58.5
County Score
Safety 76.8Schools 73.9Lawn Care 68.8

County Report Card

About Williams County, Ohio

Far Exceeding National Averages

Williams County earns an impressive composite score of 58.5, well above the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a high standard of living in Ohio's northwest corner.

A Top-Tier Ohio Performer

The county's score of 58.5 crushes the state average of 48.6. It stands out as one of the most livable regions for residents prioritizing safety and education.

Leading in Safety and Schools

Williams County shines with a safety score of 76.8 and a school score of 73.9. Parents can feel confident in the local security and the quality of the public education system.

Managing the Local Tax Burden

The tax score of 27.3 is the county's lowest metric, influenced by an effective tax rate of 1.160%. While housing is affordable, the property tax load is higher than in some neighboring counties.

A Premiere Choice for Families

This county is a top-tier destination for families who prioritize safety and excellent schools. With home values at a modest $140,000, it offers high-quality civic life at a reasonable entry price.

2040608010027.35676.862.573.944.655.648.550.1Tax27.3Cost56Safety76.8Health62.5Schools73.9Income44.6Risk55.6Water48.5Weather50.158.5/100
This county
National avg
3 above average1 below average

Williams County DNA

Foverall

How Williams County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Williams County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (76.8/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (27.3/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
27.3-24.7
Cost
56+8
Safety
76.8+21.799999999999997
Health
62.5+12.5
Schools
73.9+19.900000000000006
Income
44.6
Risk
55.6+8.600000000000001
Water
48.5-9.5
Weather
50.1
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Williams County?

Many homeowners in Williams County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$140,000

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$805/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$140,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$32,200/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $61,834/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

19.0

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Williams County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 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.

Safety in Williams County

via CrimeByCounty

Williams County Reaches Near-Perfect Safety

Williams County is incredibly safe, reporting a total crime rate of just 554.4 per 100K. Its safety score of 99.1 is one of the highest in the entire nation.

Far Safer Than the Ohio Average

The county's crime rate of 554.4 is less than half the state average of 1412.3. It significantly outperforms the typical Ohio safety score of 97.8.

A Northwest Ohio Safety Leader

Reporting from seven agencies shows Williams County is far safer than its more populous neighboring regions. Crime rates here are among the lowest in the state.

Statistical Risk of Crime is Minimal

Both violent crime (64.9) and property crime (489.5) rates are exceptionally low. Residents have a very low statistical likelihood of encountering any type of criminal activity.

Preserving a 99.1 Safety Score

Maintaining this elite level of safety requires continued community vigilance. Even simple precautions help deter the 489.5 property crimes that occur per 100K residents.

Schools in Williams County

via SchoolsByCounty

Strong High School Focus in Williams

Williams County manages 14 public schools for its 5,126 students. The infrastructure is split among seven districts and leans heavily on high school and elementary facilities to serve the community.

Top-Tier Graduation and Investment

A 92.2% graduation rate places this county well above the state and national averages. Educators utilize a per-pupil expenditure of $8,894 to earn an impressive composite school score of 58.8.

Bryan City Leads Local Education

Bryan City is the most prominent district, educating 1,820 students in just two large buildings. The county relies entirely on traditional public districts, as there are no charter schools available.

Quiet Rural Schools and Mid-Sized Hubs

Twelve of the county's 14 schools are in rural settings, though the average school size is a healthy 366 students. Bryan Middle School/High School is the largest facility, housing 936 students under one roof.

Home of High Achievers

If you value high graduation rates and strong school scores, Williams County is a standout choice. Look for properties in Bryan or the surrounding rural areas to access these quality schools.

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.

Water Quality in Williams County

via WaterByCounty

Compliance Challenges Surface in Williams County

Williams County holds a D grade after recording four health violations in the last five years. The violation rate of 18.4 per 100,000 residents is better than the state average of 32.9 but indicates room for improvement. These violations represent intermittent failures to meet Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

Single Assessed Water Body Meets Standards

Only one water body was assessed during the 2022 cycle, and it was found to be unimpaired. Because this covers only a small portion of the county's total water, many local streams remain unassessed under federal standards. This 0% impairment rate is based on a limited federal reporting scope.

High Monitoring Density Tracks Nutrient Levels

Water quality experts maintain 28 monitoring sites, logging 9,475 measurements over the last five years. The focus is heavily on nutrients, physical characteristics, and sediment. This large dataset provides a highly detailed view of the county's agricultural and environmental runoff patterns.

Tiffin River Flow Significantly Below Average

The Tiffin River at Stryker currently flows at 143 cubic feet per second. This discharge is only 41% of its long-term mean of 349 cfs. Such low flow levels can impact nutrient concentrations and the health of the single assessed watershed.

