CountyScore

Sandusky County

Ohio · OH

#37 in Ohio
68.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Sandusky County, Ohio

Solid national livability position

Sandusky County scores 70.7 on the composite index, substantially above the national median of 50.0 and ranking among stronger-performing counties nationally. The county's strength derives from exceptional housing affordability and moderate taxes.

Above state average, competitive regionally

Sandusky County scores 70.7, exceeding Ohio's state average of 68.8 and ranking in the upper tier among the state's 88 counties. The county holds a competitive position relative to most regional peers.

Affordability is the main draw

Sandusky County boasts a cost score of 81.1 with median home values of $152,500 and the lowest rents among these counties at $786 per month. The tax score of 72.4 and effective rate of 1.063% add to the county's budget-friendly profile.

Income opportunities and higher taxes linger

Sandusky County's income score of 24.2 with median household income at $62,500 indicates limited local wage opportunities compared to state averages. Safety, health, education, and environmental data gaps prevent comprehensive livability evaluation.

Perfect for remote workers and retirees

Sandusky County is ideal for remote workers, retirees on fixed incomes, and families whose primary earners work elsewhere. The county delivers exceptional housing value and low tax burden, making it an attractive base for those with income independence.

Score breakdown

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

Tax72.4Cost81.1SafetyComing SoonHealth70.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.2Risk43.3WaterComing Soon
🏛72.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡43.3
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 Sandusky County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

DeKalb County
Alabama
68.5
Median income: $51,149
Russell County
Alabama
68.5
Median income: $50,046
Talladega County
Alabama
68.5
Median income: $56,249
Dodge County
Georgia
68.5
Median income: $50,152
Rice County
Kansas
68.5
Median income: $63,947

Deep Dives

Sandusky County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Sandusky County

via TaxByCounty

Sandusky County slightly below national tax median

Sandusky County's effective tax rate of 1.063% falls just below the national median of 1.172%, placing it in the lower half of American counties. The median property tax of $1,621 is substantially below the national median of $2,690, saving residents over $1,000 annually on a typical home.

Sandusky undercuts Ohio's state tax rate

At 1.063%, Sandusky County's effective rate runs below Ohio's state average of 1.148%, positioning it among the state's more affordable counties. The median tax of $1,621 falls well below Ohio's median of $2,145, reflecting modest property values in the county.

Sandusky: mid-range tax county in region

Sandusky's 1.063% rate ranks in the middle of this group, above Pike and Putnam but below Pickaway and Portage. Northern Ohio residents here enjoy better tax treatment than most state residents, though they pay more than the region's cheapest counties.

Budget $1,621 yearly on median home

A typical Sandusky County home valued at $152,500 incurs an annual property tax bill of $1,621. With a mortgage, that climbs modestly to $1,670; without one, it drops to $1,560.

Verify your assessment with county auditor

Sandusky County homeowners should confirm their assessed values against current market sales in their neighborhoods. If your assessment appears inflated, you can file a free appeal with your county auditor—many overassessments go unchallenged.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Sandusky County

via CostByCounty

Sandusky balances cost and income well

Sandusky County's 15.1% rent-to-income ratio sits slightly below the national average, combining a median household income of $62,500 with Ohio's lowest median rent of $786. The county delivers solid affordability without extreme income constraints.

Below-average burden in Ohio

Sandusky's 15.1% rent-to-income ratio ranks 0.5 percentage points below Ohio's 15.6% state average, putting it firmly in the state's more affordable tier. The $786 median rent ties for lowest in this analysis, enhancing the county's overall housing value.

Cheapest rent with decent income

Sandusky's $786 rent matches Richland as the lowest among these eight counties, while its $62,500 median income exceeds both Pike and Ross. The combination positions Sandusky as a genuine affordability alternative to rural southern Ohio.

Housing costs stay reasonably manageable

Sandusky renters spend $786 monthly on a median $62,500 annual income, dedicating just 15.1% to rent—below the federal comfort threshold. Homebuyers commit $867 monthly, or 16.6% of income, maintaining healthy financial margins.

