CountyScore

Lorain County

Ohio · OH

#77 in Ohio
61.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Lorain County, Ohio

Lorain County tops the national median

Lorain County scores 64.3, placing it 14.3 points above the national median of 50.0. While above the national baseline, it ranks in the lower half of this comparison group.

Below Ohio's average performance

At 64.3, Lorain County trails Ohio's statewide average of 68.8 by 4.5 points. The county ranks in the lower-middle range among Ohio's 88 counties.

Solid affordability for the region

Lorain County offers a cost score of 75.0 with median home values of $207,200 and monthly rent of $916. These costs are reasonable for households with the county's $70,693 median income.

Higher tax burden drags the score

The tax score of just 61.7 reflects an effective tax rate of 1.444%, the second-highest in this group. Missing data on safety, health, schools, and water prevents full livability assessment.

A moderate choice with trade-offs

Lorain County appeals to working families balancing affordability with moderate tax pressures and stable incomes. It's best for those flexible on taxes in exchange for accessible housing.

Score breakdown

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

Tax61.7Cost75SafetyComing SoonHealth70.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.5Risk13.7WaterComing Soon
🏛61.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠75
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.5
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
⚡13.7
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 Lorain County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Alachua County
Florida
61.7
Median income: $59,659
Lake County
Florida
61.7
Median income: $69,956
Cobb County
Georgia
61.7
Median income: $98,712
Herkimer County
New York
61.7
Median income: $68,858
Erie County
Pennsylvania
61.7
Median income: $61,476

Deep Dives

Lorain County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lorain County

via TaxByCounty

Lorain County taxes exceed national norms

Lorain County's effective tax rate of 1.444% places it well above the national median, with median property taxes of $2,992 exceeding the national median of $2,690 by 11%. The county ranks in the top 30% nationally for property tax burden.

Notably above Ohio's state average rate

Lorain County's 1.444% effective rate significantly exceeds Ohio's 1.148% state average, with median taxes of $2,992 running 39% above the state median of $2,145. The county ranks among Ohio's higher-taxed counties.

A regional tax burden in upper range

Lorain County's 1.444% rate exceeds Licking County (1.256%), Knox County (1.074%), and Jefferson County (1.012%), but falls short of Lake County (1.703%) and Lucas County (1.746%). It occupies the middle-to-upper tier among nearby counties.

What you actually pay each year

On Lorain County's median home value of $207,200, homeowners pay approximately $2,992 annually without a mortgage, rising to $3,199 with mortgage insurance factored in. That's roughly $250 per month—a notable burden compared to lower-tax counties statewide.

Appeals can meaningfully reduce your burden

Given Lorain County's above-average tax rate, homeowners with overassessed properties stand to gain significantly from filing appeals. If your assessed value hasn't kept pace with actual market conditions or exceeds comparable nearby homes, the county auditor's office can walk you through the reassessment process.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lorain County

via CostByCounty

Lorain County: Right At National Average

Lorain County's 15.6% rent-to-income ratio exactly matches the national benchmark, with a $70,693 median household income running 5% below the U.S. median of $74,755. Housing affordability here aligns with typical American standards—neither notably better nor worse.

Median in Ohio's Affordability Range

Lorain County's 15.6% rent-to-income ratio precisely matches Ohio's state average, reflecting balanced housing costs and incomes typical for the state. At $916 median rent, Lorain sits slightly above the state median of $873, offset by moderate household incomes.

Mid-Range Market Positioning

Lorain County's $916 rent falls between lower-cost counties like Logan ($832) and higher-cost Lake ($1,073), while its $70,693 income ranks solidly mid-cohort. This positioning makes Lorain a neutral choice—no outlier affordability advantages or disadvantages.

15.6% of Income to Rent

Renters allocate $916 monthly to gross rent—15.6% of the $70,693 median income—while homeowners carry $1,110, roughly 18.8% of household earnings. Lorain County households experience typical Ohio cost-of-living dynamics with reasonable housing burden.

