countyscore
62.9
County Score
Safety 90.1Soil Quality 78.8Property Tax 76.9

County Report Card

About Miami County, Indiana

Strong National Standing

Miami County earns a composite score of 62.9, which is significantly higher than the national median of 50.0. This score indicates a high level of general livability compared to the average American county. It presents as an attractive location for those looking outside major metros.

Beating the Indiana Average

With a score of 62.9, Miami County performs better than the Indiana state average of 55.9. It balances various livability factors more effectively than many other Hoosier counties. This makes it a standout choice for residents prioritizing overall value.

Exceptional Safety and Tax Value

The county shines with a safety score of 90.1 and a tax score of 76.9. A low effective tax rate of 0.578% keeps more money in the pockets of residents. These strengths make the county both a secure and affordable place to call home.

Addressing Water Quality and Income

Water quality is the county's lowest metric at 23.5, which drags down the otherwise high composite. The income score of 42.6 also suggests that local wage growth hasn't quite kept pace with other regions. Improving utility infrastructure would be a major win for the community.

Best for High-Security Budgeting

Miami County is ideal for people who want to maximize their safety while minimizing their tax bill. It offers a very low median home value of $118,000, making it accessible for first-time buyers. It is a solid choice for those who value fiscal responsibility and peace of mind.

Score breakdown

Tax76.9Cost65.4Safety90.1Health43.7Schools48.8Income42.6Risk47.2Water23.5Weather55.6
🏛76.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠65.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼42.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡90.1
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤43.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓48.8
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡47.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧23.5
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤55.6
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨78.8
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱64.4
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

Wabash County
Indiana
61.2
Fulton County
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64.4
Cass County
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51.3
Howard County
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Grant County
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Huntington County
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Kosciusko County
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Tipton County
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Deep Dives

Miami County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 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

Safety in Miami County

via CrimeByCounty

Miami County Outpaces National Norms

Miami County earns an impressive safety score of 99.7, significantly outperforming the national average. Its total crime rate of 203.0 per 100,000 is a small fraction of the 2,385.5 national benchmark.

Above Average State Security

The county sits comfortably above the state average safety score of 98.9. Its total crime rate is less than a third of the Indiana state average of 693.8 per 100,000.

Consistent Regional Safety Performance

Miami maintains a safer profile than many neighboring jurisdictions with its low incident count. Local reporting from two agencies confirms a highly secure environment for the region.

Focusing on Property Security

Property crime accounts for most incidents at 175.2 per 100,000, while violent crime remains very low at 27.8. Both categories track well below national averages for a county of this size.

Stay Vigilant to Keep Scores High

Maintaining a secure home helps keep Miami County's safety score among the best in the state. Visible security measures like cameras can deter the small amount of property crime that does occur.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

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

Schools in Miami County

via SchoolsByCounty

Miami County's Ten-School System

Miami County provides public education through 10 schools across 4 distinct districts. The infrastructure supports 4,896 students with a focus on elementary education, featuring 6 primary campuses and 3 high schools.

State-Leading Graduation Success

The county boasts an impressive 97.0% graduation rate, significantly higher than both the Indiana state average of 92.6% and the national 87.0% mark. This excellence is achieved with a lean $4,752 per-pupil expenditure, showing high efficiency.

A Spotlight on Maconaquah and Peru

Maconaquah School Corp is the largest district by enrollment with 1,941 students, followed closely by Peru Community Schools with 1,856 students. No charter schools operate in the county, leaving all 4,896 students in traditional public settings.

Rural Roots and Town Traditions

Seven of the county's schools are rural, while three are situated in towns, maintaining an average enrollment of 490 students per school. Peru Jr/Sr High is the largest single campus, housing 883 students under one roof.

Move to a Top-Graduating County

Miami County's elite graduation rates make it a premier choice for families focusing on academic outcomes. Explore local real estate listings to find a home within these high-achieving school districts.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

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

Weather & Climate in Miami County

via WeatherByCounty

Moderate Precipitation and Northern Air

Miami County receives 41.1 inches of precipitation annually, which is moderate by national standards. While specific annual temperature data is unavailable, it follows northern Midwestern trends.

