countyscore
70.3
County Score
Safety 94.1Disaster Risk 87.7Water Quality 86

County Report Card

About Martin County, Indiana

Exceeding National Livability Standards

Martin County boasts a robust composite score of 70.3, placing it well above the national median of 50.0. This high ranking puts the county in the top tier of US counties for overall quality of life. It offers a level of livability that far exceeds many national peers.

Top-Tier Performer in Indiana

At 70.3, Martin County significantly outpaces the Indiana state average of 55.9. It ranks as one of the most livable counties in the state, driven by exceptional scores in core categories. Its performance sets a high bar for the rest of southern Indiana.

Superior Financial and Environmental Security

The county excels with a tax score of 82.8 and a environmental risk score of 87.7. Residents enjoy a low effective tax rate of 0.531% and very high water quality at 86.0. These numbers point to a highly efficient and safe residential experience.

Modest Education and Health Scores

While the overall profile is strong, the school score of 39.9 and health score of 46.8 are the primary areas for growth. These dimensions trail the county's elite financial scores but remain functional. Strategic investment in these sectors could make the county nearly unbeatable.

Perfect for Quiet, Secure Living

Martin County is an excellent fit for retirees or families seeking maximum safety and very low taxes. The high environmental stability and low cost of living make it a sanctuary for budget-conscious residents. It offers a high-value lifestyle that is hard to find elsewhere.

2040608010082.876.894.146.839.955.687.78662.5Tax82.8Cost76.8Safety94.1Health46.8Schools39.9Income55.6Risk87.7Water86Weather62.570.3/100
This county
National avg
5 above average1 below average

Martin County DNA

Coverall

How Martin County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Martin County excels in 5 of 9 measured dimensions, led by Disaster Risk (87.7/100). A few areas trail the national average, including Schools (39.9/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
82.8+30.799999999999997
Cost
76.8+28.799999999999997
Safety
94.1+39.099999999999994
Health
46.8
Schools
39.9-14.100000000000001
Income
55.6
Risk
87.7+40.7
Water
86+28
Weather
62.5
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Compare mortgage rates in Martin County

Whether buying or refinancing in Martin County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$150,400

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$643/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$150,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$25,720/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $65,345/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Greenlee County
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Cumberland County
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Nearby counties

Daviess County
Indiana
58.1
Orange County
Indiana
66.3
Dubois County
Indiana
62.2
Lawrence County
Indiana
57.6
Greene County
Indiana
55.2
Pike County
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64.3
Knox County
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52.4
Crawford County
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62.4

Deep Dives

Martin County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Martin County

via TaxByCounty

Martin County offers lowest-tax advantage

Martin County's 0.531% effective tax rate ranks among the lowest nationally, well below the 1.1% median. Residents pay just $798 annually on a median home of $150,400—nearly 70% less than the national median tax bill.

Martin leads Indiana on tax burden

Martin County has the lowest effective tax rate in Indiana at 0.531%, 21% below the state average of 0.671%. This advantage makes Martin one of the most tax-friendly counties in the entire state.

Martin County's regional advantage clear

Martin County's 0.531% rate significantly undercuts every nearby county, including Miami (0.578%), Morgan (0.480%), and Monroe (0.702%). Only Morgan County comes close, but Martin's median home values remain more affordable.

Minimal annual property tax here

A typical Martin County home valued at $150,400 incurs about $798 in annual property taxes—among the lowest in the nation. Even with mortgage-related adjustments, the annual burden remains manageable at under $1,000.

Still worth reviewing your assessment

Even in low-tax Martin County, some homeowners are overassessed and can appeal their valuations. A successful appeal could save you money—consider requesting a reassessment review at no cost.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Martin County

via CostByCounty

Martin County is Indiana's affordability standout

At 11.8%, Martin County's rent-to-income ratio is among the nation's most affordable, well below the national threshold and Indiana's 15.6% state average. Despite a median household income of $65,345, the county's remarkably low $643 median rent makes housing highly accessible.

Lowest housing burden in Indiana

Martin County leads Indiana in housing affordability with an 11.8% rent-to-income ratio—over 3 percentage points better than the state average. The median rent of $643 is the lowest among these eight counties and $240 below the state average, making Martin a rare affordable haven.

Dramatically cheaper than neighbors

Martin County's $643 rent is roughly $300 less than Marshall County's $936 and nearly $500 below Marion County's $1,107. This affordability advantage extends to ownership: the median home value of $150,400 represents some of the region's lowest property prices.

Martin's lean housing costs

The typical Martin County renter earning $65,345 annually spends just $643 monthly on housing—only 11.8% of gross income. Homebuyers with a $150,400 median home value face $758 in monthly ownership costs, preserving substantial income for other needs.

