Morgan County

Morgan County is a county in southeastern Ohio, situated in the Appalachian foothills and bordered by counties such as Muskingum, Noble, and Athens. Established in 1817 and named for Revolutionary War General Daniel Morgan, it developed historically around small river and creek valleys and regional trade routes connecting the Ohio River region with central Ohio. The county is small in population, with roughly 14,000 residents, and is characterized by a predominantly rural settlement pattern. Its landscape is marked by rolling hills, forested ridges, and narrow stream valleys, supporting land uses such as agriculture, forestry, and small-scale manufacturing and services concentrated in local towns. Public lands and water resources, including areas associated with Burr Oak State Park, contribute to the county’s outdoor-oriented land character. Cultural life reflects typical Appalachian Ohio influences, with community events and local institutions centered in small communities. The county seat is McConnelsville.

Morgan County is a rural county in southeastern Ohio within the Appalachian region, with its county seat in McConnelsville. For local government and planning resources, visit the Morgan County, Ohio official website.

Population Size

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Morgan County, Ohio, the county’s population was 14,904 (2020).

Age & Gender

County-level age distribution and gender ratio figures are published by the U.S. Census Bureau in its profile tables. The most direct county profile source is the U.S. Census Bureau data.census.gov profile for Morgan County, Ohio, which includes:

• Age distribution (under 18, 18–64, 65+ and detailed age bands)
• Sex (male/female counts and percentages)

Racial & Ethnic Composition

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Morgan County, Ohio (2020; persons reporting race alone or in combination and Hispanic/Latino ethnicity reported separately), the county’s racial and ethnic composition is presented in the QuickFacts race/ethnicity section, including:

• White
• Black or African American
• American Indian and Alaska Native
• Asian
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
• Two or more races
• Hispanic or Latino (any race)

Household & Housing Data

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Morgan County, Ohio, county-level household and housing indicators are reported in the QuickFacts “Housing” and “Families & Living Arrangements” sections, including:

• Number of households
• Owner-occupied housing rate
• Median value of owner-occupied housing units
• Median gross rent
• Persons per household
• Housing unit counts and vacancy-related measures (as provided in the QuickFacts housing tables)

For the most complete table-based household, housing, age, sex, and race/ethnicity detail in one place, the data.census.gov county profile consolidates the standard American Community Survey and decennial profile outputs used for official county comparisons.

Morgan County, Ohio is a predominantly rural Appalachian county with low population density, where longer infrastructure runs and limited provider competition can constrain digital communications such as email.

Direct county-level email-usage statistics are not routinely published; broadband and device access therefore serve as proxies for likely email access and adoption. The most consistent local indicators come from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS), which reports household access to a computer and subscription to broadband internet, and can be queried for Morgan County via data.census.gov. Lower broadband subscription and computer availability generally correspond to fewer residents able to access email reliably at home.

Age structure influences email adoption because older populations tend to have lower rates of home broadband and regular online account use; Morgan County’s age profile can be referenced in ACS demographic tables on data.census.gov. Gender composition is typically less predictive of email access than age and connectivity, and ACS provides male/female distribution for contextual completeness.

Connectivity constraints in the county are commonly framed through service availability and speeds documented on the FCC National Broadband Map, where rural census blocks often show fewer fixed-wireline options.

Morgan County is a rural county in southeastern Ohio, centered on McConnelsville along the Muskingum River. The county’s low population density, extensive forested hills of the Appalachian Plateau, and numerous valleys and ridgelines can increase cellular “shadowing” (terrain-blocked signal paths) and make consistent mobile coverage more variable than in flatter, urbanized parts of Ohio. Official connectivity information is generally reported as network availability (where service could be offered) rather than adoption (whether households subscribe and use it), and county-specific mobile adoption statistics are limited.

County context affecting mobile connectivity

• Rural settlement pattern: Residences and small communities are dispersed, which raises per-mile infrastructure costs for both cellular and backhaul (fiber/microwave links to towers).
• Terrain and land cover: Hills, hollows, and forest can reduce signal strength and line-of-sight propagation, especially away from primary road corridors.
• Transportation corridors: Mobile performance is often strongest along state routes and within village centers where tower placement and backhaul access are more practical.

