countyscore
50.2
County Score
Cost of Living 82.4Lawn Care 76.9Weather & Climate 63.8

County Report Card

About Meigs County, Ohio

Above the National Median

Meigs County achieves a composite score of 51.3, which is slightly above the national median of 50.0. It offers a surprising level of livability compared to many peer counties across the country.

Exceeding the Ohio Average

Meigs County outperforms the Ohio state average of 48.6. Its score profile is bolstered by exceptional housing affordability that few other counties in the state can match.

Unmatched Housing Affordability

The county features a staggering cost score of 82.8, with a median home value of only $113,400. This affordability is paired with a safety score of 61.4, offering a secure environment on a budget.

Struggling Health and Income

Economic opportunity is limited, with an income score of 9.0 and a median household income of $46,701. Furthermore, the health score of 27.6 suggests residents may face challenges in accessing medical services.

A Haven for Retirees

Meigs County is an excellent fit for retirees or remote workers with fixed incomes looking to maximize their purchasing power. While health and local wages are low, the combination of safety and cheap housing is hard to beat.

2040608010032.782.461.427.644.47.747.151.863.8Tax32.7Cost82.4Safety61.4Health27.6Schools44.4Income7.7Risk47.1Water51.8Weather63.850.2/100
This county
National avg
1 above average3 below average

Meigs County DNA

Foverall

How Meigs County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Meigs County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Income (7.7/100), though Cost of Living (82.4/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
32.7-19.299999999999997
Cost
82.4+34.400000000000006
Safety
61.4
Health
27.6-22.4
Schools
44.4-9.600000000000001
Income
7.7-43.3
Risk
47.1
Water
51.8
Weather
63.8
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Meigs County?

Many homeowners in Meigs County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$119,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$722/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$119,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$28,880/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $46,873/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

9.1

per 100K

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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Nearby counties

Mason County
West Virginia
66.3
Jackson County
West Virginia
62.6
Athens County
Ohio
41.4
Gallia County
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48.9
Wood County
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Vinton County
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Wirt County
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Jackson County
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Deep Dives

Meigs County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Meigs County

via TaxByCounty

Meigs County offers exceptionally low taxes

At 0.985%, Meigs County's effective tax rate ranks in the bottom 15% nationally, well below the national median of 1.3%. With a median annual tax of just $1,117 on a $113,400 home, Meigs is among the most affordable counties in America for property taxation.

Meigs ranks among Ohio's lowest-tax counties

Meigs County's 0.985% effective rate falls well below Ohio's state average of 1.148%, placing it in the lowest tier statewide. The county's median tax of $1,117 is the lowest among the eight counties examined, offering significant ongoing savings.

Meigs rivals Marion and Monroe for value

Meigs County's 0.985% rate nearly matches Marion County's 0.980% and exceeds Monroe County's 0.870%, though Meigs' higher home values result in slightly higher annual bills. For homebuyers prioritizing low property taxes, Meigs competes favorably with any county in the region.

Median home = just $1,117 annual tax

On Meigs County's median home value of $113,400, the 0.985% rate produces only $1,117 in annual property taxes. This is less than half the national median tax bill, providing substantial long-term savings for property owners.

Small assessments warrant extra verification

Even at Meigs County's modest tax levels, overassessment occurs when property appraisals lag behind falling market values or neighborhood changes. Since the county's median home is valued under $114K, a successful appeal reducing assessed value by 10% could free up $100+ annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Meigs County

via IncomeByCounty

Meigs faces steep national income disadvantage

Meigs County's median household income of $46,701 falls dramatically below the U.S. median of $74,755, a shortfall of more than $28,000. This significant gap places Meigs among America's lower-income counties, reflecting deep economic challenges.

Meigs ranks lowest in Ohio income survey

Meigs County's median household income of $46,701 trails Ohio's state average of $68,101 by more than $21,400, making it the lowest-earning county among the eight reviewed. The county's per capita income of $25,684 is similarly the lowest, far below the state average of $35,642.

Meigs struggles most among regional peers

At $46,701, Meigs County's median household income ranks last among all nearby counties, falling well short of Marion County ($57,306), Mahoning County ($55,576), and Monroe County ($58,962). The gap to prosperous Medina County ($92,660) exceeds $45,900, underscoring Meigs's severe economic disadvantage.

Housing costs consume a large budget share

Meigs County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.1% indicates substantial housing cost burden, approaching the danger zone where residents must sacrifice other essentials. With below-average incomes and a median home value of $113,400, housing stability remains precarious for many Meigs County households.

Building wealth from challenging circumstances

Meigs residents can strengthen finances by prioritizing basic emergency savings, reducing high-interest debt, and exploring free or low-cost financial education resources. Even modest investments in personal development and income growth can meaningfully improve long-term financial stability for Meigs families.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Meigs County

via CrimeByCounty

Meigs County Maintains High Safety Standards

Meigs County achieves a high safety score of 98.6. The county's total crime rate of 890.2 per 100,000 is roughly 63% lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Surpassing the Ohio State Average

The county's safety score of 98.6 is better than the Ohio average of 97.8. Its crime rate of 890.2 remains well below the state average of 1,412.3, supported by 6 reporting agencies.

