countyscore
52.3
County Score
Cost of Living 75.6Schools 69Lawn Care 64.5

County Report Card

About Warren County, Pennsylvania

Above the National Baseline

Warren County posts a composite score of 52.3, which is slightly above the national median of 50.0. It offers a stable, consistent quality of life on the national stage.

Tracking with the State

Warren’s score of 52.3 narrowly exceeds the Pennsylvania state average of 51.8. Its performance closely mirrors the overall trends of the Commonwealth.

Low Cost of Living

Affordability is the county's hallmark, reflected in a cost score of 75.6 and median rents of just $756. Health services also perform well with a score of 63.0.

Infrastructure and Taxes

The county struggles with a water score of 9.4 and a tax score of 17.6. A high effective tax rate of 1.391% can be a burden for those on a fixed budget.

Suits Fixed-Income Residents

Warren is a solid choice for those seeking the lowest possible monthly expenses. It suits individuals who prioritize savings over modern infrastructure and amenities.

2040608010017.675.648.3636935.734.59.455.9Tax17.6Cost75.6Safety48.3Health63Schools69Income35.7Risk34.5Water9.4Weather55.952.3/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Warren County DNA

Foverall

How Warren County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Warren County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (75.6/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (9.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
17.6-34.4
Cost
75.6+27.599999999999994
Safety
48.3
Health
63+13
Schools
69+15
Income
35.7-15.299999999999997
Risk
34.5-12.5
Water
9.4-48.6
Weather
55.9
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$121,800

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$756/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$121,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$30,240/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $59,013/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

23.6

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Forest County
Pennsylvania
54.7
Chautauqua County
New York
41.2
McKean County
Pennsylvania
48.3
Venango County
Pennsylvania
56.8
Cattaraugus County
New York
46.4
Elk County
Pennsylvania
60.8
Erie County
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39
Clarion County
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58.4

Deep Dives

Warren County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Warren County

via TaxByCounty

Warren's Rate Among Nation's Highest

Warren County's effective tax rate of 1.391% ranks above the national median of 1.281% and in the top tier nationally. However, with a median home value of just $121,800, the resulting annual property tax of $1,694 remains well below the national median of $2,690, offsetting the high rate.

Highest Rate in Pennsylvania

Warren County has the highest effective tax rate of any Pennsylvania county at 1.391%, exceeding the state average of 1.317% by nearly 1 percentage point. Despite this burden, the median property tax of $1,694 ranks among the lowest in the state because home values are particularly low.

Most Aggressive Tax Rate in Region

Warren's 1.391% effective rate significantly exceeds every neighboring county, including Venango (1.318%), Tioga (1.189%), and Sullivan (1.051%). Homeowners face one of Pennsylvania's steepest tax rates, though low property values help moderate the actual dollar burden.

High Rate, Lower Bracket Home Value

A median Warren County home valued at $121,800 generates $1,694 in annual property taxes despite the county's highest rate. With mortgage considerations, the bill reaches $1,865; without them, it sits at $1,564, reflecting how lower property values cushion the impact of an aggressive tax rate.

Assessment Challenge Could Yield Relief

Warren County residents often benefit from property tax appeals, as assessments sometimes fail to reflect the county's notably lower home values. Filing a free appeal can reduce your tax bill and ensure your assessment aligns with current market reality.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Warren County

via CostByCounty

Warren: The Cheapest Housing in Pennsylvania

Warren County residents enjoy Pennsylvania's lowest rent-to-income ratio at 15.4%, paired with the lowest median income ($59,013) in this cluster but also rock-bottom housing costs. Monthly rent averages just $756, far below the national and state averages, making Warren an exceptional value.

Warren Ranks as PA's Most Affordable County

Warren County ties with Venango for the lowest rent-to-income ratio in Pennsylvania at 15.4%, edging out the state average of 16.5%. Despite the county's lower median income, residents spend less of their earnings on housing than most Pennsylvanians.

Lowest Rents and Home Values in the Region

Warren's $756 monthly rent is the absolute lowest in the eight-county cluster, and its $121,800 median home value ranks second-cheapest only to Venango. This makes Warren the region's bargain basement for both renters and homebuyers.

Warren: Living Large on Less Income

Warren residents earning just $59,013 median income allocate 15.4% to rent ($756/month) or $650 to mortgages—the lowest costs in the cluster. This allows households earning below-average income to keep 84% of earnings for essentials and savings.

Warren County for Maximum Affordability

If minimizing housing costs is your priority, Warren County's unbeatable combination of $756 rent, $121,800 homes, and a 15.4% affordability ratio should top your relocation shortlist. Compare Warren's deep discounts against slightly larger economies in neighboring counties to confirm the trade-off.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Warren County

via IncomeByCounty

Warren significantly below national income

Warren County's median household income of $59,013 trails the national median of $74,755 by 21.1%—the largest gap in this survey. This $15,742 shortfall reflects Warren's reliance on declining forestry, agriculture, and small manufacturing sectors.