Network availability (coverage) vs. household adoption (use)

• Network availability refers to whether mobile broadband is reported as available at a location (typically by carrier-reported coverage layers).
• Household adoption refers to whether residents actually subscribe to mobile service, use mobile internet, and rely on smartphones or hotspots.

County-level reporting is much stronger for availability than for adoption.

Mobile penetration or access indicators (where available)

• County-specific “mobile penetration” (subscriptions per 100 people) is not typically published at the county level in a consistently comparable public dataset.
• Household internet access indicators are available from the U.S. Census Bureau at county and tract levels, including measures such as households with broadband subscriptions and cellular-data-only internet access. These are better treated as adoption indicators rather than coverage. Use:
  • U.S. Census Bureau tools and tables via Census.gov data tables (American Community Survey).
• Broadband mapping for availability (including mobile) is available through the FCC:
  • FCC National Broadband Map (provider-reported coverage by technology and speed, including mobile broadband).

Limitation: Census adoption measures do not directly identify 4G vs. 5G usage, and FCC coverage layers indicate where service is reported as available, not whether it performs consistently indoors, in vehicles, or in rugged terrain.

Mobile internet usage patterns (4G, 5G availability)

4G LTE availability (network availability)

• In rural Ohio counties, 4G LTE is typically the most broadly reported mobile broadband layer because it has been deployed for a longer time and generally covers wider areas per tower than higher-frequency 5G layers.
• Morgan County’s terrain can create localized gaps even where coverage is reported, particularly in valleys and heavily wooded areas.

Primary source for current availability by location:

• FCC National Broadband Map mobile broadband layers.

5G availability (network availability)

• 5G availability in rural counties is often concentrated around towns, along major roadways, and near existing tower sites with upgraded equipment.
• Publicly available county-wide summaries of 5G coverage quality are limited; the FCC map is the standard reference for reported availability.

Limitation: Public datasets generally do not provide a definitive countywide breakdown separating 5G “coverage” into low-band vs. mid-band vs. mmWave at a level that reliably reflects user experience in complex terrain.

Common device types (smartphones vs. other devices)

• Smartphones are the dominant device type for mobile internet access nationally, and county-level device-type splits are not typically published in a standardized public dataset.
• The most relevant publicly available local adoption indicator is the share of households using cellular data plans as their primary home internet connection (often associated with smartphone tethering or dedicated hotspots). This is captured in ACS household internet subscription items available through:
  • Census.gov (ACS internet subscription tables).

Limitation: County-level public data rarely separates “smartphone-only,” “tablet,” “mobile hotspot,” and “fixed wireless receiver” usage cleanly. Device ownership surveys are more commonly state-level or national-level.

Demographic and geographic factors influencing mobile usage in Morgan County

Geography and infrastructure

• Topography: The Appalachian Plateau’s elevation changes can reduce signal continuity and indoor coverage, making tower placement and density more consequential than in flat regions.
• Backhaul constraints: Rural towers rely on backhaul (often fiber where present, otherwise microwave links). Limited middle-mile infrastructure can affect capacity and upgrade timelines.
• Land use: Forested areas can attenuate radio signals, especially at higher frequencies used for some 5G deployments.

Population distribution and density

• Lower density generally correlates with fewer towers per square mile and fewer redundant coverage layers.
• Village-focused service strength: Stronger service is commonly observed near McConnelsville and other incorporated areas than in remote townships, reflecting where infrastructure investments concentrate.

Socioeconomic factors (adoption rather than availability)

• ACS data can be used to examine how income, age, and household characteristics correlate with internet subscription types (including cellular-data-only access) at the county level:
  • Census.gov (ACS).
• Rural counties often show a higher likelihood of households relying on mobile-only or non-fiber options where fixed broadband choices are limited, but this must be validated using county ACS tables rather than inferred.

Local and state planning sources relevant to Morgan County

• Ohio’s statewide broadband planning and grant activity provides context for infrastructure expansion and mapping, though it does not replace FCC availability layers or ACS adoption measures:
  • Ohio Broadband Office.
• County government resources can provide local planning context and geography but generally do not publish standardized mobile adoption metrics:
  • Morgan County, Ohio official website.

