CountyScore

Marion County

Ohio · OH

#54 in Ohio
66.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Marion County, Ohio

Marion County exceeds national standards

Marion County's composite score of 70.3 ranks it in the 70th percentile nationally, sitting 41% above the national median of 50.0. This solid performance places it among the more livable counties in the United States.

Ohio's top performers tier

At 70.3, Marion County ranks above Ohio's 68.8 state average, placing it in the upper third of Ohio's county distribution. It's among the state's consistently strong livability performers.

Lowest taxes in the group

Marion County delivers the lowest effective tax rate among these eight counties at just 0.980%, paired with a strong tax score of 74.7. Housing is also quite affordable with a median home value of $146,200 (cost score 79.3).

Incomes remain low relative to taxes

Despite tax advantages, the income score of 20.8 and median household income of $57,306 lag state averages, limiting economic opportunity. Data on schools, health, and safety is not yet available, leaving important livability factors unmeasured.

Sweet spot for tax-conscious budgeters

Marion County appeals to cost-conscious households seeking maximum tax relief and affordable housing in a small-town setting. It's ideal for those prioritizing low living expenses and willing to accept more limited wage growth.

Score breakdown

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

Tax74.7Cost79.3SafetyComing SoonHealth66.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.8Risk38.9WaterComing Soon
🏛74.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡38.9
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 Marion County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Cochise County
Arizona
66.8
Median income: $58,970
Chattooga County
Georgia
66.8
Median income: $47,785
Clay County
Illinois
66.8
Median income: $57,266
Piatt County
Illinois
66.8
Median income: $87,516
Hamilton County
Kansas
66.8
Median income: $61,929

Deep Dives

Marion County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Marion County

via TaxByCounty

Marion County offers the lowest tax burden

At 0.980%, Marion County's effective tax rate ranks in the bottom 10% nationally, making it far more affordable than the national median of 1.3%. Homeowners pay just $1,432 annually on a median property valued at $146,200.

Marion County ranks lowest in Ohio examined

Marion County's 0.980% effective rate is the lowest among the eight counties analyzed and well below Ohio's state average of 1.148%. At $1,432 in median annual taxes, Marion County homeowners enjoy the easiest property tax burden in this group.

Marion outpaces all nearby competitors on rates

Marion County's 0.980% rate beats Meigs County at 0.985%, Monroe County at 0.870% (though Monroe's lower values reduce actual bills), and dramatically undercuts Mahoning County's 1.400%. For buyers seeking low ongoing tax obligations, Marion is the clear regional winner.

Median home = just $1,432 annual tax

On Marion County's median home value of $146,200, the 0.980% effective rate produces annual property taxes of just $1,432. This is roughly $800 less than the national median tax bill despite similar home values.

Low rates don't eliminate appeal opportunities

Even in low-tax Marion County, many properties are assessed above their fair market value, particularly in neighborhoods with changing demographics or declining demand. A professional assessment appeal could still identify savings, especially for homes that haven't been properly valued in recent years.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Marion County

via CostByCounty

Marion County faces affordability headwinds

Marion County renters spend 17.8% of their income on housing—among the least affordable in the nation—while earning $17,449 below the U.S. median. This county struggles with a difficult combination of lower wages and rising housing costs.

Ohio's toughest housing market for renters

Marion County's 17.8% rent-to-income ratio ranks as one of Ohio's worst, significantly exceeding the state average of 15.6%. At $850 monthly rent, Marion residents face one of the state's toughest housing affordability challenges.

Struggling compared to regional peers

Marion County's $850 rent is higher than most nearby counties, including Mahoning ($775) and Monroe ($626), yet incomes here are among the lowest in the region. This unfavorable pairing makes Marion one of the region's least affordable places to live.

Marion incomes stretched thin

The median Marion County household earning $57,306 annually spends $850 on rent or $908 on mortgage costs monthly. Renters allocate 17.8% of income to housing while homeowners spend 19%—both well above the 15% affordability benchmark.

Marion County offers value but demands caution

If relocating to Marion County, negotiate aggressively on wages—affordability here depends heavily on earning power rather than cheap rents. Compare your expected salary carefully against regional alternatives before committing to a move.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Marion County

via IncomeByCounty

Marion lags significantly behind national median

Marion County's median household income of $57,306 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by $17,449, placing the county well below the national norm. This gap reflects Marion's position as a lower-income Ohio community relative to the broader American economy.

