countyscore
64.5
County Score
Safety 97.5Property Tax 78Disaster Risk 68.9

County Report Card

About Big Horn County, Wyoming

Outperforming the National Median

Big Horn County earns a strong composite score of 62.6, placing it well above the national median of 50.0. It stands out as a highly livable region by national standards.

Beating the Wyoming Average

The county exceeds the Wyoming state average of 56.5. Its superior safety and environmental risk scores help it outshine many other counties in the state.

Elite Safety and Low Taxes

Public safety is a defining feature here, with an exceptional safety score of 97.5. The tax burden remains low with a score of 76.1 and an effective tax rate of 0.583%.

Infrastructure and Health Lags

Water quality and health services are the main areas for improvement, scoring 37.6 and 48.5 respectively. Educational outcomes also trail slightly behind the state's top performers.

A Safe Harbor for Retirees

Big Horn is an excellent fit for retirees or families where security is the top priority. It offers peace of mind through low crime and manageable living costs.

204060801007862.297.548.54639.968.937.628.6Tax78Cost62.2Safety97.5Health48.5Schools46Income39.9Risk68.9Water37.6Weather28.664.5/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

Big Horn County DNA

D+overall

How Big Horn County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Big Horn County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (97.5/100) but notably weak in Weather & Climate (28.6/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
78+26
Cost
62.2+14.200000000000003
Safety
97.5+42.5
Health
48.5
Schools
46-8
Income
39.9-11.100000000000001
Risk
68.9+21.900000000000006
Water
37.6-20.4
Weather
28.6-27.4
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Compare mortgage rates in Big Horn County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$216,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$823/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$216,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$32,920/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $62,101/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

34.1

per 100K

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

Deep Dives

Big Horn County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Big Horn County

via TaxByCounty

Big Horn's taxes rank among America's lowest

With an effective rate of 0.583%, Big Horn County is roughly one-third the national median, making it exceptionally affordable for homeowners. The median annual property tax of $1,156 is less than half the national median of $2,690, despite homes being valued at just under the national average.

Highest tax rate in Wyoming

Big Horn County has the steepest effective tax rate among all Wyoming counties at 0.583%, though its median home values are the lowest statewide at $198,200. Despite the higher rate, the actual tax bill remains modest due to lower property valuations.

Steepest rate in northern Wyoming

Big Horn County's 0.583% effective rate tops Campbell County (0.550%), Carbon County (0.560%), and Albany County (0.573%). The higher rate reflects Big Horn's assessment practices, though the lower median home value of $198,200 keeps annual bills relatively low.

Median home pays just $1,156 yearly

On a median home value of $198,200, Big Horn County homeowners pay approximately $1,156 annually in property taxes—among the lowest in the state. The tax bill remains low even with the county's higher effective rate, thanks to generally lower property valuations.

Your assessment may be incorrect—appeal

Even in lower-value counties, properties sometimes carry assessments above their true market worth. If your property's assessed value seems inconsistent with comparable sales, an appeal could reduce your tax obligation.

Income & Jobs in Big Horn County

via IncomeByCounty

Big Horn underperforms U.S. average

Big Horn County's median household income of $60,547 falls roughly 19% short of the national median of $74,755. Families here earn about $14,200 less annually than their U.S. counterparts, a substantial gap in take-home pay.

Among Wyoming's lower-income counties

Big Horn ranks below Wyoming's state median of $73,360 by $12,813, placing it among the state's lower-earning counties. The per capita income of $31,066 also trails the state average of $40,222, indicating both household and individual earning constraints.

Basin struggles with peer counties

Big Horn's $60,547 median trails Crook County ($71,209) to the east and Carbon County ($66,721) to the south. Only Albany County ($59,881) comes close, suggesting a northwest Wyoming income belt under pressure.

Rents are the most affordable here

Big Horn's rent-to-income ratio of 17.4% is the lowest among these eight counties, meaning renters shoulder the lightest housing burden proportionally. This advantage provides genuine breathing room for households to manage other necessities and save.

Low rents create wealth-building opportunity

When housing consumes less than 18% of income, Big Horn residents gain real capacity to invest in futures. Prioritize setting up automatic transfers to savings or investment accounts—even $50 monthly compounds meaningfully over decades.

Safety in Big Horn County

via CrimeByCounty

Big Horn Reports Zero Crimes in 2022

Big Horn County achieves a perfect safety score of 100.0, reporting zero crimes per 100,000 residents for the 2022 data year. This stands in stark contrast to the national crime rate of 2,385.5. The four reporting agencies in the county recorded no qualifying incidents during this period.

A Top-Tier Safety Rank in Wyoming

With a safety score of 100.0, Big Horn County ranks among the safest jurisdictions in the state. This exceeds the Wyoming state average safety score of 98.5 and the state average crime rate of 978.0. It remains one of the most peaceful areas in the High Plains.

