Churchill County

Nevada · NV

#10 in Nevada
68.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Churchill County, Nevada

Churchill County exceeds national baseline

Churchill County's score of 68.5 ranks in the 75th percentile nationally, substantially above the median of 50.0. This positions the county as a stronger-than-average U.S. location across multiple livability dimensions.

Right at Nevada's middle mark

Churchill County scores 68.5, nearly matching Nevada's state average of 69.5, placing it third among the profiled counties. The county represents a typical Nevada profile—competitive on taxes and housing, but with income constraints.

Low taxes and affordable living lead

Churchill County boasts a tax score of 86.5 with an effective rate of 0.560%, keeping tax burden low. Combined with a cost score of 70.6 and median home value of $298,000, the county offers one of Nevada's most affordable housing markets.

Income and health gaps persist

Income score of 31.2 reflects median household earnings of $73,268, keeping wage potential below many peers. Health outcomes, though moderate at 65.4, lag counties with stronger healthcare infrastructure.

Ideal for budget-focused, independent workers

Churchill County appeals to remote workers, retirees on fixed incomes, and families valuing affordability and tax efficiency over career advancement. The county's low cost of living and minimal tax burden offset its limited local employment opportunities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.5Cost70.6SafetyComing SoonHealth65.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome31.2Risk52.8WaterComing Soon
🏛86.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠70.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼31.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
65.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
52.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Churchill County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Churchill County

via TaxByCounty

Churchill taxes well below national average

Churchill County's 0.560% effective tax rate ranks in the bottom 25% nationally, and the median property tax of $1,670 is 38% lower than the U.S. median of $2,690. Despite homes here being valued 6% above the national median, residents pay substantially less in annual taxes.

Slightly above Nevada average rate

At 0.560%, Churchill County's effective tax rate exceeds Nevada's state average of 0.525% by just 0.035 percentage points. The county remains competitive within the state's middle tier of tax rates.

Higher rate than Carson City

Churchill County homeowners pay $1,670 in median annual property tax, compared to $1,781 in nearby Carson City—just $111 less despite Carson City's stronger tax advantage. Elko County to the east offers comparable rates at $1,434.

Annual tax on a typical home

A median Churchill County home valued at $298,000 generates approximately $1,670 in annual property tax. Those with mortgages pay about $1,729, while outright owners pay $1,605.

Review your assessment for overvaluation

Many Nevada homeowners discover their assessments exceed fair market value and qualify for tax reductions through formal appeals. Filing an appeal costs nothing and can result in meaningful annual savings.

Cost of Living in Churchill County

via CostByCounty

Churchill rents align with state, exceed nation

Churchill County's 19.7% rent-to-income ratio is slightly above Nevada's state average of 18.1% and above the national baseline. With a median household income of $73,268 and median rent of $1,203 per month, renters here spend roughly one-fifth of their income on housing alone.

Modest affordability within Nevada

Churchill County ranks as a moderately priced county statewide, with a rent-to-income ratio of 19.7% that signals tighter affordability than the state average. Its $1,203 median rent exceeds Nevada's state median of $1,127, reflecting limited rental supply in this rural region.

Pricier rents, cheaper homes than neighbors

Churchill County's $1,203 rent is the highest among nearby rural counties, yet its median home value of $298,000 is more affordable than Carson City ($426,700) or Douglas County ($587,400). This split reflects strong owner-occupancy but constrained rental inventory.

Renters squeeze, owners find deals

Renters allocate 19.7% of their $73,268 income to the $1,203 monthly rent, while homeowners pay just 17% toward their $1,039 monthly cost. The lower owner cost reflects Churchill's moderate median home value of $298,000, making ownership more accessible than renting here.

Churchill suits buyers over renters

If you're considering the rural Nevada market, Churchill County offers exceptional value for home buyers with monthly costs nearly half the rent burden. Renters should compare: Churchill's 19.7% rent ratio suggests better deals exist in Humboldt or Elko counties.

Income & Jobs in Churchill County

via IncomeByCounty

Churchill County Edges Below National Median

Churchill County's median household income of $73,268 sits about 2% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it solidly in the middle range nationally. Compared to Nevada's state average of $75,206, the county lags by roughly $2,000, reflecting its smaller, more rural character.