Marion ranks below the state average

Marion County's median household income of $57,306 falls short of Ohio's state average of $68,101 by more than $10,700, marking it as one of the state's lower-income counties. The county's per capita income of $30,491 is notably the lowest among the eight counties reviewed, well below the state average of $35,642.

Marion ranks toward the lower end regionally

Marion's $57,306 median household income exceeds only Meigs County ($46,701) among nearby peers, but trails Mahoning County ($55,576) and lags substantially behind higher-earning counties like Medina ($92,660) and Madison ($83,229). The county faces economic challenges similar to other struggling industrial communities in the region.

Housing costs create real affordability pressure

Marion County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.8% indicates significant housing cost burden, approaching the stress threshold where budgets become strained. Combined with below-average incomes, homeownership and rental stability remain challenging for many Marion County households.

Start small, invest intentionally for Marion's future

Marion residents can build financial resilience by starting with manageable goals: an emergency fund covering 3–6 months of expenses, then gradual retirement contributions. Even with lower current incomes, consistent saving and learning about personal finance compound into meaningful long-term gains.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Marion County

via HealthByCounty

Marion County faces health headwinds

At 73.7 years, Marion County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 72.4 by 1.3 years, but its 22.2% poor/fair health rate exceeds the national average of 21%, signaling higher chronic disease burden. One in five Marion residents reports their health as poor or fair, a concerning indicator of widespread health struggles. The county is aging less and dying younger than peers.

Among Ohio's struggling counties

Marion County's 73.7-year life expectancy trails Ohio's 74.8-year average by 1.1 years, placing it in the lower third of state rankings. The 22.2% poor/fair health rate is the worst among all comparison counties, far exceeding Ohio's typical profile. Marion residents face outsized health adversity relative to the state norm.

Weakest health in the comparison set

Marion County's 73.7-year life expectancy beats only Meigs County (70.8) and Monroe County (73.6) among peers, while its 22.2% poor/fair health rate is the highest in the entire cohort. The county trails Mercer County by 3.7 years and Medina County by 5.3 years in life expectancy. Marion residents experience the most health challenges of any county in this group.

Severe primary care shortage

Marion County has only 28 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—among the lowest in the region and well below adequacy—forcing residents to travel for routine care. Mental health providers number 265 per 100,000, which is moderate, but the sparse primary care network creates barriers to preventive health and chronic disease management. Limited doctor access means delayed care and worse health outcomes.

Coverage is your first step

With 6.8% of Marion County uninsured and primary care access already strained, securing health insurance is critical for reaching the providers you do have. Visit healthcare.gov to explore Medicaid expansion and marketplace plans, or call a local health department for enrollment support. Ensuring coverage helps you get ahead of the health challenges your county faces.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Marion County

via RiskByCounty

Marion County carries moderate risk overall

Marion County's composite risk score of 61.10 earns a Relatively Low rating, sitting 11% above Ohio's 55.03 state average. The county experiences moderate exposure to several hazard types but lacks the severe concentration seen in higher-risk areas. Residents face higher-than-average tornado and flood exposure paired with minimal wildfire threat.

Mid-tier risk among Ohio counties

Marion County ranks in the middle range of Ohio's county risk profiles, with its 61.10 composite score modestly above the 55.03 state average. The county experiences somewhat elevated hazard exposure compared to western Ohio peers but lower risk than northeastern counties. This middle-ground position means selective preparedness planning rather than across-the-board urgency.

Comparable to central Ohio peers

Marion County's 61.10 risk score aligns closely with Miami County (61.39) and Marion County to the south while trailing Medina County (68.96) to the north. Madison County to the west (24.90) presents a notably safer profile, reflecting the risk gradient across central Ohio. Marion County occupies a moderate position within its regional cluster.

Tornadoes and flooding are primary concerns

Marion County faces significant tornado risk (62.95) and flood risk (64.89), both tracking near or above the state average. Earthquake risk reaches 69.15, creating secondary vulnerability during seismic events. Wildfire risk remains minimal at 3.69, allowing residents to focus preparedness efforts on weather-related hazards.

Standard coverage with flood addition

Homeowners insurance covering wind and hail damage directly addresses Marion County's 62.95 tornado risk and severe weather exposure. Flood insurance becomes important given the 64.89 flood risk score—consider it a priority rather than optional. Earthquake coverage is worth discussing with your agent given the 69.15 risk score, particularly for older structures.

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.