CountyScore

Butte County

California · CA

#20 in California
62.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Butte County, California

Butte punches above the national average

Butte County's composite score of 65.6 outperforms the national median of 50.0 by 31%, placing it at the 66th percentile nationwide. This north-central valley county demonstrates that strong livability emerges from affordability and tax efficiency, not urban density. Butte ranks among the more livable communities across all 3,000+ U.S. counties.

California strength from agricultural roots

Butte's 65.6 score exceeds California's 61.3 average and positions it solidly in the state's upper-middle tier. Among inland California counties, Butte stands as a livability leader, outperforming many coastal peers. This achievement reflects the county's ability to maintain affordability despite broader state cost-of-living pressures.

Highly affordable with minimal taxes

Butte's cost score of 62.0 and tax score of 82.9 (0.690% effective rate) create exceptional affordability: median homes at $408,700 and rent at just $1,369 monthly. These figures represent 40-60% cost savings versus coastal California counties. The combination gives working-class and middle-income families genuine financial stability.

Limited income opportunities and earning potential

Butte's income score of 28.2 is the lowest in this comparison, with median household income at $68,574—reflecting limited high-wage employment. The county's agricultural and smaller-scale industrial base may constrain economic growth. Complete data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors would clarify whether affordability compensates for income limitations.

Ideal for families prioritizing affordability first

Butte County appeals to working-class and moderate-income families seeking maximum housing affordability and low taxes in California. The county offers a realistic path to homeownership for those priced out of coastal markets. Best suited for households comfortable with lower incomes in exchange for strong purchasing power and small-town living.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax82.9Cost62SafetyComing SoonHealth71.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.2Risk6.1WaterComing Soon
🏛82.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠62
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡6.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Butte County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Yuba County
California
62.1
Median income: $73,313
Paulding County
Georgia
62.1
Median income: $94,557
Genesee County
Michigan
62.1
Median income: $60,673
Linn County
Oregon
62.1
Median income: $73,396
Hopkins County
Texas
62.1
Median income: $64,725

Deep Dives

Butte County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Butte County

via TaxByCounty

Butte taxes 2.8× the national median

Butte County's effective tax rate of 0.690% far exceeds the national median of 0.25%, landing it in the 80th percentile nationally. North State residents here shoulder property tax burdens substantially higher than most American homeowners.

Slightly below state average in rank

At 0.690%, Butte County falls just under California's average of 0.714%, placing it in the middle tier among the state's 58 counties. Median annual taxes of $2,819 remain well below the state median of $4,045.

Competitive with northern Sierra counties

Butte's 0.690% rate aligns closely with Alpine (0.684%) and Amador (0.695%), making it among the lower-taxed counties in the region. All three share similar economic profiles and tax structures within a 0.01% range.

Typical Butte home: $2,819 per year

A median-valued Butte County home of $408,700 generates approximately $2,819 in annual property taxes. Mortgaged properties see slightly higher effective burden at $3,205 due to additional assessments and fees.

Check your assessment for accuracy

Butte County homeowners can appeal their assessments if recent market data suggests overvaluation. Taking 30 minutes to file an appeal could save you hundreds annually in tax liability.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Butte County

via CostByCounty

Butte County's affordability comes with trade-offs

Butte County's median income of $68,574 falls below the national median by 8%, yet its rent-to-income ratio of 24.0% exceeds national norms by 2 percentage points. Renters spend $1,369 monthly—a modest absolute cost shadowed by the fact that lower incomes stretch that payment further.

Above-average rent burden statewide

Butte's 24.0% rent-to-income ratio ranks in California's least-affordable third, exceeding the state average of 22.4% by 1.6 points. The median rent of $1,369 appears reasonable in isolation, but combined with the county's lower median income, it signals tighter household finances than neighboring counties.

Butte struggles against regional peers

Butte's rent-to-income ratio of 24.0% trails Colusa (18.2%) and Amador (20.3%), despite a median rent just $11 more than Colusa's $1,139. The income disadvantage—$68,574 vs. $81,526 in Amador—makes Butte's housing costs bite harder in absolute terms.

Tighter margins in Butte households

Renters dedicate $1,369 monthly while owners pay $1,401—nearly identical burdens on just $68,574 annual income. Combined, housing consumes roughly 48% of gross earnings, leaving only 52% for all other expenses, transportation, and emergency savings.

