countyscore
41.3
County Score
Income & Jobs 88.9Health 81.2Lawn Care 61.4

County Report Card

About Amador County, California

Amador slightly exceeds national livability norms

Amador County's composite score of 41.9 remains below the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 35th percentile nationally. It reflects California's persistent affordability challenges despite moderate incomes and reasonable tax rates.

Solid middle performer in California rankings

At 41.9, Amador ranks just above California's state average of 40.9, positioning it in the middle-to-upper cohort of the state's 58 counties. It's an unpretentious alternative to coastal metro areas.

Tax efficiency and housing balance

Amador offers a relatively low tax burden (0.695% effective rate, 63.7 score) and modest housing costs with a median home value of $422,800 and gross rent of $1,380 monthly. Income levels are respectable at $81,526 median household, supporting a working-class lifestyle.

Schools and water infrastructure need work

The county's school score of 44.5 trails state averages, suggesting room for educational investment, while a water score of 34.8 indicates strained water resources or quality concerns. Safety remains a secondary concern with a score of 19.1.

Fits budget-conscious families seeking calm

Amador suits working families and retirees seeking affordable housing, low taxes, and small-town tranquility without the demands of urban life. Families prioritizing top-tier schools or abundant water should consider neighboring mountain counties.

2040608010059.78.419.181.244.588.920.834.856.2Tax59.7Cost8.4Safety19.1Health81.2Schools44.5Income88.9Risk20.8Water34.8Weather56.241.3/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Amador County DNA

Foverall

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

Amador County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (88.9/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (8.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
59.7
Cost
8.4-39.6
Safety
19.1-35.9
Health
81.2+31.200000000000003
Schools
44.5-9.5
Income
88.9+37.900000000000006
Risk
20.8-26.2
Water
34.8-23.200000000000003
Weather
56.2
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Compare mortgage rates in Amador County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$449,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,421/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$449,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$56,840/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum5.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $88,044/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

46.3

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
Compare Amador County with Chautauqua County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Chautauqua County
New York
Median income: $58,351
41.3
Wagoner County
Oklahoma
Median income: $81,207
41.3
Tooele County
Utah
Median income: $106,587
41.3
Cabell County
West Virginia
Median income: $55,832
41.3
St. Joseph County
Indiana
Median income: $66,868
41.2
Warren County
Kentucky
Median income: $65,794
41.2
Jefferson County
New York
Median income: $66,301
41.2
Davison County
South Dakota
Median income: $66,208
41.2

Nearby counties

Calaveras County
California
42.3
El Dorado County
California
49.4
Alpine County
California
48
Placer County
California
46.2
Tuolumne County
California
41.8
Sacramento County
California
38.2
San Joaquin County
California
32.9
Nevada County
California
44.8

Deep Dives

Amador County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Amador County

via TaxByCounty

Amador taxes nearly 2.8× national average

Amador County's effective tax rate of 0.695% is almost three times the national median of 0.25%, placing it in the 81st percentile nationally. Even in this rural mountain county, property tax burdens exceed most American communities.

Below state average, mid-tier rank

Amador's 0.695% effective rate falls just under California's average of 0.714%, positioning it in the middle of the state's 58 counties. With a median tax bill of $2,939, Amador homeowners pay about 27% less than the state median of $4,045.

Among the lowest in the Sierra foothills

Amador's 0.695% rate is lower than nearby Alpine (0.684% is lower) and Calaveras (0.714%), making it one of the more affordable foothill counties. The region's rates cluster between 0.68% and 0.71%, well below Bay Area levels.

Amador median home: $2,939 yearly tax

A typical Amador County home worth $422,800 costs approximately $2,939 per year in property taxes. With or without a mortgage, tax liability remains relatively stable around $3,000, reflecting the county's consistent rate structure.

Appeal if your assessment seems high

Amador County homeowners have the right to challenge their property assessments if values don't reflect market conditions. Many taxpayers overlook this option; a successful appeal could provide meaningful annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Amador County

via IncomeByCounty

Amador exceeds national income norm

Amador County's median household income of $81,526 outperforms the US median of $74,755 by 9%, showing solid earnings for this rural Sierra foothill community. This income advantage reflects a mix of agricultural workers, commuters to valley jobs, and local service providers.

Below California's income average

At $81,526, Amador's median household income falls short of California's $87,001 state average by about 6%. However, the county's per capita income of $42,602 nearly matches the state's $43,669, suggesting more evenly distributed earnings.

Middle ground in foothill region

Amador's $81,526 median income positions it between rural Alpine County ($110,781) and struggling Butte County ($68,574), reflecting its transitional economic character. The county attracts both retirees and workers seeking affordable Sierra living.

Rent affordable, homes accessible

Amador's 20.3% rent-to-income ratio ranks among California's most affordable, with median home value of $422,800 manageable for households earning $81,526. Residents here enjoy stronger housing affordability than nearly all Bay Area and coastal counties.

Leverage affordable living to save

With reasonable housing costs at 20.3% of income and median home values around $422,800, Amador households can redirect savings into retirement and investment accounts. The county's affordability advantage enables meaningful wealth-building compared to pricier California regions.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Amador County

via CrimeByCounty

Amador County Remains Safer Than Average

With a total crime rate of 2,117.0 per 100,000, Amador County is safer than the national average of 2,385.5. Residents enjoy a high safety score of 96.7.

