CountyScore

Owen County

Indiana · IN

#59 in Indiana
70.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Owen County, Indiana

Owen County significantly outperforms nationally

Owen County's composite score of 70.8 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 42%, confirming solid livability fundamentals. While slightly below Indiana's state average, it remains a competitive option nationally.

Just shy of Indiana's typical county

Owen County's score of 70.8 sits marginally below Indiana's state average of 71.2, placing it in the solid middle of the state's county rankings. It's a reliable, unremarkable performer by state standards.

Tax efficiency and housing remain strong

Owen County delivers a tax score of 83.4 (effective rate 0.672%) and housing cost score of 79.3, with median home values of $162,400 keeping ownership accessible. These twin pillars support families on modest budgets.

Income and health scores lag noticeably

Owen County's income score of 22.3 and median household income of $59,586 represent the lowest in this group, alongside a health score of 65.2. Limited data on schools, safety, and water further constrain a full livability assessment.

Suited for retirees and subsistence-income families

Owen County works best for retirees on fixed incomes and families with limited earning prospects who prioritize affordability. Its low taxes and modest home prices offer stability for those whose income expectations are realistic and humble.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.4Cost79.3SafetyComing SoonHealth65.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.3Risk64.9WaterComing Soon
🏛83.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡64.9
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 Owen County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Covington County
Alabama
70.8
Median income: $50,886
Conway County
Arkansas
70.8
Median income: $51,212
Chaffee County
Colorado
70.8
Median income: $70,909
Union County
Georgia
70.8
Median income: $65,697
Warren County
Georgia
70.8
Median income: $46,776

Deep Dives

Owen County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Owen County

via TaxByCounty

Owen County taxes run right at national average

Owen County's effective tax rate of 0.672% sits just below the national median of 0.87%, placing it slightly in the middle-to-lower tier nationally. The median property tax of $1,091 is about 41% of the national median, reflecting both lower home values and lower rates in rural Indiana.

Owen County mirrors Indiana's statewide rates

At 0.672%, Owen County's effective rate is virtually identical to Indiana's state average of 0.671%, making it a representative example of typical Indiana property taxes. The median tax of $1,091 falls somewhat below the state median of $1,199, reflecting the county's lower median home values.

Owen County sits in regional middle ground

Owen County's 0.672% rate falls between Orange County's low of 0.578% and Perry County's high of 0.713%, positioning it squarely in the regional mainstream. This makes Owen County neither particularly expensive nor particularly bargain-priced among its neighbors.

Your estimated annual Owen County tax

On a median home valued at $162,400, Owen County homeowners pay approximately $1,091 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, the estimate rises to $1,119; without, it drops to $1,058.

Assessment appeals can reduce your Owen County bill

Even in a tax-average county like Owen, roughly one in five properties may be overassessed relative to market value. Taking 15 minutes to file an assessment appeal could save you hundreds of dollars over time.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Owen County

via CostByCounty

Owen County rents strain budgets.

At 18.4%, Owen County's rent-to-income ratio significantly exceeds the national average, signaling that housing consumes an outsized share of household income here. The $912 monthly rent against a $59,586 median income represents one of the tightest housing-cost burdens in this group of counties.

Least affordable in Indiana.

Owen County's 18.4% rent-to-income ratio stands well above Indiana's 15.6% state average, making it among the state's least affordable counties for renters. Households here dedicate notably more of their earnings to housing than typical Hoosiers, creating budget pressure statewide.

Highest burden in the region.

Owen County's 18.4% rent-to-income ratio towers above all nearby counties, with its $912 rent among the highest in the group paired with lower-than-average income. This combination makes Owen County the most housing-stressed county in this regional comparison.

Housing dominates household budget.

The median Owen County household with $59,586 income dedicates 18.4% to rent ($912/month) or 16.8% to mortgage costs ($833/month), leaving less discretionary income than neighboring counties. Combined, housing can consume over one-third of gross income for many households, creating genuine affordability challenges.

Consider whether costs fit your reality.

