CountyScore

Morgan County

Ohio · OH

#5 in Ohio
73.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Morgan County, Ohio

Morgan ranks well above national median

Morgan County's composite score of 74.7 sits nearly 50% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 75th percentile nationwide. This positions the county among the more livable rural areas in America.

Top-tier performer in Ohio

Morgan's 74.7 score exceeds Ohio's state average of 68.8 by nearly 6 points, placing it firmly in the state's top quartile of counties. The county demonstrates that rural Ohio can deliver strong livability outcomes.

Exceptional tax and housing affordability

Morgan excels with the state's lowest effective tax rate at just 0.906% and a Cost Score of 86.9, reflecting median home values of $134,200 and rents averaging $713/month. These figures make Morgan one of Ohio's most affordable places to live.

Lower incomes offset affordability gains

The county's Income Score of 19.9 is among the lowest measured, with median household income at $55,971. Safety, health, schools, and environmental measures remain unreported, leaving gaps in the livability picture.

Ideal for retirees and remote workers

Morgan County is perfect for those with stable outside income or retirement funds seeking ultra-affordable living and minimal tax burden. The county's low cost of living and rural character appeal to anyone prioritizing financial stretch over wage growth.

Score breakdown

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

Tax76.8Cost86.9SafetyComing SoonHealth66.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.9Risk81.8WaterComing Soon
🏛76.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼19.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡81.8
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 Morgan County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Perry County
Alabama
73.2
Median income: $34,368
Crowley County
Colorado
73.2
Median income: $47,563
Jay County
Indiana
73.2
Median income: $54,114
Putnam County
Indiana
73.2
Median income: $76,182
Vermillion County
Indiana
73.2
Median income: $59,363

Deep Dives

Morgan County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Morgan County

via TaxByCounty

Morgan taxes fall well below U.S. median

Morgan County's effective tax rate of 0.906% sits significantly below the national median of 1.08%, ranking it in the bottom 30% of U.S. counties. Homeowners pay a median of just $1,216 annually—nearly 55% less than the national median of $2,690.

Among Ohio's lowest-tax counties

Morgan County ranks near the bottom of Ohio's 88 counties with an effective rate of 0.906%, well below the state average of 1.148%. Its median tax of $1,216 is 43% lower than Ohio's median of $2,145, offering genuine relief for property owners.

Lowest-taxed county in the region

Morgan County's 0.906% rate is the lowest among its regional neighbors: Muskingum County pays 0.946%, Perry County 0.929%, and Montgomery County 1.777%. This advantage means Morgan homeowners enjoy roughly $400–$1,700 in annual savings compared to adjacent counties.

Morgan's modest tax burden

On a median home valued at $134,200, Morgan County residents pay $1,216 annually—just $101 per month. Those with mortgages might see $1,383 in escrow, while cash buyers typically remit $1,049 directly to the county.

Even low taxes can be wrong taxes

Even in a low-tax county like Morgan, some homeowners are still overassessed or entitled to exemptions they haven't claimed. Reviewing your assessment and filing an appeal if warranted costs nothing and could provide additional savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Morgan County

via CostByCounty

Morgan: Beating National Affordability Standards

Morgan County renters spend just 15.3% of their income on rent, matching the national affordability threshold and outperforming the national median household income gap—Morgan's $55,971 income is 25% below the national average of $74,755, yet housing remains remarkably affordable. This efficiency reflects Morgan's rural character and lower overall cost structure.

Morgan Exceeds Ohio's Housing Affordability

At 15.3%, Morgan's rent-to-income ratio sits just below Ohio's state average of 15.6%, ranking it among the state's more affordable counties despite having one of the lowest median household incomes. The median rent of $713 runs $160 below the state average, signaling strong affordability for renters in this southeastern Ohio county.

Most Affordable in the Rural Cluster

Morgan's $713 median rent is the lowest among its peer rural counties, undercutting Noble ($730), Perry ($727), and Muskingum ($811) by meaningful margins. Similarly, Morgan's $579 median owner cost is the cheapest in this group, making it the most housing-affordable option for budget-conscious Ohioans considering rural living.

Housing Costs Stay Well Below Danger Zone

The $713 monthly rent represents just 15.3% of Morgan's $55,971 median household income, while homeowners allocate only 12.4% to their $579 monthly owner cost—both well below the 30% affordability threshold. This leaves Morgan households with substantially more income for food, healthcare, and savings than residents in less affordable counties.

