CountyScore

Orange County

Indiana · IN

#35 in Indiana
72.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Orange County, Indiana

Orange County nearly 50% above national norm

Orange County's composite score of 72.7 towers 45% above the national median of 50.0, demonstrating strong livability across multiple dimensions. This solid standing places it among America's more stable and affordable counties.

Orange County leads Indiana's average

Scoring 72.7 versus Indiana's state average of 71.2, Orange County maintains a competitive position among Hoosier counties. Its advantage is modest but consistent.

Lowest taxes and excellent affordability

Orange County boasts Indiana's lowest tax burden in this group with an effective rate of 0.578% (tax score 86.0) and outstanding housing affordability at a median home value of just $143,900. These factors combine to stretch household budgets further than nearly anywhere in the state.

Income levels require financial prudence

The county's income score of 25.7 reflects a median household income of $64,758, among the lowest here and well below state medians. Families without strong income sources should carefully assess whether the county's affordability matches their earning reality.

Perfect for cost-conscious, lower-income households

Orange County is tailor-made for families and individuals stretching limited incomes through rural living and minimal tax burden. It suits retirees, artists, and remote workers seeking maximum purchasing power in a low-cost environment.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86Cost80.9SafetyComing SoonHealth68.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.7Risk59.5WaterComing Soon
🏛86
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡59.5
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 Orange County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Marion County
Alabama
72.7
Median income: $50,714
Polk County
Arkansas
72.7
Median income: $49,252
Yuma County
Colorado
72.7
Median income: $60,051
Schley County
Georgia
72.7
Median income: $59,647
Wheeler County
Georgia
72.7
Median income: $45,262

Deep Dives

Orange County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Orange County

via TaxByCounty

Orange County has Indiana's most modest taxes

Orange County's effective tax rate of 0.578% ranks in the nation's bottom 10%, significantly below the 0.87% national median. Annual property taxes here average just $832—roughly 31% of what the typical American household pays.

Orange County ranks among Indiana's lowest

Orange County's 0.578% effective rate is the lowest of any Indiana county in this dataset, falling well short of the state average of 0.671%. The median property tax of $832 is also among the state's lowest, reflecting both lower home values and lower rates.

Orange County beats all regional competitors

Orange County's 0.578% rate is the lowest in the entire south-central region, undercutting even Ohio County's 0.609%. For homeowners prioritizing low property taxes, Orange County is the region's clear winner.

Your estimated annual Orange County tax

On a median home valued at $143,900, Orange County residents pay approximately $832 annually in property taxes—the lowest in this comparison. With a mortgage, the estimate rises to $984; without, it falls to $696.

Even low-tax counties have appeal opportunities

Orange County's affordability is admirable, but homeowners should still verify their assessments are accurate and fair. A successful assessment challenge could provide additional savings, no matter the county's baseline tax rate.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Orange County

via CostByCounty

Orange County rents are reasonable.

At 15.5%, Orange County's rent-to-income ratio sits just below the national average, making housing here a relatively balanced proposition. The $838 monthly rent reflects modest costs for the county's $64,758 median income, though this is one of the lower-income counties in the comparison group.

Near-average costs within Indiana.

Orange County's 15.5% rent-to-income ratio runs nearly identical to Indiana's 15.6% state average, positioning it as a typical Indiana housing market. This consistency means Orange County offers renters what they'd expect to pay anywhere across the state.

Middle ground between extremes.

Orange County's $838 rent falls between Noble County's bargain $776 and Ohio County's $852, making it a middle-ground choice regionally. Its notably low median home value of $143,900 makes Orange County the most affordable county for buyers in this region.

Modest income, manageable costs.

With a $64,758 median household income, Orange County residents allocate 15.5% to rent ($838/month) or 15.2% to mortgage costs ($816/month). The lower home costs here mean buyers can access homeownership more easily than in neighboring counties, despite the lower overall income levels.

Affordable entry to homeownership.

