countyscore
41.4
County Score
Income & Jobs 84.2Water Quality 68Health 59.3

County Report Card

About Chelan County, Washington

Chelan County Below National Median

Chelan County earns a 41.9 composite score, placing it below the national median of 50.0. While it is a popular destination, structural costs impact its overall ranking.

Close to the Washington Average

Chelan's score of 41.9 is nearly in line with the Washington state average of 44.1. It remains one of the more desirable and high-income counties in Central Washington.

Strong Incomes and Low Tax Burden

The county shines with an Income Score of 81.9 and a Tax Score of 61.9. A low 0.711% effective tax rate allows residents to keep more of their $78,306 median income.

Navigating High Housing Costs and Risk

Housing affordability is a struggle with a Cost Score of 16.6 and a high median home value of $454,900. The county also faces high environmental threats, reflected in a Risk Score of 9.1.

Best for Established Professionals

Chelan County is a great fit for established families or remote workers who can afford the $454,900 home prices to enjoy the local lifestyle. Its low tax burden is a significant draw for those with higher earnings.

2040608010058.51626.259.349.884.29.16841.4Tax58.5Cost16Safety26.2Health59.3Schools49.8Income84.2Risk9.1Water68Weather41.441.4/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Chelan County DNA

Foverall

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

Chelan County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (84.2/100) but notably weak in Disaster Risk (9.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
58.5
Cost
16-32
Safety
26.2-28.8
Health
59.3+9.299999999999997
Schools
49.8
Income
84.2+33.2
Risk
9.1-37.9
Water
68+10
Weather
41.4-14.600000000000001
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$490,100

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,226/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$490,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$49,040/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum5.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $82,381/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

16.3

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
Compare Chelan County with St. Clair County →Share on X

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Taylor County
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Nearby counties

Douglas County
Washington
44.9
Kittitas County
Washington
41.2
Okanogan County
Washington
46.5
Snohomish County
Washington
41.6
King County
Washington
39.1
Grant County
Washington
32.8
Skagit County
Washington
37.5
Yakima County
Washington
30.4

Deep Dives

Chelan County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Chelan County

via TaxByCounty

Chelan has one of state's lowest rates

Chelan County's effective tax rate of 0.711% sits below both the national median (0.761%) and Washington's state average (0.761%), landing it in the 40th percentile nationally. Despite this lower rate, the median property tax of $3,235 reflects the county's higher home values at $454,900.

Lowest rate among compared counties

Chelan County ranks 2nd in Washington for the lowest effective tax rate at 0.711%, well below the state average of 0.761%. This favorable rate makes Chelan attractive for property owners, though home prices are significantly higher here.

Chelan's low rate stands out regionally

At 0.711%, Chelan's effective rate beats all neighboring counties examined, including Benton (0.788%) and Clallam (0.742%). This advantage reflects the county's property tax structure and provides meaningful relief for buyers in the Wenatchee area.

$3,235 taxes on pricier homes here

Chelan County's median home value of $454,900 is among the highest in the region, resulting in a median annual property tax of $3,235. Homeowners with mortgages pay $3,268 yearly, while those without mortgages pay $3,190.

Even low rates warrant verification

Chelan County's favorable tax rate is a competitive advantage, but homeowners should still verify their assessments are accurate. If your home is worth less than its assessed value, an appeal could provide additional tax savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Chelan County

via IncomeByCounty

Chelan County exceeds national income baseline

Chelan County's median household income of $78,306 outpaces the national median of $74,755 by 4.8%, reflecting solid earning power in this mountain community. Per capita income of $42,092 also surpasses national averages, showing broad economic strength across the population.

Above-average earnings for mountain region

At $78,306, Chelan County's median household income exceeds the Washington state average of $76,363 by nearly $2,000. The county ranks in the upper-middle tier statewide, driven by tourism, outdoor recreation, and diversified local employment.

Outearning rural peers despite high housing costs

Chelan County's $78,306 median income falls $9,010 short of Benton County but exceeds Asotin County's $69,107 by $9,199. The county balances strong tourism and recreation economies against higher cost-of-living pressures from mountain-valley real estate demand.

Income stretched by elevated property values

With a median home value of $454,900—the highest among these counties—Chelan's 18.1% rent-to-income ratio signals tightening affordability. While still below the 30% danger threshold, residents must carefully budget as property costs continue rising with tourism and vacation home demand.

Balancing lifestyle and long-term financial goals

Chelan County's moderate-to-high incomes support wealth-building, but rising housing costs require intentional planning. Prioritize down payment savings, explore first-time homebuyer programs, and diversify income through seasonal employment opportunities to offset housing market pressures.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Chelan County

via CrimeByCounty

Chelan County is safer than national average

Chelan County boasts an exceptional safety score of 97.2, indicating a very secure environment. Its total crime rate of 1804.6 per 100K is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This makes the county one of the more desirable locations for safety-conscious residents.

Leading the state in public safety

Chelan County's safety score of 97.2 exceeds the Washington state average of 96.2. Its total crime rate of 1804.6 is also much lower than the state's average of 2377.2. These figures place Chelan among the safest counties in Washington.