Watch Nutrient Levels During Low Flow

With the Tiffin River at just 41% of its typical flow and nutrients being the top-monitored group, residents should be aware of potential algae growth or chemical concentration. The D-grade compliance record suggests that users of public systems should review their annual Consumer Confidence Reports closely. Consider home filtration to address potential contaminants that become more concentrated during low-flow periods.

Weather & Climate in Williams County

via WeatherByCounty

A Classic Northern Continental Climate

Williams County averages 49.4°F annually, placing it below the national median for continental climates. Its 37.1 inches of annual precipitation is typical for the Great Lakes region.

One of Ohio's Cooler Corners

The county's 49.4°F average temperature sits 2.1 degrees below the Ohio state average of 51.5°F. It ranks as one of the cooler northwestern regions in the state.

Snowier than its Eastern Neighbors

With 30.9 inches of annual snow, Williams is significantly snowier than Wood County to the east. It also experiences slightly cooler winters than its neighbors toward the state center.

Crisp Winters and Hot Summer Spikes

Winters average a cold 26.9°F, while summers reach a 71.1°F average. Despite the northern location, residents still face 18 days per year with temperatures hitting 90°F or higher.

Prepare for Snow and Summer Humidity

Heavy-duty snow removal equipment is essential to manage the 30.9 inches of annual snowfall. Residents should also service HVAC systems early to handle the 18 days of extreme summer heat.

Soil Quality in Williams County

via SoilByCounty

Williams County’s Sandy Profile

Williams County features a pH of 6.27, which is notably higher than the state average and approaches the national median. While the specific taxonomic order data is limited, the soil score of 67.6 reflects a very capable land base. It provides a more neutral environment than many of its eastern neighbors.

High Sand and Low Silt

This soil is distinct for its 41.8% sand content, the highest among many surrounding counties. Combined with 33.8% silt and 21.7% clay, the soil is granular and likely very easy to manage. This composition promotes quick drainage and prevents the heavy crusting often seen in clay-rich soils.

Reliable Organic Matter Levels

The organic matter level sits at 4.29%, which is solid compared to the national average of 2.0%. The available water capacity is 0.177 in/in, slightly below the state average but sufficient for most regional crops. This combination supports a healthy ecosystem for both wild plants and cultivated gardens.

Understanding Local Water Movement

Specific drainage class and hydrologic group data are not available for Williams County at this time. However, the high sand percentage of 41.8% generally points toward rapid infiltration and low surface runoff. Gardeners should watch for how quickly the soil dries out after a summer rain.

Spring-Ready Gardening in Zone 6a

With its sandy nature, Williams County soil warms up quickly in the spring for zone 6a gardeners. This allows for an earlier start on cool-season crops like peas and lettuce. It’s a great county for those who want a manageable, early-blooming landscape.

Lawn Care in Williams County

via LawnByCounty

Facing Northern Growing Challenges

Williams County has a lawn difficulty score of 68.8, which is lower than the Ohio average of 76.0. In Hardiness Zone 6a, the combination of lower rainfall and soil factors creates a more demanding environment than other parts of the state. However, it still remains significantly easier than the national median of 50.0.

Drier Air and Shorter Seasons

The county receives just 37.1 inches of rain annually, well below the state average of 41.2 inches. With 18 extreme heat days and a late spring frost on April 28, the window for stress-free growth is narrower than in southern Ohio. You will likely need to supplement with irrigation more often than your neighbors to the east.

Sandy Soil and Nutrient Management

Soil in this region is very sandy, with a 41.8% sand content that provides fast drainage but poor nutrient retention. The pH of 6.27 is very healthy for grass, falling right in the target range. Be prepared to fertilize in smaller, more frequent doses to keep nutrients from washing through the sandy profile.

Responding to Arid Conditions

Drought is a serious factor here, with 100% of the county currently abnormally dry and 28 weeks of drought over the past year. Because 14.7% of the area is in severe drought, water conservation is essential for local homeowners. Focus on maintaining a higher mowing height to keep the soil shaded and cool.

Selecting Hardy Grass Types

Perennial Ryegrass and Fine Fescue are good choices for the sandy, drier conditions found in Williams County. Plant your seeds in early spring, right after the April 28 frost date, to take advantage of spring moisture before the summer heat. Consistently monitoring soil moisture is the secret to success in this region.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Williams County's county score?
Williams County, Ohio has a composite county score of 58.5 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 Williams County rank among counties in Ohio?
Williams County ranks #10 among all counties in Ohio 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 Williams County, Ohio?
The median annual property tax in Williams County is $1,624, with an effective tax rate of 1.16%. This earns Williams County a tax score of 27.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Williams County?
The median household income in Williams County, Ohio is $61,834 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Williams County earns an income score of 44.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Williams County, Ohio a good place to live?
Williams County scores 58.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #10 in Ohio. The best way to evaluate Williams 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 Williams County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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