countyscore
59.3
County Score
Cost of Living 72.3Health 69.6Lawn Care 66.9

County Report Card

About Perry County, Indiana

Ahead of the National Median

Perry County scores a 59.4 on the composite index, outperforming the national median of 50.0. It provides a quality of life that is competitive with many regions across the United States.

Stronger Than the State Average

Exceeding the Indiana state average of 55.9, Perry County holds a solid position in the state ranking. It offers a unique combination of affordable housing and high wellness scores.

Affordable Housing and Healthy Living

The county shines with a health score of 69.6 and a housing cost score of 72.4. Renters benefit especially from a median gross rent of just $676 per month.

Expanding Economic and School Opportunities

An income score of 42.3 and a school score of 43.5 suggest that economic growth and educational resources are maturing. Boosting local wages remains a key objective for the community.

A Win for Young Starters

Perry County is a fantastic choice for young professionals or families who prioritize wellness and very low living costs. It provides a healthy environment where your income stretches much further.

2040608010062.872.351.969.643.537.26553.966.5Tax62.8Cost72.3Safety51.9Health69.6Schools43.5Income37.2Risk65Water53.9Weather66.559.3/100
This county
National avg
5 above average2 below average

Perry County DNA

Foverall

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

Perry County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (72.3/100) but notably weak in Income (37.2/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
62.8+10.799999999999997
Cost
72.3+24.299999999999997
Safety
51.9
Health
69.6+19.599999999999994
Schools
43.5-10.5
Income
37.2-13.799999999999997
Risk
65+18
Water
53.9
Weather
66.5+10.5
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Perry County?

Many homeowners in Perry County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$163,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$682/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$163,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$27,280/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $61,151/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

26.0

per 100K

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 Perry County with Woodford County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Woodford County
Illinois
Median income: $91,483
59.3
Jefferson County
Indiana
Median income: $64,577
59.3
O'Brien County
Iowa
Median income: $68,356
59.3
Emmons County
North Dakota
Median income: $66,538
59.3
Montour County
Pennsylvania
Median income: $76,976
59.3
Grand Isle County
Vermont
Median income: $97,396
59.3
Morgan County
West Virginia
Median income: $72,179
59.3
Blaine County
Idaho
Median income: $92,566
59.2

Nearby counties

Hancock County
Kentucky
69.3
Breckinridge County
Kentucky
65.1
Crawford County
Indiana
61.5
Meade County
Kentucky
58.3
Spencer County
Indiana
67.6
Dubois County
Indiana
61.2
Daviess County
Kentucky
42.7
Harrison County
Indiana
61.4

Deep Dives

Perry County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Perry County

via TaxByCounty

Perry County taxes exceed national average

Perry County's effective tax rate of 0.713% sits above the national median of 0.87%, placing it in the upper tier nationally for property taxes. However, the median annual tax of $1,041 still represents just 39% of the national median, thanks to lower home values.

Perry County ranks above Indiana average

At 0.713%, Perry County's effective rate exceeds Indiana's state average of 0.671%, making it one of the higher-tax counties in the state relative to the 92-county comparison. The median property tax of $1,041 runs 13% below the state median of $1,199.

Perry County is region's second-highest tax rate

Perry County's 0.713% rate is the second-highest in the region, trailing only Pike County's 0.813% and Porter County's 0.829%. This makes Perry County moderately expensive by regional standards, though still affordable compared to national figures.

Your estimated annual Perry County tax

On a median home valued at $146,000, Perry County homeowners pay approximately $1,041 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, the estimate rises to $1,148; without, it drops to $800.

Assessment challenges matter in higher-tax counties

In counties with above-average tax rates like Perry, even modest assessment reductions can yield meaningful savings over time. Filing an appeal is free and worth pursuing if you believe your home's assessed value exceeds its true market value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Perry County

via IncomeByCounty

Perry falls well short of national income

Perry County's median household income of $61,099 lags the national median of $74,755 by $13,656, placing it in the bottom quartile nationally. The county's per capita income of $30,366 is also notably below Indiana's state average of $34,773.

Perry ranks among Indiana's lowest earners

Perry County's median household income of $61,099 trails Indiana's state average of $68,681 by $7,582, positioning it in the lower quartile of the state's 92 counties. This gap reflects significant economic constraints compared to typical Hoosier households.

Perry struggles economically among peers

Perry County's $61,099 median household income ranks among the lowest in its region, exceeding only Owen ($59,586) while trailing Noble ($70,908), Orange ($64,758), and Parke ($66,776). The county faces distinct economic challenges relative to neighbors.

Perry's housing costs are manageable

Perry County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.3% is favorable, with households spending well below the 30% sustainability threshold for rent. With a median home value of $146,000, housing affordability is one bright spot for county residents facing broader income challenges.

Perry families can build from here

With median household income of $61,099 and reasonable housing costs, Perry County residents should prioritize building emergency savings and accessing employer benefits. Explore free financial counseling through nonprofits and community development organizations to maximize wealth-building potential.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Perry County

via CrimeByCounty

Perry County Safety Above National Average

Perry County holds a safety score of 98.3, which is quite high despite being slightly below the Indiana state average. Its total crime rate of 1,078.9 per 100,000 is significantly lower than the national rate of 2,385.5.

