CountyScore

Schuylkill County

Pennsylvania · PA

#49 in Pennsylvania
62.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania

Right at Pennsylvania's state baseline

Schuylkill County scores 66.0, matching Pennsylvania's state average precisely and well above the national median of 50.0. The county delivers solid, mid-tier livability.

Exactly at the state average livability

Schuylkill County's 66.0 score matches Pennsylvania's state average exactly, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's livability distribution. It represents typical statewide livability conditions.

Strong housing affordability

The cost score of 80.8 reflects excellent housing values—median home prices at $140,400 and monthly rent at $842. This makes Schuylkill one of the most affordable counties in the group.

Tax burden and income both constrain livability

The tax score of 59.3 is the lowest among these counties, reflecting an effective rate of 1.529% that significantly impacts household budgets. The income score of 27.1 and median income of $66,901 further limit purchasing power.

Fit for budget-minded working families

Schuylkill County suits families and workers prioritizing low housing costs and a rural-small town lifestyle over higher wages. The higher tax burden demands careful budget planning.

Score breakdown

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

Tax59.3Cost80.8SafetyComing SoonHealth68.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.1Risk14.7WaterComing Soon
🏛59.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡14.7
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 Schuylkill County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

DeSoto County
Florida
62.5
Median income: $50,868
Marion County
Florida
62.5
Median income: $58,535
Clarke County
Georgia
62.5
Median income: $52,267
McDonough County
Illinois
62.5
Median income: $50,434
Morgan County
Illinois
62.5
Median income: $65,175

Deep Dives

Schuylkill County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Schuylkill County

via TaxByCounty

Schuylkill Has Highest Rate Statewide

At 1.529%, Schuylkill's effective tax rate ranks among the nation's highest, towering above the national median of 1.31%. Despite a modest median home value of $140,400, homeowners pay $2,147 annually in property taxes—matching the national median of $2,690.

Pennsylvania's Highest Tax County

Schuylkill's 1.529% effective rate far exceeds Pennsylvania's state average of 1.317%, making it the state's most expensive county for property taxes. The median tax of $2,147 on a $140,400 home reveals how Schuylkill's high rate compounds even on modest home values.

Significantly Higher Than Regional Peers

Schuylkill's 1.529% rate vastly exceeds all neighboring counties, including Pike (1.396%), Northumberland (1.173%), and Perry (1.246%). The county stands as the region's tax burden outlier, requiring homeowners to pay substantially more than surrounding areas.

What $140,400 Home Costs Annually

On Schuylkill's median home value of $140,400, homeowners pay approximately $2,147 per year in property taxes—the highest rate despite lower home values. Those with mortgages typically see $2,475, while owners without mortgages pay around $1,852.

File an Appeal Immediately

With Schuylkill's highest statewide tax rate, overassessed homeowners stand to save the most through formal appeals. Contact your county assessor's office to challenge your assessment—even modest reductions compound meaningfully given the county's aggressive tax rate.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Schuylkill County

via CostByCounty

Schuylkill Provides Solid Affordability

Schuylkill County renters spend 15.1% of income on housing, below Pennsylvania's 16.5% average and well below the national benchmark. With median household income of $66,901—below the national median of $74,755—residents still achieve strong housing affordability through modest rents.

Upper Tier of Pennsylvania Affordability

Schuylkill County ranks among the top performers statewide for housing affordability, with a 15.1% rent-to-income ratio that reflects healthy economic conditions. The county balances modest incomes with reasonable rents, making homeownership and renting both accessible.

Affordable Anthracite Region Hub

Schuylkill County's $842 rent sits between nearby Potter County ($767) and Snyder County ($890), while median home values of $140,400 are the lowest among surveyed counties. The county offers a middle ground for those seeking rural affordability with slightly more amenities than Potter.

Balanced Costs Across Housing Types

Schuylkill renters pay $842 monthly (15.1% of income), while homeowners spend nearly identical $817—among the most balanced ratios in this survey. The median home value of $140,400 is the lowest here, suggesting accessible homeownership for middle-income households.