Lorain: Typical Ohio Option

Lorain County suits relocators seeking a straightforward Ohio market without unusual affordability advantages or constraints. If you want average housing costs and incomes aligned with state norms, Lorain provides a stable, predictable living environment.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lorain County

via IncomeByCounty

Lorain County slightly trails nationally

Lorain County's median household income of $70,693 falls 5% short of the national median of $74,755, placing it just below the national average. This modest gap suggests an economy with steady employment but limited high-wage growth.

Above Ohio's median income

Lorain ranks in Ohio's upper-middle tier, earning $2,592 more than the state median of $68,101. Per capita income of $39,638 exceeds the state average of $35,642 by 11%, indicating reasonably distributed earning power.

Competitive with nearby counties

Lorain's $70,693 sits between Erie County ($69,200) and Cuyahoga ($67,000), holding steady in northeast Ohio's middle tier. It trails prosperous Lake County ($77,952) but outpaces struggling Ashtabula County, reflecting industrial regional dynamics.

Rent burden is manageable

Lorain's 15.6% rent-to-income ratio is below the 17% affordability threshold, leaving renters with discretionary income. Median home value of $207,200 is moderate relative to household earnings, supporting accessible homeownership.

Lorain County: stable savings opportunity

Moderate income and affordable housing give Lorain residents reliable capacity to save and invest consistently. Establish employer retirement plans, build an emergency fund covering 6 months, and explore home equity investment to strengthen long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lorain County

via HealthByCounty

Lorain County approaches national health benchmarks

At 76.0 years, Lorain County's life expectancy sits 2.0 years below the national average of 78.0 years but reflects reasonably strong population health. The 19.5% poor/fair health rate exceeds the national rate of 17.8%, indicating some disease burden in the community.

Solid performance compared to Ohio

Lorain County's 76.0-year life expectancy exceeds Ohio's state average of 74.8 years by 1.2 years, placing it among the state's healthier counties. This advantage reflects the county's established healthcare infrastructure and economic stability.

Strong health profile in Northeast Ohio

Lorain County's 76.0-year life expectancy closely matches Lake County (77.0 years) and outpaces Lucas County (73.4 years) by 2.6 years. The county's 19.5% poor/fair health rate suggests room for improvement in disease prevention and chronic care management.

Strong coverage with excellent provider access

Lorain County's uninsured rate of 7.3% is near the state average of 7.5%, with most residents maintaining coverage. The county leads the region with 52 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, providing exceptional access to frontline healthcare.

Leverage Lorain's strong provider network

With leading primary care access and near-average uninsured rates, Lorain County is well-positioned for health success. Visit healthcare.gov to find coverage that connects you to the county's strong network of providers and preventive health services.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lorain County

via RiskByCounty

Lorain County faces elevated natural hazard risk

Lorain County's composite risk score of 86.26 significantly exceeds the national average and carries a Relatively Moderate rating. This county represents one of the higher-risk areas for natural disasters in the nation.

Second-highest risk in Ohio

At 86.26, Lorain County ranks second among all Ohio counties in composite risk, far exceeding the state average of 55.03. Only one county in Ohio carries greater natural hazard exposure.

Significantly riskier than surrounding region

Lorain County's 86.26 score substantially outpaces most northwest Ohio neighbors, positioning it as the region's natural hazard hotspot. Its extreme tornado and flood risks create a particularly dangerous combination.

Tornadoes and floods create compound risk

Lorain County experiences catastrophic tornado risk at 90.94 and extreme flood exposure at 90.24—among the highest levels statewide for both hazards. Earthquake exposure at 74.62 adds a third significant concern uncommon in neighboring counties.

Comprehensive, robust coverage is mandatory

Lorain County residents must carry flood insurance and maximum tornado/wind coverage given the extraordinary 90.94 tornado and 90.24 flood scores. Consider investing in a safe room or reinforced shelter to protect against the region's severe storm environment.

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.