countyscore
52.5
County Score
Schools 82.1Income & Jobs 80.7Safety 67.2

County Report Card

About Perry County, Pennsylvania

Outperforming the National Median Profile

Perry County achieves a composite score of 53.2, comfortably exceeding the national median of 50.0. This performance suggests a stable environment with strong economic and educational foundations.

Exceeding the Pennsylvania State Average

With a 53.2 overall score, Perry County ranks above the Pennsylvania average of 51.8. It stands out as a high-performing rural alternative within the state's competitive landscape.

Strong Incomes and Excellent Schools

The county excels with an income score of 82.5 and a school score of 82.1. Residents benefit from a robust median household income of $78,824, which supports a high standard of living.

Water Infrastructure Needs Improvement

Water quality is a significant outlier here, scoring just 13.0 on the dimension index. Additionally, a tax score of 23.6 indicates a relatively high tax burden compared to other dimensions.

Ideal for High-Earning Families

Perry County is an excellent choice for families seeking top-tier public schools and strong income potential. Potential residents should simply be aware of local water quality issues and a median home value of $222,800.

2040608010023.235.467.256.982.180.746.91355.3Tax23.2Cost35.4Safety67.2Health56.9Schools82.1Income80.7Risk46.9Water13Weather55.352.5/100
This county
National avg
3 above average3 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 Income (80.7/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (13/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
23.2-28.8
Cost
35.4-12.600000000000001
Safety
67.2+12.200000000000003
Health
56.9
Schools
82.1+28.099999999999994
Income
80.7+29.700000000000003
Risk
46.9
Water
13-45
Weather
55.3
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.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$236,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$874/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$236,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$34,960/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $79,444/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

2.2

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
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Nearby counties

Juniata County
Pennsylvania
57.7
Cumberland County
Pennsylvania
53
Mifflin County
Pennsylvania
46.6
Dauphin County
Pennsylvania
40.6
Snyder County
Pennsylvania
51.6
Adams County
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53.5
Huntingdon County
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58.4
Franklin County
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46.8

Deep Dives

Perry County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Perry County

via TaxByCounty

Perry County Slightly Above National Norm

Perry's effective tax rate of 1.246% edges above the national median of 1.31%, placing it closer to mid-range American tax levels. Homeowners pay $2,775 annually on a median home valued at $222,800, nearly matching the national median tax of $2,690.

Below Pennsylvania's State Average

Perry County's 1.246% effective rate sits slightly below Pennsylvania's state average of 1.317%, offering modest tax relief compared to the state median property tax of $2,657. The county ranks in the lower-to-middle tier among the state's 67 counties.

Middle Ground in South-Central PA

Perry's 1.246% rate falls between neighboring Northumberland (1.173%) to the north and Pike County (1.396%) to the east. The county offers more favorable rates than Pike but slightly higher than Northumberland, making it a moderate option regionally.

Annual Tax on $222,800 Home

Perry County homeowners with a median-valued property of $222,800 pay approximately $2,775 per year in property taxes. Mortgage holders typically see $2,867, while owners without mortgages pay around $2,618.

Review Your Assessment Now

Many Perry County homeowners are overassessed and could reduce their annual tax bills through a formal property assessment appeal. Contact your township assessor or county tax office to learn about appeal windows and required documentation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Perry County

via IncomeByCounty

Perry outearns most American households

Perry County's median household income of $78,824 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by 5.4%, placing it firmly in the upper-middle tier nationwide. This above-average earning reflects Perry's strong local economy and workforce participation.

Top earners in Pennsylvania

At $78,824, Perry ranks well above Pennsylvania's state median of $69,614 and enters the state's top income quartile. The county's per capita income of $38,594 also exceeds the state average of $37,407.

Competitive with high-earning neighbors

Perry's $78,824 median rivals Pike County ($79,318) and substantially exceeds Northumberland ($57,948) and Somerset ($59,378). Perry residents enjoy some of south-central Pennsylvania's strongest earning power.

Housing highly affordable for renters

Perry's 12.8% rent-to-income ratio represents some of the best rental affordability in the state—far below the 30% stress threshold. A median home value of $222,800 is manageable for households earning $78,824 annually.

Leverage higher incomes for long-term gains

Perry County households earning above-average incomes are well-positioned to maximize retirement savings and investment portfolios. Consider accelerating 529 college savings plans and diversifying into real estate or stock market index funds.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Perry County

via CrimeByCounty

Exceptional Safety Levels in Perry County

Perry County boasts a total crime rate of 768.4 per 100,000 people, far below the national average of 2,385.5. This performance results in a high safety score of 98.8. It remains one of the most secure counties in the country based on 2022 reporting data.

