countyscore
67
County Score
Safety 97.5Disaster Risk 96.7Property Tax 70.7

County Report Card

About Ohio County, Indiana

Significantly Outperforming the National Average

With a robust composite score of 68.2, Ohio County far exceeds the national median of 50.0. This ranking places the county in the top tier of American communities for overall livability.

A Leader in Indiana Livability

Ohio County is a standout in the state, comfortably beating the Indiana average composite score of 55.9. It serves as a high-performing example of quality of life in the southern Indiana region.

Elite Safety and Disaster Resilience

The county achieves nearly perfect marks in safety and risk, with scores of 97.5 and 96.7 respectively. Residents also benefit from a low 0.609% effective tax rate and solid health outcomes.

Improving Water Infrastructure and Affordability

The local water score of 32.4 indicates a need for continued investment in environmental infrastructure. A cost score of 43.5 also suggests that housing is slightly less affordable than in neighboring counties.

A Secure Haven for Quiet Living

Ohio County is best suited for retirees or remote workers who prioritize extreme safety and low natural disaster risk. It offers peace of mind and financial predictability in a scenic setting.

2040608010070.73997.568.959.962.896.732.460.1Tax70.7Cost39Safety97.5Health68.9Schools59.9Income62.8Risk96.7Water32.4Weather60.167/100
This county
National avg
5 above average1 below average

Ohio County DNA

C-overall

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

Ohio County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (96.7/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (32.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
70.7+18.700000000000003
Cost
39-9
Safety
97.5+42.5
Health
68.9+18.900000000000006
Schools
59.9
Income
62.8+11.799999999999997
Risk
96.7+49.7
Water
32.4-25.6
Weather
60.1
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Ohio County

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

See Today's Rates

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$213,100

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$898/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$213,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$35,920/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $70,392/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

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 Ohio County with Washington County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Washington County
Kentucky
Median income: $61,616
67
Yancey County
North Carolina
Median income: $58,709
67
Sublette County
Wyoming
Median income: $83,597
67
Aleutians East Borough
Alaska
Median income: $65,365
66.9
Pope County
Illinois
Median income: $60,050
66.9
Cherokee County
Iowa
Median income: $71,269
67.1
Kossuth County
Iowa
Median income: $67,697
66.9
Casey County
Kentucky
Median income: $45,510
67.1

Nearby counties

Switzerland County
Indiana
66.3
Dearborn County
Indiana
63.4
Boone County
Kentucky
47.3
Gallatin County
Kentucky
58.5
Ripley County
Indiana
65.3
Carroll County
Kentucky
58.6
Kenton County
Kentucky
49.7
Grant County
Kentucky
59.1

Deep Dives

Ohio County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Ohio County

via TaxByCounty

Ohio County offers lower-than-average taxes

Ohio County's effective tax rate of 0.609% ranks in the bottom 20% nationally, well below the 0.87% median American rate. The county's median property tax of $1,179 represents less than 44% of the national median, making it exceptionally affordable for homeowners.

One of Indiana's lowest tax counties

At 0.609%, Ohio County's effective rate is notably below Indiana's state average of 0.671%, placing it in the lower tier of the state's 92 counties. The median tax of $1,179 is nearly identical to the state median of $1,199, despite the lower rate.

Ohio County is a regional tax bargain

Ohio County's 0.609% rate is the lowest among its neighbors, beating Orange County's 0.578% when adjusted for home values. This makes Ohio County an attractive option for southeastern Indiana homeowners seeking both affordability and reasonable services.

Your estimated annual Ohio County tax

On a median home valued at $193,500, Ohio County homeowners pay approximately $1,179 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, the estimate rises to $1,206; without, it drops to $1,101.

Challenge your assessment if values seem high

Even in a low-tax county like Ohio, roughly one in five homeowners may be overassessed relative to current market conditions. Filing an appeal with the county assessor costs nothing and could reduce your tax burden further.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Ohio County

via IncomeByCounty

Ohio trails the national income benchmark

Ohio County's median household income of $67,942 falls $6,813 short of the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-middle tier nationally. However, the county's per capita income of $36,210 exceeds Indiana's state average of $34,773, suggesting concentrated earning power among some households.

Below Indiana's state income average

Ohio County's median household income of $67,942 ranks slightly below Indiana's state average of $68,681 by just $739, positioning it near the middle of the state's 92 counties. This places Ohio among Indiana's moderately-earning communities with room for economic growth.

Ohio compares favorably to surrounding counties

Ohio County's $67,942 median household income exceeds Owen ($59,586), Orange ($64,758), and Perry ($61,099), though it lags Noble ($70,908) and Porter ($85,828). Among its regional peers, Ohio demonstrates solid competitive positioning.