Indiana's best deal for budget-conscious families

If housing affordability tops your relocation checklist, Martin County delivers what most other Indiana counties cannot: rents and home values that consume minimal income. Trade Marion County's urban density for Martin's small-town savings, and free up thousands annually for savings, education, or quality of life.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Martin County

via IncomeByCounty

Martin County income trails national average

Martin County's median household income of $65,345 sits $9,410 below the national median of $74,755, a 12.6% shortfall. This puts the county in the lower-middle range nationally, typical of rural Midwestern communities with limited wage growth.

Below Indiana's median income

Martin County ranks below Indiana's state median of $68,681 at $65,345, placing it in the lower half of state counties. The county's per capita income of $32,250 trails the state average of $34,773, suggesting broader economic constraints.

Lower income than most neighbors

Martin County's $65,345 income lags most surrounding counties: Marshall ($68,041), Montgomery ($66,571), Newton ($68,596), and Morgan ($79,088). Only Miami County ($61,130) earns considerably less in the immediate region.

Housing costs are lowest in region

Martin County boasts the region's lowest rent-to-income ratio at 11.8%, well below the 30% affordability threshold, reflecting lower housing demand. With a median home value of $150,400, homeownership is exceptionally affordable for households in this county.

Start small, build consistent habits

Martin County households earning $65,345 can capitalize on low housing costs by redirecting savings toward retirement and investment accounts. Even small monthly contributions—$50 or $100—create momentum; consider automatic transfers to enforce consistent saving discipline.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Martin County

via CrimeByCounty

Martin County Boasts Elite Safety

Martin County earns a perfect 100.0 safety score, dwarfing the national crime rate of 2,385.5 per 100,000. Its total crime rate of just 30.4 per 100,000 marks it as a national leader in public safety.

Ranking High Among Indiana Counties

Martin ranks well above the Indiana average safety score of 98.9. It maintains one of the lowest crime footprints in the state, totaling far less than the state average of 693.8.

A Regional Benchmark for Security

With a total rate of 30.4, Martin provides a much safer profile than many of its Indiana peers. It remains a consistent regional benchmark for low-incident living.

Low Risk Across the Board

Violent crime is nearly non-existent at 10.1 per 100,000, while property crime is remarkably low at 20.3. These figures are negligible compared to the national property crime rate of 2,015.7.

Preserving Martin's Safe Environment

High safety scores are a point of pride that residents can help maintain. Investing in basic home security ensures these low numbers remain the standard for Martin County families.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Martin County

via SchoolsByCounty

Personalized Schooling in Martin County

Martin County features a small, highly personalized education system with only 6 public schools serving 1,419 students. Two districts manage the county’s infrastructure, which is perfectly split into two schools each for elementary, middle, and high school levels.

High Success in Small Classrooms

The graduation rate of 93.3% exceeds both state and national averages, highlighting the effectiveness of the county's two districts. While per-pupil spending of $5,090 is below the national average, the county earns a competitive 51.1 school score.

Loogootee and Shoals Lead the Way

Loogootee Community School Corp is the larger of the two districts, serving 750 students, while Shoals Community School Corp follows with 669. Both districts operate without any charter schools, maintaining a traditional public school focus.

An Entirely Rural School Experience

Every school in the county is located in a rural setting, offering a quiet and safe learning environment. The average school size is just 237 students, with Shoals Community Elementary being the largest at 314 students.

Discover Rural Living Near Great Schools

For families who value small class sizes and rural landscapes, Martin County is an ideal destination. Research available homes to find a residence that puts your children in these high-performing, close-knit school environments.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Martin County

via RiskByCounty

Martin County enjoys very low risk

Martin County's composite risk score of 12.31 places it among the lowest-risk counties in the nation, far below Indiana's state average of 45.52. All hazard categories remain notably restrained, with wildfire risk at just 2.61 and hurricane risk at 13.31. This favorable profile reflects Martin County's relative insulation from major natural disaster threats.

One of Indiana's safest counties

Martin County ranks among Indiana's lowest-risk regions with a composite score of 12.31, substantially below the state average of 45.52. Only Newton County (11.67) rivals it for the safest profile in the state. Residents here face considerably lower natural disaster exposure than the vast majority of their Indiana neighbors.

The safest area in its region

Martin County's 12.31 score is the lowest in its vicinity, outdone only by Newton County (11.67) statewide, and substantially safer than Miami County (52.80) and Monroe County (75.99) to the north. The county's southern location and terrain create a particularly favorable risk profile. No nearby county approaches Martin County's low hazard exposure.

Minimal hazards, earthquakes lead slightly

Even Martin County's highest risk category—earthquake at 54.99—remains well below statewide concern levels. Tornado and flood risks round out the profile at 34.73 and 28.28 respectively, all quite manageable. Compared to other Indiana regions, Martin County faces remarkably low natural disaster vulnerability.

Standard insurance provides solid protection

Martin County residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance to cover the vast majority of natural disaster scenarios, with no urgent need for specialized add-ons. Basic tornado and flood awareness remains prudent, though neither represents acute concern in this county. Annual policy reviews ensure coverage remains current without requiring expensive upgrades.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Martin County

via WaterByCounty

Perfect compliance record in Martin County

The county maintains a perfect A grade with zero health violations recorded over the last five years. This 0.0 violation rate is far superior to the Indiana state average of 42.3.

