CountyScore

Lake County

Ohio · OH

#80 in Ohio
61
County Score

County Report Card

About Lake County, Ohio

Lake County exceeds national baseline

Lake County scores 60.5, placing it 10 percentage points above the national median of 50.0. While above average nationally, this score falls below its state peer average.

Trailing Ohio's overall livability average

At 60.5, Lake County scores 8.3 points below Ohio's statewide average of 68.8. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier among Ohio's 88 counties.

Higher incomes offset tax burden

Lake County's income score of 34.3 is the second-highest in this group, with median household income of $77,952. This strong earning power provides cushion despite higher tax rates.

Taxes significantly erode livability

The tax score of just 54.4 reflects an effective tax rate of 1.703%, the highest burden in this group. Safety, health, school, and water data gaps also limit full evaluation of livability.

Best for higher-earning households

Lake County suits affluent households who can absorb higher tax burdens in exchange for strong incomes and suburban amenities. It's less ideal for those prioritizing affordability or tax minimization.

Score breakdown

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

Tax54.4Cost71.6SafetyComing SoonHealth75.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome34.3Risk22.7WaterComing Soon
🏛54.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠71.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼34.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡22.7
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 Lake County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Northwest Hills Planning Region
Connecticut
61
Median income: $91,035
Hendry County
Florida
61
Median income: $53,044
Richmond County
Georgia
61
Median income: $53,197
Whiteside County
Illinois
61
Median income: $64,536
Johnson County
Iowa
61
Median income: $74,721

Deep Dives

Lake County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lake County

via TaxByCounty

Lake County taxes rank among nation's highest

Lake County's effective tax rate of 1.703% places it in the top 10% nationally, well above the national median of 1.074% and pushing median bills to $3,405 versus the national $2,690. This northeastern Ohio county imposes one of America's steepest property tax burdens.

Ohio's third-highest property tax rate

Lake County's 1.703% effective rate dramatically exceeds Ohio's state average of 1.148%, making it one of the state's most expensive counties to own property. Residents pay a median of $3,405 annually—59% above the state median of $2,145.

Significantly higher than nearby counties

Lake County's 1.703% rate towers above Licking County (1.256%), Lorain County (1.444%), and Lucas County (1.746%), making it the second-highest burden in the immediate region. Only Lucas County exceeds Lake's tax burden among neighboring counties.

What you actually pay each year

On Lake County's median home value of $199,900, homeowners pay an estimated $3,405 annually without a mortgage, rising to $3,466 with mortgage insurance included. That's roughly $284 per month—more than double the national average in raw dollars.

High taxes make appeals especially worthwhile

In a high-tax county like Lake, even a modest assessment reduction yields substantial annual savings—potentially hundreds or thousands over time. Review your property's assessed value against comparable recent sales; if it's inflated, filing a formal appeal with your county auditor could pay dividends for years.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lake County

via CostByCounty

Lake County: High Costs, Higher Incomes

Lake County's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national benchmark, though its $77,952 median household income runs 4% above the U.S. median of $74,755. Residents here earn more but also pay considerably more for housing than the typical American household.

Priciest County in This Cohort

Lake County tops this region with a $1,073 median rent—23% above Ohio's $873 state average—pushing its 16.5% rent-to-income ratio above the state average of 15.6%. The premium reflects Lake County's position as a higher-cost suburban market.

Premium Pricing for Suburban Appeal

Lake County's $1,073 rent substantially exceeds Jefferson ($792), Lawrence ($830), and Logan ($832), reflecting its more developed suburban infrastructure and amenities. At $199,900, median home values also rank among the region's highest, signaling strong market demand.

16.5% of Income Goes to Rent

Renters allocate $1,073 monthly to gross rent—16.5% of the $77,952 median income—while homeowners carry $1,135 in monthly costs, roughly 17.5% of household earnings. Despite higher absolute costs, Lake County's above-average incomes keep percentage-based affordability reasonable.

Lake County for Suburban Comfort

Lake County suits higher-earning professionals seeking suburban amenities and above-average schools, with strong incomes to support elevated housing costs. If you prioritize community infrastructure and don't need minimum-cost housing, Lake County rewards earned income.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lake County

via IncomeByCounty

Lake County exceeds national income

Lake County's median household income of $77,952 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by $3,197, placing the county in the nation's upper-middle tier. This 4% premium reflects a stronger-than-average regional economy.

Top third of Ohio counties

Lake ranks among Ohio's 20 richest counties, outearning the state median of $68,101 by nearly 15%. Per capita income of $43,197 exceeds the state average by 21%, showing wealth is broadly distributed across households.

Leads Northeast Ohio cluster

Lake County pulls ahead of Cuyahoga ($67,000) and Lorain ($70,693), solidifying its position as the prosperity leader in greater Cleveland's ring counties. Only Licking County ($81,033) and Summit County surpass it in the state.

Housing costs are balanced

Lake's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio leaves households with ample discretionary income, comfortably below the 17% threshold. Median home value of $199,900 is reasonable relative to the county's strong earning power.

Lake County: invest for the future

Above-average income and modest housing costs create an ideal platform for aggressive saving and investing. Lake residents should maximize 529 college funds, explore real estate investments, and target tax-advantaged retirement accounts to accelerate wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lake County

via HealthByCounty

Lake County's life expectancy nears national average

At 77.0 years, Lake County's life expectancy sits just 1 year below the national average of 78.0 years, reflecting relatively strong population health. Only 16.3% of residents report poor or fair health, beating the national rate of 17.8%.

Among Ohio's healthiest counties

Lake County's 77.0-year life expectancy ranks well above Ohio's state average of 74.8 years, placing it in the state's top tier for longevity. This sustained advantage reflects the county's stable economic base and established healthcare networks.

Health leader in Northeast Ohio

Lake County's 77.0-year life expectancy leads neighboring counties including Lorain County (76.0 years) and Licking County (75.9 years). With a 16.3% poor/fair health rate, Lake County also shows lower disease burden than most regional peers.

Excellent coverage with strong provider access

Lake County boasts a low uninsured rate of 6.3%, well below both the state (7.5%) and national averages. The county provides robust healthcare infrastructure with 41 primary care providers and 316 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, supporting strong community health outcomes.

Maintain coverage and plan for the future

Lake County's strong insurance coverage is a community asset worth protecting. Even if you're currently insured, review your options annually at healthcare.gov to ensure your plan meets your family's evolving needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lake County

via RiskByCounty

Lake County's elevated risk score

Lake County's composite score of 77.35 places it well above the national average with a Relatively Low rating despite the higher number. This reflects significant natural hazard exposure that requires serious preparedness planning.

Among Ohio's highest-risk counties

At 77.35, Lake County's score substantially exceeds Ohio's 55.03 state average, ranking it in the top tier of the state's most hazard-exposed counties. Few Ohio counties carry comparable composite risk scores.

Notably riskier than surrounding areas

Lake County's 77.35 score significantly outpaces most neighboring counties, making it a relative hotspot for natural hazards in northeast Ohio. Its combination of tornado and flood risks particularly exceeds regional norms.

Tornadoes and floods dominate landscape

Lake County faces exceptional tornado risk at 75.19—among the highest in the state—and extreme flood exposure at 86.10. Together, these two hazards account for most of the county's elevated composite risk.

Comprehensive coverage is critical here

Lake County residents must carry robust homeowners insurance with full wind and tornado coverage due to the exceptional 75.19 tornado score. Flood insurance is equally essential, particularly for any property within 500 feet of a waterway or low-lying area.

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.