CountyScore

Searcy County

Arkansas · AR

#7 in Arkansas
74.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Searcy County, Arkansas

Searcy County reaches top livability tier nationally

Searcy County's composite score of 74.4 is the highest in this cohort and ranks in the top 49% of U.S. counties, well above the national median of 50.0. This strong performance is driven by exceptional affordability combined with reasonable tax burden.

Leads Arkansas state average by solid margin

Searcy County's 74.4 score beats the Arkansas state average of 70.3 by over 4 points, ranking it among the state's top counties for overall livability. The county delivers above-average quality across its measured dimensions.

Outstanding cost efficiency and low taxes

Searcy County's 91.0 cost score is the state's best, with a median home value of just $108,100 and rents averaging $596 per month (the lowest in this cohort). The 88.8 tax score reflects an effective tax rate of 0.478%, making it one of Arkansas's most affordable counties.

Income and health lag behind composite score

Searcy County's income score of just 10.8 reflects a median household income of $41,978 (the state's lowest in this cohort) and a health score of 59.7 indicates room for wellness improvement. The high risk score of 72.3 suggests economic vulnerability to external shocks.

Top choice for minimalist retirees

Searcy County is the best-fit county for retirees and ultra-budget-conscious households seeking the absolute lowest cost of living and taxes, provided they have stable retirement income or other revenue sources. The exceptional affordability compensates for limited wage opportunities and economic resilience.

Score breakdown

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

Tax88.8Cost91SafetyComing SoonHealth59.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome10.8Risk72.3WaterComing Soon
🏛88.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠91
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼10.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤59.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡72.3
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 Searcy County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Carroll County
Indiana
74.4
Median income: $64,003
Fountain County
Indiana
74.4
Median income: $62,526
Jasper County
Indiana
74.4
Median income: $79,634
Perry County
Indiana
74.4
Median income: $61,099
Lyon County
Kentucky
74.4
Median income: $64,464

Deep Dives

Searcy County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Searcy County

via TaxByCounty

Searcy County taxes far below U.S. median

Searcy County's effective tax rate of 0.478% is roughly one-fifth the national median burden, with residents paying $517 annually versus $2,690 nationally. This places Searcy in the bottom 15% of U.S. counties for property tax pressure.

Slightly below Arkansas average

Searcy County's 0.478% effective rate edges below Arkansas's state average of 0.532%, ranking it in the lower-middle tier of the state's 75 counties. Homeowners pay roughly $188 less per year than the typical Arkansan.

Middle-of-pack in regional comparison

Searcy County's 0.478% rate places it squarely between low-tax Scott County (0.411%) and higher-tax Saline County (0.631%) in the eight-county sample. It ranks roughly fifth among the eight counties by effective tax rate.

Annual tax on median Searcy home

A Searcy County home with a median value of $108,100 generates an estimated annual property tax of $517 without mortgage deductions, or $599 with them included. Over 30 years, that amounts to roughly $15,510 in cumulative property taxes.

Double-check your assessment accuracy

Even reasonable tax rates can hide inflated assessments that cost you money every year. Compare your assessed value to recent comparable sales in Searcy County and file an appeal if your property appears to be overvalued.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Searcy County

via CostByCounty

Searcy renters enjoy exceptional affordability

Searcy County renters spend 17.0% of income on housing, matching Polk County and well below national stress levels. This ratio provides genuine housing security despite the county's lower household income, driven by minimal median rent of just $596.

Searcy ranks among Arkansas's most affordable

At 17.0%, Searcy County beats the state average of 18.1%, achieving strong affordability through rock-bottom rents. The median rent of $596 is the second-lowest in this dataset, trailing only Prairie County's $637.

Lowest rents meet lowest incomes

Searcy County's $596 median rent ranks among the region's cheapest, but paired with the second-lowest median income ($41,978), the advantage depends on household circumstances. Rural renters with stable employment find exceptional value; those with variable income face tighter constraints.

Minimal housing costs in rural setting

Searcy County residents earn $41,978 annually—the second-lowest here—with renters paying $596/month (17.0% of income) and homeowners $453/month (12.9%). Both pathways consume modest income shares, though residents must manage on lower absolute earnings than most peers.

