countyscore
65.3
County Score
Safety 97.5Lawn Care 79Property Tax 77

County Report Card

About Ripley County, Indiana

Strong Livability in Ripley County

Ripley County achieves a composite score of 66.0, which is well ahead of the national median of 50.0. This score highlights the county's appeal as a high-functioning community on a national scale.

Exceeding State Expectations

With a score of 66.0, Ripley County outperforms the Indiana state average of 55.9. It maintains a competitive edge over its regional peers through strong fiscal management and high safety standards.

Safe Streets and Steady Incomes

The county boasts an elite Safety Score of 97.5 and a solid Income Score of 69.0. Residents also benefit from a Tax Score of 77.3, supported by an effective tax rate of 0.576% and a median income of $71,084.

Navigating Water and Housing Costs

Water quality is a notable concern with a score of 41.5, slightly below the state average. Additionally, a Cost Score of 48.7 suggests that while homes are attainable, they are becoming less affordable relative to local wages.

Perfect for Mid-Career Families

Ripley County is a great fit for established families seeking peace and financial predictability. Its high safety and decent income levels provide a stable foundation for long-term residency.

204060801007746.997.557.451.963.153.241.565.2Tax77Cost46.9Safety97.5Health57.4Schools51.9Income63.1Risk53.2Water41.5Weather65.265.3/100
This county
National avg
3 above average1 below average

Ripley County DNA

D+overall

How Ripley County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Ripley County excels in 4 of 9 measured dimensions, led by Safety (97.5/100). A few areas trail the national average, including Water Quality (41.5/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
77+25
Cost
46.9
Safety
97.5+42.5
Health
57.4
Schools
51.9
Income
63.1+12.100000000000001
Risk
53.2
Water
41.5-16.5
Weather
65.2+9.200000000000003
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Compare mortgage rates in Ripley County

Whether buying or refinancing in Ripley County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$222,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$839/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$222,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$33,560/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.2x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $70,573/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

34.4

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Ripley County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Ripley County

via TaxByCounty

Ripley's taxes run significantly below national

With an effective tax rate of 0.576%, Ripley County ranks in the bottom 20% of U.S. counties for property tax burden. The median property tax of $1,182 is less than half the national median of $2,690.

Below Indiana's statewide average

Ripley's 0.576% effective rate falls below Indiana's state average of 0.671%, positioning it in the lower-middle range among the state's 92 counties. The median tax of $1,182 is roughly in line with the state median of $1,199, despite slightly lower home values.

Competitive with regional peers

Ripley's 0.576% rate is lower than Posey (0.628%) and Randolph (0.831%) but sits slightly higher than Putnam (0.475%) and Pulaski (0.480%). With median home values of $205,300, Ripley offers a balanced tax-to-value proposition for the region.

Your annual Ripley property tax bill

On a home valued at $205,300, the median property tax is $1,182 per year (roughly $99 monthly). Homeowners with mortgages average $1,153; those without, approximately $1,244.

Don't assume your assessment is correct

Many Ripley County homeowners are unaware that their properties may be overassessed, leading to unnecessarily high tax bills. Contact your county assessor's office to review your assessment — if comparable homes sold for less, you may qualify for a reduction.

Income & Jobs in Ripley County

via IncomeByCounty

Ripley County approaches U.S. median

Ripley County's median household income of $71,084 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by $3,671 (4.9%), placing it just below the national typical. The county's earnings reflect a middle-income American experience.

Above Indiana's state average

Ripley County's $71,084 median income exceeds Indiana's state average of $68,681 by $2,403 (3.5%), positioning it among the state's moderate-to-strong earners. Per capita income of $34,364 also modestly surpasses the Indiana average of $34,773.

Mid-range in the region

Ripley County's $71,084 income ranks in the regional middle: ahead of Shelby ($71,301) and trailing Putnam ($76,182) and Posey ($79,124). The county offers more earning opportunity than Randolph, Rush, and Scott counties.

Housing costs stay reasonable

At 13.5%, Ripley County's rent-to-income ratio sits well below the 15% affordability threshold, giving households budget flexibility. The median home value of $205,300 is within reach for families earning the county median income.

Invest in your future stability

With incomes near the national average and manageable housing costs, Ripley County residents can direct savings toward long-term goals. Max out employer retirement benefits, consider a Roth IRA for tax-free growth, or invest in index funds for diversified wealth building.

