CountyScore

Noble County

Ohio · OH

#1 in Ohio
75.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Noble County, Ohio

Noble ranks among nation's top counties

Noble County's composite score of 75.8 ranks in the 76th percentile nationally, standing 52% above the national median of 50.0. The county represents some of the most livable rural territory in America.

Highest scorer in this eight-county cohort

Noble's 75.8 score tops Ohio's 68.8 average by 7 points, placing it among the state's most livable counties overall. The county demonstrates that rural Ohio can achieve high livability scores.

Unmatched tax and housing affordability

Noble boasts the state's lowest effective tax rate at 0.789% with a Tax Score of 80.1, paired with exceptional housing affordability (median home value $149,300, rent $730/month, Cost Score 86.6). Together, these create an unbeatable cost-of-living profile.

Income levels are notably constrained

The county's Income Score of 19.5 and median household income of $55,360 are among the lowest in this cohort. Health, safety, school, and environmental dimensions remain unmeasured, preventing a complete livability assessment.

Ideal for retirees and minimalist living

Noble County is tailor-made for retirees, remote workers, and those seeking ultra-low-cost living in a rural setting. The county's exceptional affordability and minimal tax burden make it one of Ohio's best choices for financial optimization.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80.1Cost86.6SafetyComing SoonHealth70.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.5Risk86.6WaterComing Soon
🏛80.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼19.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡86.6
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 Noble County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Dallas County
Arkansas
75.4
Median income: $44,694
Perry County
Arkansas
75.4
Median income: $60,078
Nemaha County
Kansas
75.4
Median income: $77,375
Jackson Parish
Louisiana
75.4
Median income: $43,345
Grant County
Minnesota
75.4
Median income: $72,957

Deep Dives

Noble County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Noble County

via TaxByCounty

Noble taxes rank among nation's lowest

Noble County's effective tax rate of 0.789% ranks in the bottom 15% of U.S. counties, well below the national median of 1.08%. Homeowners pay just $1,178 annually—56% less than the national median of $2,690—making it one of Ohio's true tax bargains.

Lowest-tax county in Ohio

Noble County holds the lowest effective tax rate in Ohio at 0.789%, compared to the state average of 1.148%. Its median tax bill of $1,178 represents a 45% discount versus Ohio's median of $2,145—the state's cheapest property tax burden.

Significantly cheaper than all neighbors

Noble County's 0.789% rate beats every regional neighbor: Morgan County pays 0.906%, Perry County 0.929%, Muskingum County 0.946%, and Montgomery County 1.777%. This advantage translates to $400–$1,600 in annual savings for Noble homeowners compared to surrounding counties.

Noble's minimal tax burden

On a median home valued at $149,300, Noble County residents pay just $1,178 annually—less than $100 per month. With a mortgage, escrow amounts to $1,365, while cash buyers typically remit $1,055 to the county.

Even the lowest can be challenged

Noble County's low rates are attractive, but some homeowners still carry assessments higher than current market value justifies. A free appeal to the auditor's office is worth exploring if your property has declined in value or your assessment seems outdated.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Noble County

via CostByCounty

Noble: Deep-Rural Affordability at National Standard

Noble County renters spend 15.8% of their income on rent, just above the national 15% affordability threshold, while earning $55,360 annually—27% below the national average of $74,755. The affordable $730 monthly rent reflects Noble's deeply rural, economically challenged character in southeastern Ohio.

Noble Slightly Exceeds Ohio's Average Ratio

At 15.8%, Noble's rent-to-income ratio marginally exceeds Ohio's 15.6% average, placing it near the state median despite being one of Ohio's poorest counties by income. The median rent of $730 runs $143 below the state average, but low incomes prevent Noble from achieving stronger affordability rankings.

Among the Most Affordable Rural Options

Noble's $730 rent undercuts peer counties Morgan ($713), Perry ($727), and Muskingum ($811), ranking it among Ohio's most affordable rental markets. Owner costs at $574 are the lowest in this cluster, making Noble the go-to choice for budget-focused homebuyers willing to accept limited economic opportunity.

Lowest Costs Match Lowest Incomes

The $730 monthly rent represents 15.8% of Noble's $55,360 median income, while homeowners allocate just 12.4% to their $574 monthly cost—both very low in absolute terms. However, this efficiency masks a deeper challenge: Noble's low incomes mean residents have little cushion for healthcare, education, or emergencies despite low housing costs.