Exceeding California's Average Safety Score

Amador’s safety score of 96.7 outperforms the state average of 96.3. Its total crime rate is also roughly 10% lower than the California average of 2,355.2.

Low Crime Compared to Regional Neighbors

Amador County’s crime rate of 2,117.0 is lower than Alpine's 2,376.3 but very similar to Calaveras County at 2,082.2. These eight reporting agencies consistently show a safer profile than the state as a whole.

Property Offenses Outnumber Violent Crime

The county sees 1,776.9 property crimes per 100,000, while violent crime remains low at 340.1. This violent crime rate is below the national average of 369.8, indicating a relatively secure environment.

Maintaining Security in Amador Homes

Property crimes make up the vast majority of local incidents, so securing outbuildings and vehicles is essential. Using motion-sensor lights and alarm systems helps keep Amador’s crime rates consistently below the national curve.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Amador County

via WeatherByCounty

A Warm Foothill Climate Above National Averages

Amador County's 61.0°F annual average is significantly higher than the U.S. median temperature. It features a warm, interior climate with dry summers and wet winters.

Warmer and Wetter Than State Benchmarks

The county is warmer than the California average of 58.7°F and wetter than the state average of 25.8 inches. It receives 34.8 inches of rain annually, mostly during the cooler months.

Warmer Than Surrounding Highland Counties

At 61.0°F, Amador is warmer than neighboring Calaveras County, which averages 56.4°F. It also records far less snow than its neighbors to the east, averaging only 0.3 inches.

Intense Summer Heat and Mild Winters

The county faces 75 extreme heat days per year with a July average of 78.0°F. Winters are mild and wet, averaging 47.9°F with almost no snowfall.

Prioritize Cooling and Rain Infrastructure

High-capacity HVAC systems are necessary to manage 75 days over 90°F. Homeowners should also ensure proper drainage to handle the substantial 34.8 inches of annual rainfall.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Amador County

via SoilByCounty

Gold Country Soils Under the Radar

Amador County's specific soil taxonomy and pH values are not currently detailed in this dataset. Most California soils average a pH of 6.34, and Amador's foothills likely offer a unique chemical profile. Testing your own soil can reveal if it matches the national 6.5 pH median.

Assessing Texture in the Foothills

No specific data exists here for sand, silt, or clay percentages in Amador County. These factors determine how easily you can dig and how well your plants can breathe. A manual soil feel test is a great way to start your gardening journey.

A Potential Boost for Foothill Gardens

Current records do not show organic matter or water capacity levels for the county. Since the state average for organic matter is 3.30%, adding mulch and organic waste can help bridge any fertility gaps in your yard.

Understanding Local Hydrologic Patterns

Amador lacks a dominant drainage class or hydrologic group in this dataset. Careful observation of how rainwater pools or drains on your property is essential before starting any major landscape projects.

Foothill Farming in Zone 9a

The county falls within Hardiness Zone 9a, a fantastic climate for wine grapes and olives. Don't let the lack of data stop you; start a garden with hardy Mediterranean plants that love the Amador sun.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Amador County

via LawnByCounty

Amador's High-Heat Lawn Challenge

Amador County holds a lawn difficulty score of 61.4, performing better than the national average of 50.0. In hardiness zone 9a, your lawn faces long, hot summers that require specific grass choices to stay green. Maintenance here is easier than the California state average of 51.3, though heat management remains your top priority.

Ample Rain Meets Extreme Heat

With 34.8 inches of annual precipitation, the county sits comfortably within the ideal 30-50 inch range for lawn health. However, you must manage 75 extreme heat days per year, which is significantly higher than the state average of 59 days. These high-heat periods require careful watering schedules to prevent turf dormancy or burnout.

Foundation for Foothill Lawns

While specific local soil data is currently limited, the foothill terrain often requires checking for drainage and pH balance. You should aim for a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 to ensure your grass can access essential nutrients during the growing season. Adding compost can help balance the soil texture to better handle the 4,486 growing degree days.

Current Water Stability

The county is currently drought-free, with zero weeks of drought recorded over the past year. This stability is excellent for lawn maintenance, but the 75 annual heat days mean moisture evaporates quickly. Focus on morning watering to ensure your lawn stays hydrated during the peak afternoon temperatures.

Planting for the Sierra Foothills

Tall Fescue is a popular choice for zone 9a because its deep roots handle the Amador heat better than other cool-season grasses. Your growing window is wide, with the last frost usually passing by March 4 and the first freeze not arriving until December 11. Early spring is the perfect time to seed or sod to establish roots before the summer heat hits.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Amador County's county score?
Amador County, California has a composite county score of 41.3 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 Amador County rank among counties in California?
Amador County ranks #27 among all counties in California 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 Amador County, California?
The median annual property tax in Amador County is $3,172, with an effective tax rate of 0.71%. This earns Amador County a tax score of 59.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Amador County?
The median household income in Amador County, California is $88,044 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Amador County earns an income score of 88.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Amador County, California a good place to live?
Amador County scores 41.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #27 in California. The best way to evaluate Amador 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 Amador 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.