Lowest-earning county in Pennsylvania sample

Warren's $59,013 lags the state average of $69,614 by $10,601, the deepest shortfall among the eight surveyed counties. Per capita income of $33,333 also ranks among the state's lowest, indicating systemic earning challenges across the population.

Lowest income among regional peers

Warren's $59,013 ranks last among the eight counties, substantially behind Venango ($61,626) and Tioga ($62,932). Even compared to struggling rural neighbors, Warren faces the steepest income headwinds in this region.

Lowest housing costs aid affordability

Warren's rent-to-income ratio of 15.4% remains below the 30% threshold, providing housing affordability despite the county's lowest median income. At $121,800 median home value, Warren offers the region's most affordable homeownership, critical for lower-earning households.

Transform affordable housing into wealth

Warren residents should maximize the county's ultra-low housing costs by directing savings toward retirement accounts, skill-building, and entrepreneurial ventures. Consider remote work opportunities, small business support, and grant-funded training to increase earning potential and break free from below-average income cycles.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Warren County

via CrimeByCounty

Warren County remains nationally safe

Warren County reports a total crime rate of 1158.7 per 100k, which is about half the national average of 2,385.5. This results in a respectable safety score of 98.2.

Below the state safety average

The county's safety score of 98.2 falls below the Pennsylvania average of 98.5. Ten agencies report a total crime rate of 1158.7, which is higher than the state average of 932.4.

Highest crime rate among neighbors

Warren County’s crime rate of 1158.7 is the highest in this peer group. It is significantly more active than neighboring Venango County, which reports a rate of 1012.4.

Violent crime exceeds state average

Violent crime in Warren sits at 161.1 per 100k, which is higher than the state average of 142.2. Property crime is also elevated for the region at 997.6 incidents per 100k.

Take property security seriously

Because property crime nears 1,000 incidents per 100k, home security is vital. Residents should consider smart doorbells and reinforced locks to protect their households.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Warren County

via SchoolsByCounty

The Warren County District Model

Warren County features 12 public schools serving 4,600 students across three districts. The landscape is primarily shaped by the Warren County School District, which manages the vast majority of local elementary and high schools.

Competitive Results on a Lean Budget

Students in the county achieve a 90.0% graduation rate, surpassing the national average of 87.0%. The county maintains a school score of 60.1 while spending $10,028 per pupil, reflecting a cost-effective approach to education.

Unified Districts and Charter Options

Warren County SD is the dominant force with 3,911 students, but the area also offers school choice through Tidioute Community CS. This charter school accounts for roughly 8% of the county's total schools, serving 292 students.

A Mostly Rural Learning Experience

Eight of the county's 12 schools are in rural areas, though town locales house the largest campuses like Warren Area HS. While the average size is 383, the Warren Area HS and Elementary Center both serve nearly 700 students each.

Safe Neighborhoods and Solid Schools

Warren County offers a reliable educational system and a choice between traditional and charter options. Start your home search here to find properties that put your children within reach of these respected campuses.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Warren County

via RiskByCounty

Warren faces moderate-to-high national risk

Warren County scores 65.55 nationally, approaching the higher end of U.S. disaster vulnerability and well above the American average. This positioning indicates residents face substantial natural hazard exposure across multiple hazard types requiring serious preparedness attention.

Slightly below state average within Pennsylvania

Warren County's score of 65.55 falls just below Pennsylvania's average of 67.45, placing it in the relatively low-risk tier statewide despite national positioning. However, the county remains among the more exposed communities within its own state.

Higher risk than most regional peers

Warren County (65.55) carries greater hazard exposure than neighboring Venango County (55.60) and Susquehanna County (53.59), driven primarily by its exceptionally high flood risk of 82.82. Only Washington County among nearby counties exceeds Warren's disaster vulnerability.

Flood is Warren's dominant hazard

Warren County's critical exposure is flood risk at 82.82, among the highest in Pennsylvania and substantially above the state average. Hurricane risk (57.15) and tornado risk (21.95) add secondary concerns, though neither matches the intensity of water-related hazards.

Prioritize flood insurance immediately

Warren County residents must secure dedicated flood insurance given the county's exceptionally high flood risk score of 82.82. Combined with comprehensive homeowners coverage, flood protection is essential for financial security in this high-water-exposure community.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Warren County

via WaterByCounty

Severe Drinking Water Violations in Warren County

Warren County has an F grade with 86 health violations over the last five years. Its violation rate of 362.9 per 100,000 residents is more than four times higher than the state average of 86.5.

Assessed Streams Meet Standards in Latest Cycle

For the 2022 reporting cycle, 0.0% of the 14,647 assessed water bodies in Warren County were found to be impaired. This suggests that the major sources of drinking water issues may be at the utility or infrastructure level rather than the raw watershed.

