CountyScore

Ripley County

Indiana · IN

#37 in Indiana
72.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Ripley County, Indiana

Ripley ranks above national median

Ripley County's composite score of 72.6 is 45% higher than the national median of 50.0, reflecting strong fundamentals in tax efficiency and housing affordability. This solid performance positions the county among livable communities nationwide.

Slightly above Indiana average

Ripley County ranks 26th among Indiana's 92 counties with a score of 72.6, modestly outperforming the state average of 71.2. This competitive standing suggests residents enjoy better livability conditions than most state peers.

Strong tax and housing value

Ripley County excels with an effective tax rate of 0.576% (tax score: 86.1) and affordable housing at $799/month rents and $205,300 median home values (cost score: 79.4). The risk score of 53.7 indicates reasonable resilience against natural hazards.

Income growth lags state peers

The income score of 29.8 with median household income at $71,084 is below many comparable counties, suggesting limited high-wage job opportunities. Health score of 70.9 is adequate but trails stronger-performing counties.

Suits value-conscious rural families

Ripley County appeals to families seeking affordability and tax savings in a rural setting with reasonable environmental resilience. The solid housing costs and modest tax burden make it attractive for those prioritizing economic security over high earnings.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.1Cost79.4SafetyComing SoonHealth70.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.8Risk53.2WaterComing Soon
🏛86.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡53.2
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 Ripley County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Greene County
Alabama
72.6
Median income: $31,495
Macon County
Alabama
72.6
Median income: $45,951
Columbia County
Arkansas
72.6
Median income: $47,363
Lincoln County
Arkansas
72.6
Median income: $51,667
Little River County
Arkansas
72.6
Median income: $52,241

Deep Dives

Ripley County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Ripley County

via CostByCounty

Ripley Offers Strong Renting Value

Ripley County renters spend just 13.5% of income on housing, better than Indiana's 15.6% state average and well below the national affordability benchmark. With a median household income of $71,084 and rent at $799, Ripley residents maintain solid financial flexibility.

Southeast Indiana's Sweet Spot

Ripley County ranks in Indiana's top tier for housing affordability, with a 13.5% rent-to-income ratio that beats the state average by 2.1 percentage points. This makes it one of the state's most balanced counties for renters and homeowners alike.

Balanced Costs Across Region

Ripley's $799 rent sits comfortably between Posey's $744 and Putnam's $883, while its $205,300 home value matches Putnam's closely. Its 13.5% rent-to-income ratio beats most neighbors, making it a competitive choice for relocation.

Housing's Fair Share Here

Ripley renters allocate $799 monthly from a median income of $5,924 per month, dedicating 13.5% to housing and retaining 86.5% for savings and living. Homeowners pay $964 monthly on properties valued at $205,300, a balanced investment for the region.

Ripley Balances Costs and Community

Ripley County's competitive affordability paired with solid incomes makes it appealing for families seeking stability and growth potential. Evaluate it alongside Posey and Putnam counties to determine which southeast Indiana location best fits your household's financial picture.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Ripley County

via HealthByCounty

Ripley life expectancy near U.S. average

At 74.7 years, Ripley County's life expectancy is 1.7 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. With 17.9% of residents reporting poor or fair health—matching the national average of 17.4%—the county shows typical wellness patterns.

Slightly below Indiana's health benchmark

Ripley County's life expectancy of 74.7 years falls 0.4 years short of Indiana's 75.1-year average. The county's 17.9% poor/fair health rate is nearly identical to Indiana's 18.2% average, reflecting statewide health patterns.

Middle performer in the region

Ripley County's life expectancy of 74.7 years sits between higher-performing Putnam (75.8 years) and lower-performing Pulaski (72.2 years). Health perceptions are similar to Putnam, though both lag behind Posey County's strong 78.3-year average.

Severe primary care shortage

Ripley County has only 3 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the lowest in Indiana and a critical access gap. Despite this shortage, mental health capacity is strong at 82 providers per 100,000, and at 7.3% uninsured, most residents have coverage.

Coverage alone isn't enough—seek care

Ripley County's uninsured rate of 7.3% is manageable, but the real issue is finding primary care: only 3 providers per 100,000 residents. If uninsured, get covered at healthcare.gov; if covered, consider telemedicine or regional providers to access care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Ripley County

via RiskByCounty

Ripley faces above-average disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 46.79, Ripley County rates as "Relatively Low" but exceeds the national average, indicating moderate natural hazard exposure. Tornado risk at 79.45 is notably elevated and deserves serious attention.

Slightly riskier than typical Indiana county

Ripley County's 46.79 score is above Indiana's state average of 45.52, placing it in the higher-risk half of the state's counties. Its tornado risk is among the highest in Indiana, reflecting geographic vulnerability.

Tornado risk outpaces surrounding areas

Ripley County's tornado risk of 79.45 is significantly higher than neighboring Franklin and Decatur counties, making it the most tornado-prone county in its immediate region. Its flood risk of 53.82 is also above regional norms due to proximity to the Ohio River.

Tornadoes pose exceptional regional threat

With a tornado risk score of 79.45, Ripley County faces one of Indiana's highest tornado threats; residents must prioritize severe weather preparedness. Earthquake risk of 65.36 adds secondary concern, particularly for older homes and structures.

Tornado safety is non-negotiable

Ripley County residents should identify or build a safe room—an interior, windowless space on the lowest floor—and drill access regularly. Ensure homeowners insurance covers wind and hail, and maintain a weather radio to receive emergency warnings immediately when storms approach.

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.