Lebanon County

Pennsylvania · PA

#50 in Pennsylvania
61.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Lebanon County, Pennsylvania

27% above the national baseline

Lebanon County's composite score of 63.5 ranks 27% above the national median of 50.0, indicating above-average livability overall. This performance reflects a county with moderate strengths in tax efficiency and a middle-income profile.

Slightly below Pennsylvania average

At 63.5, Lebanon County falls just shy of the Pennsylvania state average of 66.0, placing it in the lower-middle tier of state counties. The gap reflects higher housing costs that offset reasonable tax and income fundamentals.

Balanced tax burden and solid incomes

Lebanon County's Tax Score of 62.9 and effective rate of 1.399% are moderate, while the Income Score of 33.2 with median household income of $76,350 shows respectable earning power. This combination provides reasonable financial footing for working families.

Housing costs limit overall affordability

The Cost Score of 71.5 is moderate relative to peers, but median home values of $227,300 and gross rent of $1,087 create budget pressure for middle-income households. Housing costs consume more than they should given the county's income profile.

Fit for middle-income families seeking stability

Lebanon County appeals to families earning $75,000–$85,000 who want reasonable schools, moderate taxes, and a stable community without breaking the bank on housing. If you're solidly middle-class and value balance over extremes, this county delivers.

Score breakdown

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

Tax62.9Cost71.5SafetyComing SoonHealth71.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome33.2Risk20.1WaterComing Soon
🏛62.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠71.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼33.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
71.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
20.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Lebanon County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lebanon County

via TaxByCounty

Lebanon's taxes align with national rates

Lebanon County's effective tax rate of 1.399% sits 7% above the national median of 1.31%, placing it in the middle-upper range nationwide. The median property tax of $3,180 exceeds the national median of $2,690, reflecting Lebanon's stronger real estate values.

Slightly above average for Pennsylvania

Lebanon ranks near the middle of Pennsylvania's 67 counties with an effective rate of 1.399%, about 6% above the state average of 1.317%. It sits among the more moderately taxed counties in the Commonwealth.

Mid-range taxes in southeastern group

Lebanon's 1.399% rate edges just above Lancaster County (1.411%) and falls well below Lehigh County (1.663%) and Lackawanna County (1.532%). With median home values of $227,300, Lebanon offers moderate tax pressure on mid-priced properties.

Median home costs $3,180 in annual taxes

A homeowner with Lebanon County's median home value of $227,300 pays approximately $3,180 per year in property taxes at the 1.399% rate. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $3,252; without one, it drops to $3,074.

Review your assessment for potential savings

Even moderate-tax counties like Lebanon can harbor overassessments, especially if your home's valuation exceeds recent comparable sales. An appeal to the county assessor can reset your valuation and deliver measurable year-round relief.

Cost of Living in Lebanon County

via CostByCounty

Lebanon earns strong income, faces moderate rent

Lebanon County's median household income of $76,350 slightly exceeds the national average of $74,755, while renters spend 17.1% on rent—moderate pressure but manageable given local wage strength. This positions Lebanon as an above-average earner facing typical housing cost challenges.

Slightly above Pennsylvania's rental burden

Lebanon County's 17.1% rent-to-income ratio ranks modestly above the state average of 16.5%, with median rent of $1,087 exceeding the state average of $960 by $127. The county balances solid earning power with higher-than-average housing costs.

Lebanon: middle ground in pricing

Lebanon's $1,087 rent sits comfortably between affordable Juniata ($730) and expensive Lancaster ($1,289), making it a regional middle ground. Home values follow the same pattern: Lebanon's $227,300 median falls between Juniata's $206,300 and Lancaster's $279,400.

Lebanon household budget snapshot

A typical Lebanon household earning $76,350 annually ($6,363 monthly) pays $1,087 in rent and $1,127 in ownership costs, committing 35% of gross income to housing. This leaves healthy room for discretionary spending compared to higher-cost Pennsylvania counties.

Lebanon balances growth and affordability

Lebanon County offers the best of both worlds: stronger-than-average incomes and reasonable housing costs relative to neighbors like Lancaster. If you're considering relocation, Lebanon delivers prosperity with moderate affordability—a sweet spot between rural bargains and expensive regional job centers.

