CountyScore

Muskingum County

Ohio · OH

#48 in Ohio
67.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Muskingum County, Ohio

Muskingum well above national standard

Muskingum County scores 71.3, exceeding the national median of 50.0 by 43%, placing it in the 71st percentile nationally. The county demonstrates strong overall livability compared to most U.S. counties.

Above-average performer in Ohio

Muskingum's 71.3 score beats Ohio's state average of 68.8 by 2.5 points, positioning it in the state's upper-middle tier. The county ranks among Ohio's better-performing areas overall.

Strong tax position and housing value

Muskingum's Tax Score of 75.7 reflects an effective rate of 0.946%, and its Cost Score of 80.3 supports median home values of $170,100 with rents at just $811/month. These metrics rank the county among Ohio's most tax-friendly and affordable options.

Income growth lags regional trends

The Income Score of 22.0 and median household income of $59,203 represent the county's primary weakness. Safety, health, school, and environmental data remain unavailable, leaving other quality-of-life dimensions unmeasured.

Excellent for cost-conscious newcomers

Muskingum County attracts budget-minded individuals and families who prioritize low taxes, affordable housing, and community roots over high wages. The county delivers strong economic fundamentals for those with modest but stable income.

Score breakdown

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

Tax75.7Cost80.3SafetyComing SoonHealth70.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome22Risk29.1WaterComing Soon
🏛75.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡29.1
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 Muskingum County with another county →

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Deep Dives

Muskingum County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Muskingum County

via TaxByCounty

Muskingum taxes run below U.S. median

Muskingum County's effective tax rate of 0.946% sits below the national median of 1.08%, placing it in the bottom 40% of U.S. counties for property tax burden. Homeowners pay a median of $1,609 annually—40% less than the national median of $2,690.

Well below Ohio's average

Muskingum County's rate of 0.946% runs below Ohio's state average of 1.148%, ranking it among the lower-tax counties in the state. Its median tax of $1,609 is 25% cheaper than Ohio's median of $2,145, providing meaningful savings for property owners.

Mid-range taxes in the region

Muskingum County's 0.946% rate falls between Morgan County's 0.906% and Perry County's 0.929%, making it competitive with its closest neighbors. Compared to the regional outlier Montgomery County at 1.777%, Muskingum homeowners save about $1,200 annually.

Muskingum's annual tax reality

On a median home valued at $170,100, Muskingum County residents pay $1,609 annually—roughly $134 per month. Those with mortgages see escrow of $1,747, while cash buyers typically remit $1,387 directly to the county.

Low taxes don't mean accurate assessments

Even in a relatively low-tax county, some Muskingum homeowners face inflated assessments or miss available tax exemptions. Filing an appeal with the county auditor is free and could reduce your already-reasonable tax burden even further.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Muskingum County

via CostByCounty

Muskingum: Affordable Rents, Below-Average Income

Muskingum County renters spend 16.4% of their income on rent, slightly above the national 15% standard, while earning $59,203 annually—about 21% below the national average of $74,755. The affordable rent of $811 per month reflects Muskingum's rural character, even as lower incomes keep affordability ratios elevated.

Muskingum Lags Ohio's Affordability Average

At 16.4%, Muskingum's rent-to-income ratio exceeds Ohio's 15.6% average, ranking it among the state's less affordable counties despite modest rents. The gap reflects a combination of limited local employment and wages trailing both state and county medians, creating affordability pressure even in a low-cost market.

Cheapest Rents But Income Constraints

Muskingum's $811 median rent is the lowest among peer counties like Morgan ($713), though Muskingum's $59,203 median income is higher than Morgan's $55,971—the higher rent-to-income ratio results from income-to-housing misalignment. Owner costs at $888 run mid-range, making Muskingum attractive for renters but less advantageous for homebuyers relative to deeper-rural alternatives.

Income Pressure Drives Affordability Challenge

The $811 monthly rent consumes 16.4% of Muskingum's $59,203 median income, while homeowners dedicate 18.0% to their $888 monthly cost—both figures strain household budgets more than in higher-income counties. Limited wage growth in the region means residents here must budget carefully to cover other necessities alongside housing.

