CountyScore

Pike County

Indiana · IN

#24 in Indiana
74.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Pike County, Indiana

Pike County substantially exceeds national median

Pike County's composite score of 74.2 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 48%, ranking among America's more livable counties. This strong performance reflects balanced strengths in affordability and health.

Pike County beats Indiana's state average

Scoring 74.2 versus Indiana's average of 71.2, Pike County ranks well among the state's counties, sitting comfortably in the upper tier. It exemplifies Indiana's solid county-level livability.

Exceptional affordability drives Pike County

Pike County boasts the highest cost score in the group at 84.6, with the lowest median home value at $128,400 and tied-lowest rent at $676/month. These factors make it extraordinarily accessible for budget-constrained households.

Higher taxes and moderate income concerns

Pike County's effective tax rate of 0.813% is the highest among these eight counties (tax score 79.4), and its income score of 26.6 (median $66,250) trails state norms. Limited school, safety, and water data require additional research.

Best for renters and first-time homebuyers

Pike County appeals to young families, first-time homebuyers, and renters seeking maximum affordability despite modest taxes. Its rock-bottom housing costs outweigh income limitations for those with stable, if modest, employment.

Score breakdown

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

Tax79.4Cost84.6SafetyComing SoonHealth68.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome26.6Risk80.8WaterComing Soon
🏛79.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡80.8
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 Pike County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Fayette County
Alabama
74.2
Median income: $50,733
Gem County
Idaho
74.2
Median income: $66,245
Fulton County
Indiana
74.2
Median income: $62,878
Starke County
Indiana
74.2
Median income: $62,933
Bienville Parish
Louisiana
74.2
Median income: $34,992

Deep Dives

Pike County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Pike County

via TaxByCounty

Pike County has the region's highest tax rate

Pike County's effective tax rate of 0.813% is the second-highest in this eight-county analysis and sits well above the national median of 0.87%. Despite lower home values, Pike residents pay a premium relative to the state and region.

Pike County ranks among Indiana's highest taxes

At 0.813%, Pike County's effective rate substantially exceeds Indiana's state average of 0.671%, placing it in the state's upper tier for property taxes. The median property tax of $1,044 is 13% below the state median, reflecting the county's significantly lower home values.

Pike County is second-highest in the region

Pike County's 0.813% rate trails only Porter County's 0.829%, making it the second-most expensive county for property taxes among these eight. Only homeowners in Porter County pay a higher effective rate in this comparison.

Your estimated annual Pike County tax

On a median home valued at $128,400, Pike County homeowners pay approximately $1,044 in annual property taxes at the county's 0.813% rate. With a mortgage, the estimate rises to $1,201; without, it drops to $753.

Pike homeowners should challenge high assessments

With the region's second-highest tax rate, Pike County residents have particular incentive to verify their assessments are fair and accurate. Successful appeals are especially valuable in higher-tax counties, potentially saving hundreds over time.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Pike County

via CostByCounty

Pike County delivers real value.

At 12.2%, Pike County's rent-to-income ratio stands notably below the national average, signaling genuine housing affordability for renters. The $676 monthly rent pairs with a $66,250 median income to create one of the best affordability profiles in this entire county comparison.

Best value in Indiana.

Pike County's 12.2% rent-to-income ratio ranks as the lowest among all Indiana counties in this comparison, beating the state average of 15.6% by substantial margin. This leadership position makes Pike County Indiana's affordability champion for renters.

Unbeaten rental bargains.

Pike County ties Perry County at $676 rent but edges ahead on income ratio (12.2% vs. 13.3%), making it the region's smartest rental deal. Its ultra-low $128,400 median home value ranks as the absolute cheapest in the entire comparison group.

Maximum income left over.

The median Pike County household earning $66,250 spends just 12.2% on rent ($676/month) or 14.1% on mortgage costs ($779/month). This efficiency is unmatched in the comparison group, leaving households $700+ monthly—$8,400+ yearly—compared to national averages for other life priorities.

Unbeatable bang for your buck.

