Vermillion County

Indiana · IN

#32 in Indiana
73.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Vermillion County, Indiana

Vermillion Exceeds National Livability Median

Vermillion County scores 73.2 out of 100, well above the national median of 50.0. This strong composite score reflects solid livability conditions compared to most U.S. counties.

Outperforming Indiana's State Average

Vermillion County's 73.2 score exceeds Indiana's state average of 71.2, placing it in the upper-middle tier of the state's counties. This reflects relatively strong performance on multiple livability dimensions.

Best Cost Score in This Group

Vermillion County leads with an 82.6 cost score, featuring the lowest median home value at $109,500 and one of the cheapest rents at $785/month. A 82.0 tax score with a 0.721% effective tax rate adds to affordability.

Below-Average Household Income

The income score of 22.1 reflects a median household income of $59,363, among the lowest in this county group. Safety, school, and water data are not yet available, creating gaps in the full livability assessment.

Perfect for Retirees and Thrifty Buyers

Vermillion County is ideal for retirees, first-time homebuyers, and families seeking maximum affordability with low taxes and stable risk conditions. Those prioritizing higher incomes or specific school ratings may want to look elsewhere.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82Cost82.6SafetyComing SoonHealth67.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.1Risk76.6WaterComing Soon
🏛82
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠82.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼22.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
67.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
76.6
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Vermillion County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Vermillion County

via TaxByCounty

Vermillion County offers affordable property taxes

At 0.721% effective rate, Vermillion County residents pay substantially less than the national median of $2,690 annually. The county's lower median home value of $109,500 keeps the typical tax bill to just $789 per year.

Slightly above Indiana's state average

Vermillion's 0.721% rate edges above Indiana's 0.671% average, but its lower home values result in a median tax of $789—well below the state median of $1,199. The county delivers some of Indiana's lowest total tax bills despite a slightly-above-average rate.

Most affordable taxes in west-central Indiana

Vermillion County's combination of moderate rates and modest home values produces the region's lowest median tax bill at $789. Neighboring Parke and Warren counties compete for the title, but Vermillion remains highly affordable.

Median homeowner pays just $789 annually

With a median home value of $109,500 and a 0.721% rate, Vermillion County homeowners enjoy the lowest median tax bill among the profiled counties. Mortgage holders average $812 while those without mortgages pay $758.

Even modest assessments warrant review

Lower tax bills don't mean lower stakes for appeals—every dollar counts in affordable communities. If your assessed value exceeds recent sale prices in your area, file an appeal with the assessor.

Cost of Living in Vermillion County

via CostByCounty

Vermillion County offers solid middle ground

Renters spend 15.9% of their income on housing, just slightly above the sustainable 12-15% benchmark and nearly in line with Indiana's state average of 15.6%. At $785 monthly rent and $59,363 median income, the county offers reasonable affordability for working families.

Close to the state average on housing burden

Vermillion County's 15.9% rent-to-income ratio sits just 0.3 points above Indiana's state average of 15.6%, placing it squarely in the middle of the pack statewide. This middling position reflects typical housing market conditions across rural and small-town Indiana.

A cheaper alternative to neighbors

Vermillion County's $785 rent is among the lowest in the peer group—$7 less than Wabash County and $194 less than Vanderburgh County. The county's lower home values ($109,500) also undercut most neighbors, making it a budget-conscious choice.

Modest costs, modest incomes

Monthly rent averages $785 while homeowner costs run $770, both lean compared to higher-income counties in the region. Though median household income of $59,363 trails state and national figures, housing costs remain proportionate to local earnings.

Vermillion is worth exploring

Relocating to Vermillion County means accepting somewhat lower incomes but gaining access to some of Indiana's cheapest rents and home values. For renters and buyers on tight budgets, this county delivers reasonable affordability without severe sacrifice.

Income & Jobs in Vermillion County

via IncomeByCounty

Vermillion income lags far behind nation

Vermillion County's median household income of $59,363 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by $15,392—a 20.6% gap. The county faces significant economic headwinds relative to national prosperity.

Among Indiana's lowest earners

Vermillion County earns $9,318 less than Indiana's state average of $68,681, placing it near the bottom tier statewide. Economic diversification and job creation are critical local priorities.

Struggling wages across the region

Vermillion's $59,363 income closely mirrors Vanderburgh County ($60,938) and slightly exceeds Vigo County ($52,525). This cluster of lower-income counties signals shared regional economic challenges.

Rent pressures tighten household budgets

A 15.9% rent-to-income ratio translates to roughly $789 monthly rent on median income—still manageable but leaving limited room for savings. Cost-of-living pressures require disciplined household budgeting.

Invest in skills and income growth

Vermillion County residents should prioritize job training and credential programs that boost earning potential beyond current median levels. Community colleges and apprenticeships offer pathways to higher-income careers.

Health in Vermillion County

via HealthByCounty

Vermillion struggles with health perception gap

At 74.3 years, Vermillion County residents live 2.1 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.4 years, but the county's 20.9% poor/fair health rate is notably higher. This combination suggests residents not only live shorter lives but experience lower quality of life and more chronic disease before death.

Worst health perception rate in Indiana

Vermillion County's 20.9% poor/fair health rate is the highest among all eight counties analyzed and well above Indiana's average, indicating serious population health challenges. At 74.3 years, life expectancy falls 0.8 years below the state average, placing Vermillion in the lower quartile statewide.

Highest disease burden among peers

Vermillion County's 20.9% poor/fair health rate dramatically exceeds nearby Warrick (13.8%) and Warren (18.0%), marking it as the most health-challenged county in the region. Even with 59 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, the county struggles with what appears to be deep-rooted chronic disease and limited health management.

Adequate providers, limited health outcomes

Vermillion County offers 59 primary care providers and 136 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, providing reasonable access relative to rural Indiana. Yet the persistently high self-reported poor/fair health suggests barriers including poverty, transportation, health literacy, or behavioral health crises that extra providers alone cannot solve.

Get covered and get healthier

With 7.4% uninsured, Vermillion County's gaps in health insurance affect thousands who could benefit from preventive care and chronic disease management. Contact the Indiana Department of Human Services or visit healthcare.gov to explore Medicaid eligibility, subsidized marketplace plans, and free community health screenings.

Disaster Risk in Vermillion County

via RiskByCounty

Vermillion County carries very low disaster risk

Vermillion County's composite risk score of 23.44 sits well below the national average, marking it as one of the safer counties for natural disasters. This very low rating indicates minimal exposure to the most dangerous hazards.

About half the state average risk

At 23.44, Vermillion County's composite risk is roughly half Indiana's state average of 45.52, placing it firmly in the low-risk category statewide. Only a handful of Indiana counties maintain comparable safety profiles.

Safer than surrounding counties

Vermillion's score of 23.44 is lower than neighboring Wabash County (40.97) and Washington County (40.94). Its relatively isolated western Indiana location provides some protection from the more hazard-prone southern and central parts of the state.

Earthquake risk shows the highest exposure

Earthquake risk (65.39) is Vermillion County's most significant hazard, though it remains moderate in national terms. Tornado risk (39.54) and flood risk (32.98) follow, but none approach the severe thresholds seen in higher-risk counties.

Basic homeowners coverage should suffice

Standard homeowners insurance with tornado and wind protections is adequate for Vermillion County's hazard profile. Renters in the county should verify their policies include these protections, especially given the 39.54 tornado risk score.

ByCounty Network

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