Mifflin County

Pennsylvania · PA

#48 in Pennsylvania
62.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Mifflin County, Pennsylvania

Mifflin Beats National Livability Mark

Mifflin County scores 65.8, exceeding the national median of 50.0 by nearly 16 points. The county's 62nd-percentile ranking places it in the upper half of U.S. counties for livability.

Essentially At Pennsylvania Average

Mifflin's score of 65.8 sits just below Pennsylvania's 66.0 average, making it a representative county across the state. It maintains competitive parity with most other Pennsylvania counties.

Affordable Housing and Decent Rents

Mifflin delivers solid housing affordability with a cost score of 82.0 and median home value of $142,900. Monthly rent averages just $792, and the effective tax rate of 1.558% keeps taxes manageable.

Limited Income Growth Prospects

Income scores remain modest at 23.5, with a median household income of $61,415—placing limited upside for higher-earning families. Safety, health, school, and environmental quality data remain unavailable.

Best for Modest-Income Homeowners

Mifflin appeals to families and individuals prioritizing stable, affordable housing in a low-cost region. It suits those with moderate incomes who seek financial predictability over rapid wealth accumulation.

Score breakdown

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

Tax58.4Cost82SafetyComing SoonHealth65SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.5Risk30.7WaterComing Soon
🏛58.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠82
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼23.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
65
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
30.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Mifflin County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Mifflin County

via TaxByCounty

Mifflin's rate is well above the U.S. median

Mifflin County's effective tax rate of 1.558% exceeds the national median of 1.2% by a substantial margin, placing it in the top quarter of U.S. counties for tax burden. The median property tax of $2,227 falls below the national median of $2,690 due to lower home values, but the rate itself signals aggressive taxation. Mifflin residents bear a notably high tax burden relative to what they own.

One of Pennsylvania's higher-tax counties

Mifflin's 1.558% effective rate exceeds Pennsylvania's state average of 1.317% by roughly 0.24 percentage points, ranking the county in the upper third of the state's 67 counties. This elevated rate reflects heavy reliance on property taxation to fund local services.

Steeper than most surrounding counties

Mifflin's 1.558% rate surpasses Mercer (1.265%), Lycoming (1.353%), and Montour (1.030%), but falls short of McKean (1.636%) and Monroe (1.839%). Among its regional peers, Mifflin ranks in the upper tier, indicating a moderately aggressive tax environment.

Median property tax is $2,227 annually

On Mifflin's median home value of $142,900, the effective tax rate produces a median property tax of approximately $2,227 per year. Mortgage-related assessments bring the bill to $2,210 with a mortgage and $2,246 without, creating minimal variation between owner-occupied and debt-free scenarios.

High rates increase appeal potential

Mifflin's elevated effective tax rate makes reassessing whether your property is fairly valued especially worthwhile. Many homeowners in high-tax counties are overassessed; contacting your county assessor to request a formal reassessment or appeal could substantially lower your annual tax obligation.

Cost of Living in Mifflin County

via CostByCounty

Mifflin's affordability matches the nation

Mifflin County residents spend 15.5% of their $61,415 income on rent—slightly better than the national benchmark and well-balanced for the region. At $792 monthly, median rent aligns with similar-sized Pennsylvania counties in the state's central corridor.

Solid affordability in central PA

Mifflin's 15.5% rent-to-income ratio outperforms Pennsylvania's 16.5% state average, positioning it in the top tier of affordable counties. The county's $792 median rent undercuts the state average by $168, reflecting central Pennsylvania's cost advantages.

Competitive with similar-sized peers

Mifflin's $792 rent rivals McKean ($769) and Mercer ($808) while offering slightly higher home values ($142,900) than both. This balance makes it attractive for households weighing ownership against renting in the central part of the state.

Nearly equal renting and ownership burden

Renters spend $792 monthly (15.5% of income) while homeowners pay $804 monthly (15.7%), making both pathways equally affordable. This rare parity gives households genuine flexibility in choosing their housing type.

Mifflin offers flexibility and value

If you're undecided between renting and buying, Mifflin's similar affordability on both fronts removes a major relocation decision. Compare its central Pennsylvania location and balanced costs against neighboring counties to confirm your move.

Income & Jobs in Mifflin County

via IncomeByCounty

Mifflin earns below national median

Mifflin County's median household income of $61,415 trails the national median of $74,755 by about $13,300, a 18% shortfall. This gap reflects Mifflin's rural character and limited high-wage employment opportunities in central Pennsylvania.

Below-average within Pennsylvania

Mifflin's $61,415 median household income lags Pennsylvania's state average of $69,614 by roughly $8,200 per household. The per capita income of $30,357 is the lowest in this cohort, indicating particularly uneven income distribution.