Muskingum for Cost-Conscious Renters

Muskingum County offers some of Ohio's cheapest rents at $811 monthly, ideal for remote workers or retirees with income from outside the county. If you're tied to local employment, however, Muskingum's 16.4% rent-to-income ratio and limited job market make it riskier—compare first with slightly pricier but economically stronger rural counties like Morrow or Perry.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Muskingum County

via IncomeByCounty

Muskingum trails nation by $15,500

Muskingum County's median household income of $59,203 falls $15,552 short of the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-middle nationally. The county's per capita income of $31,418 also underperforms Ohio's state average of $35,642.

Below-average within Ohio counties

At $59,203, Muskingum County ranks below the Ohio state average of $68,101, placing it in the lower half of state counties. The gap reflects a manufacturing-dependent economy and limited high-wage job growth in recent years.

Mid-range performer among peers

Muskingum County's $59,203 median income outpaces Morgan County ($55,971) and Noble County ($55,360) but trails Montgomery County ($64,403), Perry County ($64,737), and Morrow County ($71,047). The county sits in the moderate range of the regional economy.

Rents consume notable share of income

Muskingum County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.4% is among the region's highest, meaning renters allocate a larger share of earnings to housing. With a median home value of $170,100, affordability requires careful budgeting for many households.

Intentional saving can strengthen your future

With a median household income of $59,203, Muskingum County residents should prioritize even modest savings and investments. Explore employer 401(k) matches, IRAs, and low-cost index funds to build wealth despite income constraints.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Muskingum County

via HealthByCounty

Muskingum Performs Better Than Rural Peers

Muskingum County's 74.4-year life expectancy falls 1.9 years short of the U.S. average of 76.4 years, but outperforms several neighboring counties. At 18.8%, its poor/fair health rate is the lowest in this group, suggesting better chronic disease management.

Near State Average, Strong Provider Access

Muskingum's 74.4-year life expectancy closely tracks Ohio's state average of 74.8 years, and its 6.8% uninsured rate is below the state average of 7.5%. With 53 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Muskingum offers solid healthcare infrastructure for a rural county.

Best Health Metrics in the Region

Muskingum's 74.4-year life expectancy and 18.8% poor/fair health rate outrank Morgan County (73.3 years, 20.2% poor/fair) and Montgomery County (73.3 years, 20.3% poor/fair). Its 6.8% uninsured rate is the lowest among these eight counties, reflecting better access to coverage.

Strong Foundation Supports Better Outcomes

Muskingum's 53 primary care providers and 227 mental health providers per 100,000 residents create a healthcare environment that enables routine care and mental health support. The combination of strong provider access and low uninsured rate (6.8%) translates into measurably better health outcomes than peer counties.

Keep Your Coverage Strong

Muskingum's success in health outcomes is built partly on low uninsured rates—but 6.8% of residents still lack coverage. If you're among them, visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to join the majority of Muskingum residents with protected access to care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Muskingum County

via RiskByCounty

Muskingum's risk moderately above U.S. average

Muskingum County's composite risk score of 70.93 rates as "Relatively Low" but exceeds the national average, placing it in the upper-middle tier of American disaster risk. Residents here face notably more natural hazard exposure than most U.S. counties.

Higher-risk county within Ohio

Muskingum County's 70.93 score substantially exceeds Ohio's 55.03 state average, ranking it among the state's more hazard-prone counties. Flood risk and tornado exposure drive much of this elevated profile.

Riskier than most surrounding counties

Muskingum County (70.93) faces notably higher hazard exposure than Morgan County (18.23), Morrow County (24.40), and Perry County (25.99). Only Montgomery County (92.65) surpasses it in the region, making Muskingum a secondary risk hotspot in southeastern Ohio.

Flooding is the dominant local threat

Muskingum County's flood risk score of 83.81 represents its most serious hazard, reflecting the county's extensive waterway network and valley geography. Tornado risk at 56.33 poses a secondary but significant threat, particularly during spring storm seasons.

Flood insurance strongly recommended

Given Muskingum County's 83.81 flood risk score, residents near waterways, valleys, or in mapped floodplains should secure separate flood insurance—standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage. Verify your property's flood zone with FEMA and consider windstorm coverage to address the county's secondary tornado threat.

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.