%—the lowest among these eight counties. Balanced affordability (cost score 75.8) and respectable health outcomes (70.3) round out its advantages.
4 / 5
Income Potential Remains Limited
The income score of 31.6 reflects modest median household earnings of $73,922, constraining wealth-building potential. With limited school and safety data, the full livability picture remains incomplete.
5 / 5
Sweet Spot for Tax-Minimizing Relocators
Kosciusko County appeals to individuals seeking exceptional tax advantages, reasonable housing costs ($200,300 median), and small-town stability. It's particularly attractive to remote workers and retirees who can generate income elsewhere while enjoying low tax drag.
Kosciusko County's score of 69.6 ranks significantly above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 30% of U.S. counties for overall livability. This reflects strong performance on fundamentals like affordability and tax efficiency.
Just Below Indiana's Average
At 69.6, Kosciusko County sits slightly below Indiana's average of 71.2 but remains a solid performer statewide. The county ranks in the upper-middle tier among the state's 92 counties.
Lowest Taxes in This Analysis
Kosciusko County boasts the strongest tax score (85.4) with an exceptional effective rate of just 0.598%—the lowest among these eight counties. Balanced affordability (cost score 75.8) and respectable health outcomes (70.3) round out its advantages.
Income Potential Remains Limited
The income score of 31.6 reflects modest median household earnings of $73,922, constraining wealth-building potential. With limited school and safety data, the full livability picture remains incomplete.
Sweet Spot for Tax-Minimizing Relocators
Kosciusko County appeals to individuals seeking exceptional tax advantages, reasonable housing costs ($200,300 median), and small-town stability. It's particularly attractive to remote workers and retirees who can generate income elsewhere while enjoying low tax drag.
Score breakdown
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🏛85.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Kosciusko County's effective tax rate of 0.598% is one of the lowest in this group and well below the national median of 0.630%. At $1,198 in median annual taxes, residents here enjoy below-average property tax burdens despite moderate home values of $200,300.
Among Indiana's lowest tax counties
Kosciusko County's 0.598% rate is the second-lowest among these eight counties and well below Indiana's 0.671% average. This favorable rate puts Kosciusko in the lower-tax tier statewide, benefiting homeowners significantly.
Tax advantage in northern region
Kosciusko County's 0.598% rate beats nearby LaGrange County (0.542%)—wait, LaGrange is actually lower—but outperforms Johnson County (0.720%) and significantly beats Lake County (0.925%). It's a middle option among regional peers.
What $200,300 home costs annually
A typical Kosciusko County homeowner with a $200,300 home pays approximately $1,198 in annual property taxes. With mortgage, that figure rises to $1,260; without, to $1,090—notably lower than national medians despite reasonable home values.
Still opportunities to appeal assessments
Even with favorable county rates, some Kosciusko County homeowners are overassessed. A property tax appeal, filed with your local assessor's office, could reduce your bills further at no cost to you.
Renters allocate 16.1% of income to housing, slightly above the national norm, but Kosciusko's median household income of $73,922 is nearly equal to the national average of $74,755. Median rents of $995 are moderate for the region.
Middle-of-the-pack affordability in Indiana
Kosciusko's 16.1% rent-to-income ratio is slightly higher than Indiana's 15.6% average, though its $995 median rent sits firmly between state and county extremes. This positions Kosciusko as a balanced, middle-tier option statewide.
Moderate costs between affordable and expensive counties
Kosciusko's $995 rent falls between the cheaper Knox County ($782) and pricier Johnson County ($1,208), offering a middle ground for this region. Its 16.1% rent-to-income ratio is competitive with Johnson County despite lower incomes.
Stable housing-to-income allocation
Renters spend 16.1% of income on rent, while homeowners allocate roughly 15.5% to mortgages on a median home value of $200,300. Together, these housing costs consume about one-third of typical household budgets.
Kosciusko offers balanced regional options
If you seek middle-ground housing costs and incomes around $74K, Kosciusko delivers stability without extreme affordability pressures. Compare with Johnson County (higher earnings, higher rents) or Lawrence County (lower costs, lower incomes) based on your income expectations.
Kosciusko County's median household income of $73,922 sits just 1.1% below the national median of $74,755, putting it nearly at parity with US averages. Per capita income of $36,316 approaches the national benchmark, reflecting a relatively balanced local economy.
Above Indiana's average income level
Kosciusko County's median household income exceeds Indiana's state average of $68,681 by 7.6%, positioning it among the state's mid-to-upper tier earners. This places the county in a stronger position than many peers across Indiana.
Middle ground among regional peers
Kosciusko County's $73,922 income sits between LaGrange County's higher $83,741 and Knox County's lower $58,863, making it a regional middle-earner. The county outpaces Lake County ($68,985) and LaPorte County ($70,452) in household income stability.
Housing remains solidly affordable here
A rent-to-income ratio of 16.1% keeps housing costs well within the affordable zone for Kosciusko County residents, with a median home value of $200,300. Incomes here support reasonable monthly housing payments without excessive financial strain.
Capitalize on Kosciusko's stable income base
With household income near the national average, Kosciusko County residents are positioned to invest in IRAs, 401(k)s, and diversified savings vehicles. Now is the time to lock in long-term wealth-building habits before life's bigger expenses arrive.
Kosciusko County's life expectancy of 76.0 years edges above the national average of 74.9 years. At 17.2% reporting poor or fair health, the county performs better than the national rate of 21%.
Solid health position in Indiana
With a life expectancy of 76.0 years, Kosciusko County runs 0.9 years ahead of Indiana's 75.1-year average. The county's 17.2% poor/fair health rate indicates relatively strong population health compared to state trends.
Strong health but tight doctor access
Kosciusko County's 76.0-year life expectancy matches the regional high but masks a provider shortage—just 44 primary care providers per 100,000 residents. Mental health services are more robust at 190 per 100,000.
Uninsured rate rising, providers limited
Kosciusko County's 9.8% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 8.4%, the highest concern in the county. Primary care access is particularly strained at 44 providers per 100,000, making advance scheduling critical.
Address the insurance gap
Nearly 1 in 10 Kosciusko County residents lack health insurance. Explore affordable coverage at healthcare.gov or speak with a navigator at your local health department to find a plan that works for your family.
Kosciusko County scores 66.32 on the composite risk scale, rating as relatively low but standing 20.8 points above Indiana's state average of 45.52. This moderate elevation reflects scattered vulnerability across multiple hazard types rather than concentrated danger.
Mid-range risk within Indiana
Kosciusko County's 66.32 score places it solidly in the middle tier of Indiana's risk distribution, ranking notably higher than Lawrence County but lower than Lake County. The county faces above-average statewide exposure across several disaster categories.
Neighbors face similar challenges
Kosciusko County (66.32) sits between LaGrange County (62.40) to the north and Johnson County (74.65) to the south, occupying middle ground regionally. All three counties share elevated tornado and earthquake vulnerabilities that dominate the northern Indiana landscape.
Tornadoes lead; hurricanes rising
Tornado risk at 85.94 represents Kosciusko County's primary hazard, with the county experiencing nearly as much exposure as Johnson County's 89.31. Hurricane risk at 41.59 is notably elevated—the second-highest among county hazards—making tropical storm preparation increasingly important.
Invest in storm and wind coverage
Kosciusko County residents should prioritize comprehensive homeowners policies with robust tornado, hail, and wind damage provisions given the 85.94 tornado score. Consider flood insurance as well, since the 63.68 flood risk suggests meaningful precipitation and drainage concerns.