CountyScore

Parke County

Indiana · IN

#9 in Indiana
75.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Parke County, Indiana

Parke County ranks among nation's livable places

Parke County's composite score of 75.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 50%, placing it solidly in America's upper tier of livable counties. This performance reflects exceptional value across tax and cost dimensions.

Indiana's highest-performing county here

Parke County's score of 75.2 leads all eight counties in this Indiana cohort and surpasses the state average of 71.2 by more than 4 points. It stands as one of Indiana's standout performers for overall livability.

Lowest taxes and top affordability in group

Parke County dominates with the lowest effective tax rate at 0.496% (tax score 88.3) and excellent housing affordability with median home values of $139,300. Rent averages just $731/month, the most affordable in the group.

Income and health show modest limitations

The county's income score of 27.0 and median household income of $66,776 indicate moderate earning levels, while its health score of 67.4 suggests room for healthcare improvement. Schools, safety, and water data remain unavailable for complete assessment.

Best choice for maximum affordable living

Parke County represents Indiana's best value proposition for families and retirees maximizing purchasing power through minimal taxes and housing costs. It appeals to those seeking rural charm without financial compromise, particularly lower-income households.

Score breakdown

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

Tax88.3Cost84.1SafetyComing SoonHealth67.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome27Risk72.4WaterComing Soon
🏛88.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡72.4
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 Parke County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Washington County
Alabama
75.2
Median income: $60,503
Denali Borough
Alaska
75.2
Median income: $88,935
Sac County
Iowa
75.2
Median income: $70,991
Pipestone County
Minnesota
75.2
Median income: $66,073
Kemper County
Mississippi
75.2
Median income: $43,595

Deep Dives

Parke County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Parke County

via TaxByCounty

Parke County offers exceptional tax savings

Parke County's effective tax rate of 0.496% is the lowest in this eight-county comparison and falls in the nation's bottom 5%. With a median property tax of just $691 annually, Parke homeowners pay about 26% of the national median—a remarkable savings.

Parke County leads Indiana on affordability

Parke County's 0.496% rate significantly undercuts Indiana's state average of 0.671%, making it one of the state's most tax-friendly counties. The median property tax of $691 is 42% lower than the state median of $1,199.

Parke County is the region's tax haven

Among all neighbors in this analysis, Parke County's 0.496% rate is the lowest by a substantial margin—nearly 0.10% below the next-lowest county. For homeowners seeking the lowest possible property tax burden, Parke County is the clear regional choice.

Your estimated annual Parke County tax

On a median home valued at $139,300, Parke County residents pay approximately $691 in annual property taxes—the lowest across these eight counties. With a mortgage, the estimate rises to $726; without, it drops to $604.

Parke homeowners should still verify assessments

Even the lowest-tax county can have overassessed properties, so reviewing your assessment is always worthwhile. A successful appeal in Parke County could provide additional relief on an already-affordable tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Parke County

via CostByCounty

Parke County offers strong affordability.

At 13.1%, Parke County's rent-to-income ratio beats the national average, meaning renters here keep more of their paychecks than typical Americans. The modest $731 monthly rent reflects genuine affordability for the county's $66,776 median household income.

Tied for Indiana's best value.

Parke County matches Noble County at 13.1% rent-to-income ratio, tying for the lowest affordability burden in Indiana and well below the state's 15.6% average. This elite standing places Parke County among the state's most livable counties for renters managing housing costs.

Cheapest rent in the region.

Parke County's $731 rent is the lowest among all comparison counties, beating Orange County ($838) and Ohio County ($852) by meaningful margins. Its $139,300 median home value also ranks among the region's most affordable for buyers.

Housing takes minimal income share.

On a $66,776 median income, the typical Parke County household spends just 13.1% on rent ($731/month) or 13.3% on mortgage costs ($743/month). This efficiency leaves maximum room in monthly budgets for groceries, healthcare, childcare, and savings—a rare luxury among rural Indiana counties.

Maximum value for rural living.