Summary of what is measurable at the county level

• Best sources for network availability: FCC National Broadband Map (mobile coverage as reported by providers).
• Best sources for adoption/proxy usage indicators: Census.gov (ACS) (household internet subscriptions, including cellular-data-only where reported).
• Key limitation: There is no single, consistently published public dataset that provides Morgan County-specific smartphone penetration, 4G vs. 5G usage share, and device-type breakdown with the same rigor as availability mapping; county analysis typically combines FCC availability with ACS subscription/adoption indicators while noting that performance and device mix are not directly observed in these sources.

Morgan County is a small, rural county in east‑central Ohio in the Appalachian foothills, with McConnelsville as the county seat and a landscape shaped by the Muskingum River valley and Wayne National Forest. Its economy and daily life are closely tied to small towns, agriculture, commuting to nearby micropolitan areas, and local institutions (schools, churches, county services), which typically correspond with heavier use of mass‑reach platforms (notably Facebook) and community-group communication rather than creator-driven or trend-first platforms.

User statistics (penetration and active use)

• No Morgan County–specific social media penetration series is published consistently by major national survey programs, so the most defensible way to describe “penetration” locally is to apply well-established national and state-level patterns to a rural county context.
• Nationally, adult social media use is widespread. The Pew Research Center social media fact sheet reports that a large majority of U.S. adults use at least one social media site, with usage varying strongly by age.
• Rural vs. urban context: Pew routinely finds that some platforms (especially Facebook) are broadly used across community types, while others skew younger and more urban/suburban. Morgan County’s rural profile aligns more closely with the “rural adult” pattern described across Pew platform reports and fact sheets (see the same Pew Research Center compilation for platform-by-platform breakdowns).

Age group trends (who uses social media most)

Using Pew’s age gradients as the standard reference:

• Highest overall usage: 18–29 and 30–49 adults show the highest social media participation across platforms (highest “any social media” rates and strongest multi-platform use). Source: Pew Research Center.
• Middle usage: 50–64 adults participate at high levels on a smaller set of platforms (commonly Facebook), with reduced adoption of newer short-video apps relative to younger adults. Source: Pew Research Center.
• Lowest usage: 65+ adults have the lowest overall adoption, but still maintain meaningful presence on Facebook and YouTube compared with other platforms. Source: Pew Research Center.
• Local implication for Morgan County: A rural county with a comparatively older age structure typically shows heavier concentration on the platforms that remain strong among older cohorts (notably Facebook and YouTube) and comparatively lower concentration on platforms most concentrated among 18–29 adults.

Gender breakdown

Pew’s platform-level findings provide the most reliable “gender split” benchmarks:

• Women tend to be more likely than men to use certain platforms, particularly Pinterest, and often Facebook/Instagram show modest female skews depending on year and measure. Source: Pew Research Center social media fact sheet.
• Men tend to be more represented on some discussion- and news-adjacent platforms (patterns vary by platform and survey year). Source: Pew Research Center.
• Local implication for Morgan County: County-level gender composition alone is unlikely to drive large differences; platform choice (community groups, local commerce, school/sports updates) is more predictive, with Facebook Groups and Marketplace usage patterns often reflecting household and community coordination behaviors that skew slightly female in national survey data.

Most‑used platforms (with percentages where available)

County-specific platform market shares are generally not published publicly; the most credible percentages come from large national surveys.

• YouTube and Facebook are consistently among the most widely used platforms by U.S. adults, and they remain comparatively strong across age groups, including older adults. Source: Pew Research Center social media fact sheet.
• Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat show higher concentration among younger adults, with TikTok and Snapchat especially skewing to under‑30 audiences. Source: Pew Research Center.
• LinkedIn usage is more associated with higher educational attainment and professional occupations, typically lower in small rural counties than in major metro labor markets (national association documented in Pew platform tables). Source: Pew Research Center.
• Percentage reference: For the latest platform-by-platform adult usage percentages (YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, LinkedIn, X) and demographic splits, use the continually updated Pew Research Center social media fact sheet.