High Data Volume Across 40 Monitoring Sites

Environmental agencies have recorded 21,689 measurements at 40 sites over the past five years. The most frequently measured groups include inorganics, metals, and nutrients, providing a clear picture of local water chemistry.

Allegheny River Running Significantly Above Average

At Warren, the Allegheny River is currently flowing at 11,200 cfs, or 184% of its typical long-term mean. This high volume is managed by a gauge covering a drainage area of over 3,100 square miles.

Take Action to Verify Drinking Water Safety

Given the extremely high violation rate, residents should use certified filters and conduct independent water testing. The high streamflow in the Allegheny River could further complicate source water processing for local utilities.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Warren County

via WeatherByCounty

One of the cooler climates in the nation

Warren County averages a brisk 46.7°F annually, placing it more than seven degrees below the national median temperature. Its climate is defined by long, snowy winters and short, refreshing summers.

Colder than the Pennsylvania average

The county is significantly cooler than the Pennsylvania average of 49.9°F. Its location in the northern tier makes it one of the state's chillier jurisdictions year-round.

The snow capital of the region

Warren County’s 93.7 inches of annual snow dwarfs the 53.7 inches seen in neighboring Venango County. It also receives 47.9 inches of total precipitation, exceeding the state average of 45.3 inches.

Deep winters and rare summer heat

Winter dominates the calendar with a December-to-February average of 25.9°F and massive snow totals. Extreme heat is rare here, as the county only sees about 5 days a year hit the 90°F mark.

Prioritizing winter gear and vehicle safety

The 93.7 inches of snow make winter tires and reliable shovels absolute essentials for every household. Fortunately, the mild 68.4°F July average means many residents can get by with minimal air conditioning use.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Warren County

via SoilByCounty

The Plateau's Acidic Base

Warren County lacks specific taxonomic data in current records, though the region generally shares the acidic traits of the Allegheny Plateau. Growers should expect conditions more acidic than the national 6.5 median based on regional trends.

Shale and Sandstone Origins

Specific data on sand, silt, and clay percentages are currently unavailable for this area. Most local soils reflect the weathered sandstone and shale parent materials common in Pennsylvania's northern tier.

Building Healthy Humus

While local organic matter percentages are not recorded, the county sits in a state with a high 12.14% average. Without specific water capacity data, gardeners should focus on building humus to ensure consistent moisture levels.

Observing Land Hydrology

Dominant drainage classes and hydrologic groups are not currently documented for Warren County's soil survey. It is essential for residents to observe their land's water runoff patterns during heavy spring rains.

Hardy Northern Harvests

In Zone 6a, Warren County is ideal for growing apples, cherries, and a variety of hardy greens. The region's natural environment provides a beautiful backdrop for starting a productive home garden.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Warren County

via LawnByCounty

Warren County Leads in Lawn Ease

Warren County boasts a lawn difficulty score of 64.5, making it one of the most lawn-friendly regions in the state. This score is significantly higher than the national median of 50.0 and the state average of 59.2. Homeowners in this 6a zone benefit from a climate that naturally supports turf health.

Cooler Summers and Plenty of Rain

At 47.9 inches of annual precipitation, your lawn gets more rain than the state average. With only 5 days of extreme heat over 90°F, your grass is less likely to brown out in the middle of summer. These conditions are nearly perfect for maintaining a lush, green carpet with minimal irrigation.

Test for Local Soil Success

Specific soil data for Warren County is currently unavailable, so a personal soil test is your best first step. Most Pennsylvania soils lean toward acidity, so you may need to apply lime periodically. Understanding your specific drainage and nutrient levels will make your high lawn score work for you.

Mild Drought Impacted Most Areas

The county saw 18 weeks of drought in the past year, and 87.5% of the area is currently classified as abnormally dry. This is less severe than some neighbors, but it still requires a smart watering strategy. Focus on watering in the early morning to ensure moisture reaches the roots before it evaporates.

Seeding Season Starts in Late May

Wait until after the last frost on May 22 before you begin heavy seeding or sodding. The 6a zone is ideal for Fine Fescue blends, which thrive in cooler temperatures and moderate rain. You have a long autumn window to prepare for winter, with the first frost not typically arriving until October 21.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Warren County's county score?
Warren County, Pennsylvania has a composite county score of 52.3 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Warren County rank among counties in Pennsylvania?
Warren County ranks #37 among all counties in Pennsylvania on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Warren County, Pennsylvania?
The median annual property tax in Warren County is $1,694, with an effective tax rate of 1.39%. This earns Warren County a tax score of 17.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Warren County?
The median household income in Warren County, Pennsylvania is $59,013 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Warren County earns an income score of 35.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Warren County, Pennsylvania a good place to live?
Warren County scores 52.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #37 in Pennsylvania. The best way to evaluate Warren County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Warren County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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