countyscore
59.7
County Score
Disaster Risk 75.1Property Tax 74.2Cost of Living 71

County Report Card

About Starke County, Indiana

A Higher National Standard

Starke County earns a composite score of 59.7, comfortably exceeding the national median of 50.0. This indicates a quality of life that is superior to many typical American communities.

Exceeding Indiana State Averages

The county outpaces the Indiana state average of 55.9 by nearly four points. It maintains a competitive position by balancing affordability with low environmental risk.

Affordability and Stability Reign

The county shines with a risk score of 75.1 and a high tax score of 74.2. Residents enjoy extreme affordability with median home values of just $148,400 and an effective tax rate of 0.603%.

Health and Schools Need Focus

Community health outcomes score 41.5, representing a primary area for improvement. School performance also remains modest at 40.0, suggesting a need for investment in local services.

A Paradise for Budget-Conscious Residents

Starke County is an excellent match for retirees or remote workers looking to maximize their purchasing power. The low tax burden and affordable housing make it a premier choice for fiscal conservative living.

2040608010074.27167.341.5404875.150.459.6Tax74.2Cost71Safety67.3Health41.5Schools40Income48Risk75.1Water50.4Weather59.659.7/100
This county
National avg
4 above average1 below average

Starke County DNA

Foverall

How Starke County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Starke County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (75.1/100) but notably weak in Schools (40/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
74.2+22.200000000000003
Cost
71+23
Safety
67.3+12.299999999999997
Health
41.5-8.5
Schools
40-14
Income
48
Risk
75.1+28.099999999999994
Water
50.4
Weather
59.6
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$148,400

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$690/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$148,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$27,600/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $62,933/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

8.6

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare Starke County with Jasper County →Share on X

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Nearby counties

Pulaski County
Indiana
66.6
LaPorte County
Indiana
43.2
Marshall County
Indiana
56.9
Porter County
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49.4
St. Joseph County
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41.4
Jasper County
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65.8
Fulton County
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64.4
Lake County
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34.4

Deep Dives

Starke County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Starke County

via TaxByCounty

Starke County offers lowest tax burden

Starke County's effective tax rate of 0.603% runs well below the national median of 0.84%, making it one of the most tax-efficient counties nationally. The median property tax of just $895 annually represents one-third the national median of $2,690.

Indiana's most affordable tax county

Starke County boasts the lowest effective tax rate among Indiana counties at 0.603%—10% below the state average of 0.671%. Its median annual tax of $895 is far below Indiana's state median of $1,199, offering genuine relief to property owners.

Clear tax advantage regionally

Starke County's 0.603% rate edges out Switzerland County's 0.412% but dominates the broader eight-county region—only Switzerland offers a lower burden. Homeowners here enjoy taxes significantly lighter than St. Joseph County's 0.867%.

What Starke homeowners pay yearly

On a median home value of $148,400, Starke County homeowners pay just $895 in annual property taxes—the lowest in the surveyed region. With a mortgage, you'll pay about $903; without one, approximately $876.

Verify your tax assessment

Even in lower-tax Starke County, some homeowners may be overassessed. Request a reassessment through the county assessor to confirm your valuation is accurate and you're receiving all available exemptions.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Starke County

via CostByCounty

Starke County: Affordable Rents, Below-Average Income

Starke County achieves a 13.2% rent-to-income ratio—better than Indiana's 15.6% state average—despite having a median household income of just $62,933. Low rents of $690 monthly make this county exceptionally affordable for tenants, even on modest incomes.

Top Tier for Rental Affordability

Starke County ranks among Indiana's best counties for renters, with a 13.2% rent-to-income ratio that outperforms nearly 70% of the state's counties. The combination of low rents and manageable income expectations makes it a hidden gem for cost-conscious Hoosiers.

Starke's Competitive Rental Market

Starke's $690 rent matches Spencer County ($697) as one of the region's cheapest, while undercutting St. Joseph ($1,030) and Tippecanoe ($1,088) by substantial margins. Owner costs of $803 are similarly competitive, offering genuine options for both renters and buyers.

Low Costs Stretch Limited Income

Starke County households spend $690 on median rent and $803 on owner costs, totaling about 23.9% of income combined across tenures. The 13.2% rent-to-income ratio means renters here have more money left for essentials and savings despite lower overall earnings.

Starke: Maximum Affordability

Moving to Starke County? You'll find some of Indiana's most accessible rents paired with genuinely low home values—a rare combination for families prioritizing affordability over urban amenities. This county delivers exceptional housing value for the budget-stretched.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Starke County

via IncomeByCounty

Starke falls short of national average

Starke County's median household income of $62,933 lags the national median by nearly $12,000, reflecting economic constraints in this rural northeast Indiana community. The county's per capita income of $28,895 also trails the national figure, suggesting limited high-wage employment opportunities.