Parke County delivers some of the lowest housing costs in Indiana without sacrificing community or access, making it ideal for affordability-focused movers. Check these numbers against what you're currently paying—the difference could transform your family's financial position.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Parke County

via IncomeByCounty

Parke underperforms the national income level

Parke County's median household income of $66,776 falls $7,979 below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-middle income range nationally. However, the county's per capita income of $31,264 trails Indiana's average, suggesting less distributed earning power.

Below Indiana's median income standard

Parke County's median household income of $66,776 ranks $1,905 below Indiana's state average of $68,681, positioning it slightly below the state midpoint among 92 counties. This places Parke in the lower-middle tier of Indiana's income distribution.

Parke competes modestly with regional peers

Parke County's $66,776 median household income outpaces Owen ($59,586), Perry ($61,099), and Orange ($64,758), though it trails Noble ($70,908) and Pike ($66,250). Among its region, Parke shows modest competitive strength.

Housing remains affordable in Parke

Parke County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.1% is among the lowest in the region, with households spending well below the 30% sustainable threshold for rent. The median home value of $139,300 is affordable relative to median household income, providing housing stability for most residents.

Parke households can leverage affordability

With median household income of $66,776 and low housing costs, Parke County residents have relative breathing room to invest in retirement savings and education. Take advantage of your housing affordability advantage by building emergency funds and exploring tax-advantaged investment accounts.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Parke County

via HealthByCounty

Parke County's Life Span Beats National Average

At 77.9 years, Parke County residents live 1.8 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.1 years, placing the county in the nation's healthier tier. However, the 20.0% poor/fair health rate suggests daily health challenges despite strong longevity—a pattern indicating chronic disease management issues.

High Longevity, High Uninsured Rate

Parke County's 77.9-year life expectancy exceeds Indiana's 75.1-year average by 2.8 years, yet the uninsured rate of 11.9% is the highest among all Indiana counties profiled. This disparity suggests that while some residents enjoy good health outcomes, access gaps persist for a significant share of the population.

Strong Life Span, Weak Insurance Coverage

Parke County's 77.9-year life expectancy rivals Ohio (78.0) and Perry (77.3), yet its 11.9% uninsured rate far exceeds neighbors Noble (10.2%) and Owen (8.9%). With 31 primary care and 73 mental health providers per 100K, infrastructure is adequate, but coverage barriers may prevent access.

Insurance Gap Threatens Health Gains

Parke County's 11.9% uninsured rate—the highest profiled—means nearly 1 in 8 residents lack coverage and face financial hardship when health issues arise. With 31 primary care providers per 100K, the county has moderate access, but uninsured residents may skip preventive care, undermining the county's otherwise strong longevity.

Don't Jeopardize Your Health and Finances

If you're among Parke County's uninsured, enrollment is critical—coverage protects your health and prevents medical debt that can devastate families. Visit healthcare.gov or call your county health department to find affordable plans and enrollment assistance today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Parke County

via RiskByCounty

Parke County: Well Below Average Risk

Parke County's composite risk score of 27.58 places it firmly in the Very Low category, sitting well below Indiana's 45.52 average. This favorable position reflects one of the state's safer counties for natural disaster exposure overall.

Among Indiana's Safest Counties

Parke County ranks in Indiana's lower quartile for disaster risk among the state's 92 counties. The county's notably low composite score reflects broad protection from natural hazards, making it one of Indiana's more resilient communities.

Safest County in Its Region

Parke County's 27.58 score runs substantially lower than all neighbors—Noble (44.24), Owen (35.11), and Perry (35.02)—making it the safest in its immediate area. This distinction reflects the county's fortunate position relative to regional hazard patterns.

Tornadoes and Earthquakes Still Matter

Tornado risk reaches 47.49 in Parke County, marking it as the highest hazard despite remaining below state averages. Earthquake risk scores 62.50, reflecting the county's exposure to the broader Midwest seismic zone.

Standard Coverage Likely Sufficient

Ensure your homeowners insurance includes tornado and hail coverage, though the 47.49 tornado risk is more moderate than many counties. Earthquake insurance may be worth evaluating given the 62.50 score, but flooding is minimal concern here.

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.