Union County scores 75.7 out of 100 on the CountyScore composite index, placing it well above the national median of 50.0. This score puts Union County in the upper tier of U.S. counties for overall livability, reflecting strong fundamentals across multiple dimensions.
2 / 5
Above Average Within Indiana
Union County ranks among Indiana's strongest-performing counties with a 75.7 composite score, notably higher than the state average of 71.2. This positions the county in the top tier of livability across Indiana.
3 / 5
Tax Benefits and Housing Affordability
Union County excels with a 82.4 tax score reflecting a low 0.705% effective tax rate, the lowest among these eight counties. Housing remains affordable at a median home value of $162,200 and median rent of $792/month, while the 94.8 risk score signals strong economic stability.
4 / 5
Income Growth Needs Attention
The county's income score of 35.3 reveals a median household income of $79,500, modest compared to its tax and cost advantages. Data for safety, schools, and water quality are not yet available, limiting a complete livability picture.
5 / 5
Ideal for Tax-Conscious Families
Union County suits families and retirees prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing in a stable, low-risk environment. Those seeking higher incomes or specific school performance metrics should weigh their priorities carefully given limited data availability.
Union County scores 75.7 out of 100 on the CountyScore composite index, placing it well above the national median of 50.0. This score puts Union County in the upper tier of U.S. counties for overall livability, reflecting strong fundamentals across multiple dimensions.
Above Average Within Indiana
Union County ranks among Indiana's strongest-performing counties with a 75.7 composite score, notably higher than the state average of 71.2. This positions the county in the top tier of livability across Indiana.
Tax Benefits and Housing Affordability
Union County excels with a 82.4 tax score reflecting a low 0.705% effective tax rate, the lowest among these eight counties. Housing remains affordable at a median home value of $162,200 and median rent of $792/month, while the 94.8 risk score signals strong economic stability.
Income Growth Needs Attention
The county's income score of 35.3 reveals a median household income of $79,500, modest compared to its tax and cost advantages. Data for safety, schools, and water quality are not yet available, limiting a complete livability picture.
Ideal for Tax-Conscious Families
Union County suits families and retirees prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing in a stable, low-risk environment. Those seeking higher incomes or specific school performance metrics should weigh their priorities carefully given limited data availability.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛82.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.705% effective rate, Union County homeowners pay significantly less than the national median of $2,690 annually. On a median home value of $162,200, this rate puts the county in the bottom half nationally for property tax burden.
Slightly above Indiana's average rate
Union County's 0.705% effective rate sits just above Indiana's state average of 0.671%, ranking it near the middle of Indiana's 92 counties. The county's median tax of $1,144 is slightly below the state median of $1,199.
Competitive within eastern Indiana region
Union County's rate compares favorably to Randolph County neighbors and sits between Wayne and Fayette counties in the region. Among similar rural counties, Union maintains a moderate tax burden that attracts residents seeking affordable property ownership.
Median homeowner pays $1,144 annually
On the county's median home value of $162,200, a typical property tax bill reaches $1,144 per year. With mortgage interest, annual taxes average $1,151 compared to $1,133 for properties owned outright.
Review your assessment for potential savings
Many Indiana homeowners discover their properties are assessed above market value. If your home's assessed value seems high, filing an appeal with the county assessor could reduce your annual tax burden.
Renters in Union County spend just 11.9% of their income on housing, well below the national benchmark of 12-15% that experts consider sustainable. The county's median rent of $792 is nearly $100 cheaper than Indiana's state average of $883, while household incomes run slightly above the national median at $79,500.
A top affordability choice statewide
Union County ranks among Indiana's most affordable counties, with a rent-to-income ratio of 11.9% compared to the state average of 15.6%. This combination of reasonable rents and solid incomes makes housing here genuinely accessible for working families across the income spectrum.
