Wabash County scores 73.7 out of 100, significantly higher than the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the top third of U.S. counties for livability and overall quality of life.
2 / 5
Outperforming Indiana's Typical County
Wabash County's 73.7 score edges above Indiana's state average of 71.2, positioning it among the state's stronger-performing counties. The county maintains solid livability across measured dimensions.
3 / 5
Lowest Tax Burden in the State Group
Wabash County features the state's lowest effective tax rate at 0.533% with an 87.3 tax score, providing maximum relief for taxpayers. An 81.9 cost score offers affordable housing at $752/month rent and $143,600 median home value, while a 69.4 health score shows reasonable outcomes.
4 / 5
Moderate Income Levels
The income score of 28.0 reflects a median household income of $68,414, above Vigo and Vermillion counties but below Warrick. Safety, school, and water dimensions lack available data.
5 / 5
Great for Tax-Savvy Middle-Income Families
Wabash County appeals to middle-income families and business owners seeking the lowest possible tax burden combined with affordable housing. It's a solid all-around choice for those balancing cost minimization with reasonable income expectations.
Wabash County scores 73.7 out of 100, significantly higher than the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the top third of U.S. counties for livability and overall quality of life.
Outperforming Indiana's Typical County
Wabash County's 73.7 score edges above Indiana's state average of 71.2, positioning it among the state's stronger-performing counties. The county maintains solid livability across measured dimensions.
Lowest Tax Burden in the State Group
Wabash County features the state's lowest effective tax rate at 0.533% with an 87.3 tax score, providing maximum relief for taxpayers. An 81.9 cost score offers affordable housing at $752/month rent and $143,600 median home value, while a 69.4 health score shows reasonable outcomes.
Moderate Income Levels
The income score of 28.0 reflects a median household income of $68,414, above Vigo and Vermillion counties but below Warrick. Safety, school, and water dimensions lack available data.
Great for Tax-Savvy Middle-Income Families
Wabash County appeals to middle-income families and business owners seeking the lowest possible tax burden combined with affordable housing. It's a solid all-around choice for those balancing cost minimization with reasonable income expectations.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛87.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.533% effective rate, Wabash County residents enjoy one of Indiana's lowest property tax burdens and far below the national median of $2,690. On a median home value of $143,600, this translates to just $765 annually.
Lowest rate in Indiana among counties profiled
Wabash County's 0.533% rate stands 20% below Indiana's state average of 0.671%, the lowest among all eight counties examined. At $765 median tax, Wabash delivers the second-lowest total bill despite above-average home values.
Tax advantage throughout northeast Indiana
Wabash County's 0.533% rate substantially beats Miami, Peru, and surrounding northeast Indiana counties. This competitive advantage attracts property buyers seeking both affordable housing and low tax rates.
Median homeowner pays just $765 annually
With a 0.533% rate applied to the median home value of $143,600, Wabash County property owners pay $765 per year. Mortgage holders average $822 while outright owners pay just $651.
Even low-rate counties have appeal opportunities
Low tax rates don't eliminate overassessment—review your assessment if your home's value has dropped or comparable properties nearby are assessed lower. Indiana's appeal process is straightforward and could provide additional savings.
Wabash County delivers strong housing affordability
Renters spend just 13.2% of their income on housing, comfortably within the sustainable 12-15% range and well below Indiana's state average of 15.6%. With median rent at $752 and household income of $68,414, the county offers a solid value proposition for budget-conscious residents.
Well above average on affordability
Wabash County's 13.2% rent-to-income ratio ranks notably better than Indiana's 15.6% state average, placing it among the more affordable counties statewide. The combination of low rents and reasonable incomes creates genuine housing accessibility.
Competitive with top performers
Wabash County's $752 rent is the lowest in its peer group and $131 cheaper than Vanderburgh County, with a rent-to-income ratio of 13.2% that trails only Union County and Warren County. Homes median at $143,600, offering entry-level ownership opportunities.