Behavioral trends (engagement patterns and preferences)

Patterns below reflect widely observed rural/community-county behaviors documented across national survey findings and common platform feature use; they are most applicable to Morgan County’s rural, small-town structure:

• Community information utility dominates: Higher reliance on social platforms for local announcements, event sharing, school/sports updates, weather impacts, and county-service information, concentrating activity in Facebook Pages and Groups rather than public-facing creator ecosystems.
• Marketplace and peer-to-peer exchange: Rural counties often show strong practical use of buy/sell groups and Facebook Marketplace, reflecting longer travel distances to retail and preference for local exchange networks.
• Passive consumption is significant: Video watching (YouTube) and scrolling/reading updates (Facebook) often outweigh original content creation for older cohorts. Pew reports YouTube’s broad reach and cross-age strength. Source: Pew Research Center.
• Short-form video is age-concentrated: TikTok/Reels-style engagement is most prominent among younger adults; adoption declines with age per Pew’s age breakdowns. Source: Pew Research Center.
• Messaging as a primary layer: Many residents use social platforms as a messaging and coordination layer (Messenger/DMs) alongside public posts, especially for community logistics and local commerce coordination.

Data note: The most reliable percentages and demographic splits available for social media usage are national survey estimates such as those from the Pew Research Center social media fact sheet. Publicly available, methodologically comparable platform-use percentages are generally not produced at the county level for Morgan County, Ohio.

Morgan County, Ohio maintains several family- and associate-related public records through county and state offices. Birth and death records (vital records) are created by local registrars and filed with the Ohio Department of Health; certified copies are generally obtained through the county health department or the state. Morgan County access is commonly handled through the Morgan County Health Department and statewide through the Ohio Department of Health – Vital Statistics and certificate ordering information. Adoption records are governed at the state level and are not treated as routine public records; access typically involves statutory eligibility and controlled release through Ohio agencies and courts.

Marriage records are maintained by the probate court; Morgan County marriage licensing and recordkeeping are handled by the Morgan County Probate Court. Divorce and other domestic relations case filings are maintained by the Morgan County Court of Common Pleas and the Clerk of Courts; case access and filing information are provided through the Morgan County Clerk of Courts.

Public databases vary by record type. Some courts provide online docket or case search tools, while certified vital records are typically ordered through official request channels. Privacy restrictions commonly apply to adoption files, juvenile matters, and some personally identifying information, even when case indexes are publicly viewable.

Types of records maintained

• Marriage records
  • Marriage license application and license: Issued by the Morgan County Probate Court; typically includes the application, the issued license, and related affidavits.
  • Marriage certificate/return: The officiant’s completed return is filed back with the Morgan County Probate Court after the ceremony; the court maintains the official marriage record and issues certified copies.
• Divorce records
  • Divorce case file and decree (final judgment entry): Granted and maintained by the Morgan County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division (or the Domestic Relations docket within the Court of Common Pleas). The decree is the official order ending the marriage.
  • Dissolution of marriage: Also maintained by the Court of Common Pleas; treated as a court case file with a final decree.
• Annulment records
  • Annulment case file and decree: Annulments are court actions handled by the Morgan County Court of Common Pleas; records are maintained in the court file similarly to divorce matters.

Where records are filed and how they can be accessed

• Morgan County Probate Court (marriage records)
  • Record filing: Marriage applications, licenses, and marriage returns are filed and kept by the Probate Court.
  • Access methods: Copies are commonly obtained by requesting certified copies from the Probate Court. The court maintains the county’s official marriage record and can provide certified documentation for legal purposes.
• Morgan County Court of Common Pleas (divorce/dissolution/annulment records)
  • Record filing: Complaints/petitions, motions, orders, and the final decree are filed with the Court of Common Pleas and maintained as part of the case docket and file.
  • Access methods: Case information is typically available through the clerk/court record systems and in-person records access at the courthouse. Certified copies of decrees and other filings are obtained through the court’s records office (commonly the Clerk of Courts for Common Pleas matters).
• Ohio Department of Health (state-level vital statistics)
  • Marriage: Ohio maintains statewide marriage record indexes for many years; certified marriage records are generally issued by the county probate court that issued the license, while the state may provide verification/index services depending on the record type and year.
  • Divorce: Ohio’s vital statistics system historically maintained a divorce and dissolution index for certain years; the official divorce decree remains with the county court that granted the divorce.

