CountyScore

Switzerland County

Indiana · IN

#4 in Indiana
76.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Switzerland County, Indiana

Switzerland County ranks elite nationally

Switzerland County's composite score of 76.1 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 52%, placing it among America's most livable counties. This exceptional standing reflects particularly strong performance in the tax dimension, the lowest effective rate in the entire eight-county cohort.

Second-best in Indiana among these eight

Switzerland County scores 76.1 versus Indiana's state average of 71.2, placing it second only to Steuben County within this group. This 7% advantage demonstrates above-average livability conditions throughout the county.

Unmatched tax advantages and value

Switzerland County boasts the highest tax score of 90.7 in the entire cohort, with a remarkable effective tax rate of just 0.412—the lowest anywhere. A cost score of 81.2 supporting median homes at $183,200 and rent at $720 monthly provides the second-most affordable housing option.

Income and health lag behind leaders

The income score of 25.9 with median household income of $65,148 trails higher-earning counties, while health outcomes at 67.2 are below the cohort's best performers. Safety, school quality, and water infrastructure data are not yet available.

Dream for tax-minimization households

Switzerland County is unmatched for families and retirees seeking to minimize tax burden while maintaining reasonable housing costs and reasonable income levels. It represents the best pure fiscal value proposition among these eight Indiana counties.

Score breakdown

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

Tax90.7Cost81.2SafetyComing SoonHealth67.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.9Risk88.4WaterComing Soon
🏛90.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡88.4
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 Switzerland County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Pope County
Illinois
76.1
Median income: $62,500
Choctaw County
Mississippi
76.1
Median income: $48,321
Eddy County
North Dakota
76.1
Median income: $55,389
Sherman County
Oregon
76.1
Median income: $59,500
Clark County
South Dakota
76.1
Median income: $62,885

Deep Dives

Switzerland County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Switzerland County

via TaxByCounty

Switzerland County offers exceptional tax relief

Switzerland County's effective tax rate of 0.412% is among the lowest in the nation, running roughly half the national median of 0.84%. The median annual property tax of $755 represents just 28% of the national median of $2,690.

Indiana's lowest effective tax rate

Switzerland County's 0.412% effective rate is the lowest among all Indiana counties—39% below the state average of 0.671%. This exceptional rate structure makes it one of the nation's most tax-efficient counties for homeowners.

Unmatched low-tax advantage

Switzerland County's 0.412% rate stands alone as the region's lowest, undercutting Starke County's 0.603% by a substantial margin. No other county in the eight-county survey comes close to matching Switzerland's tax advantage.

What Switzerland homeowners pay yearly

On a median home value of $183,200, Switzerland County homeowners pay just $755 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, you'll pay about $967; without one, approximately $563—among the lowest in the nation.

Confirm your assessment accuracy

Even in Switzerland County's low-tax environment, homeowners should verify their assessments are correct. Contact the county assessor to request a reassessment and ensure you're not overpaying due to inflated valuation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Switzerland County

via CostByCounty

Switzerland County: Solid Affordability

Switzerland County renters spend 13.3% of income on housing—below Indiana's 15.6% state average and well-positioned compared to national norms. With a median income of $65,148 and rent of $720, this rural county delivers genuine affordability.

Among Indiana's Better Markets

Switzerland County ranks in the upper tier of Indiana's most affordable counties for renters, with a 13.3% rent-to-income ratio outperforming roughly 70% of the state's counties. Its low rents place it competitively across all tenure types.

Switzerland Competes on Value

At $720 monthly rent, Switzerland County rivals Starke ($690) and Spencer ($697) as among the region's cheapest markets, while owner costs of $946 run higher than Spencer but lower than Steuben. The overall housing value package is strong for both renters and buyers.

Low Rents Support Balanced Budgets

Switzerland County households spend $720 on median rent and $946 on owner costs, totaling about 25.5% of income combined across tenure types. The 13.3% rent-to-income ratio ensures renters retain adequate disposable income despite modest earnings.

Switzerland: Rural Charm, Real Savings

If you're relocating to Switzerland County, expect competitive rents and reasonable home values in exchange for a quieter, more rural lifestyle. This county suits families seeking affordability without the trade-off of extreme budget constraints.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Switzerland County

via IncomeByCounty

Switzerland slightly below national median

Switzerland County's median household income of $65,148 falls about $9,600 short of the national median of $74,755, reflecting regional economic pressures. Per capita income of $31,238 lags the national average, though the county maintains a stable middle-class economy.

Slightly below Indiana average

Switzerland County's $65,148 median falls just below Indiana's state average of $68,681 by roughly $3,500. Per capita income of $31,238 underperforms the state average of $34,773, suggesting fewer specialized jobs in this rural southeast county.

Competitive with similar counties

Switzerland County earns more than Starke County ($62,933) and Sullivan County ($54,985) but less than Steuben County ($71,483) and Spencer County ($70,890). The county's income profile reflects typical rural Indiana challenges with some agricultural and light manufacturing base.

Housing costs well-managed

Switzerland County's 13.3% rent-to-income ratio indicates solid housing affordability, and median home values of $183,200 remain accessible to working families. Residents enjoy reasonable pathways to both renting and homeownership despite moderate incomes.

Leverage affordable housing for saving

Switzerland County's low housing burden creates room to save and invest despite below-average incomes. Target 10–12% of household income for retirement accounts, emergency reserves, and long-term wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Switzerland County

via HealthByCounty

Switzerland County faces health headwinds

At 74.0 years, Switzerland County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.1 years by 2.1 years. Nearly 1 in 5 residents report poor or fair health, indicating prevalent chronic disease.

Below Indiana's average performance

Switzerland County's 74.0-year life expectancy falls notably below Indiana's 75.1-year state average. The county requires focused attention on population health and disease prevention.

Lower life expectancy in regional context

Switzerland County ranks among the lower-performing counties in this region, ahead of only Starke (72.2 years). Its 19.3% poor/fair health rate reflects significant health challenges.

Coverage concern, primary care data limited

Switzerland County's 9.3% uninsured rate ranks highest in this county group, exceeding Indiana's 8.4% average. Primary care provider data is unavailable, but 50 mental health providers per 100,000 suggests moderate mental health capacity.

Act now on healthcare coverage

Switzerland County's above-average uninsured rate demands urgent attention. Visit healthcare.gov or call Indiana Health Coverage Programs at 1-877-438-4479 to find affordable plans and connect with available providers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Switzerland County

via RiskByCounty

Switzerland County ranks lowest nationally

Switzerland County's composite risk score of 11.61 represents one of the lowest disaster risk profiles in the nation and is less than one-quarter of Indiana's state average of 45.52. The county offers exceptional protection from cumulative natural hazards.

Indiana's safest county by risk score

Switzerland County ranks as one of the absolute safest counties in Indiana's 92-county system, with the lowest composite disaster risk statewide. Residents enjoy substantially lower multi-hazard exposure than virtually all other Hoosier communities.

Clear regional safety leader

Switzerland County (11.61) stands as the safest in its south-central Indiana region, outpacing Sullivan County (20.64) and Spencer County (39.41). The county's geographic isolation and terrain create exceptional natural hazard protection.

Tornado risk is the primary concern

Tornado risk scores 49.17 in Switzerland County, the only moderate hazard exposure, while all other risks remain minimal. Flood (21.53), hurricane (10.93), wildfire (3.02), and earthquake (31.33) risks are all low to very low.

Maintain basic tornado readiness

Switzerland County homeowners should carry standard homeowners insurance with tornado coverage, though risk levels here are among the lowest statewide. A basement safe space provides added security during the occasional severe storm.

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.