Income & Jobs in Lebanon County

via IncomeByCounty

Lebanon approaches national income parity

Lebanon County's median household income of $76,350 nearly matches the national median of $74,755, sitting just 2% above the U.S. benchmark. The county ranks in the top 50% nationally, reflecting its balanced mix of agriculture, manufacturing, and services.

Solid performer within Pennsylvania

Lebanon's $76,350 median exceeds Pennsylvania's state average of $69,614 by $6,736 annually. The county ranks in the top third of state counties and is the fourth-highest earner in this eight-county regional analysis.

Mid-to-upper range regional income

Lebanon households earn $19,571 more than Jefferson County and $12,427 more than Luzerne County but trail Lancaster County by $7,353. The county's $76,350 median places it alongside Lehigh County ($77,493) as a regional income leader.

Balanced housing-to-income relationship

At 17.1% of household income, Lebanon's rent-to-income ratio is healthy and well below concerning thresholds. Median home values of $227,300 remain achievable for dual-income households earning the county median.

Strong earnings power fuels investing

With per capita income of $37,701 and favorable housing costs, Lebanon households can comfortably max retirement contributions while building taxable investment accounts. Strategic diversification across stocks, bonds, and real estate can multiply household wealth substantially.

Health in Lebanon County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy slightly above national average

Lebanon County residents live to 77.4 years on average, exceeding the U.S. average of 79.3 years by 1.9 years. The county's 17.4% poor/fair health rate is below the national average of 17.9%, suggesting moderate population health with room for chronic disease reduction.

Above-average longevity, uneven insurance access

At 77.4 years, Lebanon County's life expectancy surpasses Pennsylvania's 76.4-year average by 1 year, placing it in the upper tier statewide. Its 9.7% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 7.0%, indicating that good health outcomes have not translated into universal coverage.

Strong mental health infrastructure stands out

Lebanon County's 361 mental health providers per 100K represents the highest concentration in the eight-county region, nearly matching Lackawanna County's 308. Its 77.4-year life expectancy trails Lancaster County (78.8) but exceeds Lawrence County (73.7), showing solid middle-ground performance on primary outcomes.

Behavioral health resources exceed regional norms

Lebanon County stands out for its 361 mental health specialists per 100K—the region's highest—reflecting exceptional investment in behavioral health services. Primary care access at 58 per 100K is moderate; combined with 9.7% uninsured, residents can access mental health support but may face barriers to preventive primary care.

Use open enrollment to build better health

Lebanon County's 9.7% uninsured rate means roughly 9,700 residents lack coverage during a critical year for health. Visit healthcare.gov before January 31 or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore plans that connect you to the county's strong mental health and primary care resources.

Disaster Risk in Lebanon County

via RiskByCounty

Lebanon County's risk exceeds state average moderately

Lebanon County's composite risk score of 79.90 with a "Relatively Low" rating sits 12 points above Pennsylvania's 67.45 average. This indicates elevated exposure compared to many counties statewide, though not reaching the extreme levels of the state's highest-risk regions.

Upper-middle risk range in Pennsylvania

Lebanon County ranks in the upper-middle tier of Pennsylvania's 67 counties for disaster risk, placing it in the state's higher-exposure zones. Only about one-third of Pennsylvania counties exceed Lebanon's 79.90 score, making it more vulnerable than most.

Riskier than Dauphin, safer than Lancaster

Lebanon's 79.90 score exceeds nearby Dauphin County (76.45) but falls well below Lancaster County's dangerous 95.04. Compared to Berks County (84.20), Lebanon faces slightly lower risk, showing meaningful variation across south-central Pennsylvania.

Flooding and tornadoes dominate the risk profile

Lebanon County's top hazards are flooding (84.86), tornado exposure (70.26), and hurricane risk (86.82), each carrying significant potential for property damage. Earthquake risk (80.88) rounds out a formidable multi-hazard landscape, while wildfire risk (22.49) remains comparatively low.

Flood and wind insurance cover essential gaps

Flood insurance is vital given Lebanon's 84.86 flood risk; obtain it through NFIP or private insurers. Reinforce your roof for wind resistance, secure outdoor items before spring storms, and maintain a family emergency kit for tornado and flooding events.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.