Safety in Ripley County

via CrimeByCounty

Ripley County Reports Zero Crimes

Ripley County earns a top safety score of 100.0, reporting 0.0 crimes per 100K residents in 2022. This stands in stark relief against the national total crime rate of 2,385.5.

Top-Tier Safety Ranking in Indiana

Ripley is ranked among the safest counties in the state, surpassing the Indiana average safety score of 98.9. This data originates from a single reporting agency for the county.

Comparing Safety With Neighboring Areas

Ripley County's reported zero crime rate is significantly lower than Shelby's 1,283.9. It matches the perfect scores seen in nearby Rush and Putnam counties.

Understanding Local Crime Data

The violent and property crime rates both sit at 0.0 per 100K residents. Because only one agency reported, residents should view these perfect marks as a partial but encouraging snapshot.

Smart Security for Your Property

Low reported crime is a strong community feature, but home security systems provide an extra layer of defense. Keeping doors locked and valuables hidden remains a best practice.

Soil Quality in Ripley County

via SoilByCounty

Balanced Silt Loams in Ripley

Ripley County features an average pH of 6.12, aligning closely with the state average of 6.08. These Inceptisols are classified as silt loams, offering a middle-ground texture that is neither too sandy nor too heavy with clay. This profile supports a healthy mix of agriculture and forest land.

Smooth Textures for Better Handling

The soil composition is 18.5% sand, 64.1% silt, and 17.5% clay. This high silt ratio gives the soil a silky feel and provides a good balance between drainage and water retention. It is generally easy to work, though it requires care to prevent erosion on sloped terrains.

Consistent Performance and Water Capacity

At 2.27%, the organic matter content is above the national 2.0% average but below the 4.90% state benchmark. The available water capacity of 0.208 inches per inch is slightly higher than the state average of 0.202. These levels provide a resilient environment for plants during typical Indiana summers.

Reliable Drainage for Land Use

Ripley’s soil is well drained and categorized under hydrologic group B. This group indicates a moderate infiltration rate, meaning the soil absorbs water at a healthy pace and resists excessive runoff. Such characteristics make the county favorable for both farming and residential development.

Thriving Gardens in Zone 6b

Located in USDA Zone 6b, Ripley County offers a slightly milder climate for gardeners than northern Indiana. The silt loam soil is particularly well-suited for berries, orchard fruits, and standard garden vegetables. Start your spring planting early to maximize the benefits of this well-drained terrain.

Lawn Care in Ripley County

via LawnByCounty

Smooth Growing in Zone 6b

Ripley County is a standout for lawn care with a difficulty score of 79.0, placing it well above the Indiana average of 71.0. Its Zone 6b classification and favorable climate make it one of the most forgiving counties in the state for hobbyist gardeners.

Low Heat and High Moisture

Lawns here benefit from 47.5 inches of rain per year and an exceptionally low number of extreme heat days—just 7 per year. This cool, moist environment reduces the need for supplemental irrigation compared to the rest of Indiana.

Excellent Silt Loam Foundation

The soil features a solid 6.12 pH and a well-drained silt loam texture. These conditions allow for healthy root respiration and nutrient uptake, requiring fewer chemical amendments than neighboring counties.

High Resilience to Dry Weather

Ripley has only seen 4 weeks of drought over the past year, far less than many Indiana neighbors. While 74.1% of the area is currently abnormally dry, the well-drained soil and high annual rainfall provide a strong natural buffer.

Start Your Ripley Lawn

The mild 6b climate is perfect for a mix of Kentucky Bluegrass and Tall Fescue. While specific frost dates are not available for this site, following regional late-April planting schedules typically yields the best results.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ripley County's county score?
Ripley County, Indiana has a composite county score of 65.3 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Ripley County rank among counties in Indiana?
Ripley County ranks #13 among all counties in Indiana on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Ripley County, Indiana?
The median annual property tax in Ripley County is $1,250, with an effective tax rate of 0.56%. This earns Ripley County a tax score of 77/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Ripley County?
The median household income in Ripley County, Indiana is $70,573 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Ripley County earns an income score of 63.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Ripley County, Indiana a good place to live?
Ripley County scores 65.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #13 in Indiana. The best way to evaluate Ripley County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Ripley County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.