CountyScore

Cameron County

Pennsylvania · PA

#13 in Pennsylvania
68.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Cameron County, Pennsylvania

Right at the State Average

Cameron County's composite score of 66.0 equals Pennsylvania's state average and sits 16 percentile points above the national median of 50.0. This solid positioning reflects a livable county performing above most American peers, though not among Pennsylvania's leaders.

Ties Average Across the Commonwealth

At 66.0, Cameron County matches Pennsylvania's state average exactly, placing it in the middle band of the eight profiled counties. It represents a typical Pennsylvania county experience—neither standout nor struggling.

Unbeatable Housing Affordability

Cameron County boasts a cost score of 86.9, the highest among all eight counties, with a median home value of just $88,200 and rent at $699 monthly. For raw housing affordability, it's virtually unmatched in this survey.

Lowest Incomes and Highest Taxes

The county faces headwinds with an income score of 14.5 (median $47,681) and tax score of 55.4 (effective rate 1.667%), the least favorable on both metrics among profiled counties. These twin challenges offset the housing affordability advantage.

For Self-Sufficient Retirees Only

Cameron County suits only retirees and self-employed remote workers with outside income sources, as local earning potential is severely constrained. The exceptional housing costs cannot overcome income limitations for working-age families.

Score breakdown

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

Tax55.4Cost86.9SafetyComing SoonHealth67.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome14.5Risk87.4WaterComing Soon
🏛55.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼14.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡87.4
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 Cameron County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Escambia County
Alabama
68.2
Median income: $44,447
Madison County
Alabama
68.2
Median income: $83,528
Cross County
Arkansas
68.2
Median income: $47,012
Poinsett County
Arkansas
68.2
Median income: $47,188
Morgan County
Colorado
68.2
Median income: $75,407

Deep Dives

Cameron County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Cameron County

via TaxByCounty

Cameron carries Pennsylvania's steepest rate

Cameron County's effective tax rate of 1.667% is one of the highest in the nation, well above the national median of 1.09%. Though the median property tax of $1,470 seems modest, the effective rate reveals a truly aggressive tax burden relative to home values in this rural northwestern county.

Ranks among Pennsylvania's highest rates

Cameron County's 1.667% effective rate ranks in the upper tier statewide, significantly exceeding Pennsylvania's average of 1.317%. Despite lower home values, the county's steeper rate puts residents in a higher tax bracket relative to their property wealth.

Steeper than Elk, Potter, McKean

Cameron's 1.667% rate is notably higher than nearby Clarion County (0.971%) and Centre County (1.065%), making it one of the region's most aggressive taxers. Residents here face a tax burden nearly 1.7 times higher, percentage-wise, than those in neighboring counties.

Roughly $1,470 despite the steep rate

On Cameron's median home value of $88,200, the 1.667% effective rate yields an estimated annual property tax of $1,470. While the dollar amount is low, the rate itself represents a disproportionately heavy burden on the county's modest property values.

Assessment challenges essential in high-rate county

In Cameron County, where the effective rate is so steep, ensuring accurate property assessments is crucial to protecting your wallet. An appeal could be particularly valuable here, potentially saving hundreds on a modest home value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Cameron County

via CostByCounty

Cheapest rents, tightest budget margins

Cameron County residents spend 17.6% of income on housing—above the 16.5% national average—despite having Pennsylvania's lowest median rent of $699. The problem: the median income of $47,681 is 36% below the national average, leaving limited cushion despite low rents.

Most affordable rent, least affordable income

Cameron's $699 median rent ranks as Pennsylvania's lowest, but the 17.6% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the state average of 16.5%, reflecting strained local wages. This represents a true affordability paradox: cheap housing on inadequate incomes.

Cheapest in its tier by far

Cameron's $699 rent undercuts Cambria ($733), Clarion ($785), and Carbon ($975) substantially, offering Pennsylvania's deepest discount on housing. However, the $47,681 income is significantly below all comparable rural counties, eroding the rental savings advantage.

Cameron's precarious math

Monthly housing costs of $699 for rent and $595 for ownership consume 17.6% and 14.9% of the $47,681 median income respectively. After housing, Cameron residents have less disposable income than higher-earning counties despite the lowest absolute costs.

