Lawrence County scores 72.5 on the composite index, exceeding the national median of 50.0 by 22.5 points. This strong performance reflects particularly competitive scores on cost and tax dimensions.
2 / 5
Among Ohio's top livability counties
At 72.5, Lawrence County ranks above Ohio's statewide average of 68.8. This positions the county in the upper quartile of Ohio's 88 counties for overall livability.
3 / 5
Lowest taxes and excellent affordability
Lawrence County combines the lowest effective tax rate in this group (0.880%) with an impressive cost score of 82.1. Median home values of $135,600 and gross rent of $830/month make it exceptionally affordable.
4 / 5
Income growth lags behind costs advantage
With a median household income of $54,842 and an income score of just 19.2, earnings don't match peers' levels. Data on safety, health, schools, and water remain unavailable.
5 / 5
Ideal for retirees and minimalist budgeters
Lawrence County is perfect for retirees, remote workers, or anyone prioritizing minimal living costs and tax burden over high incomes. It delivers maximum affordability with low tax pressure.
Lawrence County scores 72.5 on the composite index, exceeding the national median of 50.0 by 22.5 points. This strong performance reflects particularly competitive scores on cost and tax dimensions.
Among Ohio's top livability counties
At 72.5, Lawrence County ranks above Ohio's statewide average of 68.8. This positions the county in the upper quartile of Ohio's 88 counties for overall livability.
Lowest taxes and excellent affordability
Lawrence County combines the lowest effective tax rate in this group (0.880%) with an impressive cost score of 82.1. Median home values of $135,600 and gross rent of $830/month make it exceptionally affordable.
Income growth lags behind costs advantage
With a median household income of $54,842 and an income score of just 19.2, earnings don't match peers' levels. Data on safety, health, schools, and water remain unavailable.
Ideal for retirees and minimalist budgeters
Lawrence County is perfect for retirees, remote workers, or anyone prioritizing minimal living costs and tax burden over high incomes. It delivers maximum affordability with low tax pressure.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛77.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Lawrence County's effective tax rate of 0.880% ranks in the bottom 5% nationally, with median property taxes of just $1,193 compared to the national median of $2,690. Few American counties offer property owners such a favorable tax advantage.
Ohio's most affordable county for property taxes
Lawrence County's 0.880% effective rate beats every other Ohio county, sitting 23% below the state average of 1.148% and producing median taxes of just $1,193 versus the state median of $2,145. It's the clear winner for tax-conscious Ohio homebuyers.
A regional tax bargain by a significant margin
Lawrence County's 0.880% rate undercuts Jefferson County (1.012%), Knox County (1.074%), and Logan County (1.046%) by meaningful margins. Southern Ohio residents here enjoy one of the region's most favorable tax environments.
What you actually pay each year
On Lawrence County's median home value of $135,600, annual property taxes average just $1,193 without a mortgage, rising slightly to $1,290 with mortgage insurance factored in. That's roughly $99 per month—among America's lowest homeowner property tax burdens.
Even modest appeals offer meaningful relief
Given already-low taxes, Lawrence County homeowners may feel less urgency to appeal, but any overassessment still warrants correction. If your assessed value exceeds recent comparable sales in your neighborhood, contacting the county auditor costs nothing and could free up tax dollars annually.
Lawrence County's 18.2% rent-to-income ratio is the highest in this cohort and exceeds the national average, driven by a median household income of just $54,842—26% below the U.S. median. Housing costs here consume a notably larger share of household earnings than most American counties.
Challenging Affordability Statewide
Lawrence County's 18.2% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Ohio's most strained, well above the 15.6% state average, despite rent of $830 running below the state median of $873. Low incomes—not high rents—drive the affordability challenge here.
Lowest Income, Tightest Squeeze
Lawrence County's $54,842 median income ranks lowest in this region, significantly undercutting even Jefferson ($56,983) and Lucas ($60,095), though its $830 rent remains reasonable in absolute terms. The income-to-cost mismatch creates the region's most acute affordability burden.
