countyscore
61.6
County Score
Safety 90.1Soil Quality 78.8Property Tax 72.6

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.

2040608010072.663.590.143.748.837.147.223.555.6Tax72.6Cost63.5Safety90.1Health43.7Schools48.8Income37.1Risk47.2Water23.5Weather55.661.6/100
This county
National avg
3 above average2 below average

Miami County DNA

Doverall

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

Miami County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (90.1/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (23.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
72.6+20.599999999999994
Cost
63.5+15.5
Safety
90.1+35.099999999999994
Health
43.7
Schools
48.8
Income
37.1-13.899999999999999
Risk
47.2
Water
23.5-34.5
Weather
55.6
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Compare mortgage rates in Miami County

Whether buying or refinancing in Miami County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$126,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$838/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$126,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$33,520/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $61,139/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

8.4

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
Compare Miami County with Madison County →Share on X

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Nearby counties

Wabash County
Indiana
60.7
Fulton County
Indiana
64.5
Cass County
Indiana
51.2
Howard County
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45.3
Grant County
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Huntington County
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Kosciusko County
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Tipton County
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65.1

Deep Dives

Miami County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

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 61.6 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 #28 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 $756, with an effective tax rate of 0.60%. This earns Miami County a tax score of 72.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Miami County?
The median household income in Miami County, Indiana is $61,139 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Miami County earns an income score of 37.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Miami County, Indiana a good place to live?
Miami County scores 61.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #28 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.
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.