Warren County

Pennsylvania · PA

#25 in Pennsylvania
66.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Warren County, Pennsylvania

Warren keeps pace nationally

Warren County's composite score of 68.9 stands 38% above the national median of 50.0, confirming its position in the upper tier of American counties. Housing affordability drives much of this performance.

Among Pennsylvania's better counties

At 68.9, Warren exceeds the state average of 66.0 by nearly 3 points, securing its place among Pennsylvania's more livable communities. This edge reflects measured strength in housing costs.

Housing costs are unbeatable

Warren boasts the highest cost score of this group at 85.0, with median home values of just $121,800 and rents at $756/month—the lowest. These prices place homeownership within reach for working families.

Income and taxes are concerns

The income score of 21.9 with median household income of $59,013 signals the lowest earning potential among these eight counties. The tax score of 63.2 and effective rate of 1.391% represent the highest tax burden on this list.

Best for ultra-budget families

Warren County serves retirees, fixed-income households, and workers seeking rock-bottom housing costs without regard for earning potential. The extraordinarily low home prices compensate for limited incomes and higher tax rates.

Score breakdown

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

Tax63.2Cost85SafetyComing SoonHealth72SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.9Risk34.5WaterComing Soon
🏛63.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠85
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼21.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
72
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
34.5
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

Warren County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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.

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.

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.

Health in Warren County

via HealthByCounty

Warren Falls Short of U.S. Life Expectancy

Warren County residents live to 75.5 years on average, falling 3.4 years below the U.S. life expectancy of 78.9 years and the lowest longevity in this regional analysis. With 19.0% reporting poor or fair health, Warren residents experience health concerns above national patterns. These figures point to significant health challenges that warrant local action and support.

Below Pennsylvania Average on Life Expectancy

Warren County's 75.5-year life expectancy sits 0.9 years below Pennsylvania's 76.4-year average, placing it among the state's lower-performing counties. The 19.0% poor/fair health rate matches state concerns exactly, suggesting Warren experiences typical Pennsylvania health patterns but with slightly shorter lifespans. Health interventions targeting chronic disease and preventive care could narrow this gap.

Solid Provider Network with Room to Grow

Warren County offers 39 primary care providers and 149 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—solid capacity that exceeds Sullivan County's (17 mental health) but trails Union County's exceptional infrastructure. The county's provider availability supports basic preventive and behavioral health access, though growth in primary care and mental health capacity could improve outcomes. Regional comparisons suggest room for expanding healthcare infrastructure.

Lowest Uninsured Rate Among These Counties

Warren County's 5.9% uninsured rate ranks lowest among these eight counties and well below Pennsylvania's 7.0% state average, meaning fewer residents face coverage barriers. With 39 primary care and 149 mental health providers per 100,000 available, most insured Warren residents can access care. Yet uninsured residents—though fewer than neighboring counties—still face healthcare access gaps.

Ensure Coverage Matches Your Health Needs

Warren County's 5.9% uninsured rate is among Pennsylvania's best, but those without coverage should act quickly on marketplace enrollment to access local providers. If you're insured, review your plan's mental health and primary care coverage to ensure you're maximizing preventive services that could improve Warren's life expectancy trends. Community health workers at local health centers offer free enrollment assistance and coverage navigation.

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.

ByCounty Network

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