Leading the State in Public Safety

With a safety score of 98.8, Perry County ranks above the Pennsylvania state average of 98.5. Its total crime rate of 768.4 is nearly 18% lower than the state average of 932.4. Six different reporting agencies work to maintain this high standard of security across the county.

The Safest Option Among Many Neighbors

Perry County is significantly safer than neighboring Northumberland County, which reports a crime rate of 856.1. It even outperforms Pike County's rate of 737.3, though the two remain competitively safe. This makes Perry a standout for safety in the central Pennsylvania region.

A Look at Violent and Property Crime

Violent crime in Perry County sits at 141.5 per 100,000, which is nearly identical to the state average of 142.2. Property crime remains very low at 626.9, compared to a national property crime rate of 2,015.7. The vast majority of reported incidents do not involve physical violence.

Secure Your Property in a Safe Haven

Even in high-safety areas, property crimes like theft still occur more frequently than violent ones. Residents can maintain this peaceful environment by locking doors and using basic security systems. Staying connected with neighbors helps keep Perry County's crime rates among the lowest in the state.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in Perry County

via SoilByCounty

Classic Acidic Pennsylvania Soils

Perry County features an acidic soil profile with an average pH of 5.36. While this is slightly more alkaline than the state average of 5.22, it remains notably more acidic than the national median of 6.5.

Silty Texture for Easy Tilling

A blend of 44.6% silt and 28.3% sand creates a medium-textured base with 16.6% clay. While specific taxonomic data is unavailable for this county, this mixture typically offers a balanced environment for root penetration.

High Organic Matter, Lower Water

The soil boasts 8.87% organic matter, nearly quadrupling the national average of 2.0%. However, the available water capacity of 0.141 in/in is slightly below the state average of 0.151, meaning plants may need supplemental watering.

Local Runoff and Drainage Needs

Without specific drainage class data, growers should watch for local runoff patterns during heavy rains. The moderate clay content suggests decent nutrient retention, though builders should conduct site-specific percolation tests.

Thriving in Warm Zone 7a

The county sits in hardiness zone 7a, a warmer pocket that extends the growing season. It is a prime location for peppers, tomatoes, and even slightly tender perennials.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Perry County

via LawnByCounty

Significant Challenges for Perry County Lawns

With a lawn difficulty score of 33.8, Perry County is one of the more challenging places in Pennsylvania to maintain a perfect lawn. This score is significantly lower than both the national median of 50.0 and the state average of 59.2. Homeowners in Hardiness Zone 7a must be diligent with their maintenance routines to overcome local environmental hurdles.

Navigating Gaps in Local Climate Data

While specific annual temperature and precipitation records are limited for the county, nearby regional trends suggest a standard Mid-Atlantic seasonal cycle. Without precise heat day counts, you should monitor local weather stations closely to adjust your watering during the peak of summer. Consistency is key when regional averages are less predictable.

Addressing Acidic Soil and Clay Content

The soil pH in Perry County sits at 5.36, which is quite acidic compared to the ideal 6.0 target for turf. With a clay content of 16.6%, the ground can become compacted easily, restricting air and water flow to grass roots. Regular soil testing and lime treatments are essential to unlock nutrients and improve soil structure.

Persistent Dryness Requires Water Conservation

Over the past year, the county has endured 27 weeks of drought, and 100% of the territory currently faces abnormally dry conditions. Utilizing mulch-mowing can help retain soil moisture by shading the ground with grass clippings. It is vital to prioritize water conservation while the county remains under these dry conditions.

Choosing Resilient Grasses for Zone 7a

Transition-zone favorites like Turf-Type Tall Fescue are excellent choices for Perry County's Zone 7a climate. Because local frost dates vary, watch for soil temperatures to hit 55 degrees in the spring before you start your first round of seeding. Starting with high-quality, drought-resistant seed will give you a significant head start on the season.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Perry County's county score?
Perry County, Pennsylvania has a composite county score of 52.5 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 Pennsylvania?
Perry County ranks #36 among all counties in Pennsylvania 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, Pennsylvania?
The median annual property tax in Perry County is $2,859, with an effective tax rate of 1.21%. This earns Perry County a tax score of 23.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Perry County?
The median household income in Perry County, Pennsylvania is $79,444 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Perry County earns an income score of 80.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Perry County, Pennsylvania a good place to live?
Perry County scores 52.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #36 in Pennsylvania. 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.