Typical information included

• Marriage license/record
  • Full legal names of spouses (including prior names where applicable)
  • Date and place of marriage (county/municipality; ceremony date)
  • Date license issued; license number
  • Officiant name/title and return certification
  • Ages or dates of birth, places of birth, residences, and parents’ names may appear depending on the form and period
• Divorce/dissolution decree
  • Names of parties, case number, filing and judgment dates
  • Grounds or basis (more common in divorce than dissolution)
  • Orders on termination of marriage and restoration of a prior name (when granted)
  • Orders regarding parental rights and responsibilities, parenting time, and child support (when applicable)
  • Division of property and allocation of debts; spousal support orders (when applicable)
• Annulment decree
  • Names of parties, case number, filing and judgment dates
  • Court findings supporting annulment and the resulting order
  • Related orders concerning property, support, or children when addressed by the court

Privacy and legal restrictions

• Marriage records (Probate Court)
  • Marriage records are generally treated as public records in Ohio, and certified copies are issued by the Probate Court. Some personal identifiers collected during application processing may be limited from public disclosure consistent with Ohio public-records exemptions.
• Divorce/annulment case files (Court of Common Pleas)
  • Divorce, dissolution, and annulment cases are generally public court records, but certain filings and data elements can be restricted by law or court order.
  • Confidential information commonly protected from public access includes Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, certain domestic violence-related information, and other identifiers.
  • Sealed records: The court can order specific documents or parts of a case sealed under Ohio law and court rules. Sealed materials are not available to the general public.
  • Records involving children: While decrees are generally accessible, some materials in cases involving minors (for example, specific evaluations or sensitive reports) may be restricted or sealed by rule or court order.
• Certified copies and identification
  • Courts typically require appropriate request details and may require identification or written applications for certified copies, particularly for records containing sensitive data or for records subject to access limitations.

Morgan County is a rural county in southeastern Ohio along the Muskingum River corridor, with McConnelsville as the county seat. The county has a small-population, low-density settlement pattern characterized by villages and unincorporated areas, an older-than-state-average age profile, and a local economy tied to public services, small employers, and commuting to nearby job centers in the region.

Education Indicators

Public school districts and schools

Morgan County’s public K–12 education is primarily delivered by Morgan Local School District. A current directory of district schools and buildings is maintained on the district’s official site via the Morgan Local School District website. State-verified school building details (including school names and grades served) are also listed through the Ohio School Report Cards portal (search by district/county).

Note on counts and names: A single rural district structure is typical for Morgan County, and the authoritative list of active public school buildings (with names) is best verified through the state report card and the district directory; counts can shift with building reconfigurations.

Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates

• Graduation rates (district and school): Ohio publishes multi-year graduation rates (4-year and extended) by district and high school on the Ohio School Report Cards site. Morgan County’s graduation outcomes are therefore available at the district level and by the county’s public high school(s) listed there.
• Student–teacher ratios: Ohio’s report card and/or district staffing reports provide enrollment and staffing measures that can be used as a proxy for student-to-staff ratios. A single countywide “student–teacher ratio” is not consistently reported as a headline metric across all Ohio districts; state-reported staffing and enrollment are the most consistent proxy.

Adult educational attainment (countywide)

Countywide adult attainment is reported through the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS). The most commonly cited indicators (age 25+) are:

• High school diploma or higher
• Bachelor’s degree or higher

These measures for Morgan County are available in ACS table profiles via data.census.gov (search “Morgan County, Ohio educational attainment”).
Data availability note: ACS 5-year estimates are the standard “most recent” small-area source for counties with smaller populations.

Notable programs (STEM, career-technical, AP/college credit)

• Career-technical and vocational training: Ohio students often access career-technical education through district offerings and regional career centers; program listings and pathways are typically published by the district and reflected in course catalogs. The most reliable public reference points are the district program pages and course guides.
• Advanced coursework and college credit: Ohio districts may offer Advanced Placement (AP), honors, and College Credit Plus (dual enrollment). District- and high-school-level participation is most consistently tracked through district course offerings and state performance reporting on the Ohio School Report Cards site (advanced coursework indicators may appear within preparedness or performance components depending on the reporting year).

School safety measures and counseling resources

Ohio requires districts to maintain safety planning, drills, and coordination with local responders; districts also publish student services supports such as guidance/counseling and intervention services. Morgan County’s public-facing safety and student-support resources are most directly documented through district handbooks and student-services information on the Morgan Local School District website.
Proxy note: Specific staffing ratios for counselors/social workers are not consistently published as a single county metric; district staffing rosters and state staffing summaries provide the most comparable reference.