Unmatched Safety Compared to Neighbors

Big Horn County's reported crime rate of 0.0 makes it the safest area among its regional neighbors in this data set. While Fremont County to the south deals with 1,088.7 crimes per 100,000, Big Horn remains virtually incident-free. This statistical profile highlights a unique period of total public safety.

Understanding the Zero Crime Rate

The data shows 0.0 violent crimes and 0.0 property crimes per 100,000 residents. While this may reflect a lack of reported incidents rather than an absolute absence of crime, it indicates an exceptionally low-activity environment. In practical terms, the risk of becoming a victim here is statistically negligible.

Maintain Your Peace of Mind

Even with perfect safety scores, basic home security remains a smart practice for every homeowner. Ensure your locks are functional and your property is well-lit to prevent future incidents. Maintaining these habits ensures Big Horn County stays among the safest places in America.

Weather & Climate in Big Horn County

via WeatherByCounty

A High Desert Climate with Low Rainfall

With an annual average of 45.8°F, Big Horn County is cooler than the national median but maintains an arid profile. It receives just 7.1 inches of precipitation annually, making it one of the driest counties in the country.

Warmer than the Typical Wyoming Average

At 45.8°F, Big Horn stays warmer than the state average of 43.8°F. However, its 7.1 inches of rainfall is nearly 50% lower than the state's typical 13.9 inches.

Drier than Neighboring Fremont County

Big Horn is significantly more arid than nearby Fremont County, receiving about 3.3 inches less precipitation per year. It is also warmer on average, exceeding Fremont's annual temperature by over 2 degrees.

Hot Summers and Very Dry Winters

Summers are intense with 41 days reaching 90°F or higher and a July average of 73.0°F. Conversely, winter snowfall is relatively light at just 18.6 inches per year.

Prioritize Air Conditioning and Water Conservation

Reliable air conditioning is vital for the 41 annual extreme heat days. Homeowners should also focus on xeriscaping and drought-resistant landscaping due to the extremely low 7.1-inch annual precipitation.

Soil Quality in Big Horn County

via SoilByCounty

Alkaline Soils of the Basin

Big Horn County lacks specific local pH data but follows the Wyoming trend toward alkalinity with a state average of 7.18. This is significantly higher than the national median of 6.5, often requiring acidifying amendments for certain crops.

Composition Data Currently Limited

Precise sand, silt, and clay ratios are not currently mapped for the county's dominant soil types. Identifying your specific soil texture through a jar test is essential for managing drainage and nutrient retention effectively.

Potential for High Organic Content

Specific local fertility metrics are unavailable, but the state organic matter average of 5.40% indicates high potential for the region. The state's 0.165 in/in average water capacity serves as a baseline for local irrigation planning.

Assessing Local Water Flow

Official drainage and hydrologic group records are currently unavailable for this area. Successful farming and construction in the basin typically require on-site percolation tests to manage moisture levels in the soil.

Gardening in Hardiness Zone 5a

The county sits in Hardiness Zone 5a, which suits short-season vegetables and hardy perennials. Start your garden with early-maturing varieties to make the most of the warm summer days and cool nights.

Lawn Care in Big Horn County

via LawnByCounty

Tough Conditions in the Big Horn Basin

With a lawn difficulty score of 29.6, Big Horn County is one of the more challenging places in Wyoming to grow grass. This score sits well below the national median of 50.0, largely due to the desert-like precipitation levels in hardiness zone 5a.

High Heat and Desert Aridity

The county averages just 7.1 inches of rain annually, a fraction of the 30 inches needed for healthy lawns. While 41 extreme heat days push grass to its limits, the 2479 growing degree days offer enough warmth for growth if you can supply the necessary irrigation.

Foundational Prep is Essential

Comprehensive soil data is unavailable for this region, making a professional soil test your first step for success. Arid soils in the Basin are often alkaline, so focus on adding organic compost to improve water retention and balance the pH levels.

Managing 35 Weeks of Drought

The county experienced 35 weeks of drought over the past year, and the entire area remains abnormally dry. Effective water conservation involves mulching your lawn clippings to keep the soil surface cool and moist during those 41 scorching summer days.

Targeting Success in Zone 5a

Hardy cool-season grasses like Crested Wheatgrass are excellent choices for this climate's extreme dry spells. Aim to complete your seeding projects shortly after the last frost on May 9th to take advantage of the early summer growing window.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Big Horn County's county score?
Big Horn County, Wyoming has a composite county score of 64.5 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 Big Horn County rank among counties in Wyoming?
Big Horn County ranks #4 among all counties in Wyoming 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 Big Horn County, Wyoming?
The median annual property tax in Big Horn County is $1,198, with an effective tax rate of 0.55%. This earns Big Horn County a tax score of 78/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Big Horn County?
The median household income in Big Horn County, Wyoming is $62,101 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Big Horn County earns an income score of 39.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Big Horn County, Wyoming a good place to live?
Big Horn County scores 64.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #4 in Wyoming. The best way to evaluate Big Horn 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 Big Horn County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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