CountyScore

Wells County

Indiana · IN

#8 in Indiana
75.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Wells County, Indiana

Wells County exceeds national livability standards

Wells County's composite score of 75.5 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 51 percent, placing it in the top quartile of American counties. This strong national standing reflects consistent excellence across tax policy, affordability, and health outcomes.

Indiana's top-performing northeast county

Wells County ranks above Indiana's 71.2 state average with a composite score of 75.5, positioning it in the upper tier of the state's 92 counties. The county stands out as one of Indiana's most livable communities by this measure.

Lowest taxes and highest median income in group

Wells County leads with the lowest effective tax rate at 0.511%, earning a tax score of 87.9, and achieves the highest median household income of $69,741 among these four counties. Health outcomes are strong at 72.9, and housing costs remain reasonable with median home values at $180,000.

Limited data on schools and safety offset strong scores

Missing data on school quality and safety prevents a complete livability picture, though the available metrics suggest solid community stability. The income score of 28.9, while highest in this group, remains modest compared to national high performers.

Ideal for middle-class families seeking stability

Wells County offers the most balanced livability profile among these four Indiana counties—combining low taxes, reasonable housing costs, and solid incomes. It suits young families and established professionals who value financial predictability and community health without sacrificing affordability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.9Cost79.5SafetyComing SoonHealth72.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.9Risk77.2WaterComing Soon
🏛87.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡77.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

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Compare Wells County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Randolph County
Alabama
75.5
Median income: $51,551
Hoonah-Angoon Census Area
Alaska
75.5
Median income: $62,500
Lyon County
Iowa
75.5
Median income: $72,881
Lac qui Parle County
Minnesota
75.5
Median income: $71,639
Hidalgo County
New Mexico
75.5
Median income: $49,076

Deep Dives

Wells County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Wells County

via TaxByCounty

Wells County ranks among lowest-tax counties

Wells County's effective tax rate of 0.511% is less than one-fifth the national median property tax burden, placing it in the lowest tier nationally. Residents here enjoy some of the lightest property tax loads in America.

Well below Indiana's average tax rate

Wells County's 0.511% rate is the lowest among the four-county region and significantly undercuts Indiana's 0.671% average. The county's median property tax of $920 ranks below the state median of $1,199, reflecting deliberately conservative assessment practices.

Lightest tax burden in the region

Wells County offers the lowest effective tax rate (0.511%) among its peers, beating Wayne County (0.873%), Whitley County (0.698%), and White County (0.531%). Despite having a higher median home value of $180,000, Wells residents still pay the least in taxes.

Median tax bill: just $920 annually

On a median home valued at $180,000, Wells County homeowners pay approximately $920 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $1,002; without one, it drops to $814.

Still worth reviewing your assessment

Even in a low-tax county, homeowners sometimes discover they're paying more than they should through a reassessment appeal. Request a review if you believe your home's assessed value exceeds its fair market value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Wells County

via CostByCounty

Wells County beats national affordability standard

Wells County residents spend just 14.4% of income on rent, bettering the national average and earning it a "more affordable" designation. At $69,741 median household income, Wells County is nearly $5,000 above the national median, making housing costs manageable.

Indiana's most affordable rental market

Wells County's 14.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks it among Indiana's most affordable counties, well below the state average of 15.6%. Few Indiana counties offer renters better value relative to local wages.

Sweet spot between cost and income

Wells County's $837 median rent aligns with state averages, but higher median incomes create lower housing burden than Wayne ($813 rent, 17.2% burden) and competitive ratios with White and Whitley. This combination—reasonable rent and solid wages—makes Wells an affordability standout.

Balanced housing costs in Wells County

Renters allocate $837 monthly while homeowners spend $911, representing a healthy 14.4% and 15.7% of income respectively. Wells County's $69,741 median income distributes housing burdens evenly across renters and owners.

Wells County delivers solid value

If affordability matters alongside quality of life, Wells County merits serious consideration with its above-average incomes and manageable housing costs. Home values at $180,000 reflect a growing market worth exploring before prices rise further.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Wells County

via IncomeByCounty

Wells County nearly matches national income

Wells County's median household income of $69,741 comes within $5,014 of the national median of $74,755, placing it solidly in the middle tier of American counties. This performance reflects a stable, working-class economy comparable to the national average. Wells County residents earn more than most Indiana counties, suggesting stronger local job markets.

