countyscore
63.5
County Score
Safety 97.5Disaster Risk 84.3Lawn Care 80.8

County Report Card

About Rush County, Indiana

Rush County Stands Strong Nationally

Rush County's composite score of 64.3 puts it significantly above the national median of 50.0. This indicates a high level of overall well-being compared to most US counties.

A Reliable Indiana Performer

The county's 64.3 score beats the Indiana average of 55.9 by a healthy margin. It represents the best of Indiana's rural-suburban mix, balancing safety with manageable living costs.

Maximum Safety and Low Risk

Rush County features an outstanding Safety Score of 97.5 and a Risk Score of 84.3, indicating low exposure to natural disasters. It remains affordable for many, with a median home value of $155,900.

Water Infrastructure Needs Attention

The Water Score of 20.3 is the county's most significant weakness, requiring infrastructure investment. Economic growth is also moderate, with an Income Score of 51.7 and a median household income of $64,393.

A Safe Bet for Rural Living

Rush County is ideal for those who prioritize a low-risk, safe environment above all else. It offers a classic small-town Indiana experience with the added benefit of high resilience to environmental hazards.

2040608010066.548.797.552.753.353.284.320.359.9Tax66.5Cost48.7Safety97.5Health52.7Schools53.3Income53.2Risk84.3Water20.3Weather59.963.5/100
This county
National avg
3 above average1 below average

Rush County DNA

D+overall

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

Rush County excels in 3 of 9 measured dimensions, led by Safety (97.5/100). A few areas trail the national average, including Water Quality (20.3/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
66.5+14.5
Cost
48.7
Safety
97.5+42.5
Health
52.7
Schools
53.3
Income
53.2
Risk
84.3+37.3
Water
20.3-37.7
Weather
59.9
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Compare mortgage rates in Rush County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$166,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$873/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$166,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$34,920/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $66,473/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

17.9

per 100K

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

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Morgan County
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Cumberland County
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Dearborn County
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Nearby counties

Fayette County
Indiana
60.5
Shelby County
Indiana
48.7
Henry County
Indiana
61.3
Hancock County
Indiana
52.5
Decatur County
Indiana
64.8
Wayne County
Indiana
55.7
Franklin County
Indiana
60.3
Union County
Indiana
69.2

Deep Dives

Rush County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Rush County

via TaxByCounty

Rush County taxes run well below national

Rush County's effective tax rate of 0.650% ranks in the bottom 25% of U.S. counties nationally. The median property tax of $1,013 is less than 40% of the national median of $2,690.

Slightly below Indiana's state average

At 0.650%, Rush County's effective rate is fractionally below Indiana's state average of 0.671%, placing it in the state's middle tier. The median tax of $1,013 falls slightly below the state median of $1,199, reflecting home values of $155,900.

Mid-range for the central region

Rush's 0.650% rate sits between Ripley (0.576%) and Randolph (0.831%), making it moderately competitive regionally. Home values of $155,900 are among the region's lowest, helping keep absolute tax bills manageable despite slightly elevated rate structure.

Your annual Rush property tax bill

On a median home valued at $155,900, the annual property tax is $1,013 (approximately $84 monthly). Homeowners with mortgages pay closer to $1,118; those without mortgages, roughly $794.

Review your assessment for overvaluation

Rush County residents should verify that their property assessments match current market values, as overassessment remains common across Indiana. A simple review by the county assessor could unlock meaningful tax savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Rush County

via IncomeByCounty

Rush County earns below U.S. median

Rush County's median household income of $64,393 falls 13.8% short of the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it well below the national typical household. This gap reflects a lower-income county facing economic headwinds.

Below average for Indiana

Rush County ranks below Indiana's median household income of $68,681, trailing the state by $4,288 (6.2%). The county's per capita income of $30,233 significantly lags Indiana's $34,773 average, suggesting limited high-wage opportunities.

Among the region's lower earners

Rush County's $64,393 median income ranks near the regional bottom, ahead only of Scott County ($54,583) and below all other neighbors. Limited job diversity and wage growth appear to constrain earning potential relative to surrounding counties.

Housing costs strain budgets

Rush County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.5% exceeds the affordability threshold, consuming an outsized share of renter household budgets. The median home value of $155,900 requires careful financial planning, though it remains more accessible than renting.

Focus on reducing expenses first

Below-average incomes and elevated housing costs make expense management critical for Rush County households. Build a small emergency fund, then explore employer benefits like health savings accounts (HSAs) that offer tax advantages, and consider side income to accelerate wealth building.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Rush County

via CrimeByCounty

Rush County Hits Perfect Safety Mark

Rush County reports a 0.0 crime rate per 100K, earning it a perfect safety score of 100.0. This is significantly safer than the national average of 2,385.5 crimes per 100K.

