Sullivan County's composite score of 73.5 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 47%, placing it in the upper echelon of U.S. counties for livability. This solid performance stems largely from exceptional tax and cost advantages that outweigh weaker income metrics.
2 / 5
Above-average standing in Indiana
Sullivan County scores 73.5 versus Indiana's state average of 71.2, placing it among the better-performing counties statewide. This 3% advantage reflects favorable conditions in specific dimensions despite the state-level comparison.
3 / 5
Affordability and tax efficiency shine
Sullivan County excels with a tax score of 83.3 backed by an effective rate of 0.675%, and a cost score of 81.4 with median home values of just $122,200—the second-lowest among these eight counties. The combination creates exceptional affordability for families prioritizing housing value.
4 / 5
Income and health present concerns
Sullivan County's income score of 19.3 is the lowest among all eight counties, with median household income of only $54,985 limiting economic mobility and opportunity. Health outcomes at 69.4 also lag peers, and safety, school, and water data remain unavailable.
5 / 5
Suited for cost-minimizing retirees
Sullivan County appeals most to retirees and fixed-income households seeking maximum housing affordability in a rural setting with low taxes. The low income profile makes it less suitable for families dependent on local employment or career advancement.
Sullivan County's composite score of 73.5 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 47%, placing it in the upper echelon of U.S. counties for livability. This solid performance stems largely from exceptional tax and cost advantages that outweigh weaker income metrics.
Above-average standing in Indiana
Sullivan County scores 73.5 versus Indiana's state average of 71.2, placing it among the better-performing counties statewide. This 3% advantage reflects favorable conditions in specific dimensions despite the state-level comparison.
Affordability and tax efficiency shine
Sullivan County excels with a tax score of 83.3 backed by an effective rate of 0.675%, and a cost score of 81.4 with median home values of just $122,200—the second-lowest among these eight counties. The combination creates exceptional affordability for families prioritizing housing value.
Income and health present concerns
Sullivan County's income score of 19.3 is the lowest among all eight counties, with median household income of only $54,985 limiting economic mobility and opportunity. Health outcomes at 69.4 also lag peers, and safety, school, and water data remain unavailable.
Suited for cost-minimizing retirees
Sullivan County appeals most to retirees and fixed-income households seeking maximum housing affordability in a rural setting with low taxes. The low income profile makes it less suitable for families dependent on local employment or career advancement.
Score breakdown
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🏛83.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Sullivan County's effective tax rate of 0.675% sits slightly below the national median of 0.84%, offering moderate tax relief for homeowners. The median annual property tax of $825 remains well under the national median of $2,690, reflecting Indiana's lower property values.
Just above Indiana's average
Sullivan County's 0.675% rate runs virtually even with Indiana's state average of 0.671%, making it representative of the statewide tax environment. The median tax of $825 falls below the state median of $1,199, driven by lower home valuations.
Mid-range taxes in the region
Sullivan County's 0.675% rate sits in the middle of the eight-county range, above Steuben County's 0.582% but well below St. Joseph County's 0.867%. The county offers a balanced tax experience neither particularly high nor low regionally.
What Sullivan homeowners pay yearly
On a median home value of $122,200, Sullivan County homeowners pay about $825 in annual property taxes—the lowest median in the surveyed region. With a mortgage, expect closer to $883; without one, around $745.
Appeal an inflated assessment
Sullivan County homeowners should verify their assessment with the county assessor, as many properties are overvalued. An appeal or reassessment request could unlock savings, especially if your valuation hasn't adjusted to current market conditions.
Sullivan County renters face a 17.7% rent-to-income ratio—above Indiana's 15.6% state average—while earning just $54,985 annually, the lowest median income in this group. At $813 monthly rent, affordability here is strained despite modest absolute costs.
Among Indiana's Most Strained Markets
Sullivan County ranks below state averages for housing affordability, with a rent-to-income ratio that indicates genuine budget pressures on renters. The combination of low income and moderate rents creates a tighter squeeze than most Indiana counties.
