CountyScore

Seneca County

Ohio · OH

#21 in Ohio
69.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Seneca County, Ohio

Seneca exceeds national livability benchmarks

With a composite score of 71.0, Seneca County ranks substantially above the national median of 50.0, placing it among the more livable counties nationwide. This strong performance reflects balanced affordability and tax efficiency.

Outperforms Ohio's average county

Seneca's 71.0 score tops Ohio's state average of 68.8, making it one of the better places to live within the state. The county maintains competitive positioning across multiple livability dimensions.

Affordability meets moderate incomes

Seneca combines a cost score of 82.0 with reasonable rents ($814/month) and home values ($136,200), making housing accessible to working families. An income score of 25.8 and effective tax rate of 1.093% reflect solidly middle-class economics without excessive tax burden.

Income ceiling limits wealth building

With median household income at $65,020, Seneca offers limited opportunities for high earners or those seeking significant wealth accumulation. Critical data gaps remain on schools, health outcomes, safety, and environmental quality.

Ideal for middle-income families seeking stability

Seneca County attracts working families and empty-nesters who value affordability without sacrificing livability. It's best suited for those earning moderate incomes who prioritize reasonable housing costs and manageable taxes over urban amenities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax71.5Cost82SafetyComing SoonHealth70.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.8Risk53.2WaterComing Soon
🏛71.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.3
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 Seneca County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Baxter County
Arkansas
69.4
Median income: $48,427
Desha County
Arkansas
69.4
Median income: $36,064
Bleckley County
Georgia
69.4
Median income: $53,005
Dawson County
Georgia
69.4
Median income: $88,986
Lamar County
Georgia
69.4
Median income: $68,457

Deep Dives

Seneca County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Seneca County

via TaxByCounty

Seneca stays well below national average

Seneca County's effective tax rate of 1.093% ranks substantially lower than the national median, placing it among the more affordable counties nationwide. The median annual property tax of $1,489 is nearly 45% below the national median of $2,690.

Light tax burden for an Ohio county

At 1.093%, Seneca's effective rate falls below the Ohio state average of 1.148%, putting it in the lower-tax quartile statewide. This favorable position makes Seneca competitive on tax burden among its peer counties.

Comparable to Scioto, lighter than Stark

Seneca's 1.093% rate closely matches Scioto County (1.071%) and substantially undercuts Stark County (1.318%), making northwest Ohio relatively tax-friendly. The median home value of $136,200 reflects the region's affordability across both property values and tax bills.

What $136,200 home costs annually

A median Seneca County home valued at $136,200 carries an annual property tax of about $1,489. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $1,563 when accounting for escrow and additional obligations.

Check your assessment for savings

Seneca County homeowners should verify their assessed values against comparable recent sales in their neighborhoods. Overassessed properties are common, and county appeal processes can recover hundreds in annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Seneca County

via CostByCounty

Seneca hits Ohio's sweet spot for renters

Seneca County renters spend just 15.0% of household income on rent, better than Ohio's 15.6% state average and close to the healthy national benchmark. At $65,020 median income, residents earn 13% above the national median, creating genuine breathing room in the rental market.

More affordable than most Ohio counties

Seneca's 15.0% rent-to-income ratio places it among Ohio's more livable housing markets, outperforming the state average. A median rent of $814/month—$59 below the state median—means Seneca offers competitive pricing without the income sacrifice other counties demand.

Seneca's sweet spot in northwest Ohio

Seneca sits between higher-cost Shelby County (14.9% ratio) and affordable Scioto County (18.1%), making it an accessible middle ground. Nearby Sandusky County renters face similar conditions, confirming Seneca's position as a balanced option in the region.

Income and housing balance in Seneca

Renters earn $5,418/month on average and pay $814 for housing—a manageable 15% of gross income that leaves room for other expenses. Homeowners spend $775/month on a $136,200 median home value, offering an affordable entry point to ownership without regional sacrifice.