Mid-range earner in central cluster

Mifflin's $61,415 places it slightly above Mercer ($60,614) and McKean ($61,705) but below Lycoming ($64,412). The county's economy centers on agriculture, manufacturing, and public sector work, with limited presence of high-wage industries.

Strong affordability for housing costs

Mifflin's rent-to-income ratio of 15.5% indicates very affordable rental housing relative to earnings. The median home value of $142,900 is accessible to many households, allowing residents to build equity despite modest income levels.

Leverage affordability for financial growth

At $61,415 median household income, Mifflin residents face earning constraints but enjoy strong housing affordability. Channeling the savings from low housing costs into retirement accounts and long-term investments can help households accumulate wealth despite modest annual earnings.

Health in Mifflin County

via HealthByCounty

Mifflin's health crisis: highest poor health rate

Mifflin County's 75.3-year life expectancy lags the U.S. average of 79 years by 3.7 years, but the county's 20.9% poor or fair health rate—the worst among all examined counties—reveals a population in acute health distress. The uninsured rate of 11.4% is more than 40% higher than the national average, meaning one in nine residents lack coverage. This combination of unmet healthcare need and chronic disease creates a perfect storm for preventable suffering.

Pennsylvania's toughest health challenges concentrated here

Mifflin's 75.3-year life expectancy ranks among the lowest in Pennsylvania, trailing the state average of 76.4 years by 1.1 years. The 11.4% uninsured rate is 63% higher than the state average of 7.0%, meaning Mifflin residents are far more likely to avoid preventive care due to cost and coverage gaps. Both primary care (61 per 100K) and mental health providers (107 per 100K) fall well below state norms, creating a healthcare desert.

Most uninsured, sickest population in its peer group

Mifflin's 11.4% uninsured rate dwarfs all neighboring counties—Lycoming (6.8%), McKean (6.1%), and Mercer (7.0%)—revealing a unique coverage crisis. The 20.9% poor/fair health rate is not only the worst regionally but substantially higher than Mercer's 17.9%. Combined with the lowest mental health provider availability (107 per 100K) among peers, Mifflin faces converging health emergencies.

One in nine without insurance; mental health crisis

Mifflin's 11.4% uninsured rate forces thousands of residents to delay or skip doctor visits, emergency room care, and medications due to cost—a burden three times worse than the state average. The county's 107 mental health providers per 100K is critically low, and combined with high uninsurance, leaves residents in behavioral health crises with few resources. Daily life means rationing healthcare and hoping illness doesn't strike.

Coverage is urgent—Act now during enrollment

With 11.4% of Mifflin uninsured, if you're among them, immediately explore Marketplace plans at healthcare.gov or call 211 for local enrollment assistance and subsidies. Medicaid expansion has provided coverage options; verify your eligibility at mybenefits.pa.gov. Getting covered protects your family from medical bankruptcy and connects you to care that could extend your life and improve your health today.

Disaster Risk in Mifflin County

via RiskByCounty

Mifflin faces above-average hazards

With a composite risk score of 69.27, Mifflin County experiences above-average natural disaster exposure compared to U.S. counties overall. The county's "Relatively Low" risk rating suggests hazards are manageable but not negligible. Residents should focus on the specific threats that score highest in their region.

Close to Pennsylvania's average

Mifflin County's risk score of 69.27 slightly exceeds Pennsylvania's state average of 67.45, placing it just above the middle of the state's risk distribution. The county's flood exposure of 83.59 and hurricane vulnerability of 77.35 significantly elevate its overall ranking. This near-average position reflects moderate but real disaster preparedness needs.

Safer than most nearby counties

Mifflin County's score of 69.27 is substantially lower than Lycoming (79.58), Mercer (77.74), Monroe (85.08), and Northampton (90.01) in surrounding areas. Only McKean County (53.78) and Montour County (14.66) fall below Mifflin's risk profile. This favorable positioning makes Mifflin one of the safer central Pennsylvania counties.

Flooding and hurricanes threaten most

Mifflin County's flood risk of 83.59 ranks as its most serious hazard—substantially higher than the county's composite score suggests. Hurricane exposure follows closely at 77.35, reflecting vulnerability to tropical systems tracking inland. Tornado risk is moderate at 41.79, making severe thunderstorms a secondary but genuine concern.

Prioritize flood and wind protection

Flood insurance is critical for Mifflin County residents, as the 83.59 flood risk score indicates substantial vulnerability that standard homeowners policies don't cover. Secure your roof, trim branches overhanging your home, and reinforce garage doors to withstand high winds from hurricanes and severe storms. Identify local evacuation routes and keep emergency supplies stocked year-round.

ByCounty Network

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