Lower crime than urban neighbors

Chelan County is much safer than nearby high-volume areas like Benton County, which has double the crime rate. With only 1804.6 crimes per 100K, Chelan offers a stark contrast to more populated regions. Local law enforcement maintains high efficiency with just two reporting agencies.

Violent crime is remarkably low

The violent crime rate in Chelan is just 140.4 per 100K, far below the national average of 369.8. Property crime is also relatively low at 1664.2 compared to state norms. These numbers reflect a community where physical safety is a top-tier asset.

Maintaining a secure home environment

Even in safe areas like Chelan, maintaining basic security measures is a smart investment. Simple habits like locking windows and utilizing outdoor lighting can keep property crime rates low. Community vigilance ensures that the county remains a safe haven for all.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Chelan County

via WeatherByCounty

A snowy retreat with moderate temperatures

Chelan County averages 48.0°F annually, sitting below the national temperature median. It is characterized by heavy winter precipitation and dry, hot summers.

Below state average temperatures with high snow

At 48.0°F, Chelan is cooler than the state average of 49.9°F. Its standout feature is its 96.8 inches of snow, which dwarfs the state's coastal averages.

The snow capital compared to neighbors

While Benton County to the south sees little snow, Chelan receives nearly 97 inches annually. This makes it a dramatic contrast to the drier, flatter counties in central Washington.

Extreme snow and hot summer days

Chelan experiences 26 days of extreme heat despite its cold 27.7°F January average. The transition from 69.7°F July averages to 96.8 inches of snow defines the local year.

Prepare for heavy snow and sun

Residents must maintain high-quality snow removal equipment for the massive 96.8-inch annual snowfall. Home insulation should be rated for sub-freezing winters and 90°F summer peaks.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Chelan County

via SoilByCounty

From Mountain Peaks to Valleys

Chelan County’s diverse terrain lacks a single dominant soil pH or taxonomic order in the current dataset. Local conditions vary wildly, though most forest soils are more acidic than the national 6.5 median.

Complex Mix of Glacial Sediments

Sand, silt, and clay data are not yet mapped for this specific area. The mix of glacial till and river sediment creates complex drainage patterns that vary significantly between the Cascades and the valley floors.

Nurturing Soil in the Rain Shadow

We lack recorded numbers for organic matter and available water capacity in this county. Gardeners should aim to build up soil health with compost to reach closer to the state's 14.85% organic matter benchmark.

Site-Specific Testing is Essential

Without a formal drainage class or hydrologic group on record, site-specific testing is essential for any land use. This is especially true for the county's famous orchards where precise water management is key to success.

Orchard Country in Zone 7a

Falling in hardiness zone 7a, this area is world-renowned for its apples and cherries. With the right mulch and care, your backyard can become a productive part of this legendary fruit-growing region.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Chelan County

via LawnByCounty

Balancing Beauty in Chelan County

Chelan County scores a 34.5 on the lawn difficulty scale, placing it just below the Washington state average of 36.9. While the Hardiness Zone 7a climate is manageable, the region's specific moisture levels require a tactical approach. You are dealing with conditions that are more challenging than the typical American lawn.

Moderate Rain with Hot Summers

The county averages 23.9 inches of annual precipitation, which is better than the desert counties but still below the state average of 38.5 inches. With 26 days of extreme heat each year, cool-season grasses will likely go dormant without supplemental summer water. Your 2,244 growing degree days support steady growth from spring through autumn.

Laying the Groundwork for Turf

While specific county-wide soil pH and drainage data are limited, local conditions often vary by elevation and proximity to the lake. For a healthy lawn, ensure your soil is properly aerated to manage the 23.9 inches of annual rainfall. Applying a balanced fertilizer in the spring will help the grass recover from the cold mountain winters.

Surviving 44 Weeks of Drought

Chelan County has faced drought conditions for 44 of the last 52 weeks, a significant stressor for any lawn. Currently, 87% of the county is abnormally dry, requiring careful water management. Use weather-based irrigation controllers to adjust for the 26 annual days of extreme heat.

Spring and Fall Planting Success

Plan your lawn projects between the last frost on April 27 and the first frost on October 17. These dates define a reliable growing window for Zone 7a turf varieties like Kentucky Bluegrass or Perennial Ryegrass. Fall seeding is often more successful here as it allows roots to establish before the summer heat arrives.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chelan County's county score?
Chelan County, Washington has a composite county score of 41.4 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 Chelan County rank among counties in Washington?
Chelan County ranks #19 among all counties in Washington 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 Chelan County, Washington?
The median annual property tax in Chelan County is $3,503, with an effective tax rate of 0.71%. This earns Chelan County a tax score of 58.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Chelan County?
The median household income in Chelan County, Washington is $82,381 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Chelan County earns an income score of 84.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Chelan County, Washington a good place to live?
Chelan County scores 41.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #19 in Washington. The best way to evaluate Chelan 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 Chelan 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.