Morgan Offers Maximum Housing Affordability

If you're seeking the most affordable housing in Ohio, Morgan County delivers: renters pay just 15.3% of income on rent, and homebuyers find median prices near $134,200. The trade-off is job scarcity and distance from urban centers, but for remote workers or retirees, Morgan's combination of low costs and rural peace is compelling.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Morgan County

via IncomeByCounty

Morgan County faces significant income gap

Morgan County's median household income of $55,971 lags the national median by $18,784, placing it in the lower quartile nationally. The county's per capita income of $29,431 also falls below Ohio's average of $35,642, indicating a tighter economic landscape.

Ranks among Ohio's lower-income counties

At $55,971, Morgan County's median household income places it in the lower third of Ohio counties, well below the state average of $68,101. This gap reflects limited job diversity and outmigration of working-age residents from the area.

Struggles compared to surrounding counties

Morgan County's $55,971 median income ranks last among its regional peers, including Noble County ($55,360 — nearly tied), Muskingum County ($59,203), and Montgomery County ($64,403). The county's economic challenges stand out against more prosperous neighboring regions.

Housing affordability a relative strength

Morgan County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.3% is among the lowest in the region, and median home values of $134,200 remain modest. While lower incomes challenge overall financial stability, housing costs are proportionally manageable.

Strategic planning essential for Morgan residents

With a per capita income of $29,431, Morgan County households benefit from low housing costs but face constraints on savings. Prioritize building an emergency fund and explore job training opportunities or economic development programs to increase household earnings.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Morgan County

via HealthByCounty

Morgan: Three Years Below National Life Expectancy

Morgan County residents live to an average of 73.3 years, matching Montgomery County but falling three years short of the U.S. average of 76.4 years. One in five (20.2%) report poor or fair health, reflecting a community facing significant health burdens.

Rural County Struggles with Health Ranking

Morgan County's 73.3-year life expectancy sits below Ohio's state average of 74.8 years, placing it among the state's lowest-performing counties for longevity. The uninsured rate of 8.9% exceeds Ohio's state average of 7.5%, leaving nearly one in 11 residents without coverage.

Isolated: Fewer Providers Than Peer Counties

Morgan's 7 primary care providers per 100,000 residents is dramatically lower than neighboring Muskingum County (53 per 100K) and state-average counties like Montgomery (95 per 100K). With only 198 mental health providers per 100,000, Morgan faces a severe access crisis in behavioral health care.

Rural Healthcare Desert Creates Real Hardship

Morgan County's extreme scarcity of primary care—among the lowest in Ohio—forces residents to travel long distances for routine checkups and chronic disease management. Combined with an 8.9% uninsured rate, many residents delay or skip medical care, deepening health disparities.

Uninsured? Get Protected Now

Morgan County's 8.9% uninsured rate means thousands lack basic health access and financial protection. Call 1-800-318-2596 or visit healthcare.gov to explore coverage options—critical in a county where provider scarcity already makes care difficult to access.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Morgan County

via RiskByCounty

Morgan enjoys rare very low risk status

Morgan County's composite risk score of 18.23 earns a "Very Low" rating, placing it well below the U.S. average and in the safer tier of American counties. This favorable profile means residents face substantially lower exposure to major natural disasters compared to most of the nation.

Among Ohio's safest counties overall

Morgan County's 18.23 score sits far below Ohio's 55.03 state average, ranking the county among the state's lowest-risk areas. This safety advantage reflects relatively modest exposure across all major hazard types.

Safest in its regional peer group

Morgan County (18.23) is significantly safer than nearby Muskingum County (70.93) and substantially safer than state-average counties like Ottawa (59.16). Its low risk profile makes it one of the most secure areas in southeastern Ohio.

Earthquake poses limited local concern

Morgan County's hazard profile is notably balanced and low: earthquake risk of 24.75 is its highest single threat, followed by hurricane risk at 36.42. Both scores remain well below state and national averages, reflecting the county's overall safety advantage.

Standard insurance typically sufficient

Morgan County residents can generally rely on standard homeowners insurance without specialized add-ons, though reviewing coverage limits annually remains sound practice. Flood insurance may be unnecessary for most homes, but property owners in mapped floodplains should still consult FEMA maps to verify their specific exposure.

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.