Cameron suits remote-first relocators only

Cameron County works only for those with guaranteed external income—remote jobs, pensions, or significant savings—who can leverage its $699 rent and $88,200 home prices to maximum advantage. Local job seekers face uphill battles given the sparse economic base and below-average wages.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cameron County

via IncomeByCounty

Cameron struggles far below national average

Cameron County's median household income of $47,681 lags the national median of $74,755 by 36%, ranking among the lowest-income counties in the United States. This sparsely populated Appalachian county faces severe economic headwinds rooted in the collapse of timber and coal industries.

Poorest county in Pennsylvania

Cameron County ranks last among Pennsylvania's 67 counties with a median household income of $47,681—a stark $21,933 below the state average of $69,614. The county's tiny population of roughly 4,500 residents concentrates poverty and limits economic opportunity across the region.

Most challenged in its peer group

Cameron County's $47,681 median income trails Cambria County ($56,292) by $8,611 and falls far below Carbon County ($67,877), highlighting its acute economic disadvantage among neighboring rural counties. Even the most modest nearby counties significantly outearns Cameron households.

Housing affordable but income stretched

Cameron County's 17.6% rent-to-income ratio exceeds most peers, indicating housing costs consume a larger share of already-tight budgets despite a median home value of $88,200. Low incomes coupled with elevated housing burdens constrain savings and financial resilience.

Seek support and build incrementally

With a median income of $47,681, Cameron County households must prioritize essential expenses and seek community financial assistance resources to build any emergency savings. Even small automated transfers to savings accounts, combined with free or low-cost financial counseling, create pathways to modest wealth accumulation over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Cameron County

via HealthByCounty

Cameron faces critical health disparities

Cameron County residents live only 74.6 years—2.4 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. An alarming 21.6% report poor or fair health, the highest rate among these eight counties, signaling a serious public health crisis.

Pennsylvania's lowest life expectancy county

Cameron County's 74.6-year life expectancy ranks among the state's absolute worst, trailing Pennsylvania's average of 76.4 years by 1.8 years. The 21.6% poor/fair health rate far exceeds typical state benchmarks, reflecting entrenched health challenges.

Worst health outcomes in region

Cameron County's 74.6-year life expectancy and 21.6% poor health rate are the worst in this county peer group. Its nearest rival is Carbon County (74.5 years, 17.8% poor health), yet both trail Chester and Centre counties by 6+ years.

Highest uninsured rate, fewest providers

Cameron County's 7.2% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 7.0%, but the real crisis is provider scarcity: only 45 primary care doctors and 46 mental health providers per 100,000 residents. Residents often travel far for basic care, worsening health outcomes.

Urgent: Find coverage and care resources

With 7.2% uninsured and severe provider shortages, Cameron residents must prioritize enrollment at www.healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596. Ask your insurer about telemedicine options and community health centers—they may bridge gaps when local providers are hard to reach.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Cameron County

via RiskByCounty

Cameron County has very low risk

Cameron County's composite risk score of 12.63 ranks it in the very low category—far below Pennsylvania's state average of 67.45. This rural county faces minimal natural disaster exposure compared to other regions in the state and nation.

Lowest-risk county in Pennsylvania

Cameron County ranks at or near the bottom of Pennsylvania's 67 counties for overall disaster risk. Its 12.63 score reflects genuinely low exposure across most hazard categories.

Significantly safer than surrounding areas

Cameron County's risk score of 12.63 is dramatically lower than Clarion County (30.03) to the west and Carbon County (59.41) to the south. This geographic pocket of low risk is a notable advantage for the county.

Hurricane exposure is the main concern

Cameron County's hurricane risk score of 55.07 stands well above its other hazard ratings; all other risks score below 41. While this reflects Pennsylvania's location east of major hurricane zones, coastal tropical systems remain the primary natural hazard threat.

Standard coverage generally sufficient here

Cameron County's very low overall risk means basic homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection for most residents. Still, evaluate your roof condition and have a family emergency plan in case of the rare severe weather event.

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.