CountyScore

Pulaski County

Indiana · IN

#6 in Indiana
75.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Pulaski County, Indiana

Pulaski leads livability rankings

Pulaski County's composite score of 75.9 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 52%, making it one of the most livable counties in the country. This strong performance is driven by exceptional tax efficiency and housing affordability that benefit virtually all residents.

Indiana's most livable county

Pulaski County ranks 1st among Indiana's 92 counties with a score of 75.9, significantly outpacing the state average of 71.2. This top position reflects the best combination of economic value and quality-of-life factors in the state.

Unbeatable tax and cost advantage

Pulaski County boasts the state's lowest effective tax rate at 0.480% (tax score: 88.8) and highly affordable housing with median rent at $715/month and home values at $134,600 (cost score: 84.1). Environmental resilience is also exceptional, with a risk score of 88.8 indicating strong protection against natural hazards.

Lower incomes, modest health services

The income score of 22.5 is the county's weakest dimension, with median household income at $59,956 below many comparable counties. Health score of 65.5 suggests room for improvement in medical accessibility or preventive care infrastructure.

Perfect for penny-pinching retirees

Pulaski County is ideal for fixed-income seniors, young professionals starting out, and families who prioritize affordability and tax savings above all else. The exceptional value proposition makes it a standout choice for those with modest incomes seeking security and stability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax88.8Cost84.1SafetyComing SoonHealth65.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.5Risk88.8WaterComing Soon
🏛88.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.1
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
❤65.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡88.8
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 Pulaski County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Skagway Municipality
Alaska
75.9
Median income: $78,594
Newton County
Arkansas
75.9
Median income: $47,395
Bent County
Colorado
75.9
Median income: $49,194
Worth County
Iowa
75.9
Median income: $76,875
Towner County
North Dakota
75.9
Median income: $63,017

Deep Dives

Pulaski County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Pulaski County

via TaxByCounty

Pulaski has the nation's lowest rates

At 0.480%, Pulaski County's effective tax rate ranks in the bottom 5% nationwide — among the lowest in America. The median property tax of just $646 annually is less than one-quarter of the national median of $2,690.

Indiana's most tax-friendly county

Pulaski County's 0.480% effective rate is the lowest in Indiana, well below the state average of 0.671%. With a median tax of $646 and median home value of $134,600, this county offers exceptional affordability for homeowners.

Significantly lower than regional peers

Pulaski's 0.480% rate substantially undercuts nearby Putnam County (0.475%) and Posey County (0.628%), making it the region's tax champion. Lower median home values ($134,600) combined with the state's lowest rate create the Midwest's most affordable property tax burden.

Your annual Pulaski property tax bill

On a median home valued at $134,600, the annual property tax is just $646 (about $54 monthly). Homeowners with mortgages average $726; those without, $554.

Still worth checking your assessment

Even in low-tax counties like Pulaski, assessment errors can occur and cost you money. Review your county assessor's valuation to ensure you're paying the correct amount — and nothing more.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Pulaski County

via CostByCounty

Pulaski: Budget-Friendly Renting

Pulaski County renters spend 14.3% of income on housing—below Indiana's state average of 15.6% and well within the affordability comfort zone. With median rent at just $715 monthly against a $59,956 median household income, renters here have room to save.

Upper-Middle Tier Affordability

Pulaski County ranks in Indiana's more affordable half, with a rent-to-income ratio of 14.3% compared to the state average of 15.6%. Its median rent of $715 is $168 below the state median, positioning it as a solid option for budget-conscious renters.

Competitive with Regional Peers

Pulaski's $715 rent is the lowest in this analysis, undercutting Randolph County by $26 and Ripley by $84 each month. Its $134,600 median home value is the most affordable in the region, appealing to first-time buyers with modest budgets.

The Monthly Housing Picture

Pulaski renters allocate $715 monthly while earning a median $4,996 per month, preserving about 85% of income for living expenses and savings. Homeowners pay $760 monthly—among the lowest monthly costs in the region—making this county particularly attractive for budget-focused families.

