CountyScore

Meigs County

Ohio · OH

#47 in Ohio
67.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Meigs County, Ohio

Meigs County leads this group nationally

Meigs County's composite score of 72.9 ranks it in the 73rd percentile nationally, sitting 46% above the national median of 50.0. This is the strongest overall livability score among the eight counties profiled here.

Top tier of Ohio counties

At 72.9, Meigs County significantly exceeds Ohio's 68.8 state average, ranking it among the state's best-performing counties for overall livability. Few Ohio counties match its combined affordability and tax advantages.

Unbeatable affordability and low taxes

Meigs County dominates on cost with a score of 86.4, the highest in this group, offering a median home value of just $113,400 and rent of $704/month. The tax score of 74.6 and effective rate of 0.985% are also among the state's best.

Limited income and economic opportunity

The income score of just 13.9 reflects a median household income of $46,701, the lowest among these eight counties and well below state averages. Limited data on schools, health, and safety leaves questions about community services and quality of life beyond housing costs.

Perfect for retirees and minimalists

Meigs County is ideal for retirees living on fixed incomes, remote workers, and those seeking the absolute lowest cost of living in Ohio. The trade-off is clear: exceptional affordability paired with very limited local employment and earning potential.

Score breakdown

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

Tax74.6Cost86.4SafetyComing SoonHealth60.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome13.9Risk47.1WaterComing Soon
🏛74.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼13.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤60.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡47.1
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 Meigs County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Bacon County
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Median income: $50,310
Lee County
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67.7
Median income: $88,024
Clark County
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Median income: $70,625

Deep Dives

Meigs County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Meigs County

via CostByCounty

Meigs County struggles on two fronts

Meigs County renters spend 18.1% of their income on housing—the worst affordability in this region and well above the national 15% standard—while earning $28,054 below the U.S. median. This rural county faces compounding challenges of low wages and relatively high rents.

Ohio's least affordable county for renters

Meigs County's 18.1% rent-to-income ratio ranks as the worst in Ohio, nearly 2.5 percentage points above the state average of 15.6%. At $704 monthly rent paired with just $46,701 in median income, affordability here is a serious challenge.

Lowest income, highest burden in region

Meigs County has the lowest median household income ($46,701) of any county in this analysis, yet its 18.1% rent burden is the highest. Even though rent is relatively cheap at $704, the wage gap makes housing unaffordable here.

Meigs budgets stretched to breaking

The median Meigs County household earning $46,701 annually spends $704 on rent or $621 on mortgage costs monthly. Renters allocate 18.1% of income to housing while homeowners spend 15.9%—renters here face serious affordability stress.

Meigs County requires careful financial planning

Relocating to Meigs County only makes sense if you have strong employment prospects or remote income—local wages are among Ohio's lowest. Thoroughly assess your earning potential before moving, as affordability here depends almost entirely on income stability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Meigs County

via HealthByCounty

Meigs County faces critical health crisis

At 70.8 years, Meigs County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 72.4 by 1.6 years, the worst in the entire comparison group. With 24.1% reporting poor or fair health—well above the national average of 21%—nearly one in four Meigs residents reports chronic health problems. This county is a public health emergency requiring urgent intervention.

Ohio's unhealthiest county in cohort

Meigs County's 70.8-year life expectancy falls 4.0 years below Ohio's 74.8-year average, the steepest gap in the state among comparison counties. The 24.1% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state average, and the 8.8% uninsured rate is the highest here, suggesting access barriers compound health challenges. Meigs residents face the most severe health burden in Ohio relative to state norms.

Worst health outcomes by far

Meigs County's 70.8-year life expectancy is 8.2 years below Medina County (79.0) and trails every other peer, even Monroe County (73.6) by 2.8 years. Its 24.1% poor/fair health rate is 9.2 percentage points worse than Medina's best and 1.9 points worse than Marion's, the second-worst. Meigs is isolated in its health crisis within the region.

Severe healthcare desert with barriers

Meigs County has only 14 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the lowest in the comparison group—and just 138 mental health providers per 100,000, leaving critical gaps. The 8.8% uninsured rate, highest in the cohort, means nearly one in twelve residents lacks coverage to access the few providers available. Residents face both supply and affordability crises in healthcare access.

Getting covered is urgent in Meigs

With 8.8% uninsured and only 14 primary care providers per 100,000, securing health insurance in Meigs County is critical to your survival and quality of life. Visit healthcare.gov immediately or contact the Meigs County health department to explore Medicaid and marketplace coverage. Insurance unlocks access to the limited providers in your county and is your lifeline to care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Meigs County

via RiskByCounty

Meigs County carries near-average risk

Meigs County's composite risk score of 52.96 earns a Relatively Low rating, sitting just 4% below Ohio's 55.03 state average. The county experiences slightly lower-than-average hazard exposure overall, though concentrated vulnerabilities exist in specific areas. This near-average profile makes Meigs County representative of typical Ohio disaster risk.

Slightly safer than Ohio's average

Meigs County ranks near the middle of Ohio's county risk profiles with a 52.96 composite score, marginally below the 55.03 state average. The county avoids the extreme hazard concentrations seen in higher-risk areas while maintaining modest vulnerabilities across several categories. This positioning reflects a balanced, moderate-risk environment for southeast Ohio.

Safer than most surrounding counties

Meigs County's 52.96 score compares favorably to eastern peers like Mahoning County (83.62) and Marion County (61.10) while tracking slightly above Madison County (24.90). The county presents a reasonable middle ground within its regional context. This moderate standing makes it safer than several industrial-area neighbors while maintaining realistic preparedness needs.

Flooding and hurricane concerns lead

Meigs County faces elevated flood risk (72.74) and hurricane risk (55.65), both running above the state average. Tornado risk remains moderate at 25.51, while wildfire risk is minimal at 8.37. The county's southeast Ohio location positions it for hurricane remnant impacts and riverine flooding more than tornado exposure.

Flood and wind coverage matter here

Flood insurance should be a priority for Meigs County residents given the elevated 72.74 flood risk, particularly if you live near the Ohio River or tributaries. Standard homeowners coverage addressing wind and hail protects against the 55.65 hurricane risk and severe weather. Combined, these two coverage types address Meigs County's primary natural disaster exposures.

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.