Orange County combines low home values ($143,900 median) with reasonable rents, making it ideal for first-time buyers or renters prioritizing affordability. If lower housing costs are essential to your move, Orange County's numbers show you'd stretch your dollars further here.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Orange County

via IncomeByCounty

Orange lags national income standards

Orange County's median household income of $64,758 trails the national median of $74,755 by $9,997, placing it in the lower income quartile nationally. This gap reflects economic conditions typical of rural Indiana counties with limited high-wage industries.

Facing Indiana's income headwinds

Orange County's median household income of $64,758 falls $3,923 below Indiana's state average of $68,681, positioning it in the lower tier of the state's 92 counties. This suggests Orange residents earn notably less than typical Hoosiers.

Orange ranks lower among regional peers

Orange County's $64,758 median household income trails most neighboring counties, including Owen ($59,586) and Perry ($61,099), though it marginally exceeds them. Despite regional underperformance, Orange maintains relative stability among its immediate peers.

Housing costs strain Orange households

Orange County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.5% edges toward the warning zone, with households spending roughly half of the sustainable 30% threshold on rent. The median home value of $143,900 is relatively affordable, but income constraints make homeownership a significant decision for many families.

Orange residents can build resilience

With median household income of $64,758, Orange County families should prioritize emergency savings and low-cost investment vehicles like employer 401(k) plans and index funds. Seek out free or low-cost financial literacy programs to strengthen wealth-building habits and long-term security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Orange County

via HealthByCounty

Orange County Faces Health Headwinds

At 74.2 years, Orange County's life expectancy lags the U.S. average of 76.1 years by 1.9 years, signaling significant health challenges. The 18.7% poor/fair health rate exceeds the national median, meaning Orange County residents report worse daily health than most Americans.

Below Indiana's Average Health Outcomes

Orange County's 74.2-year life expectancy falls 0.9 years below Indiana's 75.1-year average, placing it in the state's lower-performing counties for longevity. The uninsured rate of 8.5% slightly exceeds the state average of 8.4%, adding modest coverage pressure to existing health disparities.

Struggling Compared to Regional Peers

Orange County's 74.2-year life expectancy matches Pike County's but trails Ohio (78.0), Parke (77.9), and Perry (77.3) by 3+ years, revealing a significant regional health gap. With 40 primary care providers per 100K, Orange County has decent access, but the 18.7% poor/fair health rate suggests underlying health management challenges.

Uninsured Residents Face Care Barriers

About 8.5% of Orange County residents lack health insurance, limiting access to preventive services that could improve the county's poor health outcomes. With 40 primary care providers and 76 mental health providers per 100K, the county has moderate resources, but coordination and utilization gaps may persist.

Coverage Is Your First Step Forward

If you're uninsured in Orange County, getting coverage is essential—it enables preventive care and early treatment that can extend your life and improve daily health. Visit healthcare.gov or contact a local health navigator to find an affordable plan today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Orange County

via RiskByCounty

Orange County: Below Average, But Not Safe

Orange County's composite risk score of 40.49 ranks it in the Very Low category, sitting slightly below Indiana's 45.52 average. However, the county masks significant risk in specific hazards—particularly tornadoes and earthquakes—behind this modest overall rating.

Mid-Tier Risk Among Indiana Counties

Orange County ranks in the middle range of Indiana's 92 counties for overall disaster risk. Its composite score reflects a county where hazard exposure varies dramatically by type rather than uniform protection across all disaster categories.

Riskier Than Ohio County, Safer Than Noble

Orange County's 40.49 score exceeds neighboring Ohio (3.37) by more than ten times, but falls slightly below Noble (44.24) and Owen (35.11). This positioning reflects the county's location within a moderate-risk zone of south-central Indiana.

Tornadoes and Earthquakes Dominate

Tornado risk reaches 76.75 in Orange County—the highest hazard score and substantially above the state average—making severe storms a serious consideration. Earthquake risk scores 71.53, also elevated, reflecting the county's proximity to seismic activity zones.

Prioritize Storm and Earthquake Coverage

Verify your homeowners policy includes robust tornado and hail coverage, critical given the 76.75 tornado risk score. Consider purchasing earthquake insurance to protect against the elevated 71.53 seismic risk, especially for older or unreinforced structures.

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.