CountyScore

Potter County

Pennsylvania · PA

#7 in Pennsylvania
70.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Potter County, Pennsylvania

Strong livability, well above national norms

Potter County scores 69.5, significantly surpassing the national median of 50.0. This performance reflects a county delivering above-average livability conditions across measured dimensions.

Among Pennsylvania's top performers

Potter County's 69.5 score exceeds Pennsylvania's 66.0 state average, positioning it among the state's stronger counties for overall livability. The county ranks favorably statewide on composite metrics.

Exceptional housing affordability

Potter County's cost score of 83.7 is the highest in this group, with median home values of just $146,200 and rent at only $767 monthly. These figures make it one of the most affordable counties statewide.

Income levels require consideration

The income score of 22.5 reflects median household income of $59,840, below state and regional norms. Data limitations on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors prevent fuller assessment.

Perfect for retirees and cost-conscious movers

Potter County serves those prioritizing maximum housing affordability and low taxes over high incomes. It's ideal for retirees, families on fixed budgets, and remote workers whose income transcends local wage levels.

Score breakdown

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

Tax66.3Cost83.7SafetyComing SoonHealth72.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.5Risk71.9WaterComing Soon
🏛66.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡71.9
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 Potter County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Chambers County
Alabama
70.4
Median income: $49,295
Wilcox County
Alabama
70.4
Median income: $42,236
Ashley County
Arkansas
70.4
Median income: $44,481
Dixie County
Florida
70.4
Median income: $47,655
Morgan County
Indiana
70.4
Median income: $79,088

Deep Dives

Potter County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Potter County

via TaxByCounty

Potter's Tax Rate Below National Median

At 1.278%, Potter County's effective tax rate sits just below the national median of 1.31%, placing the county near the American average. The median property tax of $1,868 on a $146,200 home remains substantially below the national median of $2,690.

Slightly Below Pennsylvania Average

Potter's 1.278% effective rate edges just below Pennsylvania's state average of 1.317%, offering modest savings compared to the state. The county's median tax of $1,868 trails the state average of $2,657, making it a relatively affordable option in Pennsylvania.

Middle Range Among Regional Peers

Potter's 1.278% rate places it between Northumberland (1.173%) and Snyder (1.169%) to the south, and above them modestly. The county occupies a middle tier in north-central Pennsylvania's tax landscape, neither the highest nor lowest in the region.

Annual Tax on $146,200 Home

On Potter's median home value of $146,200, homeowners pay approximately $1,868 per year in property taxes. Mortgage holders typically pay $1,971, while owners without mortgages pay around $1,779.

Verify Your Assessment Value

Many Potter County homeowners are overassessed and could benefit from filing a property assessment appeal. Contact your local township assessor or the county tax office to request a reassessment if your home's valuation seems out of line with recent comparable sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Potter County

via CostByCounty

Potter County Beats National Affordability

Potter County renters spend just 15.4% of income on housing, outperforming both the national average and Pennsylvania's 16.5% state average. Though median household income of $59,840 trails the national median of $74,755, residents here benefit from among the lowest rents in the surveyed counties.

Top Tier for Pennsylvania Affordability

Potter County ranks among Pennsylvania's most affordable counties, with a 15.4% rent-to-income ratio that reflects robust affordability for renters. The county's rural character keeps housing costs remarkably low while maintaining stable household incomes.

Pennsylvania's Most Affordable Rents

Potter County's $767 median rent is the lowest among all surveyed Pennsylvania counties, matching Northumberland's affordability while supporting slightly lower incomes. The county competes favorably even with rural peers like Somerset ($749) and Schuylkill ($842), making it a clear affordability leader.

Minimal Housing Cost Burden

At $59,840 median household income, Potter renters allocate just $767 monthly to gross rent, consuming only 15.4% of paychecks. Homeowners pay similarly modest $720 monthly, with a median home value of $146,200 that remains accessible to middle-income buyers.