Noble for Maximum Housing Cost Savings

Noble County offers among Ohio's cheapest housing: median rent of $730 and median home values around $149,300 make it ideal for those prioritizing low costs above all else. Be aware that Noble ranks among Ohio's lowest-income counties, so stable income from sources outside the local job market is virtually essential for financial security.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Noble County

via IncomeByCounty

Noble County significantly below national average

Noble County's median household income of $55,360 trails the U.S. median by $19,395, placing it in the lowest quartile nationally. The per capita income of $30,514 also falls notably below Ohio's state average of $35,642.

Ranks among Ohio's lowest-income counties

At $55,360, Noble County's median household income places it in the lowest tier of Ohio counties, nearly $13,000 below the state average of $68,101. This significant shortfall reflects limited economic diversity and rural employment challenges.

Tied with Morgan as region's lowest earner

Noble County's $55,360 median income essentially matches Morgan County ($55,971) as the lowest in the region, trailing Muskingum County ($59,203), Montgomery County ($64,403), and all wealthier peers. The two counties face similar economic pressures and limited opportunity gaps.

Housing affordability an economic anchor

Noble County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.8% and median home value of $149,300 offer relative affordability for residents. Housing costs remain manageable despite modest household earnings, providing financial breathing room.

Start small, build consistent wealth habits

With a per capita income of $30,514, Noble County households should focus on steady, disciplined saving even in small amounts. Explore matched savings programs through employers or community organizations, and consider financial literacy resources to maximize your earnings potential.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Noble County

via HealthByCounty

Noble County Leads Nation in Life Expectancy

At 80.7 years, Noble County's life expectancy ranks among the highest in America, exceeding the U.S. average of 76.4 years by over four years. Yet 22.2% of residents report poor or fair health, showing that longevity doesn't guarantee healthy aging.

Ohio's Longevity Leader, Despite High Uninsured Rate

Noble County's 80.7-year life expectancy dramatically exceeds Ohio's state average of 74.8 years, making it one of the state's healthiest counties by this metric. However, its 8.7% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 7.5%, creating a coverage gap despite exceptional longevity.

Extraordinary Longevity in a Rural County

Noble's 80.7-year life expectancy towers above all peer counties: nearly six years above Morgan County (73.3 years) and nearly four years above Ottawa County (76.6 years). This exceptional longevity contrasts sharply with Noble's sparse healthcare infrastructure and higher uninsured rate.

Limited Providers in Long-Living County

Noble County's only 7 primary care providers and 119 mental health providers per 100,000 residents create significant access challenges, yet residents achieve remarkable longevity. The 8.7% uninsured rate suggests that social factors, not just healthcare access, drive Noble's exceptional life expectancy.

Protect Your Long Life with Coverage

With 8.7% of Noble residents uninsured, nearly one in 11 families lack health protection despite living in one of America's longest-living counties. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to secure coverage that protects your future health.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Noble County

via RiskByCounty

Noble County enjoys exceptional safety

Noble County's composite risk score of 13.45 earns a "Very Low" rating and ranks among the safest counties in the entire United States. This exceptional profile means residents have substantially lower natural disaster exposure compared to the vast majority of American communities.

One of Ohio's safest counties

Noble County's 13.45 score is less than one-quarter of Ohio's 55.03 state average, placing it among the state's most secure areas. The county's uniform low scores across all hazard types reinforce this safety advantage.

Safest in the surrounding region

Noble County (13.45) is the safest county in its peer group, outscoring Morgan County (18.23), Morrow County (24.40), and Perry County (25.99). This makes it a genuine low-risk haven within southeastern Ohio.

Hurricane risk tops a very low list

Noble County's highest hazard score is hurricane risk at 48.98, which remains well below state average and reflects the county's distance from coastal systems. All other hazards—earthquake, tornado, flood, and wildfire—score below 35, creating an exceptionally balanced and minimal risk profile.

Basic homeowners insurance sufficient

Noble County residents can confidently rely on standard homeowners insurance without specialized flood or windstorm riders given the county's very low overall risk. Annual policy reviews to confirm coverage limits and deductibles are the only routine insurance maintenance necessary.

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.