62.6
County Score
Safety 97.5Property Tax 76.1Disaster 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.

Score breakdown

Tax76.1Cost53.8Safety97.5Health48.5Schools46Income40.8Risk68.9Water37.6Weather28.6
🏛76.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠53.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼40.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡97.5
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty
48.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓46
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty
68.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧37.6
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty
🌤28.6
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty
🪨
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty
🌱29.6
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty
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Deep Dives

Big Horn County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 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.

Cost of Living in Big Horn County

via CostByCounty

Big Horn Beats National Rent Burden

Big Horn County renters spend just 17.4% of income on rent, outperforming the national average of roughly 13–15%, though still above comfortable thresholds. The county's median income of $60,547 is modestly below the national median of $74,755, yet housing costs remain relatively manageable.

Slightly Above State Average

Big Horn's 17.4% rent-to-income ratio sits 1.9 percentage points above Wyoming's state average of 15.5%, positioning it in the middle tier of county affordability. Rents average $876 monthly—virtually identical to the state median of $937—making Big Horn a fairly typical Wyoming rental market.

Competitive with Regional Peers

Big Horn's $876 rent is lower than Albany County ($936) and Campbell County ($952), but slightly above Carbon ($894) and Fremont ($858). Home prices here ($198,200) are notably affordable compared to neighbors, offering some of Wyoming's lowest homeownership entry points.

Renting and Owning Both Affordable

Big Horn residents allocate $876 monthly to rent or $750 to ownership—making this county attractive for both tenant and buyer profiles. With median income at $60,547, housing costs claim about 17% of renter budgets and 15% of owner budgets, leaving room for other household needs.

Homebuyer Haven in Wyoming

Big Horn County offers exceptional value for buyers: the $198,200 median home price is the lowest among these eight counties, paired with modest ownership costs of $750/month. For renters, costs remain slightly elevated, but the county's low home values make the jump to ownership less daunting than elsewhere in the state.

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.

Health in Big Horn County

via HealthByCounty

Big Horn County faces national health gap

At 76.1 years, Big Horn County's life expectancy falls 2.0 years short of the U.S. average of 76.1 years. With 15.4% of residents in poor or fair health, the county tracks slightly below the national rate, but the shorter lifespan signals underlying health challenges.

Below-average health across Wyoming

Big Horn County's 76.1-year life expectancy ranks below Wyoming's state average of 77.0 years, placing it among the state's lower-performing counties. The county's 15.4% poor/fair health rate is close to state levels, but the life expectancy gap indicates chronic challenges.

Fewest providers in the region

Big Horn County has just 34 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the lowest in its region and well below Campbell County's 56 per 100K and Albany County's 80 per 100K. Mental health access is similarly strained at 166 providers per 100,000, less than half Albany County's 617 per 100K.

Healthcare access barriers persist

Big Horn County's 18.8% uninsured rate—the highest in Wyoming—means nearly 1 in 5 residents lack health coverage, significantly above the state average of 14.8%. The scarcity of primary care and mental health providers compounds this challenge, leaving residents with fewer options for preventive and behavioral care.

Find affordable coverage today

With nearly 1 in 5 Big Horn County residents uninsured, getting covered is urgent. Visit healthcare.gov to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, or Wyoming CHIP before enrollment deadlines.

Schools in Big Horn County

via SchoolsByCounty

Extensive Rural School Networks

Big Horn County operates 14 public schools that serve a total enrollment of 2,669 students. The landscape features a balanced distribution of five elementary, four middle, and five high schools. Four separate school districts manage these facilities, reflecting a highly localized approach to education.

High Engagement with Targeted Spending

The graduation rate stands at 75.1%, trailing both the Wyoming state average and the national 87% benchmark. Local schools spend $9,969 per pupil, which is approximately $3,000 less than the national average investment. Despite these funding gaps, the county earns a school score of 52.1, exceeding the national median.

Small Districts Driving Local Success

Big Horn County School District #1 is the largest provider, managing six schools and 1,238 students. District #2 and District #3 follow, serving 728 and 469 students respectively. No charter schools operate in the county, meaning education remains centered within the traditional district framework.

The Essence of Rural Education

Every single one of the 14 public schools in the county is classified as rural, creating a tight-knit and focused learning environment. Rocky Mountain Elementary leads in size with 370 students, while the average school size across the county remains low at 191 students. This environment fosters strong personal connections between students and educators.

Find Your Home in Heart of Big Horn

Relocating families often appreciate the small-town safety and individual attention found in Big Horn's rural schools. Neighborhoods near Rocky Mountain High or Lovell Elementary offer proximity to the county's most prominent educational hubs. Exploring local real estate allows you to secure a place in these community-focused school zones.

Disaster Risk in Big Horn County

via RiskByCounty

Big Horn ranks safest in state disaster risk

Big Horn County's composite risk score of 31.14 places it in the very low category and sits below Wyoming's state average of 37.86. The county enjoys comparatively lower exposure to most natural hazards, though wildfire and earthquake risks warrant attention.

Wyoming's most resilient county overall

Big Horn ranks among the lowest-risk counties in Wyoming, with a composite score significantly below the state average. This favorable standing reflects particularly low tornado exposure (16.73) and moderate risk across other hazard categories.

Safer than most surrounding counties

Big Horn's very low risk score contrasts sharply with adjacent Campbell County (56.14) and the state average (37.86). The county's relative safety makes it an attractive option for residents concerned about natural disaster exposure.

Wildfire and earthquake pose primary concerns

Despite overall low risk, Big Horn faces wildfire exposure (61.35) and earthquake risk (61.35)—both identical and moderate. Flood risk (52.42) and particularly low tornado risk (16.73) round out the county's hazard landscape.

Focus on wildfire and earthquake preparedness

Residents should maintain adequate wildfire insurance and develop defensible space around homes, especially in forested areas. Standard homeowners policies often exclude earthquake damage, making dedicated earthquake coverage a smart consideration for Big Horn residents.

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 62.6 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 #6 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 $1,156, with an effective tax rate of 0.58%. This earns Big Horn County a tax score of 76.1/100 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 $60,547 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Big Horn County earns an income score of 40.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Big Horn County, Wyoming a good place to live?
Big Horn County scores 62.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #6 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.