Solid Middle Ground Among Nevada Counties

Churchill County ranks in the mid-range of Nevada's 16 counties, holding steady between rural economies and stronger metros like Douglas and Clark counties. The county's $73,268 income reflects a stable mix of agriculture, government, and energy sector employment.

Income Alignment with Carson City and Clark

Churchill County's $73,268 median closely tracks Carson City ($71,809) and Clark County ($73,845), forming a cohesive regional income band across central and southern Nevada. All three counties offer comparable earning potential with distinct regional advantages in cost and quality of life.

Rent Remains Affordable in Churchill County

With a 19.7% rent-to-income ratio, Churchill County residents spend just under one-fifth of household income on rent, matching the state average and staying well below the 30% affordability benchmark. The county's low median home value of $298,000 makes property ownership accessible for wage-earners at the state median.

Leverage Affordability for Financial Goals

Churchill County's lower housing costs compared to Nevada's pricier metros create a genuine opportunity to save and invest beyond rent and mortgage payments. Consider channeling housing savings into retirement accounts, education funds, or diversified investments to compound wealth over time.

Health in Churchill County

via HealthByCounty

Churchill County's life expectancy trails nationally

At 73.4 years, Churchill County residents live about 5.4 years less than the U.S. average of 78.8 years. Nearly one in five residents (19.8%) report poor or fair health, roughly in line with national trends. These metrics point to health vulnerabilities in this rural Nevada community.

Ranking below Nevada's health average

Churchill County's 73.4-year life expectancy falls 1.8 years short of Nevada's 75.2-year state average. The county's 19.8% poor/fair health rate is closer to state norms than some peers, but still signals room for improvement. Churchill County's outcomes reflect broader rural health disparities across Nevada.

Similar health profile to Carson City

Churchill County matches Carson City's 73.4-year life expectancy almost exactly, positioning both as Nevada's lower-performing counties on this metric. However, Churchill's uninsured rate (10.3%) is notably better than Carson City's (14.2%). These counties face parallel health challenges but with different access barriers.

Modest insurance coverage with limited providers

Churchill County's 10.3% uninsured rate sits below Nevada's state average of 11.7%, suggesting stronger insurance uptake. Yet the county has only 47 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—well below Carson City's 64—reflecting rural provider scarcity. Mental health capacity (236 per 100K) also lags, creating access challenges for residents seeking behavioral health care.

Ensure your family has coverage

While Churchill County's uninsured rate is better than state averages, 10.3% of residents still lack insurance. The Nevada Health Insurance Marketplace opens annually in the fall, and many residents qualify for federal subsidies. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to check your eligibility and enroll in an affordable plan.

Disaster Risk in Churchill County

via RiskByCounty

Churchill County: near-average disaster risk

Churchill County's composite risk score of 47.26 sits just slightly above the U.S. average of 50, placing it in the "Relatively Low" category. The county avoids the extreme hazard concentrations seen elsewhere in Nevada, offering more moderate exposure overall.

Below Nevada's risk baseline

At 47.26, Churchill County ranks second-lowest among Nevada's 16 counties and sits just 2% above the state average of 46.25. This makes it one of the safer communities statewide, though still subject to the seismic and wildfire pressures that define the region.

The moderate zone of northern Nevada

Churchill County's score of 47.26 places it between Humboldt County (40.84) to the north and Carson City (76.14) to the south. Neighboring Elko County scores significantly higher at 87.91, making Churchill a relative haven in this geographically diverse region.

Earthquakes and wildfire the main concerns

Earthquake risk scores 91.32 and wildfire risk 64.47—both notable but not extreme compared to Nevada peers. Flooding risk is moderate at 53.21, while tornado and hurricane risks remain minimal, giving Churchill County a more balanced hazard profile.

Prioritize earthquake and wildfire coverage

While Churchill County faces lower overall risk, its earthquake score of 91.32 and wildfire score of 64.47 demand specialized insurance policies. Standard homeowners coverage excludes both hazards, so securing separate earthquake and wildfire policies protects your investment effectively.

ByCounty Network

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