countyscore
65.7
County Score
Property Tax 79.8Safety 79.8Soil Quality 77.6

County Report Card

About Wells County, Indiana

Outperforming the National Landscape

Wells County boasts a strong composite score of 64.9, significantly higher than the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a high quality of life across multiple data dimensions.

Top-Tier Choice in Indiana

Exceeding the state average of 55.9 by nearly ten points, Wells County ranks among Indiana's more desirable locations. It combines economic stability with high personal safety.

Low Taxes and Strong Safety

The county excels with a tax score of 84.7, driven by a low effective property tax rate of 0.511%. Residents also benefit from high levels of safety and climate resilience, scoring 79.8 and 77.2 respectively.

Room for Institutional Growth

While housing is fairly affordable at $180,000, the cost score of 46.7 shows it is slightly higher than some neighbors. School and water scores, at 48.3 and 51.4, represent the primary areas for local improvement.

Ideal for Established Families

Wells County is a premier destination for families seeking low taxes and a median household income of $69,741. It offers a balanced, high-performing environment for long-term residency.

2040608010079.85479.867.148.366.677.251.456Tax79.8Cost54Safety79.8Health67.1Schools48.3Income66.6Risk77.2Water51.4Weather5665.7/100
This county
National avg
5 above average

Wells County DNA

D+overall

How Wells County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Wells County excels in 5 of 9 measured dimensions, led by Disaster Risk (77.2/100). A few areas trail the national average, including Water Quality (51.4/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
79.8+27.799999999999997
Cost
54
Safety
79.8+24.799999999999997
Health
67.1+17.099999999999994
Schools
48.3
Income
66.6+15.599999999999994
Risk
77.2+30.200000000000003
Water
51.4
Weather
56
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Compare mortgage rates in Wells County

Whether buying or refinancing in Wells County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$197,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$813/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$197,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$32,520/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $71,957/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

17.7

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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Counties with similar scores

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Orange County
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Clearwater County
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Nearby counties

Blackford County
Indiana
60.6
Huntington County
Indiana
54.3
Adams County
Indiana
57
Jay County
Indiana
61
Grant County
Indiana
45.5
Delaware County
Indiana
40
Wabash County
Indiana
60.7
Allen County
Indiana
41

Deep Dives

Wells County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in Wells County

via CrimeByCounty

Wells County Ranks Among Nation's Safest

Wells County achieves an exceptional safety score of 99.2 out of 100, reflecting a very secure environment for residents. Its total crime rate of 475.8 per 100,000 people is roughly 80% lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Outperforming the Indiana State Average

The county's total crime rate of 475.8 sits well below the Indiana state average of 693.8. Its safety score of 99.2 also surpasses the state's average safety rating of 98.9, marking it as a regional leader in security.

Quiet Streets Compared to Neighbors

Data from two reporting agencies shows that Wells County maintains significantly lower incident rates than more urbanized neighboring areas. This consistent performance keeps the community among the most peaceful in northeastern Indiana.

Low Rates Across All Crime Categories

Property crime accounts for the majority of local reports at 415.4 per 100,000, while violent crime is nearly nonexistent at just 60.4. In contrast, the national violent crime rate is over six times higher at 369.8.

Keeping Your Wells County Home Secure

While crime rates are very low, residents can maintain this peace of mind through basic home security awareness. Simple steps like installing motion-sensor lighting and smart doorbells help preserve the county's high safety standards.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Wells County

via WeatherByCounty

Cooler Continental Shifts in Northern Indiana

Wells County averages 50.1°F annually, placing it among the cooler counties in the national mid-latitude belt. The area experiences sharp shifts between its 24.5°F Januarys and 73.0°F Julys.

Notably Cooler Than the State Average

The annual temperature of 50.1°F is two degrees lower than the Indiana average of 52.2°F. This cooler profile is representative of the state's northern tier, where winter impacts are more pronounced.

Drier and Snowier than Southern Peers

Wells County receives 40.0 inches of precipitation, which is nearly four inches less than the state average. However, much of that arrives as frozen precipitation, contributing to its significant winter totals.

Heavy Snow and Few Heat Waves

Winter is the dominant season here with 23.3 inches of annual snowfall and an average winter temp of 27.3°F. Summer heat is manageable, with only 12 days a year reaching the 90°F threshold.

Prepare for Snowy Winter Commutes

Invest in high-quality snow removal equipment to handle the 23.3 inches of annual snowfall. Since extreme heat is infrequent, home energy audits should prioritize preventing heat loss during the cold winter months.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Wells County

via SoilByCounty

Near-perfect pH levels in Wells County

Wells County soil hits the sweet spot with an average pH of 6.54, almost perfectly aligning with the national median of 6.5. These soils belong to the Inceptisols order, which are relatively young soils with significant potential for development. This balanced chemistry allows for maximum nutrient availability for a wide range of crops.

Mastering the silt loam texture

The soil is classified as a silt loam, consisting of 50.9% silt, 24.8% sand, and 24.3% clay. This specific blend provides excellent nutrient retention and a fine texture that is easy to work. It offers a more robust structural integrity than sandier soils found elsewhere in the state.

Average water capacity with room for growth

The county's organic matter stands at 2.84%, which is lower than the state average of 4.90% but still exceeds the 2.0% national benchmark. Available water capacity matches the state average exactly at 0.202 in/in. These metrics indicate a solid foundation for agriculture that benefits from supplemental organic inputs.

Managing very poorly drained landscapes

The landscape is characterized as very poorly drained and belongs to hydrologic group B/D. This means the soil has high runoff potential when wet, requiring careful drainage management for farming or construction. Proper tiling and water diversion are essential to unlocking the productivity of these Inceptisols.

Optimal conditions for zone 6a gardens

The near-neutral pH makes this an ideal location for diverse vegetable gardens and commercial grain production. Residents in zone 6a should focus on plants that can tolerate moist conditions given the drainage profile. Your soil is among the most chemically balanced in the state, so get planting today.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Wells County

via LawnByCounty

Easier Growing Conditions for Wells County

Wells County scores a 75.2 on the lawn difficulty scale, outperforming both the national median and the Indiana state average. This high score suggests that maintaining a lush green space here is more accessible than in many other parts of the country.

Manageable Heat and Growing Days

With 3,091 growing degree days and 40 inches of rain, the local climate supports steady turf development throughout the spring and fall. Only 12 days a year top 90°F, sparing lawns from the excessive heat stress found in southern Indiana.

Nutrient-Rich but Poorly Draining Soils

A soil pH of 6.54 creates a nutrient-rich environment for Indiana grasses. However, the silt loam soil is categorized as very poorly drained, so homeowners must ensure proper grading to avoid standing water after heavy rains.

Navigating a Difficult Severe Drought

The county currently faces a major challenge with 100% of the area classified in severe drought. After 32 weeks of drought over the past year, deep and infrequent watering is essential to preserve established turf systems.

Planting Resilience in Zone 6a

Tall fescue is a resilient choice for the local zone, especially given the current dry spells. Aim to start your lawn projects after the last spring frost on April 24 to give your seeds a safe start.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Wells County's county score?
Wells County, Indiana has a composite county score of 65.7 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 Wells County rank among counties in Indiana?
Wells County ranks #10 among all counties in Indiana 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 Wells County, Indiana?
The median annual property tax in Wells County is $1,065, with an effective tax rate of 0.54%. This earns Wells County a tax score of 79.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Wells County?
The median household income in Wells County, Indiana is $71,957 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Wells County earns an income score of 66.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Wells County, Indiana a good place to live?
Wells County scores 65.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #10 in Indiana. The best way to evaluate Wells 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 Wells County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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.