Sullivan's Modest Rents, Lowest Income
Sullivan's $813 rent is cheaper than most comparables, yet its affordability challenge stems from the county's notably lower median income ($54,985) versus neighbors. Owner costs of $818 are among the lowest regionally, offering some relief for homebuyers.
Low Income Amplifies Housing Burden
Sullivan County households spend $813 on median rent and $818 on owner costs, combined equaling 29.8% of income—higher than most peers despite low absolute costs. The 17.7% rent-to-income ratio underscores how limited earnings stretch housing expenses thinly.
Sullivan: Budget Carefully Here
Relocating to Sullivan County? While rents are genuinely cheap and home values rock-bottom, your income will need to stretch further than in wealthier counties to maintain living standards. This county suits only those with stable, modest income expectations or significant savings.
Sullivan County's median household income of $54,985 trails the national median of $74,755 by nearly $20,000—the widest gap among these eight counties. Per capita income of $29,424 reflects limited access to higher-wage jobs and professional employment opportunities.
Lowest in Indiana's tier
Sullivan County ranks among Indiana's lowest-earning counties with a median income $13,696 below the state average of $68,681. Per capita income of $29,424 lags the state average by $5,349, indicating structural economic challenges in this rural southwest Indiana community.
Struggles against all comparables
Sullivan County's $54,985 median significantly underperforms all neighboring counties profiled here, including Starke County ($62,933) and Switzerland County ($65,148). The county faces the most acute income pressures of any community in this profile.
Housing affordability is critical
Sullivan County's 17.7% rent-to-income ratio approaches the affordability threshold, and median home values of $122,200 are the lowest in the region. For residents here, controlling housing costs is essential to maintaining financial stability.
Focus on financial basics first
Sullivan County residents should prioritize building an emergency fund and controlling debt before aggressive investing. Even small contributions—$25–50 monthly—to savings and retirement accounts compound over time and create a foundation for future wealth.
At 75.2 years, Sullivan County's life expectancy mirrors the U.S. average of 76.1 years closely. However, 20.2% report poor or fair health—among the highest in this regional analysis.
Tracking slightly ahead of state
Sullivan County's 75.2-year life expectancy edges past Indiana's 75.1-year state average by just 0.1 years. Yet its 20.2% poor/fair health rate signals underlying health burdens not fully captured by life expectancy alone.
Health challenges evident in the region
Sullivan County ranks below Steuben (77.3 years), Tippecanoe (77.6 years), and Spencer (76.3 years) counties. At 20.2% poor/fair health, it trails only Starke County, indicating widespread chronic disease concerns.
Low uninsured rate, moderate provider access
Sullivan County's 7.3% uninsured rate sits below Indiana's state average of 8.4%, a bright spot for coverage. However, with 34 primary care providers and 58 mental health providers per 100,000, provider capacity remains limited.
Strengthen Sullivan's coverage
Though most Sullivan County residents have insurance, those without should act now. Contact healthcare.gov or Indiana Health Coverage Programs at 1-877-438-4479 to close gaps and access preventive care.
Sullivan County scores 20.64 on the composite risk scale with a Very Low rating, less than half of Indiana's state average of 45.52. The county represents one of the nation's safer communities for natural disaster exposure.
Among Indiana's lowest-risk counties
Sullivan County ranks among the safest in Indiana's 92-county system, with a composite score significantly below the state median. Multi-hazard exposure here is substantially lower than the typical Indiana county.
Safest in its immediate region
Sullivan County (20.64) edges out Spencer County (39.41) as one of the region's safest options and shares similar protections with Switzerland County (11.61). The south-central Indiana zone benefits from relative geographic isolation from major hazard zones.
Tornadoes and earthquakes pose risks
Tornado risk reaches 47.96 in Sullivan County, the primary hazard concern, while earthquake risk at 77.93 reflects underlying seismic activity. Flood (23.03), wildfire (2.80), and hurricane (24.16) risks all remain low.
Focus on tornado and earthquake coverage
Sullivan County homeowners should maintain homeowners insurance with tornado protection and consider earthquake coverage given the 77.93 earthquake risk score. A basement safe space provides practical refuge during severe weather.