Lower-middle tier in Indiana

Starke County ranks in the lower half of Indiana counties with a median income $5,748 below the state average of $68,681. Its per capita income of $28,895 significantly underperforms the state average of $34,773, indicating fewer professional and specialized jobs.

Struggles compared to adjacent counties

Starke County's $62,933 median falls notably below neighboring Steuben County ($71,483) and Spencer County ($70,890). The county faces steeper economic headwinds than most of its peers, with per capita income particularly lagging surrounding communities.

Rent remains affordable

Starke County's 13.2% rent-to-income ratio is among the best in the region, offering genuine relief for renters despite modest incomes. Median home values of $148,400—the lowest among these counties—make homeownership more achievable for local households.

Maximize savings in low-cost county

Starke County's affordable housing creates an opportunity: control rent or mortgage payments and redirect savings into retirement and investment accounts. Even residents earning below state average can build wealth by taking advantage of the county's low cost of living.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Starke County

via CrimeByCounty

Starke County Exceeds National Safety Norms

Starke County earns an impressive 98.8 safety score, reflecting a community significantly safer than the national norm. Its total crime rate of 763.7 per 100,000 is roughly one-third of the U.S. average.

Consistent Performance Within Indiana

The county closely aligns with the Indiana state average crime rate of 693.8. It ranks among the safer rural counties in the state, supported by three reporting agencies.

A Quieter Alternative to Neighbors

Starke County is notably safer than neighboring St. Joseph County, which reports a higher rate of 1,156.8. This lower total crime volume makes it a quieter alternative to its northern neighbors.

Analyzing the Crime Breakdown

Violent crime is recorded at 180.2 per 100,000, which is higher than the state average but still far below the national rate. Property crime remains the most frequent local issue at 583.5 per 100,000.

Vigilance Protects Your Property

Securing your perimeter and joining local neighborhood watch programs helps keep these crime rates low. Knowledge of current local trends is your best tool for home defense.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Starke County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Concise Education System for 3,000 Students

Starke County operates seven public schools across three districts, serving a total of 3,173 students. The infrastructure is streamlined into three elementary, one middle, and three high schools to support the local community.

Strong Academic Outcomes for Local Seniors

Graduation rates in Starke County reach 93.1%, beating both the Indiana state average of 92.6% and the national 87% mark. The county maintains this performance with a per-pupil spend of $5,299, hovering just below the state average of $5,507.

Knox Community Anchors the County

Knox Community School Corporation is the dominant district, serving 1,746 students across three campuses. North Judson-San Pierre and Oregon-Davis School Corporations manage the remaining student population with no charter schools currently in operation.

A Blend of Rural and Town Schools

Schools here are split between rural settings and town locales, creating a community-centric atmosphere. Knox Community Elementary is the largest school with 704 students, while the average school size across the county remains moderate at 453.

Settle Near High-Performing Schools

For families looking for a close-knit community with graduation rates that exceed the state average, Starke County is a strong contender. Look for homes in these districts to secure a quality education for your children.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Starke County

via RiskByCounty

Starke County offers low risk protection

Starke County scores 24.94 on the composite risk scale with a Very Low rating, less than half Indiana's state average of 45.52. The county provides one of the safer natural hazard environments in the nation.

Among Indiana's safest counties

Starke County ranks in the bottom quartile of Indiana's 92 counties for natural disaster risk, with a composite score well below the state median. Residents benefit from significantly lower multi-hazard exposure compared to most of the state.

Comparable safety to nearby counties

Starke County (24.94) closely mirrors the risk levels of Steuben County (27.19) and Tipton County (8.87), making the entire northeastern region relatively safe. These neighboring areas share similar geographic and climatic protections.

Tornado risk stands above other threats

Tornado risk scores 59.73 in Starke County, the dominant hazard concern, while flood risk remains moderate at 27.48. Earthquake (41.41) and wildfire (13.14) risks are minimal by comparison.

Prioritize tornado preparedness planning

Starke County homeowners should focus tornado preparedness with reliable homeowners insurance and a FEMA-approved safe room, given the 59.73 tornado risk score. Basic flood insurance is also advisable as a secondary precaution.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Starke County

via WaterByCounty

Drinking Water Compliance Faces Challenges

Starke County holds a D grade for drinking water compliance, though it recorded only one health violation in five years. Its violation rate of 15.9 per 100,000 remains better than the statewide average of 42.3.

Three-Quarters of Assessed Waters Show Impairment

A significant 73.7% of the county's 175 assessed water bodies fail to meet federal standards as of 2022. The primary culprits are E. coli, biological integrity issues, and PCB contamination in local fish.