Above Indiana's median household income

Wells County ranks above Indiana's state average median household income of $68,681, earning $1,060 more per household annually. The county's per capita income of $35,280 also exceeds the state average of $34,773, indicating a slightly more prosperous local economy. This positions Wells among Indiana's stronger-performing counties.

Wells leads nearby counties in earnings

Wells County's $69,741 median household income outpaces Wayne County by $13,089 and White County by $3,598, making it the strongest performer among its immediate neighbors. Only Whitley County to the north surpasses Wells with $75,790, a difference of just $6,049. These earnings patterns suggest Wells has maintained a more resilient employment base than adjacent regions.

Rent remains affordable; housing costs reasonable

Wells County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.4% is excellent and well below the 30% affordability threshold, giving renters comfortable financial breathing room. The median home value of $180,000 is accessible for many families earning the county median, though mortgage costs will vary with down payment and credit profile. Overall, housing costs pose minimal financial stress for typical Wells County households.

Invest in long-term wealth at Wells County income

With a median household income of $69,741, Wells County residents are positioned to build wealth through diversified investments and property ownership. Consider maxing out retirement account contributions, exploring index funds, and building home equity as core wealth strategies. Wells County's stable economy makes this an opportune time to invest in financial growth and generational wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Wells County

via HealthByCounty

Wells County Outpaces the Nation

At 76.7 years, Wells County residents live nearly half a decade longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years, placing the county in the healthiest tier nationally. Just 18.3% report poor or fair health, beating the national average of 18%, a sign of sustained community wellness.

Indiana's Health Leaders

Wells County ranks in the top quarter of Indiana's 92 counties for life expectancy, exceeding the state average of 75.1 years by 1.6 years. The county's below-average poor/fair health rate of 18.3% reflects stronger overall health outcomes than most of the state.

Best-In-Class Among Peers

Wells County's 76.7-year life expectancy bests Wayne County by over four years and matches or exceeds most neighboring counties in northeast Indiana. At 6.5% uninsured—1.9 percentage points below Indiana's 8.4% average—Wells residents have strong insurance coverage and primary care access with 46 providers per 100K.

Strong Coverage, Room for Growth

Wells County's 6.5% uninsured rate is among Indiana's lowest, meaning most residents have healthcare access. However, mental health provider availability at 74 per 100,000 is lower than demand might require in a county with strong overall health metrics, suggesting some residents may wait for specialized care.

Ensure Coverage for Everyone

Even in healthy Wells County, the 6.5% of uninsured residents deserve pathways to care—check Indiana's health marketplace or Medicaid eligibility at medi.IN.gov. Contact Wells County health department or 211 Indiana to confirm your family's coverage is complete.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Wells County

via RiskByCounty

Wells County enjoys exceptional disaster resilience

With a composite risk score of just 22.84, Wells County rates as very low risk—nearly half the state average of 45.52. This favorable standing reflects consistently modest exposure across most major natural hazard categories.

Among Indiana's safest counties overall

Wells County ranks near the bottom tier of Indiana's 92 counties for composite risk exposure. Its tornado risk (59.06) and earthquake risk (49.81) both sit below statewide medians, providing residents with substantially lower vulnerability than many peer counties.

Wells County leads its region in safety

Among northeastern neighbors, Wells County (22.84) edges out Whitley County (24.59) as the region's safest. Even so, nearby Wayne County's score of 74.11 demonstrates that risk varies sharply across short distances in this part of Indiana.

Tornado season remains the primary hazard

Tornadoes pose the highest relative risk at 59.06, though this still falls comfortably below state and national averages. Flood risk (37.66) ranks second, while wildfire (4.96) and hurricane exposure (26.53) remain minimal concerns for most residents.

Standard coverage meets most Wells County needs

Wells County's low-risk profile means standard homeowners insurance and a tornado safety plan typically provide adequate protection. However, flood insurance remains wise if your property lies near streams or drainage areas, and earthquake coverage costs little to add.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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