Seneca works for balanced budgets

If you earn between $50,000 and $75,000 annually, Seneca delivers genuine affordability without the hidden costs of boom-and-bust markets. The county's stable, moderate pricing makes it ideal for families prioritizing housing security over rapid career growth.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Seneca County

via IncomeByCounty

Seneca earns 13% below national average

Seneca County's median household income of $65,020 falls short of the U.S. median of $74,755 by about $9,735. This places Seneca in the lower-middle income tier nationally, roughly in the 35th percentile among American counties.

Slightly below Ohio's middle-income mark

At $65,020, Seneca's median income sits about $3,081 below Ohio's state average of $68,101. The county ranks in Ohio's middle quintile for household earnings, suggesting moderate economic stability compared to peer counties statewide.

Competitive with regional peers

Seneca ($65,020) earns slightly more than Tuscarawas ($64,494) but trails Shelby ($72,822) and Stark ($65,740). This regional clustering suggests consistent economic drivers across northwest Ohio, with modest variations in manufacturing and agricultural sectors.

Rent remains affordable and stable

Seneca's rent-to-income ratio of 15.0% indicates strong housing affordability—well below the 30% threshold for healthy finances. The median home value of $136,200 aligns with regional pricing, allowing households to build equity without excessive debt burden.

Leverage affordability to invest long-term

With favorable housing costs, Seneca households can direct savings toward retirement accounts, education funds, or investment portfolios. At $65,020 median income, families who budget aggressively can accumulate meaningful wealth over 10–20 years through consistent investing.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Seneca County

via HealthByCounty

Seneca matches Ohio's health baseline

Seneca County's 74.8-year life expectancy equals Ohio's state average but falls about 4 years short of the U.S. average of roughly 78.9 years. Just under one in five residents (19.8%) report poor or fair health, suggesting more stable overall wellness than some peer counties.

Middle of the pack statewide

At 74.8 years, Seneca County matches Ohio's average life expectancy, placing it squarely in the state's middle tier of health outcomes. The county's 19.8% poor/fair health rate sits below the state average, indicating relatively better health status.

Outperforming most surrounding counties

Seneca's 74.8-year life expectancy exceeds Hancock County's 74.3 years and rivals Wood County's performance. The county's 19.8% poor/fair health rate is notably lower than Fulton County's 20.5%, showing comparative health stability in northwest Ohio.

Fewer doctors, lower uninsured rates

Seneca has only 36 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, making access to routine care challenging in rural areas. The uninsured rate of 6.3% is better than the state average of 7.5%, though mental health provider availability at 178 per 100K remains below state norms.

Most Seneca residents have coverage

At 6.3% uninsured, Seneca County performs better than Ohio's average, but those without coverage should explore options at Healthcare.gov or contact Ohio Medicaid to ensure continuous protection.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Seneca County

via RiskByCounty

Seneca ranks well below national risk

Seneca County's composite risk score of 46.85 places it in the relatively low category and well below the national average, making it one of America's safer counties for natural disasters. This low score reflects minimal wildfire threat and moderate exposure to other hazards.

One of Ohio's safest counties

Seneca County's 46.85 score falls well below Ohio's state average of 55.03, ranking it among the state's lowest-risk regions. Only a handful of Ohio counties have composite risk scores lower than Seneca's.

Seneca offers relative safety in region

Seneca's 46.85 score sits between the very-low-risk Union County (32.73) and the moderate-risk Stark County (87.95), making it a safer choice than most neighboring counties. Its tornado risk of 58.02 is notably higher than its flood risk of 61.16, distinguishing it from regional patterns.

Tornadoes pose the main threat

Seneca County's primary natural disaster concern is tornado risk at 58.02, significantly elevated compared to its minimal wildfire risk of just 2.83. Flood and earthquake risks remain moderate at 61.16 and 57.09 respectively.

Focus on tornado and wind coverage

Ensure your homeowner's policy includes strong wind and hail protection against tornadoes, Seneca's dominant hazard. Standard coverage typically addresses this, but verify your policy's tornado and wind deductible applies to your situation.

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.