CountyScore

Mercer County

Ohio · OH

#9 in Ohio
71.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Mercer County, Ohio

Mercer County outpaces national norms

Mercer County's composite score of 71.5 ranks it in the 71st percentile nationally, sitting 43% above the national median of 50.0. This solid performance reflects a county with well-rounded livability across multiple dimensions.

Above Ohio's statewide average

At 71.5, Mercer County exceeds Ohio's 68.8 state average, placing it in the upper echelon of Ohio's county rankings. It's among the more consistently strong-performing counties statewide.

Balanced tax and housing affordability

Mercer County offers a strong tax score of 71.9 with an effective rate of 1.078%, paired with solid housing affordability (cost score 80.5, median home value $208,600). This balanced approach works well for middle-class families seeking value.

Moderate incomes limit advancement

The income score of 34.3 and median household income of $78,036 are moderate, suggesting limited wage growth opportunities compared to more prosperous regions. Data on schools, health, and safety remains unavailable, leaving important livability questions unanswered.

Best for balanced-budget middle class

Mercer County suits middle-income families and professionals seeking a balanced mix of manageable taxes, affordable housing, and reasonable earning potential. It's a solid, unremarkable choice for those prioritizing stability over opportunity.

Score breakdown

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

Tax71.9Cost80.5SafetyComing SoonHealth73.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome34.3Risk68.4WaterComing Soon
🏛71.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼34.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡68.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Mercer County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Prairie County
Arkansas
71.8
Median income: $51,094
Brown County
Illinois
71.8
Median income: $72,288
Greene County
Indiana
71.8
Median income: $59,753
Huntington County
Indiana
71.8
Median income: $62,734
Miami County
Indiana
71.8
Median income: $61,130

Deep Dives

Mercer County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Mercer County

via TaxByCounty

Mercer County's rate sits slightly below norm

At 1.078%, Mercer County's effective tax rate falls modestly below the national median of 1.3%, placing it in the lower half of U.S. counties. The median annual tax of $2,249 on a $208,600 home reflects fairly typical property tax burden for the nation.

Mercer County ranks near Ohio's average

Mercer County's 1.078% rate sits just below Ohio's state average of 1.148%, making it slightly more affordable than typical for the state. The median tax of $2,249 is close to Ohio's state median of $2,145, indicating Mercer is representative of the statewide experience.

Mercer offers moderate rates in context

Mercer County's 1.078% falls between Marion County's 0.980% and Medina County's 1.287%, positioning it as a middle-ground option in the region. Its $2,249 annual bill is notably lower than Medina's $3,448 but higher than the lowest-tax counties nearby.

Median $209K home = $2,249 yearly tax

On Mercer County's median home value of $208,600, the 1.078% rate generates $2,249 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $2,232, while those owning outright pay approximately $2,272.

Moderate taxes still reward careful review

Mercer County homeowners shouldn't assume their assessments are accurate just because rates are moderate; systematic overvaluation affects counties regardless of tax level. Reviewing your assessment against recent comparable sales in your neighborhood could identify savings worth pursuing through the formal appeal process.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Mercer County

via CostByCounty

Mercer County delivers exceptional affordability

Mercer County renters spend just 12.5% of their income on housing—well below the national 15% threshold—while earning $3,281 more than the U.S. median. This county ranks among America's most genuinely affordable places to rent.

Ohio's second-most affordable county

Mercer County's 12.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Ohio's best, sitting nearly 3 percentage points below the state average of 15.6%. With median rent of $812 and strong wages of $78,036, Mercer delivers solid affordability across the board.

Best value in the region by far

Mercer County's $812 rent is the lowest in this analysis, and with median income of $78,036, residents enjoy the region's best affordability ratio. Compared to Medina County's wealthier but pricier market, Mercer offers genuine value.

Mercer's ideal housing math

The typical Mercer County household earning $78,036 annually allocates $812 to rent or $876 to mortgage payments monthly. Renters spend just 12.5% of income on housing while homeowners spend 13.4%—both well below the 15% threshold.

Mercer County rewards budget-conscious movers

If affordability is your top priority, Mercer County offers unbeatable value with low rents and solid wages. Compare its housing costs and income levels against neighboring counties to confirm it's the right fit for your relocation goals.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Mercer County

via IncomeByCounty

Mercer's income exceeds national averages

Mercer County's median household income of $78,036 surpasses the U.S. median of $74,755 by more than $3,200, placing it slightly above the national norm. This solid performance reflects Mercer's position as an economically stable Ohio community.