Smart choice for budget-conscious movers

Sandusky County combines the lowest rents in this analysis with moderate incomes, offering compelling value for relocators seeking affordability without income sacrifice. If you're comparing northwest Ohio options, Sandusky's balanced profile rivals or exceeds Preble and Putnam for overall housing value.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sandusky County

via IncomeByCounty

Sandusky earns modestly below national average

Sandusky County's median household income of $62,500 trails the national median of $74,755 by 16.4%, placing it among lower-earning American counties. This reflects economic challenges in a northwest Ohio community transitioning away from agricultural and manufacturing dependence.

Below-state-average earnings

At $62,500, Sandusky County falls 8.2% short of Ohio's state average of $68,101, indicating below-average prosperity within the state. The county faces headwinds common to rural northwest Ohio, including population decline and limited job growth.

Lower-tier earner regionally

Sandusky's $62,500 income ranks above Pike County ($49,552), Richland County ($57,649), and Ross County ($59,819), but trails all higher-income counties. The county occupies the lower half of regional peers, suggesting moderate economic challenges.

Rent costs remain reasonable

Sandusky County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.1% keeps housing affordable, with renters spending roughly one-seventh of household income on rent. With a median home value of $152,500, the county offers accessible housing despite below-average incomes.

Maximize modest earning potential

Sandusky County households earning $62,500 should pursue income growth opportunities while building savings discipline. Starting small with employer retirement plans and automatic savings can generate meaningful wealth accumulation despite current earnings constraints.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Sandusky County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy near U.S. average, moderate concerns

Sandusky County residents live to 75.2 years, about 0.4 years above the U.S. average of 74.8 years. Nearly 1 in 5 residents (19.8%) report poor or fair health, slightly above national patterns.

Sandusky slightly above Ohio baseline

At 75.2 years, Sandusky's life expectancy edges above Ohio's state average of 74.8 years. The 6.1% uninsured rate is among the best in this eight-county group and well below the state average of 7.5%.

Good coverage, middle-tier health outcomes

Sandusky's 75.2-year life expectancy ranks fourth in this cohort, ahead of Richland and Ross but behind the top three. The 6.1% uninsured rate matches Preble's excellent access, yet health outcomes remain moderate.

Moderate provider supply across care types

Sandusky County provides 31 primary care providers and 182 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—solid but not abundant. The 6.1% uninsured rate is excellent, meaning most residents can establish care relationships when doctors are available.

Strong insurance access; use it wisely

Sandusky's 6.1% uninsured rate ranks among the best regionally; if you're uninsured, healthcare.gov offers easy enrollment. Once covered, schedule preventive care and manage chronic conditions to keep Sandusky's moderate health outcomes trending upward.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Sandusky County

via RiskByCounty

Sandusky faces above-average risk

Sandusky County's composite risk score of 56.74 exceeds the national average despite its "Relatively Low" state-level rating. The county experiences higher natural disaster threats than typical U.S. counties.

Slightly above Ohio's state average

At 56.74, Sandusky County edges above Ohio's average of 55.03 by roughly 1.7 points, placing it just in the state's higher-risk half. The county represents a borderline elevated-risk area for Ohio.

Sandusky ranks between peers

Sandusky (56.74) sits well below Portage (65.08) but above Richland (61.32) in northwestern Ohio's risk landscape. Its moderate-elevated profile reflects mid-range exposure compared to regional neighbors.

Tornado and flood risks dominate

Tornado risk at 71.44 is Sandusky's primary hazard—among the state's highest for spring severe weather. Flood risk at 67.65 ranks second, making water-related disasters the county's other major concern.

Prepare for tornadoes and floods

With tornado risk at 71.44, establish a family tornado plan and practice regular drills—identify your basement or interior room shelter. Obtain flood insurance for your property and ensure your homeowners policy covers wind and hail damage from severe storms.

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.