Rental costs require careful budgeting

Ohio County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.1% is manageable but trending higher than ideal, meaning households allocate roughly half the sustainable 30% threshold to rent. With a median home value of $193,500, residents should carefully evaluate their housing choices to maintain financial flexibility.

Strategic planning strengthens Ohio finances

Ohio County households earning a median of $67,942 can build wealth through disciplined budgeting that prioritizes savings and investments alongside housing costs. Explore employer retirement plans, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and financial counseling services to maximize economic resilience.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Ohio County

via CrimeByCounty

Ohio County Ranks Among Nation's Safest

Ohio County achieves a perfect safety score of 100.0, indicating an exceptionally low crime environment. While the national total crime rate is 2,385.5 per 100,000 people, Ohio County reports zero crimes for the 2022 data period.

A Safety Leader in Indiana

The county's safety score exceeds the Indiana state average of 98.9. This puts Ohio County in the top tier of the state’s 92 counties for public safety.

Low Crime Compared to Regional Averages

Ohio County reports a crime rate of 0.0 per 100,000, which is significantly lower than the state average of 693.8. It stands out as a remarkably quiet area compared to surrounding Indiana communities.

Understanding the Data Gaps

Data from 2022 shows 0.0 violent and 0.0 property crimes per 100,000 residents. Because these figures come from a single reporting agency, they should be interpreted as a sign of high safety rather than a total absence of incidents.

Maintaining a Secure Community

Even with record-low crime numbers, maintaining home security remains a smart practice. Simple steps like installing motion-sensor lighting can help keep these impressive statistics stable.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in Ohio County

via SoilByCounty

Silky Alfisols of Ohio County

Ohio County’s soil is characterized by a silt loam texture and a pH of 6.20, sitting just above the state average of 6.08. These Alfisols represent mature, productive soils that are typical of Indiana’s forested history.

A Silt-Dominant Mineral Mix

This soil is 64.7% silt and only 14.6% sand, creating a smooth, floury texture that is highly fertile. However, the 20.7% clay content means the soil can become heavy and sticky when wet, requiring careful timing for spring tilling.

Steady Water Holding Capacity

The organic matter levels reach 2.18%, which beats the national average but trails the Indiana average of 4.90%. Its available water capacity of 0.203 in/in is nearly identical to the state benchmark, ensuring reliable moisture for crops.

Infiltration Limits for Builders

The county is moderately well drained but falls into hydrologic group D, indicating very slow infiltration rates when the soil is saturated. This can lead to high runoff during heavy storms, making erosion control essential on sloped land.

Thriving in Zone 6b

Positioned in hardiness zone 6b, this soil is perfect for deciduous fruit trees and late-summer vegetables. The 66.7 soil score suggests that with a little organic amendment, your home garden will thrive.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Ohio County

via LawnByCounty

Competitive Lawn Conditions in Ohio County

Ohio County’s lawn difficulty score of 67.4 is nearly on par with the Indiana state average of 71.0. This score reflects a hardiness zone of 6b, making it one of the more favorable regions for residential turf in the state. Maintenance is generally straightforward compared to the national median of 50.0.

High Heat and Ample Rainfall

The county receives 48.5 inches of rain annually, which is well above the state average and near the top of the ideal range for grass. However, lawns face 38 extreme heat days above 90°F, nearly double the state average of 20 days. This combination of high moisture and high heat increases the risk of fungal diseases during the summer.

Ideal pH for Nutrient Absorption

With a soil pH of 6.20, Ohio County falls perfectly within the ideal 6.0-7.0 range for lawn health. The moderately well-drained silt loam provides a balanced environment for root development. Homeowners benefit from a soil structure that handles the area's high rainfall without becoming chronically waterlogged.

Short Dry Spells but High Heat

Lawns here only experienced 4 weeks of drought in the past year, far less than many neighboring counties. Currently, only 16.7% of the county is considered abnormally dry, but the 38 heat days remain a primary stressor. Watering in the early morning is vital to cooling the turf and preventing midday evaporation during heat waves.

Resilient Turf for a 6b Climate

Tall Fescue is a top recommendation for zone 6b due to its superior heat tolerance compared to other cool-season grasses. While local frost dates aren't tracked for this specific county, the warm July average of 77.8°F suggests a mid-autumn seeding is best. A healthy lawn here relies on managing those high-heat summer weeks with consistent hydration.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ohio County's county score?
Ohio County, Indiana has a composite county score of 67 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 Ohio County rank among counties in Indiana?
Ohio County ranks #6 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 Ohio County, Indiana?
The median annual property tax in Ohio County is $1,305, with an effective tax rate of 0.61%. This earns Ohio County a tax score of 70.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Ohio County?
The median household income in Ohio County, Indiana is $70,392 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Ohio County earns an income score of 62.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Ohio County, Indiana a good place to live?
Ohio County scores 67/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #6 in Indiana. The best way to evaluate Ohio 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 Ohio 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.