Lake County's composite score of 62.8 exceeds the national median of 50.0, confirming above-average livability despite scoring below Indiana's average. An extremely strong environmental risk score (4.1) is a standout feature.
2 / 5
Below Indiana's Middle Tier
Lake County's score of 62.8 trails Indiana's average of 71.2 by more than 8 points, placing it in the lower-middle range of the state's 92 counties. It underperforms relative to peers in several key areas.
3 / 5
Environmental Safety Stands Out
Lake County's risk score of 4.1 is exceptional—the best among these counties—indicating minimal environmental hazards and strong resilience. Health outcomes (68.8) are respectable, offering decent medical and public health infrastructure.
4 / 5
Taxes and Income Both Drag
Lake County's tax burden is the highest in this group at 0.925%, with a tax score of just 76.2, while the income score of 28.4 reflects limited earning potential ($68,985 median). These factors constrain overall livability.
5 / 5
Best for Environmentally Conscious Residents
Lake County appeals to those prioritizing environmental safety and low climate risk above tax efficiency or wage growth. It suits established households with sufficient savings or stable external income who value peace of mind about natural hazards.
Lake County's composite score of 62.8 exceeds the national median of 50.0, confirming above-average livability despite scoring below Indiana's average. An extremely strong environmental risk score (4.1) is a standout feature.
Below Indiana's Middle Tier
Lake County's score of 62.8 trails Indiana's average of 71.2 by more than 8 points, placing it in the lower-middle range of the state's 92 counties. It underperforms relative to peers in several key areas.
Environmental Safety Stands Out
Lake County's risk score of 4.1 is exceptional—the best among these counties—indicating minimal environmental hazards and strong resilience. Health outcomes (68.8) are respectable, offering decent medical and public health infrastructure.
Taxes and Income Both Drag
Lake County's tax burden is the highest in this group at 0.925%, with a tax score of just 76.2, while the income score of 28.4 reflects limited earning potential ($68,985 median). These factors constrain overall livability.
Best for Environmentally Conscious Residents
Lake County appeals to those prioritizing environmental safety and low climate risk above tax efficiency or wage growth. It suits established households with sufficient savings or stable external income who value peace of mind about natural hazards.
Score breakdown
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🏛76.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
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.
Lake County renters spend 19.0% of income on housing—the highest rent-to-income ratio in this county cluster and above typical national benchmarks. With a median household income of $68,985 (below the national $74,755) and median rents of $1,094, housing affords less flexibility.
Least affordable renting in Indiana's tier
Lake County's 19.0% rent-to-income ratio substantially exceeds Indiana's 15.6% state average, making it the most housing-strained county in this analysis. Its $1,094 median rent is $211 above the state average of $883.
Highest rents amid lower regional incomes
Lake County's $1,094 median rent rivals Johnson County's $1,208 but paired with $68,985 income—substantially lower than Johnson's $87,227. This income-to-rent mismatch makes Lake County notably less affordable than surrounding counties.
Housing consumes disproportionate share
Renters dedicate 19.0% of income to rent, and homeowners spend roughly 19.4% on mortgages for a median home value of $214,700. Combined with other expenses, housing costs leave Lake County households with tighter budgets than regional peers.
Lake County works for high-earners only
Lake County's steep rents require careful financial planning unless your income exceeds the median significantly. Consider more affordable neighbors like Knox County ($782 rent, $58,863 income) or Lawrence County ($800 rent, $65,551 income) if housing affordability is central to your move.
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.
Lake County's life expectancy of 74.3 years falls 0.6 years below the U.S. average of 74.9 years. At 19.6% reporting poor or fair health, the county exceeds the national average, indicating persistent wellness challenges.
Below-average outcomes in Indiana
Lake County's 74.3-year life expectancy trails Indiana's 75.1-year average by 0.8 years. The 19.6% poor/fair health rate signals ongoing struggles compared to state trends.
Mixed results in the region
Lake County's 74.3-year life expectancy matches LaPorte County (74.3 years) but significantly trails Johnson County (76.2 years). However, Lake County offers 230 mental health providers per 100,000—the highest in the region.
Fair coverage, limited primary care
Lake County's 7.7% uninsured rate sits just below Indiana's 8.4% average, showing reasonable coverage. However, primary care access is limited at 51 providers per 100,000, requiring careful appointment planning.
Secure your health coverage
Lake County's 7.7% uninsured rate means some residents still lack basic coverage. Explore plans at healthcare.gov or connect with local navigators to ensure your family has the protection it needs.
Lake County scores 95.93 on the composite risk scale, rating as relatively high and more than double Indiana's state average of 45.52. This makes Lake County one of Indiana's most disaster-vulnerable communities and places it well above the national norm.
Indiana's riskiest county
Lake County ranks as Indiana's highest-risk county at 95.93, substantially outpacing all peers including Madison County (77.26) and LaPorte County (78.88). Its "relatively high" rating reflects concentrated exposure to multiple severe hazard types simultaneously.
Dramatically riskier than neighbors
Lake County (95.93) faces far greater disaster vulnerability than LaPorte County (78.88) to the east and all other surrounding counties in the region. The 17.05-point gap separating Lake from the next-riskiest neighbor underscores its exceptional exposure profile.
Tornadoes lead Lake County hazards
Tornado risk at 99.14 represents Lake County's dominant threat—among the highest measured nationwide—while flooding at 96.15 poses equally severe danger. Wildfire exposure at 66.06 and earthquake risk at 89.12 round out a hazard portfolio with virtually no safe seasons.
Comprehensive coverage is essential
Lake County residents must prioritize all-hazard homeowners insurance with explicit tornado, hail, wind, and flood coverage given the county's 95.93 composite risk. Strongly consider umbrella liability policies as well, since the frequency and severity of natural disasters may exceed standard coverage limits.