St. Joseph County's composite score of 65.6 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 31%, positioning it solidly in the upper third of American counties. While respectable, this score places it more modestly than some peers, reflecting mixed conditions across livability factors.
2 / 5
Slightly below Indiana average
St. Joseph County scores 65.6 versus Indiana's state average of 71.2, placing it in the lower-middle tier among Indiana counties. This 8% gap suggests residents face more challenges here than in better-ranked Indiana communities.
3 / 5
Tax efficiency and health standouts
St. Joseph County boasts a tax score of 77.9 with an effective rate of 0.867%, and a cost score of 76.0 supporting relatively affordable housing at $179,800 median value. Health outcomes score 69.8, contributing to overall livability despite other constraints.
4 / 5
Income and rent present headwinds
The income score of 25.7 reflects median household income of just $64,885, among the county's weaker dimensions, while rent costs climb to $1,030 monthly—the highest among these eight counties. A very low risk score of 14.2 suggests environmental or hazard concerns warrant attention.
5 / 5
Best for cost-conscious urban seekers
St. Joseph County appeals to professionals and families seeking urban amenities with moderate tax burdens, though higher rents and lower incomes mean careful budgeting is needed. It works best for those prioritizing job access and community health over rural affordability.
St. Joseph County's composite score of 65.6 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 31%, positioning it solidly in the upper third of American counties. While respectable, this score places it more modestly than some peers, reflecting mixed conditions across livability factors.
Slightly below Indiana average
St. Joseph County scores 65.6 versus Indiana's state average of 71.2, placing it in the lower-middle tier among Indiana counties. This 8% gap suggests residents face more challenges here than in better-ranked Indiana communities.
Tax efficiency and health standouts
St. Joseph County boasts a tax score of 77.9 with an effective rate of 0.867%, and a cost score of 76.0 supporting relatively affordable housing at $179,800 median value. Health outcomes score 69.8, contributing to overall livability despite other constraints.
Income and rent present headwinds
The income score of 25.7 reflects median household income of just $64,885, among the county's weaker dimensions, while rent costs climb to $1,030 monthly—the highest among these eight counties. A very low risk score of 14.2 suggests environmental or hazard concerns warrant attention.
Best for cost-conscious urban seekers
St. Joseph County appeals to professionals and families seeking urban amenities with moderate tax burdens, though higher rents and lower incomes mean careful budgeting is needed. It works best for those prioritizing job access and community health over rural affordability.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛77.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
St. Joseph County's effective tax rate of 0.867% exceeds the national median of 0.84%, putting it in the higher tier of U.S. counties for property taxes. The median annual tax of $1,559 remains well below the national median of $2,690, reflecting Indiana's lower home values.
Among Indiana's highest-tax counties
St. Joseph County ranks high statewide with an effective rate of 0.867%—29% above Indiana's state average of 0.671%. At $1,559 in median annual taxes, St. Joseph County homeowners pay significantly more than the state median of $1,199.
Highest rate in the region
St. Joseph County's 0.867% tax rate is the steepest among the eight surveyed counties, nearly 45% higher than Starke County's 0.603%. The county stands alone at the top end of the local tax spectrum.
What St. Joseph homeowners pay yearly
On a median home value of $179,800, St. Joseph County homeowners pay approximately $1,559 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, expect closer to $1,640; without one, around $1,428—among the highest in the region.
Appeal your assessment today
Many St. Joseph County homeowners are overassessed and don't realize they can appeal. Contact the county assessor to request a reassessment and explore exemptions you may qualify for—potentially saving hundreds annually.
St. Joseph County renters allocate 19.1% of their income to housing—well above both the national average and Indiana's 15.6% state benchmark. With a median income of $64,885 and rent at $1,030 monthly, affordability here is tighter than most of the state.
Below State Average Income, Above Average Rent
St. Joseph County ranks in the middle-lower tier of Indiana's housing affordability spectrum, hampered by above-average rents coupled with below-state-average incomes. The rent-to-income ratio of 19.1% places it among counties where housing consumes a notably larger share of household budgets.
