CountyScore

Richland County

Ohio · OH

#58 in Ohio
65.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Richland County, Ohio

Above national average, below state peers

Richland County scores 68.1 on the composite index, well above the national median of 50.0 but fractionally below Ohio's state average of 68.8. The county delivers solid livability nationally while standing just behind its state cohort.

Near the Ohio state average

Richland County ranks right at the middle of Ohio's 88 counties with a score nearly identical to the state average of 68.8. This positions the county as statistically representative of the broader Ohio livability profile.

Exceptional housing affordability stands out

Richland County's cost score of 81.5 is the second-highest among these counties, featuring median home values of $154,000 and the lowest rents at $791 per month. This exceptional affordability makes the county attractive for cost-conscious households.

Income and tax burden need attention

Richland County's income score of 21.0 with median household income at $57,649 lags peer counties, indicating limited wage growth opportunities. The tax score of 66.0 reflects an effective rate of 1.288%, the highest among these eight counties.

Smart choice for bargain hunters with steady jobs

Richland County suits individuals and families whose income comes from outside the county or retirees seeking maximum housing affordability. The county offers exceptional rent and home values for those willing to accept lower local wages.

Score breakdown

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

Tax66Cost81.5SafetyComing SoonHealth69SchoolsComing SoonIncome21Risk38.7WaterComing Soon
🏛66
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤69
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡38.7
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 Richland County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Siskiyou County
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65.9
Median income: $55,499
Clark County
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65.9
Median income: $72,298
Ness County
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65.9
Median income: $66,107
Boone County
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65.9
Median income: $94,752
Clay County
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65.9
Median income: $77,664

Deep Dives

Richland County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Richland County

via TaxByCounty

Richland County ranks above national tax median

Richland County's effective tax rate of 1.288% exceeds the national median of 1.172%, placing it in the higher-tax tier nationally. The median property tax of $1,984 tops the national median of $2,690, though on a lower home value—reflecting a notably higher tax burden relative to property worth.

Richland ranks among Ohio's high-tax counties

At 1.288%, Richland County's effective rate runs well above Ohio's state average of 1.148%, placing it in the higher-tax echelon statewide. The median tax of $1,984 falls below Ohio's median of $2,145, but only because Richland homes are worth considerably less.

Richland's the high-tax neighbor

Richland's 1.288% rate trails only Portage's 1.296% among these eight counties, making it the second-priciest from a tax perspective. Homeowners here bear a substantially heavier burden than Pike (0.855%) or Putnam (0.976%) residents.

Budget $1,984 yearly on median home

A typical Richland County home valued at $154,000 incurs an annual property tax bill of $1,984. With a mortgage, that climbs to $2,078; without one, it drops to $1,846.

High-tax county: verify your assessment

In Richland County's high-tax environment, even a modest overassessment adds up quickly in wasted dollars. Review your home's assessed value against recent comparable sales and file a free appeal with your county auditor if the assessment seems inflated.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Richland County

via CostByCounty

Richland's affordability masked by low income

Richland County's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio slightly exceeds the national average, driven by a median household income of $57,649—23% below the national median. While rents are modest, the county's income constraints limit true affordability.

Moderate affordability, weak income

Richland's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio sits above Ohio's 15.6% state average, revealing a county where housing costs consume a larger income share than typical for the state. The $791 median rent ranks among the lowest, but it's not low enough to offset modest wage levels.

Cheapest rents, but lowest incomes too

Richland's $791 rent matches Sandusky as the cheapest in this group, but its $57,649 median income ranks second-lowest after Pike. The county offers bargain housing but limited earning potential compared to peers like Putnam ($82,785) or Pickaway ($72,927).

Tight margins despite low costs

Richland renters pay $791 monthly on a median $57,649 annual income, dedicating 16.5% to rent and leaving limited cushion for emergencies. Homebuyers commit $837 monthly, or 17.4% of income, approaching the federal cost-burden threshold.

Right for cost minimizers only

Richland appeals to relocators prioritizing absolute rent savings, but the county's income levels suggest limited career advancement opportunities. Compare Richland's job market against higher-wage counties like Putnam or Pickaway to ensure the savings are worth the wage trade-off.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Richland County

via IncomeByCounty

Richland significantly lags national income

Richland County's median household income of $57,649 falls 22.9% short of the national median of $74,755, indicating substantial economic challenges. This gap reflects structural headwinds in a manufacturing-dependent county navigating post-industrial economic shifts.

Below-average earnings across Ohio

At $57,649, Richland County trails Ohio's state average of $68,101 by 15.3%, ranking among the state's lower-income communities. The county's economic struggles concentrate in areas once dominated by manufacturing, now facing ongoing adjustment challenges.

Second-lowest income in sample

Richland's $57,649 income ranks above only Pike County ($49,552) among the eight counties studied, though it lags stronger peers like Putnam County ($82,785) by $25,000. The county faces more severe income constraints than most of its surrounding communities.

Housing costs strain household budgets

Richland County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.5% indicates housing costs consume a significant share of limited income. With a median home value of $154,000 and below-average household earnings, affordability pressures limit families' ability to save and invest.

Focus on skills and income growth

Richland County households earning $57,649 should prioritize income growth through education, certification, or skill development before aggressive investing. Free financial counseling and employer benefits exploration can help families build security despite current earnings constraints.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Richland County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy at national baseline, health concerns clear

Richland County residents live to 74.0 years, just below the U.S. average of 74.8 years. However, 19.6% report poor or fair health, and 7.2% lack insurance—both above national averages.

Richland underperforms on most health measures

At 74.0 years, Richland's life expectancy trails Ohio's state average of 74.8 years. The 7.2% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 7.5%, and the 19.6% poor/fair health rate signals persistent health challenges.

Middle outcomes, gaps in coverage and health

Richland's 74.0-year life expectancy ranks fifth among the eight counties studied. The 7.2% uninsured rate and 19.6% poor/fair health rate place Richland below peers like Portage and Putnam but above Pike's crisis levels.

Strong primary care, good mental health support

Richland County provides 47 primary care providers and 481 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—solid capacity for both essential and specialized care. The 7.2% uninsured rate means roughly 1 in 14 residents navigate healthcare without coverage.

Find coverage that works for your situation

Richland's 7.2% uninsured rate is higher than desirable; if you're uninsured or underinsured, healthcare.gov and local Medicaid offices can connect you with affordable plans. Visit Richland County Health Department for in-person enrollment help.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Richland County

via RiskByCounty

Richland faces above-average hazard exposure

Richland County's composite risk score of 61.32 exceeds the national average, despite its "Relatively Low" state-level classification. The county experiences higher natural disaster threats than typical U.S. counties.

Well above Ohio's state average

At 61.32, Richland County scores more than 6 points above Ohio's average of 55.03, placing it among the state's higher-risk counties. The county ranks in Ohio's upper-middle tier for natural disaster exposure.

Richland matches peers in risk level

Richland (61.32) sits between Portage (65.08) and Sandusky (56.74) in north-central Ohio, representing a mid-to-high risk zone. Its exposure patterns align more closely with higher-risk adjacent counties than lower-risk ones.

Floods and tornadoes are primary threats

Flooding represents Richland's top hazard at 71.56, while tornado risk at 62.34 poses significant spring-season danger. Together these hazards drive Richland's above-average composite risk.

Prioritize flood insurance immediately

With flood risk at 71.56, separate flood insurance is non-negotiable—standard policies won't protect you from water damage. Install a sump pump and backup power, maintain proper grading around your home, and review tornado safety plans annually.

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.