Williams County

Ohio · OH

#27 in Ohio
69.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Williams County, Ohio

Williams edges ahead nationally

Williams County's composite score of 69.7 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by nearly 20 points, ranking it in the top 70th percentile nationally. The county demonstrates consistent strength across measured livability dimensions.

Slightly above Ohio's average

At 69.7, Williams ranks above Ohio's state average of 68.8, positioning it among the stronger counties statewide. It performs solidly within the state's competitive landscape.

Solid affordability with low taxes

Williams combines a cost score of 81.3 with affordable median home values of $140,000 and rent at $805 per month. Its tax score of 69.6 and effective rate of 1.160% provide reasonable tax efficiency for rural Ohio living.

Incomes remain below state expectations

Williams's income score of 23.8 translates to a median household income of $61,834, limiting long-term wealth building. Safety, health, school quality, and environmental data are not yet available to complete the livability picture.

Appeals to budget-conscious working families

Williams suits families earning modest incomes who want affordability with reasonable tax treatment and rural peace. Its combination of low housing costs and balanced taxes works well for those prioritizing financial stability over income growth.

Score breakdown

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

Tax69.6Cost81.3SafetyComing SoonHealth71.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.8Risk55.6WaterComing Soon
🏛69.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠81.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼23.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
71.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
55.6
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

Williams County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Williams County

via TaxByCounty

Williams modestly above national median

At 1.160%, Williams County's effective tax rate sits marginally above the national median of 1.09%, placing it in the upper-middle band of U.S. counties. The median annual property tax of $1,624 remains well below the national median of $2,690, reflecting lower home values despite a slightly-above-average rate. Williams homeowners enjoy reasonable tax affordability despite the above-median rate.

Slightly above Ohio's state average

At 1.160%, Williams County's effective rate barely exceeds Ohio's state average of 1.148%, with a median tax of $1,624 falling below the state median of $2,145. Williams ranks just barely above Ohio's midpoint, making it a statistically typical Ohio county.

Higher than western Ohio's low-tax counties

Williams's 1.160% rate significantly exceeds nearby Van Wert (0.967%) and Wyandot (0.888%), but runs well below Wood County (1.358%) just to the south. Among northwest Ohio's counties, Williams occupies a middle-to-lower position in the tax hierarchy.

Median home brings $1,624 annual tax

On Williams's median home value of $140,000, homeowners pay approximately $1,624 in annual property taxes. Those with mortgages pay an estimated $1,647 yearly; those without mortgages, roughly $1,579. Williams's tax bill remains quite affordable despite its slightly-above-average effective rate.

Homeowners should verify assessment accuracy

Williams County residents should confirm that their property's assessed value reflects its true market worth by comparing recent sales of similar homes. If your assessment appears high relative to these comparables, file an appeal with the county auditor. The process is straightforward, and successful challenges can reduce your annual tax burden going forward.

Cost of Living in Williams County

via CostByCounty

Williams matches Ohio's affordability profile

Williams County's 15.6% rent-to-income ratio exactly mirrors Ohio's state average, with households earning $61,834 spending $805 monthly on rent. This alignment suggests Williams represents a typical Ohio housing market rather than an outlier.

Right at Ohio's affordability benchmark

At 15.6% rent-to-income, Williams County matches the state average precisely and sits just $68 below Ohio's median rent of $873. This northwest county demonstrates that affordability varies little across the state when measured by proportional burden.

Solid middle ground in northwest Ohio

Williams' $805 rent falls between Van Wert ($792) and Wood County ($950), while its $140,000 home values place it among the region's more affordable markets. This positioning makes Williams a balanced alternative for those seeking neither extreme bargains nor premium pricing.

Typical Ohio housing allocation

Households earning $61,834 spend $805 monthly on rent or $832 on mortgages, dedicating 15.6% to housing—exactly the state standard. This proportional consistency suggests Williams residents face similar affordability pressures as most Ohio workers.