Highest Rents in This Regional Group
At $1,030 monthly, St. Joseph County rents tower over nearby Spencer ($697) and Starke ($690), making it the most expensive rental market in this comparison. Owner costs ($902) are comparatively moderate, offering some relief for those who can afford to buy.
Housing Takes a Bigger Bite
St. Joseph County households spend $1,030 on median rent and $902 on owner costs, totaling roughly 30.2% of income when combined across both tenure types. The rent-to-income ratio of 19.1% signals that renters here face genuine affordability constraints compared to state peers.
St. Joseph: Know Your Budget First
If relocating to St. Joseph County, budget carefully—rents here consume nearly one-fifth of median income, leaving less discretionary spending than many Indiana alternatives. The trade-off: reasonable owner costs and established urban amenities in the South Bend area.
St. Joseph County's median household income of $64,885 trails the national median of $74,755 by nearly $10,000. This income gap reflects broader economic pressures facing mid-sized industrial counties in the Midwest, though residents still earn comfortably above poverty levels.
Below Indiana's median
St. Joseph County ranks in the lower-middle tier of Indiana counties with a $64,885 median, about $3,800 below the state average of $68,681. Per capita income of $35,714 remains close to the state average, suggesting income concentration rather than overall scarcity.
Middle ground among peers
St. Joseph County earns more than Sullivan County ($54,985) and Starke County ($62,933) but significantly less than Tipton County ($78,309). Its income profile reflects the economic challenges faced by many industrial counties in northern Indiana.
Housing pressure rising
A 19.1% rent-to-income ratio indicates rising housing affordability stress in St. Joseph County, approaching the 30% danger threshold. Median home values of $179,800 remain modest, but renters here face tighter budgets than in neighboring counties.
Prioritize financial resilience
St. Joseph County residents should focus on building emergency savings and controlling housing costs to free up income for investing. Even modest monthly investments in retirement accounts—starting with $100–200—create long-term wealth despite current income constraints.
At 75.0 years, St. Joseph County's life expectancy sits slightly below the U.S. average of 76.1 years. Nearly 19% report poor or fair health, reflecting regional healthcare challenges.
Slightly behind Indiana's pace
St. Joseph County's 75.0-year life expectancy trails Indiana's 75.1-year state average, though only marginally. The county faces similar health pressures as the state overall.
Mixed results against regional peers
St. Joseph County performs better than Starke County (72.2 years) but behind healthier counties like Steuben (77.3 years) and Tippecanoe (77.6 years). Its 18.7% poor/fair health rate places it in the middle of the regional pack.
Strong provider access, steady coverage
With 90 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 271 mental health providers per 100,000, St. Joseph County offers robust healthcare capacity. The 8.0% uninsured rate is near Indiana's state average, though still leaves some residents exposed.
Close the coverage gap
St. Joseph County's abundant providers deserve to serve everyone. If you're among the 8% uninsured, explore options at healthcare.gov or Indiana's IMPACT program to access care and preventive services.
St. Joseph County's composite risk score of 85.81 earns a Relatively Moderate rating, nearly double Indiana's state average of 45.52 and well above typical U.S. counties. This county experiences substantially higher cumulative exposure to multiple natural hazards.
Among Indiana's riskiest counties
St. Joseph County ranks in the top tier of Indiana's 92 counties for natural disaster risk, with the second-highest composite score statewide. Only a handful of Indiana counties face comparable multi-hazard exposure.
Significantly riskier than surrounding areas
St. Joseph County's 85.81 score dramatically exceeds neighboring Starke County (24.94) and Steuben County (27.19), making it a clear outlier for disaster risk in the region. The county's northern location contributes to elevated flood and tornado vulnerabilities.
Tornadoes and floods dominate threats
Tornado risk reaches 90.52 in St. Joseph County—among the highest in Indiana—while flood risk scores 85.40, reflecting the county's water infrastructure and storm patterns. Earthquake risk at 78.31 and hurricane risk at 43.55 round out significant secondary concerns.
Invest in storm and flood protection
St. Joseph County residents should maintain robust homeowners and flood insurance, as both tornado (90.52) and flood (85.40) risks are critical. A designated safe room built to FEMA specifications offers vital protection during severe storms and high winds.