Schuylkill Offers Balanced Housing Options

If you're seeking affordable rents with reasonable homeownership costs, Schuylkill County delivers both in a stable rural setting. The county's low home values and manageable rents make it attractive for families or retirees relocating from higher-cost urban areas.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Schuylkill County

via IncomeByCounty

Schuylkill income below US average

Schuylkill County's median household income of $66,901 falls 10.5% short of the national median of $74,755. The county reflects the income challenges facing post-coal Pennsylvania's interior regions.

Below state average but mid-range

At $66,901, Schuylkill falls below Pennsylvania's state median of $69,614 but remains near the state middle. Per capita income of $33,769 trails the state average of $37,407, suggesting more modest household wealth.

Moderate income for region

Schuylkill's $66,901 median ranks above Northumberland ($57,948) and Somerset ($59,378), but below Perry ($78,824) and Pike ($79,318). The county occupies a transitional income position in northeast Pennsylvania.

Excellent housing affordability

Schuylkill's 15.1% rent-to-income ratio signals strong rental affordability well below the 30% threshold. Median home values of $140,400 rank among Pennsylvania's lowest, making homeownership accessible for most households.

Leverage low costs for savings

Schuylkill residents' low housing costs create opportunity for consistent saving and long-term investing. Take full advantage of any employer retirement plans and consider aggressive early saving to compensate for below-average income growth in the county.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Schuylkill County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy notably below U.S. average

Schuylkill County residents live to 74.5 years on average, 2.5 years less than the U.S. average of 77 years—reflecting significant health challenges. One in five adults (20.2%) report poor or fair health, above national and state rates.

Among lowest in Pennsylvania

Schuylkill's 74.5-year life expectancy ranks near the bottom in Pennsylvania, 1.9 years below the state average of 76.4 years. The 20.2% poor/fair health rate exceeds state norms, indicating concentrated health disadvantage.

Health challenges shared with nearby counties

Schuylkill's 74.5-year life expectancy parallels struggling northeastern PA counties like Carbon and Luzerne, reflecting regional patterns of economic hardship and health crises. The county faces similar coal mining legacy issues affecting long-term health outcomes.

Reasonable provider access, modest uninsured rate

Schuylkill's 7.2% uninsured rate is just above Pennsylvania's 7% average, indicating relatively good coverage despite health challenges. The county provides 50 primary care providers and 107 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, offering adequate access to care.

Support your health through coverage

With lower-than-average life expectancy and higher illness rates, Schuylkill residents need strong health coverage to manage chronic conditions. If you're uninsured or facing healthcare costs, visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore Medicaid, subsidized ACA plans, and local health programs today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Schuylkill County

via RiskByCounty

Schuylkill County faces relatively moderate risk

Schuylkill County's composite risk score of 85.31 exceeds Pennsylvania's state average of 67.45 by 18 points, placing it in the relatively moderate risk category. The county experiences elevated exposure across multiple hazards, particularly floods (90.78), hurricanes (82.60), and earthquakes (71.88).

Second-highest risk in Pennsylvania

Schuylkill County ranks second only to Philadelphia County in overall disaster risk among Pennsylvania's counties, with an 85.31 score that far exceeds most regional peers. Its multifaceted hazard exposure—floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes—creates cumulative vulnerability rare in the state.

Significantly riskier than adjacent counties

Schuylkill County's 85.31 score far exceeds neighboring Northumberland (79.17), Snyder (54.29), and Somerset (64.22) counties, making it the regional risk leader. The county's position in Pennsylvania's anthracite region and river valleys drives elevated exposure across multiple hazard categories.

Floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes converge

Schuylkill County faces a convergence of three major threats: flood risk (90.78) from regional waterways, hurricane risk (82.60) from Atlantic systems, and earthquake risk (71.88) from regional seismic activity. Tornado risk (66.19) and wildfire risk (55.63) add additional layers of exposure.

Multi-layered coverage is critical

Schuylkill County residents must prioritize flood insurance—essential given the 90.78 flood risk and not covered by standard homeowners policies. Additionally, ensure comprehensive wind coverage for hurricane protection and consider earthquake insurance to address the county's 71.88 seismic risk.

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.