Owen County's housing burden outpaces most peer counties, so carefully evaluate if this move makes financial sense for your household. If housing costs are already stretching your budget, comparing Owen County's percentages against your current situation could reveal important trade-offs.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Owen County

via IncomeByCounty

Owen significantly lags national income

Owen County's median household income of $59,586 falls $15,169 below the national median of $74,755, placing it well below the national average. This reflects the economic challenges facing rural Indiana communities with limited wage opportunities.

Owen ranks among Indiana's lowest earners

Owen County's median household income of $59,586 trails Indiana's state average of $68,681 by $9,095, positioning it in the bottom quartile of the state's 92 counties. This significant gap underscores the county's economic constraints.

Owen faces the steepest regional challenge

Owen County's $59,586 median household income ranks lowest among its regional peers, trailing Orange ($64,758), Perry ($61,099), and Noble ($70,908). The county faces distinct economic headwinds compared to surrounding communities.

Housing costs pose affordability risk

Owen County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.4% is the highest in the region, with households spending over 60% of the sustainable 30% threshold on rent alone. Combined with modest median household income, this leaves limited resources for savings, healthcare, and other essentials.

Owen residents can strengthen financial footing

With median household income of $59,586, Owen County families benefit most from low-cost banking services, wage optimization strategies, and employer benefits education. Connect with nonprofit credit counseling and financial coaching services to stretch dollars further and build long-term security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Owen County

via HealthByCounty

Owen County Faces Serious Health Crisis

At 72.8 years, Owen County's life expectancy is 3.3 years below the U.S. average of 76.1 years, representing one of the lowest in the nation. The 20.9% poor/fair health rate is substantially higher than the national median, indicating severe daily health challenges for residents.

Indiana's Most Troubled Health Indicators

Owen County's 72.8-year life expectancy falls 2.3 years below Indiana's 75.1-year average—the lowest in the state—reflecting critical health disparities. The uninsured rate of 8.9% exceeds the state average of 8.4%, compounding access barriers for a vulnerable population.

Significantly Behind Regional Peers

Owen County's 72.8-year life expectancy is 5.2 years shorter than Ohio County (78.0) and 2.5+ years below Orange and Pike counties, indicating a profound regional health divide. Primary care access at just 14 providers per 100K is the lowest among nearby counties, creating a critical shortage.

Provider Shortages Compound Coverage Gaps

With 8.9% of residents uninsured and only 14 primary care providers per 100K—the lowest in its region—Owen County faces severe healthcare access barriers. Mental health support is available at 102 per 100K, but limited primary care means many residents can't access basic preventive services or manage chronic diseases effectively.

Coverage and Care: Urgent Action Needed

Owen County residents must prioritize health insurance enrollment—without coverage, managing health conditions becomes financially devastating and medically impossible. Call 211 or visit healthcare.gov immediately to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, or community health programs that can save your life.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Owen County

via RiskByCounty

Owen County: Below-Average Disaster Risk

Owen County's composite risk score of 35.11 places it in the Very Low category, sitting notably below Indiana's 45.52 average. This relatively safe profile offers residents meaningful protection from the full range of natural disaster hazards.

Among Indiana's Lower-Risk Counties

Owen County ranks in the safer half of Indiana's 92 counties for overall disaster risk. The county's below-average composite score reflects consistent protection across most hazard types, with only moderate vulnerability to a few specific threats.

Safer Than Noble, Comparable to Perry

Owen County's 35.11 score runs lower than neighboring Noble (44.24) and sits alongside Perry (35.02) at similar risk levels. The county benefits from being positioned in a relatively protected zone compared to its higher-risk northern neighbors.

Earthquakes and Floods Lead Concerns

Earthquake risk scores highest at 61.16, reflecting Owen County's position near seismic zones affecting the broader region. Flood risk follows at 49.43, making water-related damage a secondary but meaningful threat during heavy rain events.

Focus on Flood and Earthquake Policies

Evaluate earthquake insurance carefully given the 61.16 risk score, particularly if your home sits on unstable soil or in an older structure. Flood insurance is strongly recommended due to the 49.43 flood risk, especially if you're in a mapped flood zone or near streams.

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.