countyscore
62.3
County Score
Safety 86.6Income & Jobs 78.8Health 76

County Report Card

About Whitley County, Indiana

Elite National Standing

With a composite score of 63.4, Whitley County ranks far above the national median of 50.0. It is among the more successful counties in the United States by this measure.

A Regional Economic Powerhouse

Whitley County easily clears the Indiana state average of 55.9. It distinguishes itself through a combination of high incomes and a very healthy population.

Prosperous, Healthy, and Safe

The county shines with an income score of 78.3 and a health score of 76.0. Household incomes are strong at $75,790, supported by high safety and low climate risk.

Higher Costs for Quality Living

A cost score of 39.5 reflects median home values of $205,200, which are higher than many surrounding areas. School performance, with a score of 45.5, also remains an area with potential for growth.

The Choice for Affluent Families

Whitley County is best for upwardly mobile families and professionals who value high-income potential and wellness. It offers a premium quality of life for those willing to invest in a slightly higher-cost housing market.

2040608010060.336.486.67645.578.875.459.157.7Tax60.3Cost36.4Safety86.6Health76Schools45.5Income78.8Risk75.4Water59.1Weather57.762.3/100
This county
National avg
4 above average1 below average

Whitley County DNA

Doverall

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

Whitley County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (86.6/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (36.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
60.3+8.299999999999997
Cost
36.4-11.600000000000001
Safety
86.6+31.599999999999994
Health
76+26
Schools
45.5-8.5
Income
78.8+27.799999999999997
Risk
75.4+28.400000000000006
Water
59.1
Weather
57.7
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Compare mortgage rates in Whitley County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$219,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$934/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$219,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$37,360/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $78,083/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

14.5

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

Kosciusko County
Indiana
49.3
Noble County
Indiana
54.5
Wabash County
Indiana
60.7
Huntington County
Indiana
54.3
Allen County
Indiana
41
Wells County
Indiana
65.7
Miami County
Indiana
61.6
Elkhart County
Indiana
36.5

Deep Dives

Whitley County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Whitley County

via TaxByCounty

Whitley County below national tax median

Whitley County's effective tax rate of 0.698% remains well below the national median property tax burden of $2,690, meaning residents enjoy a lighter load than most Americans. However, at nearly twice the rate of some Indiana neighbors, Whitley is more taxed relative to state peers.

Slightly above Indiana's average rate

Whitley County's 0.698% effective rate exceeds Indiana's 0.671% average by a small margin, placing it in the middle-upper range of state counties. The county's median property tax of $1,432 is the highest among the four-county peer group and well above the state median of $1,199.

Highest-taxed county in the region

Whitley County's residents face the steepest effective tax rate (0.698%) among peers, and the largest median property tax bill at $1,432. Only Wayne County's 0.873% approaches Whitley's burden; Wells and White counties tax significantly less.

Median annual tax: $1,432

On a median home valued at $205,200—the highest in this four-county peer group—Whitley County homeowners pay approximately $1,432 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $1,455; without one, it drops to $1,372.

Consider appealing your assessment

Whitley County homeowners with higher tax bills should verify their assessments are accurate—overvaluation is common statewide. Submitting a reassessment challenge is free and could result in meaningful annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Whitley County

via IncomeByCounty

Whitley County meets national income benchmark

Whitley County's median household income of $75,790 marginally exceeds the national median of $74,755 by $1,035, placing it at the national average. This strong performance indicates Whitley County residents earn as much as typical American households, a rare achievement for a rural Indiana county. The county's economy demonstrates competitiveness with national prosperity standards.

Whitley County tops Indiana's income rankings

Whitley County's median household income of $75,790 significantly exceeds Indiana's state average of $68,681, surpassing it by $7,109 annually per household. Its per capita income of $37,540 also leads the state average of $34,773 by $2,767, indicating higher-earning opportunities and better-paying jobs. Whitley County ranks among Indiana's highest-income counties.

Whitley leads surrounding county earnings

Whitley County's $75,790 median household income leads all its neighbors: Wells County by $6,049, White County by $9,647, and Wayne County by $19,138. Among this four-county cluster, Whitley's economic strength stands unchallenged, suggesting superior job markets and wage levels. This leadership position reflects a robust local economy driving higher household prosperity.

Excellent housing affordability ratio

Whitley County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.7% is exceptional, well below the 30% affordability standard and the best among its peer counties. The median home value of $205,200 is the highest in the region, yet remains achievable for households earning the county median of $75,790. Whitley County residents enjoy substantial financial flexibility in housing decisions.

Whitley County positioned for wealth acceleration

With a median household income of $75,790, Whitley County residents have meaningful capacity to invest aggressively in retirement accounts, brokerage investments, and real estate. Consider diversified portfolios including stocks, bonds, and index funds to build long-term wealth and financial independence. Whitley County's strong economy creates an ideal environment for accelerated wealth creation and generational financial planning.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Whitley County

via CrimeByCounty

Whitley County Boasts Elite Safety Rating

Whitley County earns a safety score of 99.5, placing it well above the majority of U.S. counties. Its total crime rate of 300.6 per 100,000 residents is nearly eight times lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

A Strong Performer in Indiana

The county's total crime rate of 300.6 is less than half of the Indiana state average of 693.8. This high performance maintains a safety score that exceeds the state average of 98.9.

