countyscore
34.3
County Score
Lawn Care 75.2Water Quality 68.4Soil Quality 66.9

County Report Card

About Lake County, Indiana

Facing National Livability Headwinds

Lake County scores a 34.4, trailing significantly behind the national median of 50.0. This reflects the complex challenges common in densely populated urban and industrial regions.

Trailing Indiana's Quality Benchmarks

The county's score of 34.4 is well below the Indiana state average of 55.9. While it serves as a major economic hub, it faces stiff competition from neighboring counties in terms of overall resident satisfaction.

Stable Incomes and Water Access

Lake County's strengths lie in its water quality (68.4) and a solid income score of 64.2. A median household income of $68,985 supports a large, diverse workforce.

High Risk and School Struggles

The county faces a critical risk score of 4.1, indicating high vulnerability to environmental or systemic factors. Safety (26.8) and school quality (24.4) also present ongoing challenges for the community.

A Choice for Urban Professionals

Lake County is best suited for individuals who value proximity to Chicago and urban employment over traditional suburban metrics. It attracts those willing to navigate lower safety scores for the benefits of a major metro area.

2040608010041.822.226.85024.465.44.168.452Tax41.8Cost22.2Safety26.8Health50Schools24.4Income65.4Risk4.1Water68.4Weather5234.3/100
This county
National avg
2 above average5 below average

Lake County DNA

Foverall

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

Lake County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (65.4/100) but notably weak in Disaster Risk (4.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
41.8-10.200000000000003
Cost
22.2-25.8
Safety
26.8-28.2
Health
50
Schools
24.4-29.6
Income
65.4+14.400000000000006
Risk
4.1-42.9
Water
68.4+10.400000000000006
Weather
52
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Compare mortgage rates in Lake County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$230,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,131/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$230,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$45,240/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.2x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $71,493/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

15.2

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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Counties with similar scores

Wapello County
Iowa
Median income: $64,766
34.3
Durham County
North Carolina
Median income: $82,316
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Champaign County
Illinois
Median income: $63,683
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Schenectady County
New York
Median income: $79,623
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Oklahoma County
Oklahoma
Median income: $66,679
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Jasper County
South Carolina
Median income: $65,613
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Meade County
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Median income: $74,790
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Waller County
Texas
Median income: $80,397
34.2

Nearby counties

Porter County
Indiana
49
Will County
Illinois
50.4
Newton County
Indiana
53.3
Jasper County
Indiana
65.6
Kankakee County
Illinois
48.3
LaPorte County
Indiana
42.8
Starke County
Indiana
58.5
Cook County
Illinois
30.4

Deep Dives

Lake County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lake County

via TaxByCounty

Lake County has highest tax burden

Lake County's effective tax rate of 0.925% is the highest among these eight counties and 47% above the national median of 0.630%. At $1,987 in median annual taxes, Lake County residents face substantially steeper property tax bills than most Americans.

Statewide tax outlier among peers

Lake County's 0.925% rate dwarfs Indiana's state average of 0.671% by nearly 0.25 percentage points. This makes Lake County the clear outlier in this group, likely reflecting higher municipal and school funding demands.

Significantly higher than regional peers

Lake County's 0.925% rate towers over all neighboring counties in this study: LaGrange (0.542%), Kosciusko (0.598%), Lawrence (0.604%), and Johnson (0.720%). Only Madison County (0.764%) comes close, but still falls 0.16 percentage points short.

What $214,700 home costs annually

A typical Lake County homeowner with a $214,700 home pays approximately $1,987 in annual property taxes. With mortgage, that figure rises to $2,129; without, to $1,777—among the highest tax bills in this eight-county group.

Assessment appeals carry extra weight

With Lake County's elevated tax rates, even modest assessment corrections can yield significant savings. Property tax appeals are free to file and can reduce your burden substantially—well worth exploring given the stakes.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lake County

via IncomeByCounty

Lake County lags national income benchmarks

Lake County's median household income of $68,985 trails the national median of $74,755 by 7.7%, placing it below the typical US household. Per capita income of $35,973 similarly falls short of national averages, reflecting limited individual earning power across the population.

Below average for Indiana overall

Lake County's median household income sits 0.3% below Indiana's state average of $68,681, making it nearly at parity with state-level benchmarks. However, the county still underperforms than stronger Indiana regions like Johnson and LaGrange.

Struggling against regional income competition

Lake County's $68,985 income significantly trails LaGrange County ($83,741) by 18% and falls below Kosciusko County ($73,922). The county edges out only Knox County and Madison County among this regional group.

Housing costs strain Lake County budgets

Lake County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.0% ranks as the highest in this analysis, indicating housing costs consume nearly a fifth of household income. While still below the 30% distress threshold, this pressure leaves less room for savings and investments.

Build wealth despite income headwinds

With incomes 8% below the national average and housing costs taking a larger bite, Lake County residents should focus on automating savings through payroll deduction. Even modest, consistent investments in low-cost funds can compound over time to build long-term security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Lake County

via CrimeByCounty

Lake County stays below national crime rates

Lake County reports a total crime rate of 1781.0 per 100K, which is notably lower than the national average of 2,385.5. Its safety score of 97.2 reflects a moderate risk level compared to the rest of the country. Twenty reporting agencies manage public safety across this diverse region.

