CountyScore

Portage County

Ohio · OH

#67 in Ohio
64.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Portage County, Ohio

Solid national standing with room to improve

Portage County's composite score of 64.8 outperforms the national median of 50.0 by nearly 30%, confirming above-average livability nationally. However, the county scores below its state average, suggesting untapped potential relative to Ohio peers.

Below Ohio average but still competitive

Portage County scores 64.8, falling slightly below Ohio's state average of 68.8 and ranking in the lower-middle tier among the state's 88 counties. The gap reflects higher effective tax rates and elevated housing costs relative to other Ohio regions.

Solid income and reasonable housing costs

Portage County supports median household incomes of $72,822, competitive with Pickaway County and suggesting stable employment. The cost score of 72.6 indicates reasonably priced housing relative to regional alternatives, with median home values at $210,500.

Higher taxes weigh on overall livability

Portage County's tax score of 65.8 is the lowest among these eight counties, with an effective tax rate of 1.296% cutting into household budgets. Data gaps on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality prevent a complete livability picture.

Balanced choice for income-stable families

Portage County suits families with steady employment seeking decent schools and urban amenities, willing to accept higher taxes for those services. The county works best for households whose income stability outweighs cost sensitivity.

Score breakdown

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

Tax65.8Cost72.6SafetyComing SoonHealth74.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.9Risk34.9WaterComing Soon
🏛65.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠72.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤74.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡34.9
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 Portage County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Amador County
California
64.7
Median income: $81,526
Colusa County
California
64.7
Median income: $75,149
Mono County
California
64.7
Median income: $86,953
Bartow County
Georgia
64.7
Median income: $79,431
Clinton County
Iowa
64.7
Median income: $65,177

Deep Dives

Portage County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Portage County

via TaxByCounty

Portage County taxes above national average

Portage County's effective tax rate of 1.296% ranks in the top tier nationally, exceeding the national median of 1.172% by a meaningful margin. At $2,728 median, the annual tax bill slightly exceeds the national median of $2,690, placing Portage among America's higher-tax counties.

Portage outpaces most of Ohio on tax rate

With a 1.296% effective rate, Portage County ranks above Ohio's state average of 1.148%, making it one of the higher-taxed counties in the state. The median tax of $2,728 far exceeds Ohio's median of $2,145, a difference of $583 annually.

Portage County's the regional tax leader

Portage's 1.296% rate is the highest among these eight counties, substantially above Pike (0.855%), Putnam (0.976%), and even Pickaway (1.034%). Residents here shoulder the heaviest tax burden in this peer group.

Median home costs $2,728 in annual taxes

A typical Portage County home valued at $210,500 generates an annual property tax bill of $2,728. With a mortgage, that figure climbs to $2,892; without a mortgage, it falls to $2,445.

Higher taxes make assessment accuracy crucial

In high-tax Portage County, even a small overassessment translates to real dollars wasted. Request a free reassessment from your county auditor if your home's current assessed value exceeds recent comparable sales in your neighborhood.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Portage County

via CostByCounty

Portage renters pay above national average

Portage County's 17.1% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national norm despite a median household income of $72,822 that nearly matches the national median. The county's $1,036 monthly median rent—the highest among these eight counties—drives this above-average burden.

Ohio's priciest rental market here

Portage's median rent of $1,036 towers 18.7% above Ohio's state average of $873, making it the most expensive rental county in this analysis. With a 17.1% rent-to-income ratio, Portage exceeds the state average of 15.6%, signaling a genuinely tight rental market.

Premium pricing in northeast Ohio

Portage renters pay $1,036 monthly—$71 more than Pickaway and $203 more than Pike County. The premium likely reflects Portage's proximity to Akron and stronger regional job markets, distinguishing it sharply from rural southern Ohio alternatives.

