Marshall County

Indiana · IN

#64 in Indiana
70.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Marshall County, Indiana

Well Above National Median, Near State Peers

Marshall County posts a composite score of 70.3—significantly above the national median of 50.0 and nearly at Indiana's state average of 71.2. This places it at approximately the 70th percentile nationally, reflecting a county that delivers solid livability across multiple dimensions.

Right at Indiana's Competitive Average

Marshall County ranks very close to the state average composite score of 71.2, holding its ground competitively among Indiana counties. This mid-to-upper tier position suggests a balanced county that meets and matches the state's overall livability standard.

Exceptional Tax Rates and Affordability

Marshall County stands out for an 83.1 tax score with an effective rate of just 0.683%—the lowest in this group—and a 77.5 cost score reflecting highly affordable housing. Median rent runs just $936 monthly, while homes average $184,500, making this county remarkably wallet-friendly.

Income Growth and Risk Warrant Attention

The county's 27.8 income score reflects a median household income of $68,041, which, while decent, trails higher-performing peers. Additionally, a risk score of 58.4 suggests moderate exposure to economic or environmental variables that warrant monitoring.

Ideal for Cost-Conscious, Stability-Seeking Residents

Marshall County appeals to families and retirees seeking an affordable, tax-efficient home base with stable health outcomes and reasonable incomes. The combination of ultra-low taxes, cheap rent, and solid median household earnings makes this county a strong choice for those who value financial predictability over urban amenities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.1Cost77.5SafetyComing SoonHealth66.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.8Risk58.4WaterComing Soon
🏛83.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠77.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼27.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
66.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
58.4
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

Marshall County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Marshall County

via TaxByCounty

Marshall County below U.S. property tax norm

Marshall County's effective tax rate of 0.683% ranks well below the national median of 1.1%, offering homeowners significantly lower tax burden. The median property tax of $1,260 is less than half the national median of $2,690.

Marshall County near Indiana average

Marshall County's 0.683% effective rate ranks it just above the state average of 0.671%, placing it in the middle tier among Indiana's 92 counties. Most Indiana homeowners face similar tax pressures as those in Marshall County.

Moderate taxes in northern region

Marshall County's 0.683% rate falls between Miami County (0.578%) and Marion County (0.929%), making it a moderate-tax option in northern Indiana. Compared to neighboring counties, Marshall residents pay mid-range property taxes.

What a Marshall County homeowner pays

On a median home value of $184,500, Marshall County homeowners pay roughly $1,260 annually in property taxes. This stable rate applies consistently across both mortgaged and mortgage-free properties in the county.

Appeal if your value seems high

Many Marshall County homeowners are overassessed and eligible to appeal their tax valuations. A successful assessment challenge could lower your annual bill—the appeal process is free and worth exploring.

Cost of Living in Marshall County

via CostByCounty

Marshall County stays near national affordability

Marshall County renters spend 16.5% of income on housing, comfortably under the national benchmark and below what many households consider sustainable. With a median household income of $68,041—slightly below the national $74,755—the county delivers moderate housing costs relative to earnings.

Better than average for Indiana

Marshall County's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio beats Indiana's state average of 15.6% only slightly, but the median rent of $936 runs just $53 above state average. The county sits in the middle tier of Indiana affordability, neither a bargain nor a burden.

Comparable costs across the region

Marshall County's $936 median rent falls between Monroe County's steep $1,151 and Martin County's bargain $643, mirroring its mid-range income position. Neighbor Newton County ($927 rent) and Morgan County ($988) show similar affordability patterns, making Marshall a typical option in this part of Indiana.

Marshall County's housing equation

Renters earning the county median of $68,041 pay $936 monthly, consuming 16.5% of gross income for housing. Homeowners with a median home value of $184,500 face $917 in monthly costs, slightly lower than the renter burden and manageable within the county's income profile.

A balanced choice for Indiana movers

Marshall County offers reasonable affordability without extreme compromises; it's neither the cheapest nor most expensive option in the state. Families prioritizing stable housing-to-income ratios over rock-bottom costs will find Marshall a sensible, middle-ground choice.

Income & Jobs in Marshall County

via IncomeByCounty

Marshall County slightly below national median

Marshall County's median household income of $68,041 trails the national median of $74,755 by $6,714, or roughly 9%. Though modest, this gap places the county near the national middle, with stronger income stability than many Rust Belt counties.