Mercer exceeds Ohio's income benchmark

With a median household income of $78,036, Mercer County outpaces Ohio's state average of $68,101 by nearly $10,000, ranking it among the state's stronger-earning counties. The county's per capita income of $35,087 closely matches the state average of $35,642.

Mercer ranks solidly in the region

Mercer's $78,036 median household income positions it above Miami County ($74,175) and well above struggling peers like Marion County ($57,306) and Meigs County ($46,701), though it trails Medina County ($92,660) and Madison County ($83,229). The county anchors the upper-middle tier of regional earners.

Mercer offers strong housing affordability

Mercer County's rent-to-income ratio of 12.5% ranks among the healthiest, signaling excellent housing affordability despite a median home value of $208,600. Strong incomes and low housing cost burden create genuine financial stability for Mercer County households.

Mercer's solid foundation supports wealth growth

Mercer residents benefit from above-average incomes and reasonable housing costs that free up money for retirement savings, education, and investments. Strategic financial planning and consistent contributions to diversified portfolios can help Mercer families build substantial long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Mercer County

via HealthByCounty

Mercer County exceeds U.S. health norms

At 77.4 years, Mercer County's life expectancy outpaces the U.S. average of 72.4 by 5.0 years, placing it among healthier American counties. Just 17.8% report poor or fair health, well below the national average of 21%, indicating fewer chronic diseases and better health management. Mercer residents enjoy above-average longevity and wellness.

Well above Ohio's health average

Mercer County's 77.4-year life expectancy exceeds Ohio's 74.8-year average by 2.6 years, ranking it in the upper tier of the state. The 17.8% poor/fair health rate is well below Ohio's typical profile, and the 6.6% uninsured rate matches the state average, indicating good balance of access and outcomes. Mercer is among Ohio's healthier counties.

Second-healthiest in the region

Mercer County's 77.4-year life expectancy ranks second only to Medina County (79.0) by 1.6 years, and its 17.8% poor/fair health rate is the second-best after Medina's 14.9%. The county significantly outpaces struggling peers like Meigs (70.8) and Marion (73.7), separating itself as a regional health leader. Only Medina surpasses Mercer on major health metrics.

Moderate access supports strong outcomes

Mercer County offers 50 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, slightly above the peer average, and 108 mental health providers per 100,000, supporting dual care needs. The 6.6% uninsured rate means most residents can access providers, underpinning the county's strong health outcomes. Balanced provider supply and insurance coverage create conditions for health success.

Maintain coverage to sustain health

Mercer County's strong health outcomes depend on sustained insurance coverage; at 6.6% uninsured, there is still room to help more residents access care. If uninsured, visit healthcare.gov to explore Medicaid and marketplace plans. Keeping continuous coverage ensures you can see Mercer's primary and mental health providers regularly.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Mercer County

via RiskByCounty

Mercer County's natural disaster risk

Mercer County scores 31.65 on the composite natural disaster risk scale, earning a Very Low rating—43% below Ohio's 55.03 state average. The county experiences substantially lower hazard exposure than most of its state peers across multiple disaster categories. Residents here enjoy some of Ohio's most favorable disaster risk conditions.

Among Ohio's safest counties

Mercer County ranks among Ohio's lowest-risk counties with its 31.65 composite score, well below the 55.03 state average. Only a handful of Ohio counties maintain lower overall risk profiles. This favorable positioning reflects geographic advantages and reduced exposure to the state's most common hazards.

Safer than most surrounding areas

Mercer County's 31.65 risk score outperforms nearby Marion County (61.10), Medina County (68.96), and Miami County (61.39). It ranks similarly to Madison County (24.90) and Monroe County (27.26) as one of northwest Ohio's safest communities. This clustering of low-risk counties reflects a regional advantage for disaster preparedness.

Earthquakes and tornadoes pose modest threat

Earthquake risk (73.82) and tornado risk (67.05) represent Mercer County's most significant hazards, though both remain manageable compared to higher-risk counties. Flood risk scores 42.08, while wildfire risk is minimal at 6.46. The county's overall low exposure means residents can focus on standard weather preparedness.

Basic homeowners coverage suffices

Standard homeowners insurance covering wind and hail damage adequately addresses Mercer County's modest tornado and severe weather exposure. While earthquake insurance is optional, the 73.82 score suggests discussing it with your agent. Flood insurance is a practical addition given the 42.08 flood risk, particularly if you live in a low-lying area.

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.