Butte for the determined budget-builder

If you earn $50,000–$75,000 and value small-town Northern California living, Butte offers modest rents and $408,700 homes—lower absolute costs than most of California. However, the higher rent-to-income burden means you'll need disciplined budgeting; consider Colusa for even tighter affordability without the income penalty.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Butte County

via IncomeByCounty

Butte lags behind national average

Butte County's median household income of $68,574 falls 8% short of the national median of $74,755, placing it among lower-income California counties. The county faces economic headwinds from reduced timber industry employment and housing recovery challenges.

Among California's lower-income counties

Butte's $68,574 median household income ranks well below California's state average of $87,001, a gap of over $18,400 per household. The county's per capita income of $37,965 also trails the state's $43,669 average.

Struggling among rural peers

Butte's median income of $68,574 ranks lowest among the eight profiled counties, trailing even Del Norte County's $66,780. The county faces structural economic challenges distinct from its rural Sierra neighbors.

Housing costs strain budgets

Butte's 24% rent-to-income ratio represents the highest housing cost burden in this group, with median home value of $408,700 requiring substantial household commitment. Even lower median incomes mean residents spend nearly a quarter of earnings on rent alone.

Strategic savings despite tight budgets

While Butte households face tighter budgets than California averages, building even modest emergency savings of $500-$1,000 monthly strengthens financial security. Consider low-cost investment options and employer retirement plans to begin wealth-building despite current income constraints.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Butte County

via HealthByCounty

Butte lags national health trends

At 75.7 years, Butte County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.1 years and California's 78.5 state average by nearly 3 years. A 18.2% poor/fair health rate matches the national average, suggesting Butte faces acute health challenges despite comparable self-reported health status. The county is among California's lowest-performing on longevity metrics.

Among state's least healthy

Butte County ranks in the bottom fifth of California counties for life expectancy at 75.7 years, well below the 78.5-year state average. Its 18.2% poor/fair health rate equals the national average but exceeds California's median, indicating concentrated health disadvantage. Butte's health crisis is severe and persistent.

Worse than surrounding rural areas

Butte's 75.7-year life expectancy is the lowest among northern California counties examined, significantly worse than Amador (78.5), Calaveras (78.8), and Colusa (79.2). Its 18.2% poor/fair health rate also exceeds neighbors Amador (16.3%) and Calaveras (17.4%), marking Butte as a regional health outlier. The 2018 Camp Fire devastated the county's health infrastructure and remains a factor.

Uninsured and underserved

Butte's 7.6% uninsured rate exceeds California's 7.2% state average, meaning more residents lack health coverage than typical. Primary care providers are scarce at 59 per 100,000—far below optimal density—while mental health services are more robust at 888 per 100,000. The mismatch means residents can access behavioral health support but struggle to find basic preventive care.

Coverage matters in Butte

Butte residents should prioritize health insurance as a foundation for reversing the county's declining health trends. Covered California and Medi-Cal offer year-round enrollment; visit coveredca.com or call the Butte County Department of Public Health at (530) 897-5833 for local support. Prevention and early care can improve individual and community outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Butte County

via RiskByCounty

Butte faces above-average national disaster risk

Butte County's composite risk score of 93.92 exceeds the national average, placing it in the relatively moderate-to-high category nationally. The county's exposure stems from significant wildfire, earthquake, and flood hazards characteristic of Northern California's geography.

Above California's average, but not extreme

Butte's score of 93.92 edges above California's state average of 88.72, ranking the county in the upper-middle tier of statewide risk. While this positions Butte as more exposed than many California communities, it remains less threatened than Bay Area counties like Alameda or Contra Costa.

Moderate risk compared to Sierra peers

Butte County (93.92) faces higher composite risk than Amador (79.20) and Calaveras (86.61), reflecting its larger footprint and proximity to the Central Valley. Del Norte County (94.43) to the north presents nearly identical threat levels.

Wildfire and flood dominate your hazard profile

Wildfire risk (98.54) and flood risk (93.23) are Butte's primary concerns, with earthquake risk (97.49) also significant. The 2018 Camp Fire tragedy underscores the catastrophic potential of the county's elevated wildfire exposure.

Comprehensive wildfire and flood coverage essential

Butte residents must secure separate wildfire and flood insurance, as standard policies exclude both hazards. Given recent fire history, maintaining defensible space around your home and staying current on evacuation routes are equally critical investments.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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