Pulaski Offers Rural Affordability

Relocating to Pulaski means securing some of Indiana's lowest housing costs without sacrificing regional amenities or proximity to larger employment centers. Weigh it against neighboring Randolph County if you're prioritizing affordable homeownership in north-central Indiana.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Pulaski County

via IncomeByCounty

Pulaski County lags national income

Pulaski County's median household income of $59,956 falls 19.8% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the lower half of American counties. This gap signals that typical households here earn meaningfully less than their national counterparts.

Below-average earnings statewide

Pulaski County ranks below Indiana's median household income of $68,681, trailing the state by $8,725 (12.7%). The county's per capita income of $31,336 also falls short of Indiana's $34,773 average, reflecting economic challenges across income levels.

Struggling against nearby rivals

Pulaski County's $59,956 median income trails all nearby counties, including Ripley ($71,084), Putnam ($76,182), and Posey ($79,124). The county faces the steepest income disadvantage in its region, suggesting fewer high-wage job opportunities locally.

Rent pressure affects budgets

At 14.3%, Pulaski County's rent-to-income ratio approaches the affordability threshold, consuming a larger share of household budgets than in wealthier counties. With a median home value of $134,600, homeownership remains within reach but requires careful financial planning.

Prioritize financial stability first

Below-average incomes make emergency savings and debt reduction critical priorities for Pulaski County households. Start with a modest 3-month emergency fund, then explore low-cost investment vehicles like employer 401(k) plans or Roth IRAs to begin building long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Pulaski County

via HealthByCounty

Pulaski faces significant health challenges

At 72.2 years, Pulaski County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.4 years by 4.2 years, reflecting serious health disparities. Nearly one in five residents (19.7%) reports poor or fair health, exceeding the national average of 17.4%.

Struggling among Indiana counties

Pulaski County ranks among the lowest in Indiana for life expectancy at 72.2 years, compared to the state average of 75.1 years. The county's poor/fair health rate of 19.7% exceeds Indiana's 18.2% average, indicating elevated health challenges.

Lowest life expectancy in the region

Pulaski residents face the lowest life expectancy in their region, living 3 years less than Ripley County (74.7 years) and 6.1 years less than Posey County (78.3 years). The county's health struggles are notably worse than all adjacent counties.

Uninsured rate exceeds state average

Pulaski County has 32 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, but 9.2% of the population is uninsured—exceeding Indiana's 8.4% average. Mental health support is strong at 57 providers per 100,000, yet many residents may lack the insurance to access these services.

Get insured today, improve health tomorrow

With 9.2% of Pulaski County uninsured, finding coverage is urgent. Visit healthcare.gov or contact Indiana's Benefits hotline to enroll in affordable plans and get access to the primary and mental health care your county provides.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Pulaski County

via RiskByCounty

Pulaski has remarkably low disaster risk

With a composite risk score of just 11.20, Pulaski County ranks among the safest counties nationally and is rated "Very Low" for natural disaster risk. This score reflects well below-average exposure to most major hazards, making it one of Indiana's safer communities.

Safest county in Indiana

Pulaski County's 11.20 score is dramatically below Indiana's state average of 45.52, making it the lowest-risk county in the state by a significant margin. Residents enjoy substantially lower overall disaster exposure compared to typical Indiana counties.

Notably safer than surrounding counties

Pulaski County's risk profile is considerably lower than adjacent counties like Starke and Marshall, which face moderate tornado and flood hazards. The county's 1.94 wildfire risk and 18.35 flood risk are among the state's lowest.

Tornado risk requires routine preparedness

Even though Pulaski County is very safe overall, tornadoes represent the relative highest risk at 34.64, which is still well below national norms. Residents should maintain basic severe weather awareness during spring months, though risk is modest compared to other Indiana counties.

Standard coverage is usually sufficient

Pulaski County's very low risk profile means most residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance without additional disaster-specific policies. However, regular home maintenance and a basic emergency plan remain prudent even in low-risk areas.

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.