Williams offers predictable Ohio affordability

Relocating from another Ohio county? Williams delivers familiar affordability ratios without surprises or premium costs. At 15.6%, this market reflects standard Ohio housing burden—compare it against regions with notably higher or lower ratios to gauge your relocation advantage.

Income & Jobs in Williams County

via IncomeByCounty

Williams lags far behind nation

Williams County's median household income of $61,834 trails the national median of $74,755 by $12,921—a 17% gap. This deficit reflects northwest Ohio's rural economic profile.

Below Ohio's state standard

Williams County's $61,834 falls 9% short of Ohio's $68,101 state average, placing it in the lower-income tier of Ohio counties. The county faces income challenges common to its region.

Lowest earner in northwest Ohio

Williams County's $61,834 is the weakest in its immediate region, trailing Van Wert ($65,344), Wayne ($71,769), and Wood County ($73,124). Only Vinton County statewide earns less.

Housing costs strain budgets

Williams County's 15.6% rent-to-income ratio is among the higher burdens in Ohio, indicating housing consumes a notable share of income. Median home values of $140,000 remain accessible, but lower incomes reduce financial flexibility.

Build reserves through discipline

Williams County households at $61,834 should establish automatic savings plans and seek employer retirement matches to build wealth incrementally. Compound growth over 20-30 years can meaningfully improve long-term financial security.

Health in Williams County

via HealthByCounty

Williams tracks slightly below national

At 76.3 years, Williams County's life expectancy is nearly at the U.S. average of 76.4 years, indicating overall good community health. The 19.0% poor/fair health rate is moderate, reflecting stable but not exceptional health conditions.

Above state average, solid rank

Williams's 76.3-year life expectancy exceeds Ohio's state average of 74.8 years by 1.5 years, placing the county in Ohio's healthier cohort. The 19.0% poor/fair health rate is slightly above state norms, suggesting room for targeted health improvement efforts.

Strong showing among eight counties

Williams's 76.3-year life expectancy ranks third among the eight profiled counties, behind Warren and Wood but ahead of most peers. The county's 41 primary care providers per 100,000 is modest but adequate, matching Van Wert's service level.

Below-average uninsured, limited MH care

At 6.8% uninsured, Williams is below Ohio's 7.5% average, ensuring most residents can access routine care without financial barriers. However, mental health provider density is the second-lowest in this county group at 98 per 100,000, limiting behavioral health access.

Keep coverage, strengthen access

Williams's 6.8% uninsured rate is solid, but monitor your family's coverage by visiting Healthcare.gov or your employer's benefits portal. If you struggle with mental health care access, ask your primary doctor for referrals to the county's limited specialist network.

Disaster Risk in Williams County

via RiskByCounty

Williams' Moderate Risk Profile

Williams County scores 44.40 on the composite risk scale, approaching the national average with a Relatively Low rating. This northwestern Ohio county faces moderate exposure to natural hazards, with particular vulnerability to tornadoes and earthquakes despite generally favorable regional conditions.

Below-Average Risk for Ohio

Williams' composite score of 44.40 remains below Ohio's 55.03 average, placing it among the safer half of the state's counties. The county benefits from its position in northwestern Ohio's relatively protected geography.

Safer Than Most Regional Peers

Williams' 44.40 score compares favorably to Wood County (65.68) and Wayne County (64.85), though it exceeds Van Wert County (20.10) and Wyandot County (17.40). Its northwestern location offers better protection than northeastern Ohio counties.

Tornadoes and Earthquakes Stand Out

Williams faces tornado risk of 74.36 and earthquake risk of 63.04—both elevated relative to the county's overall moderate profile. Tornado preparedness should focus on identifying shelter locations and monitoring seasonal weather patterns during spring and early summer.

Standard Coverage With Earthquake Add-On

Williams residents benefit from below-state-average risk, so standard homeowners insurance provides solid foundational protection at competitive rates. Adding earthquake coverage as a rider addresses the county's elevated seismic exposure cost-effectively without requiring standalone policies.

ByCounty Network

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