Vigo County scores 65.3 on the CountyScore composite index, notably above the national median of 50.0. This reflects decent overall livability conditions when compared to typical U.S. counties.
2 / 5
Trailing Indiana's State Average
Vigo County's 65.3 composite score falls below Indiana's state average of 71.2, placing it in the lower-middle tier among Indiana counties. The gap suggests room for improvement in key livability dimensions.
3 / 5
Affordable Housing and Reasonable Taxes
Vigo County offers a 79.6 cost score with affordable rent at $879/month and moderate home values at $140,400. A 77.1 tax score reflects a 0.895% effective tax rate, keeping tax burdens manageable.
4 / 5
Lowest Income Levels in Study
Vigo County's income score of 17.7 is the lowest among these eight counties, with a median household income of $52,525. A risk score of 16.8 suggests economic vulnerability, and safety, school, and water data remain unavailable.
5 / 5
Option for Very Budget-Focused Households
Vigo County suits extremely cost-conscious families and individuals prioritizing minimal housing and tax expenses over higher incomes. Those seeking economic stability or strong community services should carefully evaluate local conditions first.
Vigo County scores 65.3 on the CountyScore composite index, notably above the national median of 50.0. This reflects decent overall livability conditions when compared to typical U.S. counties.
Trailing Indiana's State Average
Vigo County's 65.3 composite score falls below Indiana's state average of 71.2, placing it in the lower-middle tier among Indiana counties. The gap suggests room for improvement in key livability dimensions.
Affordable Housing and Reasonable Taxes
Vigo County offers a 79.6 cost score with affordable rent at $879/month and moderate home values at $140,400. A 77.1 tax score reflects a 0.895% effective tax rate, keeping tax burdens manageable.
Lowest Income Levels in Study
Vigo County's income score of 17.7 is the lowest among these eight counties, with a median household income of $52,525. A risk score of 16.8 suggests economic vulnerability, and safety, school, and water data remain unavailable.
Option for Very Budget-Focused Households
Vigo County suits extremely cost-conscious families and individuals prioritizing minimal housing and tax expenses over higher incomes. Those seeking economic stability or strong community services should carefully evaluate local conditions first.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛77.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Vigo County has Indiana's highest property tax rate
Vigo County's 0.895% effective rate stands among Indiana's highest and remains below the national median of $2,690 annually. On the county's median home value of $140,400, residents pay $1,256 per year—still a moderate burden nationally.
Highest rate among all Indiana counties profiled
Vigo County's 0.895% effective rate substantially exceeds Indiana's state average of 0.671%, making it the tax leader of the eight counties examined. This 33% premium above state average reflects the county's higher municipal and school funding needs.
Tax leader in west-central Indiana corridor
Vigo County's 0.895% rate far exceeds Clay County (0.65%) and Vermillion County (0.721%) to its west. Terre Haute-area residents accept the region's highest tax burden in exchange for urban services and infrastructure.
Median homeowner pays $1,256 annually
On Vigo's median home value of $140,400, the effective rate produces a median tax of $1,256 per year. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,303 on average, while those without pay $1,156.
High rates make appeals especially worthwhile
With Vigo County's above-average tax rate, even a modest successful assessment appeal yields substantial savings. Contact the assessor to request a reassessment if your home's value has declined or if comparable nearby homes are assessed lower.
Vigo County faces serious housing affordability challenges
Renters spend 20.1% of their income on housing—well above the sustainable 12-15% range and one of Indiana's worst ratios. The county's median household income of $52,525 trails the national median by $22,230, making every housing dollar harder to find.
Among Indiana's most cost-burdened counties
Vigo County's 20.1% rent-to-income ratio is nearly 5 points worse than Indiana's state average of 15.6%, placing it among the state's least affordable places. Low incomes combined with persistent housing costs create a difficult equation for renters.
Higher costs, lower incomes
Vigo County's rent of $879 is among the highest in the peer group despite having the lowest median income ($52,525) of any neighbor. This unfavorable combination makes the county's affordability crisis especially acute compared to surrounding areas.
