CountyScore

Miami County

Indiana · IN

#47 in Indiana
71.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Miami County, Indiana

Strong Livability Above National Median

Miami County scores 71.8 on the composite index—notably above the national median of 50.0 and exceeding Indiana's state average of 71.2 by a small margin. This places the county at approximately the 72nd percentile nationally, reflecting solid livability for most residents.

Slightly Above Indiana Average Performance

Miami County edges out Indiana's state average composite score of 71.2, though only marginally, ranking in the upper-middle tier of Indiana counties. This competitive position suggests a county meeting or slightly exceeding typical state livability standards.

Exceptional Tax Burden and Housing Costs

Miami County excels with an 86.0 tax score (0.578% effective rate) and an 83.2 cost score, delivering both low taxes and remarkably affordable housing. Median home values of just $118,000 and rents at $794 monthly represent among the lowest in this county group.

Income Levels Lag Peer Counties

The county's 23.3 income score is the lowest in this group, with a median household income of $61,130 trailing nearly every peer. This income constraint limits purchasing power and suggests potential underemployment or lower-wage job concentration.

Best Fit for Ultra-Budget-Conscious Fixed-Income Households

Miami County suits retirees and working families living on tight budgets who need maximum affordability in housing and taxes, accepting lower income levels as a trade-off. The combination of the lowest home values and strong tax efficiency makes it an excellent choice for those seeking to stretch limited dollars farthest.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86Cost83.2SafetyComing SoonHealth66.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.3Risk47.2WaterComing Soon
🏛86
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡47.2
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 Miami 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
Noble County
Indiana
71.8
Median income: $70,908

Deep Dives

Miami County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Miami County

via TaxByCounty

Miami County taxes well below U.S. average

Miami County's 0.578% effective tax rate sits comfortably below the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the lowest-tax quintile. Homeowners pay just $682 annually on a median home worth $118,000.

Miami County slightly below state average

Miami County's 0.578% effective rate ranks just below Indiana's 0.671% average, positioning it among the state's most affordable counties. The median annual tax of $682 is the lowest in the state.

Miami among Indiana's tax bargains

Miami County's 0.578% rate edges out Marshall (0.683%) and Miami's own median home values of $118,000 are the lowest regionally. Only Morgan County (0.480%) offers a lower rate, but Miami's homes are more affordable overall.

Lowest annual bill in the region

Miami County homeowners with median-valued properties pay approximately $682 per year in property taxes. This minimal burden reflects both a low tax rate and the county's affordable housing market.

Assessment appeal could save more

Many Miami County homeowners are overassessed relative to actual property values and can appeal. Filing a reassessment challenge costs nothing and could further reduce your already-modest tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Miami County

via CostByCounty

Miami County hits Indiana's state average

Miami County renters pay exactly 15.6% of income toward housing—matching Indiana's state average perfectly and falling comfortably within national affordability norms. With a median household income of $61,130, the lowest among these eight counties, affordability is achieved through modest costs rather than high wages.

Right on Indiana's affordability line

At 15.6%, Miami County matches the state average rent-to-income ratio, neither above nor below the statewide norm. The $794 median rent sits $89 above the state average, compensated by lower incomes that create this balanced outcome.

Mid-range costs in a varied landscape

Miami County's $794 rent falls between Martin County's bargain $643 and Monroe County's premium $1,151, placing it firmly in the regional middle. The median home value of $118,000 is among the lowest in this comparison, reflecting the county's rural, affordable character.

Miami's modest housing balance

With the county's median income of $61,130, renters pay $794 monthly—consuming exactly 15.6% of gross earnings. Homeowners with a median home value of $118,000 face just $720 in monthly costs, one of the lowest ownership burdens in the group.

Affordable living for lower-income households

Miami County delivers affordable housing without requiring high wages; it's an option for families earning below Indiana median incomes who prioritize accessibility. The county's low home values and rents make it attractive for first-time buyers or renters seeking maximum housing-cost stability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Miami County

via IncomeByCounty

Miami County's income ranks well below national

Miami County's median household income of $61,130 falls $13,625 short of the national median of $74,755, a 18.2% gap. This significant shortfall reflects rural economic challenges and limited employment opportunities in the county.

