countyscore
64.5
County Score
Safety 97.5Property Tax 75.2Income & Jobs 63.1

County Report Card

About Carbon County, Wyoming

Exceeding National Livability Standards

Carbon County's composite score of 62.4 is significantly higher than the national median of 50.0. It ranks as a top-tier choice for overall quality of life.

Leading the Wyoming Average

With a score of 62.4, Carbon outperforms the Wyoming state average of 56.5. It balances safety and moderate income levels better than many of its peers.

Superior Safety and High Income

Safety is nearly perfect with a score of 97.5, making it one of the most secure counties in the region. Strong income levels and favorable taxes further boost its profile.

Severe Water Quality Issues

The water score is a critical weakness at just 3.9, which is among the lowest in the state. Health services also represent a challenge, scoring 41.3 on the dimension index.

Ideal for Secure Rural Living

Carbon is best for families seeking ultimate safety and solid income potential in a rural setting. It is a great fit for those prepared to manage local water infrastructure challenges.

2040608010075.260.297.541.357.863.157.33.941.5Tax75.2Cost60.2Safety97.5Health41.3Schools57.8Income63.1Risk57.3Water3.9Weather41.564.5/100
This county
National avg
5 above average2 below average

Carbon County DNA

D+overall

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

Carbon County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (97.5/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (3.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
75.2+23.200000000000003
Cost
60.2+12.200000000000003
Safety
97.5+42.5
Health
41.3-8.700000000000003
Schools
57.8
Income
63.1+12.100000000000001
Risk
57.3+10.299999999999997
Water
3.9-54.1
Weather
41.5-14.5
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$222,700

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$842/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$222,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$33,680/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.2x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $70,511/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

6.9

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
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Nearby counties

Albany County
Wyoming
48.5
Jackson County
Colorado
59.5
Routt County
Colorado
54.6
Natrona County
Wyoming
55
Sweetwater County
Wyoming
49.8
Moffat County
Colorado
43.8
Converse County
Wyoming
60.4
Platte County
Wyoming
66.2

Deep Dives

Carbon County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Carbon County

via TaxByCounty

Carbon's taxes beat national average by far

Carbon County's effective rate of 0.560% is roughly one-third the national median, making it among the most tax-friendly counties in America. The median annual property tax of $1,202 is less than half the national median of $2,690, delivering significant savings for homeowners.

Near Wyoming's state average

Carbon County's effective rate of 0.560% sits just slightly above the state average of 0.556%, landing it squarely in Wyoming's middle-ground for taxation. The median tax bill of $1,202 is below the state median of $1,666, reflecting lower property valuations.

More affordable than most nearby counties

Carbon County's 0.560% rate is lower than Big Horn (0.583%), Albany (0.573%), and Converse County (0.577%), matching Campbell County as one of the region's more affordable options. The modest median home value of $214,500 keeps annual tax bills comparatively low.

Median home costs about $1,202 per year

On a median home value of $214,500, Carbon County residents pay roughly $1,202 annually in property taxes—approximately $100 per month. Owners with mortgages may pay slightly more, around $1,283 yearly, due to additional assessment practices.

Review your assessment for potential refunds

Homeowners in Carbon County should regularly verify that their assessed values match current market conditions. If your property's assessment appears inflated compared to recent comparable sales, filing a timely appeal could reduce your tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Carbon County

via IncomeByCounty

Carbon trails U.S. income levels

Carbon County's median household income of $66,721 falls 11% below the national median of $74,755, representing a $8,034 annual shortfall. While better than the nation's lowest-income counties, the gap reflects regional economic constraints.

Mid-tier earner within Wyoming

At $66,721, Carbon County sits about $6,600 below Wyoming's state median of $73,360, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's income distribution. The county performs better than Albany and Big Horn but lags Campbell and Converse.

Solid middle ground regionally

Carbon County's $66,721 median outearns Albany ($59,881) and Big Horn ($60,547) but trails Converse ($79,164) and Campbell ($95,253). It represents balanced earning power for south-central Wyoming's mixed economy.

Rent burden is reasonable

At 16.1%, Carbon's rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, meaning renters spend roughly $893 monthly. This leaves meaningful income for savings, childcare, healthcare, and other essential expenses.

Build steady financial progress

Carbon County's combination of moderate income and reasonable housing costs creates a platform for consistent saving. Establish automatic transfers to savings before you see money in your account—building habits matters as much as the amount.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Carbon County

via CrimeByCounty

Carbon County Records Exceptional Safety Levels

Carbon County reports a crime rate of 0.0 per 100,000 residents, resulting in a perfect safety score of 100.0. This is an extraordinary figure compared to the national average of 2,385.5 crimes per 100,000 people. Three reporting agencies provided data showing no qualifying criminal incidents in 2022.