Extensive Data Collected From Limited Sites

Despite having only 8 monitoring sites, the county has recorded a massive 8,206 measurements over the last five years. These records focus heavily on physical characteristics, nutrients, and inorganic materials.

Kankakee River Maintains Steady Flow Levels

The Kankakee River at Davis currently flows at 572 cfs, representing 106% of its long-term mean. This indicates that streamflow is currently stable and typical for this time of year.

High Impairment Rates Require Community Vigilance

With over 73% of watersheds impaired, residents should be wary of E. coli and PCB risks in local waterways. Private well owners are encouraged to test regularly for nutrients and bacteria given the high regional impairment levels.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Starke County

via WeatherByCounty

Cooler Than the National Average

Starke County records an annual average temperature of 49.5°F, trailing the national median. This reflects its position in the upper Midwest's colder climate zone.

Cooler Than the Indiana Norm

The county is nearly three degrees cooler than the state average of 52.2°F. It belongs to the colder northern half of Indiana's weather map.

Milder Than St. Joseph County

Starke is slightly warmer than its neighbor St. Joseph but stays much cooler than southern counties like Scott. It sits in a transition zone for northern Indiana snowfall.

Significant Snow with Rare Heat

Winter brings 28.8 inches of snow and a January average of 23.8°F. Extreme heat is rare here, with only 7 days per year reaching 90°F.

Plan for Winter Road Safety

Prepare for nearly 29 inches of snow with good winter tires and reliable shovels. You can save on cooling costs as the county sees very few extreme heat days.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Starke County

via SoilByCounty

The Organic Histosols of Starke County

Starke County is defined by Histosols, a taxonomic order characterized by thick layers of organic material. With an average pH of 4.86, these soils are highly acidic compared to the national median of 6.5. This distinctive profile is the result of ancient wetlands and decomposed vegetation.

Muck Texture with High Sand Content

The dominant texture is muck, consisting of 64.8% sand and only 5% clay. This combination creates a light, dark soil that is extremely easy to dig but lacks a heavy mineral structure. The high sand percentage allows for quick drainage within the organic matrix.

Massive Organic Matter Boosts Growth

At 13.31%, the organic matter here is nearly three times the state average of 4.90%. However, the available water capacity is lower at 0.165 in/in compared to the state's 0.202 benchmark. While the soil is nutrient-rich, it may dry out faster than typical Indiana loams.

Poor Drainage and High Water Tables

Classified as very poorly drained and part of hydrologic group A/D, these soils naturally stay wet without intervention. This is common for Histosols, which often require drainage tiles for commercial farming. Builders should be cautious, as the muck texture and high water table can impact foundation stability.

Thriving in the Muck of Zone 5b

Hardiness zone 5b is perfect for root crops like carrots, onions, and radishes that love loose, organic-rich muck. The soil is incredibly fertile if you manage the high acidity with lime. Start your cool-weather garden today to take advantage of this unique northern Indiana soil.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Starke County

via LawnByCounty

Navigating Starke County’s Unique Soil

Starke County earns a lawn difficulty score of 67.8, making it easier to maintain than the national average but tougher than the Indiana state average. Located in Hardiness Zone 5b, this area experiences shorter growing seasons and colder winter minimums than most of the state.

Low Heat and Solid Precipitation

The county sees only 7 extreme heat days annually, which protects cool-season turf from summer dormancy. While precipitation is healthy at 42.0 inches, the 2,926 growing degree days suggest a shorter window for active lawn growth and mowing.

Managing Muck and Sandy Foundations

The soil is extremely acidic with a pH of 4.86, requiring significant amendments to support healthy grass. With a 64.8% sand content and a 'very poorly drained' muck texture, lawns here often struggle with nutrient leaching and waterlogging.

Staying Green Through Dry Spells

Approximately 29% of the county is abnormally dry after facing nine weeks of drought in the past year. Water conservation is vital in sandy areas; use smart irrigation to prevent water from simply draining past the root zone.

Selecting Cold-Hardy Varieties

Creeping red fescue or Kentucky bluegrass are excellent choices for this Zone 5b climate and acidic soil. Seed in early spring after the April 26th frost to ensure the lawn establishes before the first frost arrives on October 19th.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Starke County's county score?
Starke County, Indiana has a composite county score of 59.7 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Starke County rank among counties in Indiana?
Starke County ranks #41 among all counties in Indiana on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Starke County, Indiana?
The median annual property tax in Starke County is $895, with an effective tax rate of 0.60%. This earns Starke County a tax score of 74.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Starke County?
The median household income in Starke County, Indiana is $62,933 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Starke County earns an income score of 48/100 on CountyScore.
Is Starke County, Indiana a good place to live?
Starke County scores 59.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #41 in Indiana. The best way to evaluate Starke County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Starke County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.