Lowest-earning county in this region

Miami County's $61,130 income ranks noticeably below Indiana's state median of $68,681, placing it among the state's lower-income counties. At $29,185, its per capita income also trails the state average of $34,773 by a significant margin.

Lowest income in immediate area

Miami County's $61,130 median is the lowest among all eight counties profiled, trailing Marion ($63,450), Martin ($65,345), Montgomery ($66,571), Marshall ($68,041), Newton ($68,596), Monroe ($63,372), and Morgan ($79,088).

Housing affordability is strong

Miami County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.6% is well below the 30% threshold, making rent highly affordable despite lower household income. With a median home value of $118,000—the region's lowest—homeownership is exceptionally accessible.

Maximize low housing costs for savings

Miami County households earning $61,130 have a unique advantage: minimal housing burden means more income available for emergency funds and retirement savings. Take full advantage of this by opening a high-yield savings account and exploring employer 401(k) matches.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Miami County

via HealthByCounty

Miami County lags national health trends

Miami County residents live to 74.1 years, trailing the U.S. average of 78.1 years by four years—a significant gap. One in five residents (20.6%) report poor or fair health, outpacing the national average of 16%. With only 8.7% uninsured, coverage exists but health outcomes remain a concern.

Among Indiana's shorter-lived counties

At 74.1 years, Miami County's life expectancy falls 1.0 year below Indiana's 75.1-year average, placing it in the lower half of this county group. The 20.6% poor or fair health rate exceeds the state median, and the 8.7% uninsured rate mirrors state patterns. Together, these metrics suggest both coverage and quality-of-life challenges.

Severe provider shortages in a struggling county

Miami County's 74.1-year life expectancy lags most neighbors, with only Monroe County (77.5 years) standing as a stark contrast. More concerning: Miami has just 22 primary care providers per 100K—the second-lowest in this group—and only 76 mental health providers per 100K, creating significant care access barriers.

Limited providers for chronic disease management

Miami County's 8.7% uninsured rate translates to roughly 1,200 uninsured residents navigating life without coverage. The real crisis is provider scarcity: 22 primary care providers per 100K means residents with chronic conditions struggle to find routine follow-up care, contributing to the county's above-average poor health reporting.

Miami County: coverage plus care access needed

Start by ensuring you have insurance—check healthcare.gov or call 211 for Medicaid eligibility. Once covered, work with your doctor to manage chronic conditions early. Miami County health professionals are committed to improving outcomes, and your engagement makes a difference.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Miami County

via RiskByCounty

Miami County's risk tracks near average

Miami County's composite risk score of 52.80 sits slightly above Indiana's state average of 45.52, placing it in the relatively low category nationally. Flood risk rises to 65.14, the most significant hazard, while other categories remain moderate. Overall, Miami County faces typical natural disaster exposure for its region of the country.

Mid-tier risk within Indiana

Miami County's 52.80 score places it squarely in the middle tier of Indiana's risk landscape, above the state average of 45.52 but well below high-risk areas like Marion County (97.49). Its profile ranks it among the moderate-risk counties statewide, suggesting residents should maintain standard preparedness. Most Indiana counties either share or exceed Miami County's risk level.

Riskier than some nearby areas

Miami County's 52.80 score exceeds Montgomery County (41.00) and Marshall County (41.60) but trails Monroe County (75.99) and Morgan County (63.49). The north-central cluster shows varied risk patterns, with Miami County representing the moderate zone. Adjacent areas range from safer to significantly riskier, reflecting Indiana's diverse hazard geography.

Flooding leads, tornadoes follow closely

Flood risk dominates Miami County at 65.14, significantly higher than the state average and the primary natural disaster concern for households. Tornado risk reaches 59.22, creating a secondary but meaningful threat, while earthquake exposure remains moderate at 54.93. These two hazards account for most of the county's natural disaster vulnerability.

Prioritize flood insurance and planning

Miami County residents should strongly consider adding flood insurance to their homeowners policies, as standard coverage excludes water damage from all sources. Identify local flood risks—low-lying properties, creek proximity, drainage patterns—and develop evacuation routes accordingly. Standard tornado preparedness complements flood readiness to address the county's primary hazards.

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.