CountyScore

Lawrence County

Pennsylvania · PA

#39 in Pennsylvania
64.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Lawrence County, Pennsylvania

33% above the national median

Lawrence County's composite score of 66.6 ranks 33% above the national median of 50.0, placing it squarely in livable territory. This reflects a county with meaningful strengths in housing affordability, though limited by modest income levels.

Holding at Pennsylvania's state average

Lawrence County's 66.6 score essentially matches the Pennsylvania state average of 66.0, positioning it as a representative mid-range county. It occupies the middle of the pack, neither standout nor struggling.

Housing costs remain very reasonable

Lawrence County's Cost Score of 81.3 reflects median home values of $136,700 and monthly rent of $778—among the lowest in this group. This affordability cushion is the county's primary livability anchor.

Low incomes and elevated tax rate

The Income Score of 23.1 with median household income of $60,779 indicates limited wage growth and job opportunities. The Tax Score of 61.5 (effective rate of 1.451%) is higher than some peers, further squeezing household finances.

Right for rural-minded budget families

Lawrence County suits families prioritizing rural living, low housing costs, and a quiet lifestyle over high earnings or urban conveniences. If you can live on modest income and don't mind limited career advancement, the county's affordable housing and stable community offer solid value.

Score breakdown

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

Tax61.5Cost81.3SafetyComing SoonHealth70.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.1Risk33.9WaterComing Soon
🏛61.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡33.9
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 Lawrence County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Yavapai County
Arizona
64.9
Median income: $66,106
Camden County
Georgia
64.9
Median income: $72,399
Thomas County
Georgia
64.9
Median income: $60,140
Wicomico County
Maryland
64.9
Median income: $72,861
Lenawee County
Michigan
64.9
Median income: $67,013

Deep Dives

Lawrence County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lawrence County

via TaxByCounty

Lawrence's taxes run 10% above U.S. median

Lawrence County's effective tax rate of 1.451% exceeds the national median of 1.31% by 10%, landing it in the upper-middle range nationwide. The median property tax of $1,983 falls short of the national median of $2,690, reflecting Lawrence's lower home values.

Above average for Pennsylvania overall

Lawrence ranks in the upper third of Pennsylvania's 67 counties with an effective rate of 1.451%, about 10% above the state average of 1.317%. This positions it among the more tax-burdened communities in the Commonwealth.

Higher taxes on lower-priced homes

Lawrence's 1.451% rate exceeds Jefferson County (1.114%) and Juniata County (1.050%) but stays slightly below Lackawanna County (1.532%) and Lehigh County (1.663%). With a median home value of just $136,700, Lawrence homeowners face above-average rates on below-average properties.

Median home costs $1,983 in annual taxes

A homeowner with Lawrence County's median home value of $136,700 pays approximately $1,983 per year in property taxes at the 1.451% rate. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $2,159; without one, it drops to $1,768.

Appeal to reduce your tax burden

Lawrence County homeowners facing above-average tax rates should check whether their assessments are inflated relative to comparable sales in the area. Filing an appeal with the county assessor can challenge overvalued properties and ease your annual burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lawrence County

via CostByCounty

Lawrence offers solid affordability below national norms

Lawrence County renters spend just 15.4% of their $60,779 median household income on rent, landing well below both the 30% affordability threshold and the national income benchmark of $74,755. This favorable ratio reflects Lawrence's low rental costs relative to local wages.

Below Pennsylvania's state rental burden

Lawrence County's 15.4% rent-to-income ratio undershoots the state average of 16.5%, positioning it among Pennsylvania's more affordable rental markets. The $778 median rent trails the state average of $960 by $182 monthly, offering meaningful savings.

Competitive with Jefferson and Juniata

Lawrence County rents at $778 monthly place it squarely in the affordability zone alongside Jefferson ($746) and Juniata ($730), though slightly higher than both. Homeowners find similar value: the $865 monthly ownership cost and $136,700 median home value rival Jefferson's budget-friendly profile.

Lawrence income allocation

On a $60,779 annual income ($5,065 monthly), Lawrence households allocate $778 to rent and $865 to ownership costs, leaving over 67% of income for other necessities and savings. This balance reflects a community where housing remains proportional to earnings.