Consistency Across Local Law Enforcement

Three reporting agencies contribute to Whitley County's impressive safety data, ensuring a reliable picture of local peace. The county maintains a significantly lower crime profile than many surrounding Indiana regions.

Property Crime Remains Very Rare

Violent crime in Whitley County is remarkably low at 52.5 per 100,000, while property crime stands at 248.1. These figures are drastically lower than national rates, where property crime alone exceeds 2,015 per 100,000.

Proactive Security for Whitley Residents

Even in such a safe environment, residents can benefit from modern home security tools like smart locks and cameras. Keeping property secure helps Whitley County maintain its status as one of Indiana's safest places to live.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Whitley County

via WeatherByCounty

A Cool Northern Continental Profile

Whitley County is one of the cooler spots in the region, with an annual average temperature of 49.5°F. This is significantly below the national median, resulting in long winters and mild summers.

Among the Coldest Counties in Indiana

The 49.5°F annual average is nearly three degrees lower than the Indiana state average of 52.2°F. This makes Whitley one of the colder jurisdictions in the state's northern quadrant.

Lower Precipitation and High Snowfall

Whitley receives just 39.1 inches of total precipitation, which is nearly five inches less than the state average. Despite being drier overall, it receives a robust 21.4 inches of snow per year.

Short Summers and Snow-Covered Winters

Extreme heat is rare, occurring only 9 days a year, while winter temps average a cold 26.8°F. The 21.4 inches of snowfall ensures that winter sports and snow removal are part of the local lifestyle.

Winterize Your Home and Vehicle

Focus your budget on heating efficiency, as the county only sees 9 days of extreme heat. Snow tires and reliable shovels are essential tools for managing the 21.4 inches of annual snowfall.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Whitley County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic soils with high character

Whitley County's soil is more acidic than its neighbors, with a pH of 5.80 compared to the national median of 6.5. While taxonomic data is currently unavailable, the overall soil score of 74.9 remains well above the Indiana average of 71.4. This acidity level is particularly beneficial for acid-loving plants and specific forest species.

Sand and silt drive soil texture

The soil composition is dominated by 43.9% sand and 30.4% silt, creating a relatively light and porous texture. A lower clay content of 14.7% means the soil warms up quickly in the spring and resists compaction. This structural profile allows for excellent root penetration and aeration for deep-rooted plants.

Massive organic matter reserves

Whitley County features an extraordinary 9.50% organic matter, nearly double the Indiana average of 4.90%. The available water capacity is 0.201 in/in, sitting right at the state benchmark. This massive organic reserve provides incredible natural fertility and supports a thriving subterranean ecosystem.

Reliable water capacity for growth

While specific drainage classes are not provided in the current data, the high sand content suggests rapid initial infiltration. The high organic matter helps regulate this, ensuring that the 0.201 in/in water capacity is utilized effectively by crops. This balance prevents the soil from drying out too quickly despite the sandier texture.

Hardiness zone 6a planting potential

The high organic matter and lower pH make Whitley County perfect for blueberries, potatoes, and evergreens. In this 6a zone, you can leverage the quick-warming sandy soil to get a head start on the growing season. With such nutrient-rich earth, your garden has everything it needs to flourish this year.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Whitley County

via LawnByCounty

Whitley County's Accessible Lawn Care

Whitley County maintains a lawn difficulty score of 68.1, placing it just slightly below the Indiana state average. Despite this, local gardeners find it more manageable than the national median score of 50.0 for USDA zone 6a.

Cooler Summers Benefit Turf Growth

Lawns here benefit from one of the mildest summers in the state, with only 9 extreme heat days per year. Annual precipitation of 39.1 inches is slightly lower than the state average, requiring a bit more attention to irrigation during July and August.

Sandy Soil and Acidic pH

The soil pH of 5.80 is slightly below the ideal range, suggesting that a lime application could help balance the acidity for better grass health. The high sand content of 43.9% aids in drainage, though specific drainage classification data is unavailable for this area.

Managing Abnormally Dry Conditions

Currently, 100% of the county is abnormally dry, though only 8.0% reaches the severe drought threshold. Over the past year, the area has experienced 29 weeks of drought, making moisture management a top priority for maintaining green turf.

Best Grasses for Whitley County

Fine fescues and Kentucky Bluegrass are excellent choices for the local climate and sandy soil base. Plan your planting for late April or early May once the risk of the last frost on April 27 has passed.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Whitley County's county score?
Whitley County, Indiana has a composite county score of 62.3 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 Whitley County rank among counties in Indiana?
Whitley County ranks #23 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 Whitley County, Indiana?
The median annual property tax in Whitley County is $1,537, with an effective tax rate of 0.70%. This earns Whitley County a tax score of 60.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Whitley County?
The median household income in Whitley County, Indiana is $78,083 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Whitley County earns an income score of 78.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Whitley County, Indiana a good place to live?
Whitley County scores 62.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #23 in Indiana. The best way to evaluate Whitley 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 Whitley 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.