Watershed health exceeds the state average

Only 29.2% of assessed water bodies are impaired, which is much better than the statewide average of 40.9%. Despite the overall health, E. coli and PCBs remain the primary causes for concern in the 2022 cycle.

Martin County data centers on inorganic measurements

Twenty monitoring sites have recorded 8,796 measurements over the past five years. The most frequently measured groups include physical characteristics, inorganics, and metals.

East Fork White River sees heavy flow

The primary gauge at Shoals reports a discharge of 13,800 cfs, more than double its usual volume. This represents 234% of the long-term mean discharge of 5,891 cfs.

Manage runoff risks during high flow periods

Extreme river discharge at 234% of the mean can increase sediment and runoff into source waters. While drinking water compliance is flawless, stay vigilant about E. coli in local streams.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Martin County

via WeatherByCounty

Warm and High-Precipitation Climate

Martin County averages 55.8°F, making it warmer than the national median. It is a wet region, receiving 50.3 inches of annual precipitation.

One of Indiana’s Warmest Counties

At 55.8°F, Martin County is significantly warmer than the state average of 52.2°F. It also exceeds the state precipitation average by over six inches.

Much Warmer than Northern Indiana

Martin County is over five degrees warmer on average than Lake County. It experiences more than double the extreme heat days of its northern counterparts.

Intense Summer Heat and Rain

The county faces 29 days of extreme heat over 90°F each year. Winter is mild, averaging 34.6°F with only 13.4 inches of total snowfall.

Prepare for a Hot Summer

With nearly a full month of 90°F+ days, high-efficiency cooling is the top priority. Homeowners should also ensure proper drainage to handle over 50 inches of rain.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Martin County

via SoilByCounty

Slightly acidic silt-rich soils

Martin County soil averages a pH of 5.93, placing it slightly below both the state average of 6.08 and the national median of 6.5. While taxonomic data is currently limited, the soil score of 64.4 reflects a solid base for regional growth. This level of acidity is common in southern Indiana and is manageable for most gardeners with minor amendments.

Dominated by fine silty particles

The county's soil profile is 65.6% silt, which is considerably higher than many neighboring counties. With only 17.7% sand and 16.7% clay, the soil feels floury to the touch and holds moisture well. This high silt content makes the land productive but potentially susceptible to surface crusting and erosion.

High water capacity for plant health

Martin County soil offers an available water capacity of 0.204 in/in, which is slightly better than the state average of 0.202. Organic matter is 2.38%, which is lower than the Indiana average of 4.90% but remains above the national benchmark of 2.0%. This combination ensures that the soil can retain the moisture necessary for healthy plant development.

Unknown drainage requires local testing

Data for dominant drainage classes and hydrologic groups is currently unavailable for this area. Because silt-heavy soils can sometimes drain slowly, it is important to observe how your specific property handles runoff. Proper management of these silty soils often requires careful attention to avoid compaction.

Planting success in Zone 6b

Hardiness zone 6b allows for a long growing season for crops like corn, beans, and various fruit trees. The high silt content and good water capacity provide a reliable environment for both farmers and hobbyists. Consider adding compost to boost the organic matter and unlock the full potential of your Martin County plot.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Martin County

via LawnByCounty

Warmer Conditions in Martin County

Martin County scores 67.2 on the difficulty scale, making it slightly more challenging than the state average of 71.0. This 6b hardiness zone experiences more heat-related stress than northern Indiana neighbors.

High Precipitation and Frequent Heat

The county averages 50.3 inches of rain annually, which is the high end of the ideal lawn range. This moisture is vital because Martin County faces 29 extreme heat days per year, nearly 50% more than the state average of 20.

Slightly Acidic Soils with Low Sand

A soil pH of 5.93 is just below the ideal range, meaning a light lime application may improve grass health. With only 17.7% sand, these soils retain moisture well but can be prone to drainage issues if not aerated regularly.

Monitoring Dry Surface Conditions

The county only experienced 2 weeks of drought last year, yet currently, 100.0% of the area is classified as abnormally dry. Monitoring the lawn for wilting is essential right now, as dry surface layers can quickly stress roots during heat waves.

Long Growing Season Opportunities

With a late fall frost on October 31, homeowners enjoy an extended window for lawn establishment. Perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass are excellent choices for the 4080 growing degree days typical of this region.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Martin County's county score?
Martin County, Indiana has a composite county score of 70.3 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Martin County rank among counties in Indiana?
Martin County ranks #2 among all counties in Indiana on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Martin County, Indiana?
The median annual property tax in Martin County is $798, with an effective tax rate of 0.53%. This earns Martin County a tax score of 82.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Martin County?
The median household income in Martin County, Indiana is $65,345 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Martin County earns an income score of 55.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Martin County, Indiana a good place to live?
Martin County scores 70.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #2 in Indiana. The best way to evaluate Martin County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Martin County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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