Evaluating safety in Northwest Indiana

Lake County's safety score of 97.2 is slightly lower than the Indiana state average of 98.9. The total crime rate of 1781.0 per 100K is over double the state average of 693.8. This indicates a more active law enforcement environment than in many other Indiana counties.

Active trends in a busy corridor

Lake County faces higher crime rates than rural neighbors, largely due to its urban density and proximity to Chicago. The violent crime rate of 288.5 per 100K exceeds the Indiana state average of 102.9. However, it still remains safer than some larger metropolitan hubs.

A focus on property and violent crime

Violent crime in Lake County is 288.5 per 100K, while property crime is much more frequent at 1492.5. While these numbers are higher than the state average, they remain below national benchmarks of 369.8 and 2,015.7 respectively. Crime prevention efforts focus heavily on reducing property theft.

Building a safer Lake County home

Given the higher incidence of property crime, robust home security is recommended for Lake County residents. Use smart doorbells and alarms to discourage potential intruders. Joining a neighborhood watch can significantly improve local safety outcomes.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Lake County

via WeatherByCounty

A Cool Humid Continental Climate

Lake County averages 49.7°F annually, which sits several degrees below the national median. This region experiences a classic humid continental climate with distinct seasonal shifts.

Below the Indiana Temperature Average

The county's 49.7°F annual average is notably cooler than the Indiana state average of 52.2°F. It remains one of the chillier regions in the state due to its northern position.

Similar Temps to Lakeshore Neighbors

Lake County shares a nearly identical climate with neighbor LaPorte County, which averages 49.6°F. However, it receives slightly less annual precipitation at 40.4 inches compared to the state average of 43.9 inches.

Cold Winters and Brief Heat Waves

Winter brings 28.1 inches of snow and average temperatures of 26.3°F. Summers are generally mild, though residents still face about 16 extreme heat days above 90°F each year.

Prepare for Lake-Effect Fluctuations

Homeowners should invest in reliable insulation to handle the 23.2°F January average. High-capacity HVAC systems are necessary to bridge the gap between lake-chilled winters and humid 73.0°F July days.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Lake County

via SoilByCounty

Mollisols Mark the Northwest Corner

Lake County is built on Mollisols, the dark, fertile soils typically associated with grasslands. The average pH of 5.79 is somewhat acidic compared to the national median of 6.5 and the Indiana average of 6.08.

Sandy Loam Near the Great Lakes

The soil contains 40.5% sand and 35.9% silt, creating a fine sandy loam texture. This mix provides enough grit for good aeration while the 16.0% clay content helps maintain some structure for plant roots.

Superior Organic Matter for Urban Farming

At 8.18%, the organic matter here is much higher than the state average of 4.90%. This helps offset an available water capacity of 0.185 in/in, which is lower than the Indiana average of 0.202.

Managing Poorly Drained Coastal Soils

Despite the sand, the county is classified as poorly drained and falls into the C/D hydrologic group. This indicates that high water tables or restrictive layers can cause water to linger after heavy storms.

Success in the 6a Hardiness Zone

Lake County's 66.9 soil score supports a wide range of gardening, especially for leafy greens that benefit from high organic matter. Raised beds are a great choice here to help manage the naturally poor drainage.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Lake County

via LawnByCounty

Lake County Lawns Outperform Averages

With a score of 75.2, Lake County is easier to maintain than both the state and national averages. Despite the lake-effect weather in this 6a zone, the climate remains relatively moderate for standard residential turfgrass.

Consistent Moisture from Lake Influence

The county receives 40.4 inches of precipitation annually, which is slightly less than the state average but sufficient for most lawns. Only 16 extreme heat days and 3,055 growing degree days provide a temperate environment for cool-season varieties.

Managing Poor Drainage in Sandy Loam

While the soil is 40.5% sand, it is classified as poorly drained, meaning water may sit on the surface after heavy rains. The pH of 5.79 is just below the ideal range, so a soil test and a small lime application are recommended.

Strong Current Water Availability

Lake County currently reports 0% drought area, making it one of the more stable regions in the state. However, 13 weeks of drought over the last year show that conditions can shift quickly, requiring a standby irrigation plan.

Seeding Near the Lakeshore

Aim to seed between the April 29 spring frost and the October 16 fall frost. Fine Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass blends are popular here due to their ability to handle the varying moisture levels found near the lake.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lake County's county score?
Lake County, Indiana has a composite county score of 34.3 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 Lake County rank among counties in Indiana?
Lake County ranks #89 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 Lake County, Indiana?
The median annual property tax in Lake County is $2,112, with an effective tax rate of 0.92%. This earns Lake County a tax score of 41.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Lake County?
The median household income in Lake County, Indiana is $71,493 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Lake County earns an income score of 65.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Lake County, Indiana a good place to live?
Lake County scores 34.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #89 in Indiana. The best way to evaluate Lake 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 Lake 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.