Better than most peers
Union County's $792 monthly rent undercuts neighboring Wabash County ($752) and Warren County ($815) moderately, but beats Vanderburgh County ($964) by $172 per month. The county's rent-to-income ratio of 11.9% is the strongest among its peer group, reflecting healthy local wage levels.
Where your housing dollar goes
Median monthly rent stands at $792 while homeowners pay $893 for mortgages, both reasonable against a median household income of $79,500. Just 11.9% of household income goes to rent—meaning families keep more money for food, healthcare, and savings.
Consider Union County's balance
If you're weighing a move to Indiana, Union County offers both affordability and income stability that outpace state averages. With rents well below $800 and no wage penalty compared to neighbors, it's worth serious consideration for renters and homebuyers alike.
At $79,500, Union County's median household income exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by $4,745—placing it in the top tier nationally. This 6.3% advantage signals strong earning power compared to most American households.
Top 15% of Indiana counties by income
Union County ranks among Indiana's highest-earning counties, with a median income $10,819 above the state average of $68,681. Only a handful of Indiana counties exceed this income level.
Outearning most surrounding counties
Union County's $79,500 median significantly outpaces neighbors like Wabash County ($68,414) and Warren County ($74,635). Only Warrick County—a regional economic hub—surpasses Union at $95,027.
Rent remains comfortably affordable here
A 11.9% rent-to-income ratio means typical renters spend less than $788 monthly on rent from a $79,500 household income—well below the 30% affordability threshold. Union County offers genuine housing security for working families.
Build on your earning advantage
With median income above national levels, Union County households are well-positioned to invest in retirement accounts, education, and wealth-building strategies. Consider consulting a financial advisor to maximize long-term security.
Union County's life expectancy matches state average
At 75.1 years, Union County residents live as long as the Indiana average but trail the U.S. life expectancy of 76.4 years. About 19% of residents report poor or fair health, slightly above the national average of 18%, suggesting room for improvement in chronic disease management and preventive care.
Middle-of-the-pack health rank statewide
Union County ranks at the state average for life expectancy but falls below the median on health outcomes compared to Indiana's 92 counties. The county's uninsured rate of 8.2% is nearly identical to the state average of 8.4%, indicating typical insurance coverage challenges across the region.
Health outcomes lag nearby counties
Union County's 75.1-year life expectancy trails Warren County (77.6 years) and Warrick County (76.9 years) but exceeds Washington County (72.5 years). With 18.9% reporting poor/fair health, the county sits between its healthier southern neighbors and the challenges faced in southeastern Indiana.
Limited primary care, adequate mental health access
Only 14 primary care providers per 100,000 residents serve Union County, well below the state average, making routine checkups harder to schedule. Mental health services are equally sparse at 14 providers per 100,000, suggesting residents may face significant waits for behavioral health care.
Check your coverage options today
With 8.2% of Union County uninsured, thousands of residents lack health protection against unexpected costs. Visit healthcare.gov or contact the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, and employer coverage options available now.
With a composite risk score of 5.22, Union County sits well below the national average and ranks among the safest counties in the country for natural disasters. This very low rating reflects minimal exposure to most major hazards, though no county is without risk entirely.
Safest county in Indiana
Union County's score of 5.22 is dramatically lower than Indiana's state average of 45.52, placing it among the lowest-risk counties in the state. Residents here face roughly one-ninth the disaster risk of a typical Indiana county.
Safer than similar counties nearby
Union County's composite risk of 5.22 outperforms neighboring Warren County (5.76) and Vermillion County (23.44) across most hazard types. Only neighboring counties like Union maintain this exceptional safety profile in east-central Indiana.
Tornadoes pose the highest threat
Tornado risk at 28.37 is Union County's leading hazard, though it remains below state averages. Earthquake risk (26.75) and flood risk (9.54) round out the top concerns, but all three are relatively modest threats.
Standard homeowners insurance covers most needs
Union County's low-risk profile means standard homeowners insurance provides adequate coverage for the county's primary hazards. Still, renters and property owners should verify tornado and wind protections are included in their policies.