Housing absorbs nearly one-fifth of income

Portage households allocate $1,036 to rent or $1,120 to mortgages while earning $72,822 annually, committing 17.1% to rent and 18.6% to ownership costs. These percentages approach the federal cost-burden threshold, limiting discretionary spending for residents.

Best for those prioritizing job access

Portage's higher housing costs reflect its stronger regional economy and proximity to major employers—a worthwhile trade-off if wage growth justifies the expense. Compare Portage's job market against cheaper counties like Pike or Preble before deciding if the premium is worth your move.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Portage County

via IncomeByCounty

Portage tracks near the national average

Portage County's median household income of $72,822 sits 2.6% below the national median of $74,755, placing it solidly in the American middle. This demonstrates consistent earning power in a northeast Ohio community anchored by education and industrial employment.

Strong performer statewide

At $72,822, Portage exceeds Ohio's state average of $68,101 by 6.9%, ranking among the state's most prosperous counties. The presence of Youngstown State University and manufacturing facilities helps sustain above-average household earnings across the region.

Nearly identical to Pickaway

Portage's $72,822 income nearly mirrors Pickaway County's $72,927, with less than $100 separating the two communities. Both outpace Pike County and Richland County significantly, while remaining below the region's highest earner, Putnam County, at $82,785.

Balanced housing costs support stability

Portage County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.1% keeps housing affordable, with renters spending roughly one-sixth of household income on rent. The median home value of $210,500 aligns with median incomes, creating stable ownership opportunities for middle-income families.

Leverage education and employer benefits

Portage County's strong ties to education and stable employers make retirement plans and professional development investments particularly valuable. With per capita income of $39,041 and affordable housing, households can confidently allocate income toward long-term wealth-building strategies.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Portage County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy exceeds U.S. and state averages

Portage County residents live to 76.4 years, surpassing both the U.S. average (74.8 years) and Ohio's average (74.8 years) by 1.6 years. Just 16.9% report poor or fair health, among the best rates in this eight-county region.

Portage ranks in Ohio's healthier tier

At 76.4 years, Portage's life expectancy sits in the upper half of Ohio counties. The 6.3% uninsured rate beats the state average of 7.5%, showing strong insurance penetration and healthcare access.

Second-best outcomes, tied with Putnam

Portage's 76.4-year life expectancy ranks second in this cohort, trailing only Putnam County's 78.2 years. The 16.9% poor/fair health rate is tied for lowest with Putnam, marking Portage as a health leader in the region.

Strong primary care, solid mental health network

Portage County provides 39 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 251 mental health providers per 100,000, ensuring reasonable access to both basic and specialized care. The 6.3% uninsured rate means most residents have pathways to regular treatment.

Stay insured with open enrollment

Portage leads the region in coverage, but enrollment changes happen every year. Check healthcare.gov during open enrollment to ensure your plan still fits your health needs and budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Portage County

via RiskByCounty

Portage faces elevated national risk

Portage County's composite risk score of 65.08 places it above the national average despite its "Relatively Low" state-level rating. The county experiences notably higher natural disaster threats than most American counties.

Among Ohio's highest-risk counties

With a score of 65.08, Portage significantly exceeds Ohio's state average of 55.03 by more than 10 points. The county ranks as one of Ohio's most hazard-prone regions.

Portage leads peers in risk

Portage (65.08) faces substantially higher risk than all nearby counties—Sandusky (56.74), Richland (61.32), and Preble (43.29). Its elevated scores reflect concentrated exposure to multiple hazard types across northeastern Ohio.

Flooding and tornadoes pose real threats

Portage's flood risk of 75.25 ranks among the state's highest, while tornado risk at 70.45 exceeds Ohio's typical patterns. Together, these two hazards account for the county's outsized risk profile.

Comprehensive insurance is critical

Flood insurance is essential in Portage County—your flood risk of 75.25 is among Ohio's worst and demands dedicated coverage. Review your homeowners policy for tornado/wind protection and consider a safe room or basement reinforcement for severe storm events.

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.