Pike County offers the lowest rent-to-income ratio and cheapest homes in this entire analysis, making it unbeaten for affordability-focused relocations. If maximizing financial breathing room matters most, Pike County's numbers show you'd save more here than anywhere else.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Pike County

via IncomeByCounty

Pike trails national income expectations

Pike County's median household income of $66,250 falls $8,505 short of the national median of $74,755, positioning it in the lower-middle income tier nationally. However, Pike's per capita income of $33,085 remains close to Indiana's state average.

Pike ranks slightly below Indiana average

Pike County's median household income of $66,250 trails Indiana's state average of $68,681 by $2,431, positioning it slightly below the state midpoint among 92 counties. This places Pike among Indiana's moderately-performing communities.

Pike ranks near middle of regional peers

Pike County's $66,250 median household income outpaces Owen ($59,586), Perry ($61,099), and Orange ($64,758), but trails Noble ($70,908) and lags Parke ($66,776). Pike maintains moderate competitive standing regionally.

Pike offers the region's best housing value

Pike County's rent-to-income ratio of 12.2% is the lowest in the region, with households spending just 40% of the sustainable 30% threshold on rent. The median home value of $128,400 is the most affordable in the area, providing excellent housing security.

Pike residents can maximize affordability

With median household income of $66,250 and the region's lowest housing costs, Pike County families have excellent opportunity to build wealth through savings and investments. Capitalize on your housing advantage by directing savings toward retirement accounts, education funds, and wealth-building vehicles.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Pike County

via HealthByCounty

Pike County Struggles With Life Expectancy

At 74.2 years, Pike County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.1 years by 1.9 years, signaling significant health challenges. The 19.3% poor/fair health rate exceeds the national median, reflecting widespread daily health struggles among residents.

Below Indiana's Average Life Span

Pike County's 74.2-year life expectancy falls 0.9 years below Indiana's 75.1-year average, placing it among the state's lower-performing counties. The uninsured rate of 7.8% is slightly below the state average of 8.4%, suggesting coverage is not the primary barrier to health outcomes.

Lagging in Health Despite Fair Coverage

Pike County's 74.2-year life expectancy matches Orange County's but trails Ohio (78.0), Parke (77.9), and Perry (77.3) by 3+ years. With 33 primary care providers per 100K and 41 mental health providers, Pike County has moderate resources, yet outcomes suggest underutilization or health management challenges.

Adequate Coverage, Persistent Health Gaps

Pike County's 7.8% uninsured rate is reasonable, yet the 74.2-year life expectancy and 19.3% poor/fair health rate suggest deeper lifestyle or chronic disease issues. With 33 primary care and 41 mental health providers per 100K, access exists, but coordination and health education initiatives may be needed.

Coverage Plus Prevention Can Help

If you're uninsured in Pike County, enrollment is a critical first step—coverage enables preventive care and chronic disease management that could extend your life. Visit healthcare.gov or contact a local community health center to find an affordable plan and start taking charge of your health.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Pike County

via RiskByCounty

Pike County: Exceptionally Low Risk

Pike County's composite risk score of 19.24 ranks it among Indiana's very safest counties, sitting well below the state average of 45.52. This exceptional safety profile offers residents broad protection from natural disasters across nearly all hazard categories.

Bottom-Tier Risk Among Indiana Counties

Pike County ranks near the bottom of Indiana's 92 counties for disaster risk, with one of the state's lowest composite scores. This distinction makes it one of Indiana's most naturally resilient communities against the full range of hazards.

Second-Safest in the Region

Pike County's 19.24 score ranks only behind Ohio (3.37) among surrounding counties, with substantially lower risk than Orange (40.49), Owen (35.11), and Perry (35.02). This positioning establishes Pike as one of the state's true safe havens.

Earthquake Risk Outweighs All Others

Earthquake risk scores 79.64—notably elevated and Pike County's clear biggest concern—despite the county's otherwise exceptional safety profile. All other hazards, from tornado (40.30) to flood (26.84), remain well-controlled and manageable.

Earthquake Insurance Is Your Priority

The 79.64 earthquake risk score stands out sharply against Pike County's otherwise low-risk profile, making seismic coverage the most important policy to evaluate. Standard homeowners insurance should suffice for tornado and flood protection given the modest scores in those categories.

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.