18.2% of Income Lost to Rent
At $830 monthly, rent consumes 18.2% of the $54,842 median income—the steepest share in this cohort—while homeowners spend $748, roughly 16.3% of earnings. For Lawrence County households, housing leaves less margin for saving, healthcare, or education.
Lawrence Demands Income Flexibility
Lawrence County appeals primarily to remote workers or retirees with income sources independent of local job markets, offering the region's lowest housing costs. Traditional job-seekers should carefully assess local employment opportunities, as median incomes here reflect limited local earning potential.
Lawrence County's median household income of $54,842 trails the national median of $74,755 by nearly 27%, making it one of Ohio's weaker-earning regions. This substantial gap signals structural economic challenges that require attention.
Among Ohio's lowest earners
Lawrence ranks in Ohio's bottom 20% of counties, earning $13,259 less than the state median of $68,101. Per capita income of $29,610 is the lowest in this survey, indicating limited employment options and wage growth.
Struggles alongside Appalachian peers
Lawrence County's $54,842 income nearly matches Pike County and trails Scioto County, reflecting shared Appalachian economic realities. The county faces a $22,000+ gap versus prosperous Licking County, highlighting stark regional disparities within Ohio.
Rent burden is concerning
At 18.2% of income, Lawrence's rent-to-income ratio exceeds the 17% affordability threshold, straining renters' budgets and leaving less for savings. Median home value of $135,600 is affordable but reflects limited purchasing power overall.
Build wealth through planning
Lawrence County residents face tighter budgets but can still save by prioritizing high-yield savings and low-cost investing. Seek employer matches, use tax refunds for IRA contributions, and access community development resources to build long-term financial security.
Lawrence County's life expectancy of 70.0 years ranks 8 full years below the national average of 78.0 years—one of the starkest disparities in Ohio. With 24.1% of residents in poor or fair health, the county's disease burden far exceeds the national rate of 17.8%.
Ohio's lowest life expectancy county
Lawrence County's 70.0-year life expectancy is the lowest in Ohio, sitting 4.8 years below the state average of 74.8 years. This profound gap signals a public health emergency requiring immediate, sustained investment in prevention, treatment, and community support.
Severe health disadvantage in Appalachia
Lawrence County's 70.0-year life expectancy trails every neighboring county dramatically: Jefferson County (71.8 years) by 1.8 years, and counties across the state by even wider margins. The 24.1% poor/fair health rate is the highest in its region and signals compounding health challenges.
Paradox of providers but limited outcomes
Lawrence County has 47 primary care providers and a remarkable 811 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, yet life expectancy remains critically low—suggesting systemic barriers to care access and utilization. The uninsured rate of 7.0% is near state average, indicating coverage alone does not solve the county's deep health crisis.
Insurance is step one toward healthier futures
Lawrence County residents deserve access to comprehensive care and support. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to secure coverage, and connect with local health departments for addiction treatment, chronic disease management, and preventive services.
Lawrence County's composite risk score of 70.99 exceeds the national baseline and carries a Relatively Low rating. This positioning indicates meaningful natural hazard exposure that warrants attention from residents and property owners.
Higher-risk county in Ohio
At 70.99, Lawrence County's score substantially exceeds Ohio's state average of 55.03, placing it in the upper range of the state's risk profile. It ranks among counties with notably elevated natural disaster exposure.
Most hazardous county in its region
Lawrence County's 70.99 composite score exceeds most adjacent Appalachian counties in the southern part of the state. Its elevated flood risk particularly distinguishes it from neighboring areas with lower riverine exposure.
Floods and wildfires pose distinct threats
Flood risk dominates at 83.75, reflecting the county's river systems and topography, while wildfire exposure (53.24) significantly exceeds state averages. Tornadoes (48.25) remain a secondary concern but still present measurable risk.
Prioritize flood and wildfire insurance
Lawrence County's extreme flood risk makes flood insurance non-negotiable, especially for properties near the Ohio River and tributary systems. Homeowners in wooded areas should also ensure their policies include adequate wildfire and wind coverage.