CountyScore

Lucas County

Ohio · OH

#85 in Ohio
58
County Score

County Report Card

About Lucas County, Ohio

Lucas County rises above national average

Lucas County scores 61.1, exceeding the national median of 50.0 by 11.1 points. However, this score ranks lowest in this eight-county comparison.

Below Ohio's statewide benchmark

At 61.1, Lucas County trails Ohio's average of 68.8 by 7.7 points. The county ranks in the lower tier among Ohio's 88 counties for overall livability.

Solid housing affordability

Lucas County's cost score of 76.7 and median home value of $155,200 offer reasonable affordability. Monthly gross rent of $911 remains accessible for households earning the median $60,095.

Taxes and incomes lag significantly

The tax score of 53.2 reflects a 1.746% effective rate—the highest tax burden in this group. An income score of 22.6 and median household income of $60,095 are also among the lowest.

For those prioritizing housing access

Lucas County suits modest-income households willing to accept higher taxes for accessible housing options. It's less ideal for those seeking tax efficiency or strong earning growth.

Score breakdown

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

Tax53.2Cost76.7SafetyComing SoonHealth66.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.6Risk7.6WaterComing Soon
🏛53.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠76.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡7.6
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 Lucas County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Placer County
California
58
Median income: $114,678
LaSalle County
Illinois
58
Median income: $72,281
Grafton County
New Hampshire
58
Median income: $84,021
Albany County
New York
58
Median income: $83,149
Orleans County
New York
58
Median income: $63,838

Deep Dives

Lucas County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lucas County

via TaxByCounty

Lucas County imposes among nation's highest taxes

Lucas County's effective tax rate of 1.746% ranks in the top 5% nationally, making it one of America's most tax-burdened counties despite a relatively modest median home value of $155,200. The median annual tax bill of $2,710 rivals or exceeds much costlier regions nationwide.

Ohio's second-highest property tax rate

Lucas County's 1.746% effective rate is surpassed in Ohio only by Lake County, with median property taxes of $2,710 running 26% above the state median of $2,145. The county imposes a steep burden on homeowners.

The region's highest tax burden overall

Lucas County's 1.746% rate exceeds all nearby counties including Lake County (1.703%), Lorain County (1.444%), and Licking County (1.256%) by substantial margins. It's clearly the most expensive county for property taxes in the immediate region.

What you actually pay each year

On Lucas County's median home value of $155,200, homeowners pay an estimated $2,710 annually without a mortgage, rising to $3,003 with mortgage insurance included. That's roughly $251 per month—exceptionally high given the relatively modest property values.

Assessment appeals are especially valuable here

In Ohio's second-highest-taxing county, even small reductions in assessed value deliver outsized annual savings that compound significantly over time. Lucas County homeowners should carefully review whether their property's assessed value reflects current market conditions and file appeals if overassessed.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lucas County

via CostByCounty

Lucas County: Strained Affordability

Lucas County's 18.2% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the nation's most strained, matching Lawrence County's burden despite higher absolute rent at $911. With a median household income of $60,095—nearly 20% below the U.S. median—housing costs consume a significantly larger share here than typical American households.

Second-Most Strained in Ohio

Lucas County's 18.2% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Ohio's tightest, well above the 15.6% state average, driven by the region's lower incomes rather than elevated rents. At $911, rent runs $38 above the state median, but the income gap exacerbates affordability pressure.

Lower Income, Higher Rent Burden

Lucas County pairs a $60,095 median income—higher than only Lawrence and Jefferson—with $911 rent that outpaces most regional neighbors, resulting in the second-steepest rent-to-income ratio in this cohort. This combination leaves residents with less financial flexibility than similar counties.

18.2% of Income to Housing

At $911 monthly, rent consumes 18.2% of the $60,095 median income, while homeowners spend $1,002, roughly 19.9% of household earnings. Lucas County residents allocate nearly one-fifth of gross income to housing, constraining spending on other necessities.