Meigs Compared to Neighboring Counties

Meigs County tracks closely with Madison County's crime rate of 873.5. It is significantly safer than Marion County, where residents face more than double the total crime rate.

Understanding the Meigs Crime Profile

Violent crime in Meigs County sits at 170.8 per 100,000, which is slightly lower than the state average. Property crimes account for the rest of the total at a rate of 719.4 per 100,000.

Securing Your Meigs County Home

Protecting your property from theft is the best way to maintain local safety. Simple habits like locking vehicles and installing smart lighting can effectively deter most property-related incidents.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Meigs County

via WeatherByCounty

Meigs County Faces Warmer Appalachian Weather

At 52.7°F, Meigs County’s annual average temperature aligns closely with the national median for temperate zones. It experiences a mix of southern warmth and typical Midwestern seasonality.

Leading the State in Heat

Meigs is warmer than the Ohio average of 51.5°F, ranking among the state's more temperate southern counties. This warmth is driven by mild winters where January averages stay above freezing at 30.5°F.

Abundant Rainfall Along the River

The county receives 43.8 inches of rain annually, surpassing the state average of 41.2 inches. This makes Meigs significantly wetter than its northern neighbors, fueling its lush river-valley landscape.

Short Winters and Steamy Summers

Meigs enjoys relatively light winters with only 13.7 inches of snow on average. However, summer brings 12 days of extreme heat above 90°F, with July temperatures peaking at an average of 73.1°F.

Focus on Moisture and Heat Management

Homeowners should ensure proper drainage systems to handle the high 43.8-inch annual rainfall. Reliable air conditioning is essential for the 12 annual extreme heat days common in this southern Ohio region.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Meigs County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Profiles in Southern Ohio

Meigs County soils are notably acidic with an average pH of 5.52. This is significantly lower than both the national median of 6.5 and the state average of 5.97. While specific taxonomic data is limited, the chemical profile suggests a landscape shaped by significant leaching.

Sand and Silt Drive Soil Texture

The soil is comprised of 49.4% silt and 27.8% sand, with clay accounting for 17.4%. This relatively low clay content helps with drainage and prevents the soil from becoming overly sticky. The high sand and silt ratio provides a medium-textured soil that is generally manageable for gardening.

Rich Organic Matter Boosts Growth

At 5.70%, the organic matter in Meigs County is well above the state average of 4.85%. However, the available water capacity of 0.171 in/in is lower than the state average of 0.186. This means that while the soil is nutrient-rich, it may require more frequent watering during dry spells.

Monitoring Local Hydrologic Conditions

Official drainage class and hydrologic group data are limited for this county, requiring individual site assessments. The composition suggests moderate drainage, but the lack of clay may lead to faster runoff in sloped areas. Homeowners should plan for erosion control if their property has significant elevation changes.

Warm Opportunities in Zone 6b

Meigs County sits in the slightly warmer Zone 6b, allowing for a broader range of plants and a longer season. The acidic soil is a natural fit for blueberries, azaleas, and other acid-loving species. It is an ideal environment to establish a unique and diverse home landscape.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Meigs County

via LawnByCounty

Welcoming weather in Meigs County

Meigs County scores a 76.9 for lawn ease, placing it right on par with the Ohio state average. As a zone 6b county, it offers a slightly longer window for warm-season growth compared to its northern neighbors.

High precipitation fuels rapid growth

At 43.8 inches of annual rain, Meigs is wetter than the state average of 41.2 inches. This moisture, combined with 3,306 growing degree days, means your lawn will grow vigorously and require frequent mowing throughout the season.

Acidic soil challenges turf health

A soil pH of 5.52 is quite acidic for traditional turfgrasses, which prefer a range between 6.0 and 7.0. With 27.8% sand in the mix, nutrients may leach away quickly, making regular soil testing and pH adjustments essential.

Strong resilience to dry weather

Meigs County is currently drought-free and saw only 4 weeks of drought over the previous year. The abundant rainfall usually covers your lawn's needs, but you should still monitor for heat stress during the 12 annual days that top 90°F.

Leveraging a longer growing season

The 6b hardiness zone allows for a wide variety of cool-season grasses, such as Turf-Type Tall Fescue. Your best seeding window opens after the April 27 frost and closes before the relatively early fall frost on October 14.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Meigs County's county score?
Meigs County, Ohio has a composite county score of 50.2 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 Meigs County rank among counties in Ohio?
Meigs County ranks #41 among all counties in Ohio 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 Meigs County, Ohio?
The median annual property tax in Meigs County is $1,238, with an effective tax rate of 1.04%. This earns Meigs County a tax score of 32.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Meigs County?
The median household income in Meigs County, Ohio is $46,873 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Meigs County earns an income score of 7.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Meigs County, Ohio a good place to live?
Meigs County scores 50.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #41 in Ohio. The best way to evaluate Meigs 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 Meigs County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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.