Searcy for ultra-low housing costs

Searcy County delivers Arkansas's second-cheapest rents ($596) and ownership costs ($453/month), ideal for remote workers or retirees relocating for affordability. However, local job markets are limited—ensure your income source is portable before moving to this rural county.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Searcy County

via IncomeByCounty

Searcy County faces steepest income gap

Searcy County households earn a median of just $41,978 annually, 44% below the U.S. median of $74,755—the largest gap among Arkansas counties surveyed. This reflects the county's isolated rural location, aging population, and limited employment opportunities.

Searcy County lowest in state earnings

At $41,978, Searcy County's median household income is 18% below Arkansas's $51,156 state average, the lowest among surveyed counties. The per capita income of $22,545 is substantially below the state average of $28,096, indicating widespread economic strain.

Searcy County faces economic isolation

Searcy County's $41,978 median household income is the lowest in the eight-county sample, trailing even Scott County ($45,955) by more than $3,000. The county's remote Ozark location limits job market access compared to more connected neighbors.

Low home values help offset low wages

Searcy County's 17.0% rent-to-income ratio is manageable, and the median home value of $108,100 is quite affordable. These low housing costs are essential for households with limited earning power, preventing even deeper affordability crises.

Small steps build resilience in Searcy

Searcy County households should focus on emergency savings before investing, given income volatility in rural economies. Participation in any available employer retirement plans and exploration of side income opportunities—including remote work—can gradually improve long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Searcy County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy stable but health suffering

Searcy County's 73.6-year life expectancy approaches Arkansas's state average, yet 27.6% of residents report poor or fair health—the highest rate among the eight counties. This gap suggests residents are living longer but with significant chronic disease and functional limitations.

Above-average longevity, worst health

Searcy County's 73.6-year life expectancy slightly exceeds Arkansas's 72.3-year average, but its 27.6% poor/fair health rate is the worst in this profile. The county's paradox—longer lives but poorer health—indicates unmet chronic disease management needs.

Mental health strength, primary care gap

Searcy County's 218 mental health providers per 100,000 residents demonstrate strong behavioral health investment, ranking among the state's best. However, primary care at just 25 per 100,000 leaves residents struggling with diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic conditions.

Low insurance gap, high illness burden

At 9.2% uninsured—below the state average—most Searcy County residents have coverage, yet 27.6% still report poor health. Insufficient primary care access means even insured residents cannot access preventive screenings and disease management.

Insurance is necessary but not enough

Searcy County's uninsured rate is low, but if you lack coverage, enroll through Arkansas Medicaid or the marketplace immediately. Work with your provider to manage chronic conditions proactively; call ahead to schedule appointments early, as primary care slots fill quickly.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Searcy County

via RiskByCounty

Searcy County is exceptionally safe

Searcy County's composite risk score of 27.74 places it among America's safest counties, with a Very Low risk rating. You live in a natural disaster refuge with minimal exposure to major hazards.

One of Arkansas's safest

At 27.74, Searcy County sits nearly 28 points below Arkansas's state average of 55.51, ranking among the state's least-threatened counties. This exceptional safety creates real advantages in insurance costs and peace of mind.

Tied for safest in region

Searcy County (27.74) ranks alongside Scott County (26.84) as the region's safest, both well ahead of Polk County (46.12). Your northern Arkansas location in mountainous terrain provides natural protection that lower-elevation counties don't enjoy.

Wildfire and earthquake minor

Wildfire risk (67.97) is Searcy County's highest metric, though still moderate in national terms, while earthquake risk (56.65) is manageable. Flood risk (20.99) is exceptionally low, and hurricane risk (17.23) is minimal—your remoteness from coasts provides real safety.

Maintenance beats preparation

Your main task is preventive: maintain defensible space around your home to reduce wildfire risk, and secure heavy furniture to walls as a basic earthquake precaution. Standard homeowners insurance is sufficient; your exceptional risk profile means you can skip specialized earthquake or flood policies.

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.