Drier than the State Average

The county receives 41.1 inches of annual precipitation, less than the Indiana average of 43.9 inches. It sits in a transitional weather zone in the northern half of the state.

Typical Central-Northern Snow Levels

Miami County averages 20.9 inches of snowfall, similar to Madison County to its south. This is significantly less snow than lake-effect counties like Marshall.

A Snow-Covered Winter Landscape

Winter brings 20.9 inches of snow to the county. While other seasonal temperature averages are not recorded, residents experience the full range of Indiana's four seasons.

Reliable Gear for Winter Snow

Ensure you have reliable snow removal tools for the 20.9 inches of annual snowfall. Residents should monitor local stations closely for temperature spikes and freezes given the limited historical data.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Miami County

via SoilByCounty

Prime Alfisols with balanced pH

Miami County is characterized by Alfisols with an average pH of 6.39, coming very close to the national median of 6.5. These soils are naturally fertile and less acidic than the state average of 6.08, making them highly productive for agriculture. The overall soil score of 78.8 is significantly higher than the Indiana average of 71.4.

Versatile sandy loam textures

The dominant texture is sandy loam, consisting of 34.6% sand, 43.7% silt, and 18.5% clay. This mix provides excellent workability and enough clay to hold onto essential nutrients. It is a 'best-of-both-worlds' composition that balances drainage with structural stability.

Rich organic matter near state averages

The soil contains 4.79% organic matter, nearly matching the Indiana state average of 4.90% and doubling the national benchmark. While the available water capacity of 0.195 in/in is slightly below the state average of 0.202, the high organic content helps maintain soil health. This profile supports vigorous growth for a wide variety of native and cultivated plants.

Well-drained and predictable hydrology

Classified as well-drained, these soils belong to hydrologic group B, indicating a moderate infiltration rate when thoroughly wet. This makes the land excellent for farming and building, as it resists ponding and manages rainfall effectively. Gardeners will find that their soil dries out quickly enough after rain to allow for timely planting.

A gardener's dream in Zone 6a

Zone 6a gardeners can take advantage of some of the best soil in the state to grow everything from pumpkins to perennials. The high soil score of 78.8 confirms that Miami County is a premier location for establishing a productive home garden. With such balanced pH and texture, your plants have every advantage from the start.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Miami County

via LawnByCounty

Tough Conditions for Miami County Lawns

Miami County has a lawn difficulty score of 64.4, indicating more maintenance hurdles than the 71.0 state average. This 6a hardiness zone faces some of the highest environmental pressures in Indiana.

Steady Rain Amidst Data Gaps

While specific temperature records are limited, the 41.1 inches of annual precipitation provides a solid moisture base for turf. Proper irrigation is critical here, especially given the significant drought trends observed over the past year.

Well-Drained Sandy Loam Foundation

The soil pH of 6.39 is ideal for most turfgrasses, requiring little chemical correction. Sandy loam texture and 34.6% sand content facilitate excellent drainage, though this also increases the frequency of required watering.

Facing Severe Drought Pressures

Lawn care is currently difficult, with 70.7% of the county in severe drought (D2+) and a staggering 45 weeks of drought in the past year. Deep, infrequent watering is the only way to save dormant grass under these persistent conditions.

Resilient Grass Types Required

Given the severe drought history, drought-tolerant varieties like Turf-type Tall Fescue are recommended for local yards. Because frost date data is limited, homeowners should monitor local forecasts to time their spring seeding carefully.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Miami County's county score?
Miami County, Indiana has a composite county score of 62.9 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 Miami County rank among counties in Indiana?
Miami County ranks #22 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 Miami County, Indiana?
The median annual property tax in Miami County is $682, with an effective tax rate of 0.58%. This earns Miami County a tax score of 76.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Miami County?
The median household income in Miami County, Indiana is $61,130 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Miami County earns an income score of 42.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Miami County, Indiana a good place to live?
Miami County scores 62.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #22 in Indiana. The best way to evaluate Miami 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 Miami County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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