Potter: Rural Affordability at Its Best

If affordability is your top priority and you're willing to embrace rural Pennsylvania, Potter County delivers the lowest rents in this survey alongside reasonable home values. Compare Potter's 15.4% rent burden to Philadelphia's 26.2% and you'll see the dramatic savings rural relocation can provide.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Potter County

via IncomeByCounty

Potter income falls short nationally

Potter County's median household income of $59,840 trails the national median of $74,755 by 19.9%, placing it well below the US average. This income gap reflects Potter's rural character and limited employment density.

Lower-income rural county

At $59,840, Potter ranks below Pennsylvania's state median of $69,614, placing it among the state's lower-income counties. Per capita income of $31,841 falls short of the state average of $37,407, indicating limited wealth accumulation.

Less prosperous than surrounding areas

Potter's $59,840 median significantly lags Pike County ($79,318) and Perry County ($78,824), though it slightly outpaces Somerset County ($59,378). The county faces economic headwinds compared to wealthier northeast Pennsylvania neighbors.

Affordable housing supports households

Potter's 15.4% rent-to-income ratio offers excellent rental affordability, one of the state's best. The median home value of $146,200 remains highly accessible for households earning the county median.

Build wealth on modest incomes

Potter County residents benefit from low housing costs that free income for savings and investing. Prioritize employer retirement match programs and automatic savings plans—even modest monthly contributions grow substantially over time in Potter's lower cost-of-living environment.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Potter County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy at state average, near U.S.

Potter County residents live to 76.4 years on average, matching Pennsylvania's state average and nearly equaling the U.S. average of 77 years. About 18.1% report poor or fair health, close to national norms, indicating typical health conditions.

Right at Pennsylvania's state median

At 76.4 years, Potter County matches Pennsylvania's average life expectancy exactly, placing it squarely in the state middle. The 18.1% poor/fair health rate is consistent with statewide patterns.

Health profile typical for north-central PA

Potter's 76.4-year life expectancy aligns closely with nearby Tioga and Bradford counties, reflecting similar health conditions across north-central Pennsylvania. The county represents a middle ground between Pike County's exceptional health and Schuylkill's lower outcomes.

Insurance coverage at state level, adequate access

Potter's 7% uninsured rate exactly matches Pennsylvania's state average, indicating typical coverage levels. With 37 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 38 mental health providers per 100,000, the county offers modest but accessible healthcare infrastructure.

Potter County, check your coverage status

One in 14 Potter County residents lack health insurance, in line with state trends but still preventable. If you're uninsured or underinsured, visit healthcare.gov or contact Potter County's health department to explore Medicaid expansion, ACA plans, and rural health programs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Potter County

via RiskByCounty

Potter County is Pennsylvania's safest county

Potter County's composite risk score of 28.15 is the lowest in Pennsylvania and well below the state average of 67.45, placing it in the very low-risk category nationally. The county experiences minimal exposure to wildfires (3.31), tornadoes (15.04), earthquakes (21.12), and most other hazards.

Exceptional resilience across all hazard types

Potter County stands alone in Pennsylvania for comprehensive low risk, ranking safest among all 67 state counties across nearly every hazard category. Its wildfire risk of just 3.31 is the lowest in the state, and tornado, earthquake, and hurricane risks all remain well below state averages.

Far safer than all regional peers

Potter County's 28.15 score is roughly half that of Snyder County (54.29), its closest peer, and dramatically lower than Northumberland (79.17), Schuylkill (85.31), and Pike (65.87). The county's rural, less-developed character and inland position create a uniquely protected hazard profile.

Floods are the only moderate concern

Potter County's sole area of elevated risk is flooding (55.25), which remains below state average but reflects the county's river valleys and precipitation patterns. All other hazards—wildfire (3.31), tornado (15.04), earthquake (21.12), and hurricane (58.16)—score exceptionally low.

Basic flood insurance provides ample protection

Potter County's low overall risk means residents can focus narrowly on flood preparedness: those in flood-prone areas should secure flood insurance, while others may face minimal need for catastrophe coverage. Standard homeowners insurance provides adequate protection for the county's minimal wildfire, tornado, and earthquake exposure.

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.