Switzerland
Indiana

What stands out

Against every county in America, Switzerland County is unusual in three ways: the overdose death rate is among the lowest in America (-999 per 100,000), the average commute is in the top 2% of American counties (33 minutes), and the property tax rate is in the bottom 9% of American counties (0.46%). Within Indiana it ranks 2nd of 92 counties for the overdose death rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Switzerland County, Indiana. 9,896 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +17).

Indiana has a flat income tax just under 3% and most counties add their own income tax on top, typically 1% to 2.5%. Property taxes are capped by the state constitution at 1% of assessed value for homesteads. Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and the Chicago suburbs in Lake County account for most of the growth; the rest of the state is affordable and slow-changing.

Money

The typical household here brings in $66,525 a year, higher than 66% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $41,058. Unemployment runs 2.8%, lower than 73% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 33 minutes each way.

Indiana takes 3.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,962 a year.

Home

The median home costs $256K, pricier than 58% of American counties, about 2.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $783 a month. Property tax is 0.46% of home value, roughly $752 a year on that median home, lower than 91% of American counties. 79% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.4 per 1,000 residents, higher than 78% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 75.2 years, shorter than 57% of American counties. There are 0 active physicians in the county, about 0.0 per 10,000 people; the nearest doctor is in another county. 10.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.92 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 73% of American counties. 83% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 54 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 51% of eligible voters turned out. Under Indiana law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is illegal.

Weather and risk

The year averages 56°F, highs near 65 and lows near 46, colder than 51% of American counties. About 48 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 23 out of 100, safer than 77% of American counties; the county has had 22 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 207 Mbps down, faster than 54% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.