Setting the Standard for Indiana Safety

The county's score of 100.0 exceeds the Indiana state average of 98.9. Two agencies provided data to confirm this high level of community safety for 2022.

Safety Leader Among Nearby Counties

Rush County maintains a much lower crime profile than nearby Shelby County, where the rate is 1,283.9. It aligns with other high-performing areas like Randolph and Ripley.

No Violent or Property Crimes Reported

Both violent and property crime rates are currently 0.0 per 100K residents. This suggests an exceptionally peaceful year for local citizens and law enforcement alike.

Keep Your Community Secure

Home security cameras and good lighting help maintain this zero-incident record. Staying connected with neighbors is another effective way to prevent future property crime.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Rush County

via WeatherByCounty

Near the national median

Rush County averages 51.7°F, placing it very close to the national median temperature. It is a wet region, receiving 45.6 inches of annual precipitation.

Close to the Indiana average

The county's climate mirrors the state average of 52.2°F almost perfectly. It receives slightly more rainfall than the average Indiana county, totaling 45.6 inches annually.

Warmer and wetter regional profile

Rush is warmer and receives about five inches more rain than neighboring Randolph County. However, it sees less snowfall, with only 15.9 inches compared to Randolph’s 23 inches.

Moderate extremes throughout the year

The county experiences only 13 days of extreme heat with a comfortable July average of 73.5°F. Winters are manageable with 15.9 inches of snow and a January average of 26.7°F.

Prepare for consistent rainfall

Reliable drainage systems are important to manage the 45.6 inches of annual rain. While snow is moderate, basic winter car kits are recommended for the chilly 29.8°F winter months.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Rush County

via SoilByCounty

The Ideal pH of Rush County

Rush County boasts an average pH of 6.53, which perfectly aligns with the national median of 6.5. This neutral soil is primarily composed of Entisols, which are relatively undeveloped but highly versatile. This chemistry is much closer to ideal than the state average of 6.08, requiring less adjustment for most crops.

A Balanced Blend for General Use

With 23.8% sand, 54.9% silt, and 21.3% clay, the soil offers a very balanced physical profile. While a dominant texture class is not specified, this mix provides enough clay for nutrients and enough sand for aeration. It represents a stable, productive base for the county's famous farmland.

Productive Soils with Solid Storage

The soil contains 2.31% organic matter, which beats the national average of 2.0% but stays below the Indiana state average of 4.90%. Its available water capacity of 0.205 inches per inch is right in line with the state norm. These factors contribute to a strong soil score of 75.1, indicating high natural potential.

Steady Water Movement Across Fields

Specific drainage classes are not provided in the current dataset for Rush County. However, the balanced texture and neutral pH suggest a soil that responds well to standard management practices. Its Entisol classification often means it is located in areas where new sediment provides fresh mineral nutrients.

Neutral Soils for a Healthy Garden

Being in Zone 6a, Rush County is a prime spot for classic Midwestern gardening. Because the pH is near neutral at 6.53, you can grow everything from asparagus to zucchini with minimal soil correction. Your backyard garden has a head start thanks to this naturally balanced chemistry.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Rush County

via LawnByCounty

Premier Lawn Conditions in Rush

Rush County offers an elite lawn difficulty score of 80.8, ranking it as one of the easiest places in Indiana to keep a green yard. This Zone 6a county provides a much more favorable environment than the state average of 71.0.

Balanced Weather for Turf

With 45.6 inches of rain and only 13 extreme heat days, the climate keeps grass growing steadily. The 3,306 growing degree days offer a long, productive window for mowing and typical lawn care activities.

Ideal Soil Chemistry

The soil pH in Rush County is a healthy 6.53, sitting right in the center of the 6.0-7.0 ideal range. While specific drainage data is limited, the moderate 21.3% clay content suggests a stable foundation for most grass types.

Minimal Drought Stress

Only 21% of Rush County is currently abnormally dry, and it has faced just 16 weeks of drought over the past year. This relatively low drought pressure means homeowners can spend less time worrying about water restrictions.

An Early Spring Window

Cool-season grasses are the standard here, with a recommended seeding start after the April 19 spring frost. Your lawn has plenty of time to establish before the first fall frost arrives on October 23.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rush County's county score?
Rush County, Indiana has a composite county score of 63.5 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 Rush County rank among counties in Indiana?
Rush County ranks #18 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 Rush County, Indiana?
The median annual property tax in Rush County is $1,079, with an effective tax rate of 0.65%. This earns Rush County a tax score of 66.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Rush County?
The median household income in Rush County, Indiana is $66,473 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Rush County earns an income score of 53.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Rush County, Indiana a good place to live?
Rush County scores 63.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #18 in Indiana. The best way to evaluate Rush 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 Rush County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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