Employment and Economic Conditions

Unemployment (most recent available)

• Unemployment rate: The most current county unemployment rates are published monthly by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services – Labor Market Information and as annual averages through the same system. Morgan County’s “most recent year” unemployment rate is best cited from the latest annual average in those releases.
  Data-note: County unemployment moves month-to-month; annual average is the stable benchmark for “most recent year.”

Major industries and employment sectors

Morgan County’s employment base aligns with rural Appalachian/SE Ohio patterns, with significant shares in:

• Educational services and health care/social assistance
• Retail trade
• Manufacturing and construction (regionally variable, often tied to small plants and trades)
• Public administration Industry composition and employment counts by sector are available through ACS industry tables on data.census.gov and through state labor market profiles via Ohio LMI.

Common occupations and workforce breakdown

Occupational distribution for residents typically concentrates in:

• Management, business, and financial operations (smaller rural share than metros)
• Office and administrative support
• Sales and related
• Production, transportation, and material moving
• Construction and extraction The county’s resident workforce breakdown by occupation is available in ACS occupation tables via data.census.gov.

Commuting patterns and mean commute time

• Mean commute time: Reported through ACS commuting tables (workers 16+), available on data.census.gov.
• Typical patterns: Morgan County displays a common rural commuting profile: many residents commute by car to nearby counties and regional job centers, with a smaller share working within the county. Mode share is predominantly drive-alone, with limited public transit availability typical of rural counties.

Local employment vs. out-of-county work

ACS “place of work” indicators and county-to-county commuting flows (where available through Census/LEHD products) show the split between:

• Workers employed inside Morgan County
• Outbound commuters working in other Ohio counties
  Resident-based commuting and on-the-job location patterns can be referenced through ACS commuting tables and (for more detailed flows) Census LEHD/OnTheMap, accessible via OnTheMap.
  Proxy note: A single official “local vs. out-of-county” percentage is not consistently published as a headline county statistic; ACS/LEHD are the standard public sources.

Housing and Real Estate

Homeownership and rental share

Morgan County’s housing tenure is primarily owner-occupied, consistent with rural Ohio counties, with a smaller rental market centered around villages and small multifamily properties. The current homeownership rate and renter share are reported in ACS housing tenure tables via data.census.gov.

Median property values and recent trends

• Median owner-occupied home value: Published via ACS (5-year estimates are the standard county measure) and viewable on data.census.gov.
• Recent trends: Across Ohio, 2019–2024 was generally characterized by rising home values, followed by slower growth as interest rates increased; Morgan County typically tracks this pattern with lower absolute price levels than metro counties.
  Proxy note: For year-over-year “market trend” measures, county-specific sales price series may require proprietary MLS data; ACS median value is the consistent public benchmark.

Typical rent prices

• Median gross rent: Reported by ACS and available through data.census.gov. Rural counties generally show lower median rents than Ohio’s metro areas, with limited large apartment stock.

Housing types and built environment

• Housing stock: Dominated by single-family detached homes, manufactured housing in some rural tracts, and a smaller inventory of apartments/duplexes concentrated near village centers and along main routes.
• Land pattern: Many properties include larger lots and rural parcels, with residential development spread along state routes and local roads.

Neighborhood characteristics (schools and amenities)

• Village-centered amenities: Areas around McConnelsville and Malta typically provide closer access to schools, local services, and county offices.
• Rural areas: Outlying townships generally involve longer driving distances to schools, groceries, and healthcare, reflecting the county’s low-density settlement pattern.

Property tax overview (rates and typical homeowner cost)

Ohio property taxes vary by taxing district and are expressed in effective terms through tax rates and levies; countywide comparisons are commonly summarized as:

• Effective property tax rate / typical tax bill: Public summaries are available via the Ohio Department of Taxation (property tax statistics) and county auditor reporting. Morgan County’s typical homeowner cost depends on school district levies and the property’s assessed value.
  Proxy note: A single county “average tax rate” can mask wide variation by school district and levy structure; auditor and state tax tables provide the authoritative breakdown by taxing district.*