Housing takes the biggest bite here
With median rent at $879 and homeowner costs at $851, housing consumes just over one-fifth of median household income of $52,525. This leaves minimal room in budgets for other essentials like healthcare, childcare, and emergency savings.
Reconsider Vigo as a relocation destination
If you're planning a move to Vigo County, carefully assess the 20.1% housing burden against lower wage prospects compared to other Indiana counties. Nearby alternatives like Union County (11.9%) or Vermillion County (15.9%) may better protect your household budget.
Vigo County's median household income of $52,525 ranks 29.8% below the U.S. median of $74,755—among the lowest in the nation. This $22,230 shortfall reflects deep economic challenges.
Lowest-earning county in Indiana
Vigo County's $52,525 income falls $16,156 below Indiana's state average of $68,681, representing the state's weakest household earning performance. Urgent economic revitalization efforts are needed.
Regional income depression across counties
Vigo County's $52,525 income is the lowest in its cluster, just behind Vermillion County ($59,363) and Vanderburgh County ($60,938). This multi-county pattern signals systemic regional economic distress.
Housing costs dominate household spending
A 20.1% rent-to-income ratio means renters spend approximately $885 monthly, pressing close to the affordability threshold. Many households face difficult trade-offs between housing and other essentials.
Focus on financial resilience first
Vigo County residents should prioritize building emergency savings of $500–$1,000 before investing long-term. Seek employer benefits, local job training programs, and financial counseling to strengthen household stability.
At 73.7 years, Vigo County residents live nearly three years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.4 years, marking it among the nation's lowest life expectancy counties. With 20% reporting poor/fair health and 9.3% uninsured—the highest uninsured rate among these eight counties—Vigo faces compounded barriers to health.
Lowest life expectancy in Indiana sample
Vigo County's 73.7-year life expectancy is the lowest among Indiana's eight analyzed counties and trails the state average of 75.1 years by 1.4 years. The 9.3% uninsured rate is the highest among peers and above Indiana's 8.4% average, indicating both access and affordability crises.
Most vulnerable health outcomes regionally
Vigo County's 73.7-year life expectancy and 20% poor/fair health rate place it as the health-challenged anchor of the region, outpaced by all neighboring counties. The 9.3% uninsured rate compounds these disparities, suggesting residents face the steepest climb toward health equity in the area.
Robust providers serving vulnerable population
Vigo County provides 83 primary care providers and 194 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, suggesting care is available to those who can access it. Yet the high uninsured rate and poor health outcomes suggest that affordability, transportation, or social determinants—not provider availability—are the real barriers to care.
Urgent: Get health coverage now
Nearly 1 in 10 Vigo County residents lack health insurance, putting them at risk during medical emergencies and delaying life-saving treatment. Call 211 or visit the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration website immediately to apply for Medicaid, explore marketplace subsidies, or find free community health resources.
With a composite risk score of 83.21, Vigo County confronts hazard exposure nearly twice the national average. This relatively moderate rating reflects concentrated risk from multiple natural disaster types.
Second-highest risk in Indiana
Vigo County's score of 83.21 nearly doubles Indiana's state average of 45.52, ranking it among the state's most hazard-exposed counties. Only Vanderburgh County (91.32) carries more overall disaster risk in Indiana.
Much higher risk than typical Indiana neighbors
Vigo's composite risk of 83.21 far exceeds nearby Vermillion County (23.44) and Warren County (5.76) in the north. The west-central Indiana location concentrates earthquake, tornado, and flood risks beyond surrounding counties.
Earthquakes and tornadoes are primary threats
Earthquake risk (91.38) and tornado risk (83.24) dominate Vigo County's hazard profile, with flood risk (85.11) adding a close third. All three rank in the upper range nationally, requiring serious preparedness planning.
Comprehensive insurance strategy essential
Homeowners must secure robust tornado and wind coverage through their standard policy; separate flood insurance is strongly recommended given the 85.11 flood risk score. Discuss earthquake insurance options with your agent, as Vigo's 91.38 earthquake risk is among Indiana's highest.