Lawrence delivers quiet affordability

Lawrence County renters save $182 monthly on rent compared to Pennsylvania's average, totaling $2,184 annually—funds that can go toward savings or quality of life. Consider Lawrence if you value affordable housing in a stable community without the premium costs of prosperous counties like Lancaster.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lawrence County

via IncomeByCounty

Lawrence trails U.S. income median

Lawrence County's median household income of $60,779 runs 19% below the national median of $74,755, reflecting the county's reliance on declining industrial sectors. The $13,976 gap positions Lawrence in the bottom third of U.S. counties.

Below Pennsylvania average statewide

At $60,779, Lawrence County ranks below the Pennsylvania median of $69,614 by $8,835 annually. The county's per capita income of $34,283 trails the state average of $37,407, indicating broader economic challenges.

Among the region's lower earners

Lawrence households earn $2,944 less than Jefferson County and $3,144 less than Luzerne County, placing it fourth-lowest in the eight-county comparison. Only Jefferson, Luzerne, and Lawrence fall significantly below the state average.

Modest housing costs offer relief

Lawrence's 15.4% rent-to-income ratio is among the region's most affordable, and median home values of $136,700 align reasonably with household incomes. However, the modest income base limits discretionary spending for families.

Low housing costs enable modest investing

With housing consuming just 15.4% of income, Lawrence households can potentially allocate $200–400 monthly toward retirement or investment accounts. Even small, consistent contributions to low-cost index funds compound meaningfully over 20–30 year horizons.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lawrence County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy crisis demands urgent attention

Lawrence County residents live to just 73.7 years on average—5.6 years less than the U.S. average of 79.3 years and the lowest in this eight-county analysis. The county's 17.9% poor/fair health rate sits at the national average, but the short life expectancy signals chronic underlying health crises.

Pennsylvania's lowest life expectancy in this region

At 73.7 years, Lawrence County's life expectancy trails the state average of 76.4 years by 2.7 years—a significant gap indicating elevated premature mortality. The county's 6.8% uninsured rate appears competitive, yet provider shortages suggest access barriers beyond insurance status alone.

Lowest longevity, mid-range insurance coverage

Lawrence County's 73.7-year life expectancy is 5.1 years below Lancaster County's 78.8 years, the region's widest gap. Its 6.8% uninsured rate is better than the regional average, but primary care availability at 41 per 100K suggests supply-side barriers that insurance alone cannot solve.

Provider scarcity compounds health crisis

Lawrence County's 41 primary care providers per 100K is among the lowest regionally, meaning residents struggle to access basic preventive care even when insured. Mental health support at 173 per 100K exists, but the upstream shortage of primary care limits early detection of chronic diseases driving premature mortality.

Ensure no one faces barriers to care

With 6.8% uninsured—roughly 4,200 residents—Lawrence County still has coverage gaps to address. Call 1-800-318-2596 or visit healthcare.gov to explore enrollment options and help reverse the county's troubling health trends through improved access.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lawrence County

via RiskByCounty

Lawrence County's risk slightly exceeds state average

Lawrence County scores 66.13 for composite disaster risk with a "Relatively Low" rating, just slightly below Pennsylvania's 67.45 state average. While this places it close to the state median, Lawrence remains below the national mid-range for multi-hazard exposure.

Mid-range risk among Pennsylvania counties

With a 66.13 score, Lawrence ranks near the middle of Pennsylvania's 67 counties, neither among the safest nor the most exposed. This reflects moderate exposure to multiple hazards without the extreme concentration seen in the state's highest-risk regions.

Comparable risk to nearby counties

Lawrence's score sits between Butler County (54.70) and Mercer County (71.80), reflecting the diverse hazard landscape across western Pennsylvania. Its position makes it representative of the state's broader risk profile.

Flooding poses the primary hazard

Lawrence County's dominant risk is flooding, with a score of 83.08 that far exceeds other hazards. Tornado risk (37.72), earthquake risk (36.67), and wildfire risk (27.29) remain secondary concerns, though hurricane risk (47.31) can spike during Atlantic storm season.

Prioritize flood insurance and drainage

Flood insurance is critical in Lawrence County given the 83.08 flood risk; check if your property is in a mapped floodplain and secure coverage accordingly. Invest in proper grading and drainage systems around your home to manage stormwater and reduce standing water risks.

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.