Nearly at Indiana's state average

Marshall County's $68,041 income nearly matches Indiana's state median of $68,681, placing it solidly in the middle tier of Indiana counties. The county's per capita income of $33,134 falls slightly below the state average of $34,773.

Strong performer among peers

Marshall County's $68,041 income exceeds most neighbors, including Marion County ($63,450), Miami County ($61,130), and Martin County ($65,345). Only Morgan County ($79,088) and Newton County ($68,596) among nearby counties earn notably more.

Housing costs are well-managed

Marshall County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.5% is well below the 30% affordability threshold, among the healthiest in the region. With a median home value of $184,500, homeownership remains attainable for households at the county median income.

Leverage your solid income foundation

Households in Marshall County earning $68,041 have a strong platform for wealth-building through regular retirement contributions and diversified investments. Local banks and credit unions often offer financial literacy workshops—use them to maximize your earning and saving potential.

Health in Marshall County

via HealthByCounty

Marshall County exceeds national health benchmarks

Marshall County residents live to 75.9 years, nearly matching the U.S. average of 78.1 years and outperforming many peers. Only 18.7% report poor or fair health, well below the national average of 16%—a sign of strong community wellness. However, coverage gaps remain a concern for nearly one in eight residents.

Healthier than Indiana average

Marshall County's 75.9-year life expectancy exceeds Indiana's state average of 75.1 years by 0.8 years. At 18.7% poor or fair health, the county ranks above the state median. Yet the uninsured rate of 12.6% far exceeds Indiana's 8.4% average, suggesting coverage is the primary barrier to care.

Strong health outcomes, limited providers

Marshall County residents live longer than Marion County neighbors (75.9 vs. 73.0 years) and report similar health status to Monroe County. However, primary care access is constrained at 52 providers per 100K—less than two-thirds of Marion's rate—creating potential bottlenecks for routine care.

Coverage crisis in a healthy county

Marshall County's 12.6% uninsured rate means approximately 5,000 residents lack health insurance—the highest rate among these eight counties. With only 52 primary care providers per 100K and 125 mental health providers per 100K, residents without coverage face dual barriers: no insurance and limited local capacity to serve them.

Marshall County: closing the coverage gap

At 12.6% uninsured, Marshall County has the most work to do. Start at healthcare.gov or call 211 to connect with a free enrollment assistant. Many Marshall County residents qualify for low-cost or free Medicaid coverage—no one should go without it.

Disaster Risk in Marshall County

via RiskByCounty

Marshall County's risk remains modest

Marshall County's composite risk score of 41.60 places it in the very low category and runs slightly below Indiana's state average of 45.52. While tornado risk reaches 66.28, other hazards remain relatively contained, resulting in a balanced overall risk profile. Compared to the nation's most hazard-prone counties, Marshall County faces measurably lower natural disaster exposure.

Among Indiana's safer counties

Marshall County ranks in the lower-risk tier statewide, with a composite score of 41.60 that falls below the state average of 45.52. Its risk profile is substantially better than Marion County (97.49) and Monroe County (75.99), reflecting more moderate hazard exposure. Most Indiana counties share similar or slightly higher risk levels than Marshall.

Fairly comparable to surrounding areas

Marshall County's 41.60 score sits close to neighboring Montgomery County (41.00) and Miami County (52.80), reflecting consistent risk patterns across north-central Indiana. The region shares moderate tornado exposure but avoids the extreme earthquake and flood risks seen in counties further south. Adjacent areas show similar preparedness priorities.

Tornadoes are the main concern

Tornado risk dominates Marshall County at 66.28, substantially higher than other hazards and the primary natural disaster threat residents face. Flood risk reaches 44.91, roughly in line with state averages, while earthquake and wildfire risks remain low. Tornado preparedness should be the primary focus for households here.

Focus tornado prep, standard coverage works

Marshall County residents should ensure standard homeowners insurance is current and add a tornado/hail deductible if available to manage wind damage costs. Developing a tornado plan—identifying safe rooms, practicing drills, and staying weather-aware—is more critical than extensive add-on coverage. Given lower flood and earthquake risks, standard policies provide adequate protection for most households.

ByCounty Network

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