How Perry County Compares to Indiana

Perry County’s safety score of 98.3 is just under the state average of 98.9. Its total crime rate of 1,078.9 per 100,000 is higher than the state average of 693.8.

A Closer Look at Regional Safety

While Perry County’s crime rate exceeds the Indiana average of 693.8, it remains safer than many urban areas across the country. Four reporting agencies contribute to these comprehensive safety figures.

Violent vs. Property Crime Breakdown

The county reports 156.4 violent crimes and 922.5 property crimes per 100,000 residents. Property crimes are the primary concern, occurring at a rate nearly six times higher than violent incidents.

Strengthening Your Home Security

With property crime making up the bulk of local incidents, securing valuables is essential. Consider installing a security camera system to deter potential theft and protect your home.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Perry County

via WeatherByCounty

Warmer than the national median

Perry County’s 56.5°F average annual temperature sits significantly higher than the national median. This humid subtropical climate experiences a high volume of annual precipitation, totaling 50.2 inches.

A southern Indiana heat leader

The county ranks as one of the warmest in the state, far exceeding the Indiana average of 52.2°F. Its location on the Ohio River helps maintain a milder climate than central and northern counties.

Outpacing its neighbors in warmth

Perry is roughly two degrees warmer on average than nearby Pike County. It also receives over six inches more annual rainfall than the state average of 43.9 inches.

Hot summers and manageable winters

Summers bring 27 days of extreme heat over 90°F, contributing to a July average of 77.1°F. Winters stay relatively mild with a 36.3°F average and only 10.7 inches of annual snow.

Prepare for humidity and rain

Residents should invest in high-efficiency cooling systems to combat the month-long extreme heat season. The 50.2 inches of annual rain requires robust gutter systems and proper site drainage.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Perry County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic River-Valley Entisols

Perry County’s soil is primarily silt loam belonging to the Entisols order, showing a pH of 5.99. This is nearly identical to the state average but more acidic than the national 6.5 median, reflecting the county’s rugged topography.

Fine-Grained Silty Profile

The mineral makeup is 64.9% silt and 19.0% clay, with very little sand at 16.1%. This produces a soil that feels very smooth but lacks the drainage-enhancing properties of larger sand particles.

Above-Average Water Retention

The available water capacity is 0.204 in/in, slightly higher than the state average of 0.202. Organic matter levels sit at 2.22%, which is healthy by national standards but lower than the typical Indiana prairie soil.

Slow Moving Water Systems

The county is characterized by very poorly drained soils and a hydrologic group of C/D. This means the soil is frequently saturated, which requires careful management for both farming and home construction projects.

A Longer Season in Zone 7a

As one of Indiana's southernmost counties in zone 7a, Perry County enjoys a longer growing season. It is a fantastic place for warm-weather crops like peppers and melons that thrive in the late summer sun.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Perry County

via LawnByCounty

A Warm Southern Climate for Lawns

Perry County is one of the few Indiana regions in hardiness zone 7a, earning a lawn difficulty score of 66.9. This score indicates a slightly more challenging environment than the Indiana average but stays well above the national median. The warmer climate allows for a longer growing season than most of the state.

Abundant Rain and Significant Heat

With 50.2 inches of annual precipitation, Perry is one of the wettest counties in the state, far exceeding the 44.2-inch average. Lawns also face 27 extreme heat days and a massive 4,138 growing degree days, the highest in this group. This high-energy climate drives rapid growth but also increases the demand for water and fertilizer.

Managing High Moisture in Mucky Soil

The soil pH of 5.99 is nearly ideal, but the very poorly drained silt loam texture creates a constant risk of waterlogging. Because the soil holds so much water, it is easy for roots to become oxygen-deprived during the 50-inch rain years. Proper grading and the use of French drains can help move excess water away from the turf.

Brief Dry Spells in a Humid Zone

Perry County only saw 4 weeks of drought last year, though 88.8% of the area is currently classified as abnormally dry. The primary risk here isn't just lack of water, but the heat stress that comes with its 27 days above 90°F. Mulching clippings back into the lawn can provide a natural barrier that keeps soil temperatures lower.

Take Advantage of a Long Season

Because of the 7a hardiness zone, you have a wider window for growth with a late first frost on November 7. Heat-tolerant grasses like Tall Fescue are essential to withstand the warm July average of 77.1°F. Begin spring preparations as early as April 5, the typical date of the last spring frost.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Perry County's county score?
Perry County, Indiana has a composite county score of 59.3 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 Perry County rank among counties in Indiana?
Perry County ranks #42 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 Perry County, Indiana?
The median annual property tax in Perry County is $1,106, with an effective tax rate of 0.68%. This earns Perry County a tax score of 62.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Perry County?
The median household income in Perry County, Indiana is $61,151 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Perry County earns an income score of 37.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Perry County, Indiana a good place to live?
Perry County scores 59.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #42 in Indiana. The best way to evaluate Perry 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 Perry 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.