Reasonable costs across the board
Median monthly rent is $752 while homeowner costs run $859 against median household income of $68,414. Just 13.2% of income goes to rent, leaving families with breathing room for other priorities.
Wabash County merits serious consideration
If you're relocating to Indiana, Wabash County offers some of the state's cheapest rents paired with reasonable local wages and low home values. It's an attractive option for renters and first-time homebuyers seeking genuine affordability.
Wabash County's median household income of $68,414 sits just below the U.S. median of $74,755, a difference of $6,341. The county's income level tracks closely with national averages.
Right at Indiana's state average
Wabash County earns virtually in line with Indiana's state average of $68,681, sitting just $267 below statewide norms. This mid-tier positioning reflects a stable, representative Indiana economy.
Outearns struggling southern counties
Wabash County's $68,414 substantially exceeds Vigo County ($52,525) and Vermillion County ($59,363), but trails the stronger-earning Union County ($79,500). The county sits squarely in Indiana's economic middle.
Housing costs remain manageable
A 13.2% rent-to-income ratio means typical renters spend roughly $753 monthly—comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold. Housing security is achievable for most Wabash County households.
Steady progress through consistent saving
With near-average incomes, Wabash County households can build wealth through automated savings accounts and retirement contributions. Starting with 10% of gross income toward retirement provides strong long-term security.
At 73.9 years, Wabash County residents live 2.5 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.4 years, placing the county well below national norms. The 18% poor/fair health rate is slightly below the national average, but the shorter lifespan indicates serious underlying chronic disease and mortality gaps.
Below-average life expectancy statewide
Wabash County's 73.9-year life expectancy falls 1.2 years below Indiana's 75.1-year average, positioning it in the lower third of state counties. The 8.1% uninsured rate closely matches the state average of 8.4%, suggesting that insurance access is not the primary driver of the county's shorter lifespans.
Lower life expectancy than most peers
Wabash County's 73.9-year life expectancy trails Warren County (77.6 years) by 3.7 years and Warrick County (76.9 years) by three years. The county ranks among the lowest in the region, though its 18% poor/fair health rate is somewhat better than Vermillion's 20.9%, suggesting different underlying health challenges.
Mental health providers outpace primary care
Wabash County offers 284 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—exceptionally high—but only 42 primary care providers per 100,000, a significant imbalance. This gap suggests the county may be addressing behavioral health crises while neglecting routine preventive and chronic disease management that could extend life expectancy.
Cover yourself against health costs
With 8.1% of Wabash County uninsured, thousands of residents face financial hardship from medical emergencies and delayed preventive care. Visit healthcare.gov, call 211, or contact the Indiana Department of Human Services to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans with tax credits, and employer coverage options available to you.
Wabash County faces moderate national disaster risk
Wabash County's composite risk score of 40.97 sits slightly below the national average, positioning it in the lower-risk category nationally. This very low rating suggests residents face fewer catastrophic hazard exposures than many U.S. counties.
About average risk for Indiana
At 40.97, Wabash County's composite risk score is nearly identical to Indiana's state average of 45.52, placing it in the middle of the state's hazard distribution. The county is safer than southern Indiana but faces similar pressures to other north-central regions.
Comparable to surrounding counties
Wabash County's score of 40.97 closely mirrors Washington County (40.94) to the south and Vermillion County (23.44) to the west. The northeast Indiana location provides moderate protection relative to the state's highest-risk southern counties.
Tornado risk significantly exceeds other hazards
Tornado risk (71.66) is Wabash County's dominant concern, marking it as a meaningful threat in the county's hazard profile. Earthquake risk (53.28) and flood risk (47.33) follow, but all remain manageable relative to the state's most hazard-prone areas.
Prioritize tornado protection in your policy
Standard homeowners insurance must include comprehensive tornado and wind coverage, given Wabash's 71.66 tornado risk score. Flood insurance warrants consideration if your property is within any mapped flood zone, and verify earthquake coverage isn't needed for your specific risk profile.