Lucas Demands Careful Planning

Lucas County is best suited for remote workers, retirees, or professionals with above-local-average incomes who can offset regional earning constraints. Local job-seekers should thoroughly evaluate employment prospects and wages before relocating, as median incomes here rank among the region's lowest.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lucas County

via IncomeByCounty

Lucas County lags national income

Lucas County's median household income of $60,095 trails the national median of $74,755 by 20%, reflecting a regional economy struggling with manufacturing decline and wage stagnation. This substantial gap places Lucas among Ohio's weaker earners.

Below Ohio's median income

Lucas ranks in Ohio's bottom third of counties, earning $8,006 less than the state median of $68,101. Per capita income of $36,289 is slightly above the state average, but household-level earnings reveal structural income challenges.

Outpaced by surrounding counties

Lucas County's $60,095 slightly exceeds Sandusky County but falls well behind Wood County ($68,800) and significantly trails Lake County ($77,952). The $17,000+ gap with Licking County underscores Lucas's position as a lower-income region.

Rent burden is elevated

At 18.2% of income, Lucas's rent-to-income ratio exceeds the 17% affordability threshold, straining renter budgets and limiting savings capacity. Median home value of $155,200 remains affordable but reflects broader earning constraints.

Lucas County: build despite constraints

Even with tighter incomes, Lucas residents can grow wealth through disciplined planning and accessible tools. Prioritize employer 401(k) matching, use high-yield savings accounts, and leverage first-time homebuyer programs to build financial resilience over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lucas County

via HealthByCounty

Lucas County significantly below national health

At 73.4 years, Lucas County's life expectancy falls 4.6 years short of the national average of 78.0 years. With 22.0% of residents in poor or fair health—well above the national rate of 17.8%—the county faces substantial health challenges.

Ranks below Ohio average for life expectancy

Lucas County's 73.4-year life expectancy trails Ohio's state average of 74.8 years by 1.4 years, indicating below-average health outcomes across the county. This gap reflects ongoing struggles with chronic disease, mental health, and access barriers.

Trailing health outcomes in Northwest Ohio

Lucas County's 73.4-year life expectancy lags behind Lake County (77.0 years) by 3.6 years and Lorain County (76.0 years) by 2.6 years. The 22.0% poor/fair health rate is among the highest in the region, signaling concentrated health challenges.

Urban providers offset uninsured barrier

Lucas County has the highest primary care provider density in this dataset at 86 per 100,000 residents and strong mental health capacity at 474 providers per 100,000, yet its 6.9% uninsured rate and poor health outcomes suggest access and utilization barriers remain. Urban concentration of providers may leave some neighborhoods underserved.

Connect with Lucas County's healthcare resources

Lucas County residents have access to abundant healthcare providers—now ensure you're covered to use them. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to secure Medicaid, Marketplace coverage, or employer benefits, and partner with providers on preventive and chronic care management.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lucas County

via RiskByCounty

Lucas County faces highest natural disaster risk

Lucas County's composite risk score of 92.40 is among the highest in the nation and carries a Relatively Moderate rating. This county represents one of America's most hazard-exposed natural disaster zones.

Ohio's highest-risk county by far

At 92.40, Lucas County ranks highest among all 88 Ohio counties in composite risk, dramatically exceeding the state average of 55.03. No other county in Ohio approaches this level of natural hazard exposure.

Dramatically riskier than surrounding counties

Lucas County's 92.40 score far surpasses all adjacent counties in northwest Ohio and Michigan border regions. Its combination of extreme tornado, flood, and earthquake risks creates a uniquely dangerous natural disaster environment.

Tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes converge

Lucas County faces catastrophic tornado risk at 97.33—the highest in Ohio—and extreme flood exposure at 95.42. Earthquake exposure reaches 88.14, reflecting the county's unique seismic and meteorological hazard profile.

Maximum protection strategies essential

Lucas County residents must carry flood insurance, maximum tornado/wind coverage, and earthquake protection given the exceptional 97.33 tornado, 95.42 flood, and 88.14 earthquake scores. Investing in a residential safe room or storm shelter is strongly recommended for this highest-risk county in Ohio.

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.