Leading the State in Reported Safety

Carbon County's perfect score of 100.0 places it well above the Wyoming state average safety score of 98.5. While the state average crime rate is 978.0, Carbon County stands out as one of the most incident-free regions. This high rank reflects a quiet period for local law enforcement.

Safety Comparison Across Southern Wyoming

Carbon County is significantly quieter than its neighbor Albany County, which reports a crime rate of 1,479.0. It also outpaces Converse County to the northeast, where the rate is 997.9 per 100,000. Residents in Carbon enjoy a much lower reported crime frequency than those in adjacent counties.

A Snapshot of Local Peace

The county records 0.0 violent crimes and 0.0 property crimes per 100,000 residents for the 2022 year. While this indicates a very safe environment, residents should recognize that 'zero' often stems from a lack of reported incidents to the three agencies. In practical terms, the county remains one of the least active for crime in the nation.

Preserving Your Home's Security

Even in an area with zero reported crimes, maintaining home security is a vital deterrent against future issues. Simple habits like locking doors and getting to know your neighbors can help keep these numbers low. A proactive community is the best defense against a change in these trends.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Carbon County

via WeatherByCounty

A Cold and Dry Mountain Profile

Carbon County sits well below the national median temperature at 43.2°F. With only 11.1 inches of annual precipitation, it is significantly drier than the average U.S. county.

Typical of the High Wyoming Plains

The county's annual temperature of 43.2°F is nearly identical to the statewide average of 43.8°F. Its 11.1 inches of precipitation is slightly below the state average of 13.9 inches.

Warmer and Drier than Albany County

Carbon County is slightly warmer than neighboring Albany, but it receives 1.9 inches less total precipitation. It also sees about 11 fewer inches of snow annually than its eastern neighbor.

Cold Winters with Significant Snowfall

Winters are long and snowy, averaging 56.3 inches of snow and a January low of 21.8°F. Extreme heat is rare, with only 14 days per year topping 90°F.

Focus on Snow Removal and Insulation

With 56.3 inches of snow and few heat waves, residents should invest in quality snow removal equipment and attic insulation. Air conditioning is less critical here than in warmer northern Wyoming counties.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Carbon County

via SoilByCounty

High-Desert Soil Characteristics

Carbon County's specific soil taxonomy is currently being mapped, though it follows the state's alkaline average pH of 7.18. This alkaline lean is quite high compared to the national median pH of 6.5.

Workability Varies by Landscape

Precise sand, silt, and clay percentages are not available for this high-altitude region. Soil workability changes significantly between river basins and mountain foothills, making local observation key for gardeners.

Rich Organic Matter Potential

County fertility metrics are limited, but the state average of 5.40% organic matter suggests high natural productivity. The state-wide average water capacity of 0.165 in/in provides a target for managing local soil moisture.

Planning for Local Hydrology

Drainage and hydrologic group data are currently limited for the county. Proper site assessments are vital for planning irrigation systems or building foundations in this diverse geological area.

Gardening in Zone 5a

Falling into Hardiness Zone 5a, Carbon County requires plants that can handle a brisk growing season. Focus on hardy staples like potatoes and radishes to ensure your garden flourishes in the high-desert air.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Carbon County

via LawnByCounty

A Demanding Climate in Carbon County

Carbon County presents a difficult landscape for lawn care, scoring just 27.7 on our difficulty scale. This is significantly lower than the national median and places it among the tougher counties in Wyoming for maintaining traditional turf in hardiness zone 5a.

Short Seasons and Dry Winds

Annual precipitation averages only 11.1 inches, making irrigation a necessity for any survival. A late spring frost on June 1st and an early autumn frost on September 18th create a very compact growing season that limits the time for lawn recovery and repair.

Building a Better Soil Base

Because localized soil data is missing, we recommend testing your yard for drainage and pH balance. Improving soil structure with organic matter is crucial in this arid region to help hold onto the scarce moisture provided by rain and irrigation.

Bracing for Persistent Dry Spells

Carbon County has endured 53 weeks of drought over the past year, with nearly half the county in severe drought conditions. Use rain barrels where legal and install smart irrigation controllers to maximize every drop of water during these prolonged dry periods.

Selecting Hardy Grass Varieties

Focus on drought-hardy species like Sheep Fescue or Blue Grama that thrive in zone 5a with minimal water. To maximize success, start your seeding immediately after the June 1st frost to give roots time to establish before the fall chill arrives.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Carbon County's county score?
Carbon 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 Carbon County rank among counties in Wyoming?
Carbon County ranks #5 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 Carbon County, Wyoming?
The median annual property tax in Carbon County is $1,279, with an effective tax rate of 0.57%. This earns Carbon County a tax score of 75.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Carbon County?
The median household income in Carbon County, Wyoming is $70,511 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Carbon County earns an income score of 63.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Carbon County, Wyoming a good place to live?
Carbon County scores 64.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #5 in Wyoming. The best way to evaluate Carbon 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 Carbon 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.