CountyScore

Cowlitz County

Washington · WA

#30 in Washington
62.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Cowlitz County, Washington

Cowlitz County Exceeds National Median

Cowlitz County scores 66.6 on the CountyScore composite index, exceeding the national median of 50.0 but sitting slightly below Washington's state average of 68.1. The score reflects a county with solid fundamentals but some affordability challenges.

Slightly Below State Average

Cowlitz County's composite score of 66.6 falls just short of Washington's average of 68.1, positioning it in the middle range of state counties. The county offers reliable, if not exceptional, livability across its measured dimensions.

Competitive Taxes and Moderate Costs

Cowlitz County features a Tax Score of 79.4 (effective rate 0.813%) and a Cost Score of 65.8, with median rent at $1,169 and median home values at $367,400. These balanced tax and housing attributes provide decent value for residents.

Weak Income Levels Limit Growth

The county's Income Score of 31.0 reflects a median household income of $72,932, which lags behind several peer counties in this comparison. Data on schools, safety, health, and environmental quality remain unavailable to complete the livability assessment.

For Practical, Cost-Conscious Families

Cowlitz County suits working families and retirees seeking moderate housing costs and reasonable taxes without the highest incomes or most amenities. The county appeals to those prioritizing stability and fiscal prudence over economic dynamism.

Score breakdown

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

Tax79.4Cost65.8SafetyComing SoonHealth70.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome31Risk9.7WaterComing Soon
🏛79.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠65.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼31
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡9.7
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 Cowlitz County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lake County
Indiana
62.8
Median income: $68,985
Butler County
Kansas
62.8
Median income: $80,375
St. Tammany Parish
Louisiana
62.8
Median income: $79,277
Berkshire County
Massachusetts
62.8
Median income: $72,565
Harrison County
Mississippi
62.8
Median income: $57,233

Deep Dives

Cowlitz County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Cowlitz County

via TaxByCounty

Cowlitz rate moderately above national median

Cowlitz County's effective tax rate of 0.813% sits above the national median of 0.761%, placing it in the 54th percentile. The median property tax of $2,988 on homes valued at $367,400 exceeds the national median of $2,690, reflecting both a higher rate and higher home values.

Upper-middle taxation in Washington

Cowlitz County ranks 12th among Washington's 39 counties for effective tax rate at 0.813%, above the state average of 0.761%. Its median property tax of $2,988 nearly matches the state median of $3,028, making it a representative county for state-level taxation.

Sits between Clark and Clallam

Cowlitz's 0.813% rate falls between Clark County (0.836%) and Clallam (0.742%), positioning it in the moderate-to-high range for the Puget Sound corridor. It offers a middle-ground tax burden for the Southwest Washington region.

Roughly $2,988 annually on median home

A median-valued Cowlitz County home at $367,400 generates an estimated annual property tax of $2,988. Homeowners with mortgages pay $3,096 yearly, while those without mortgages pay $2,768.

Assessment review could lower bills

Cowlitz County homeowners who have not recently verified their assessments should consider doing so, especially in the growing Longview area. A professional assessment review or formal appeal can identify overvaluations and reduce future tax obligations.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Cowlitz County

via CostByCounty

Cowlitz County edges out national affordability

Cowlitz County's 19.2% rent-to-income ratio sits above Washington's 18.8% state average but remains competitive with national norms. At $1,169 monthly rent and $72,932 median household income, Cowlitz residents face moderate affordability constraints.

Slightly above-average rental costs statewide

Cowlitz County ranks in the upper-middle tier of Washington's affordability scale with a 19.2% rent-to-income ratio and $1,169 median rent. Both figures hover slightly above state averages, reflecting regional housing pressures in the Longview-Kelso area.

More expensive than Adams and Asotin

Cowlitz County's $1,169 rent exceeds Adams ($901) and Asotin ($994) but trails Benton ($1,256) and Clark ($1,668). Its $367,400 median home value aligns with Benton County, suggesting comparable housing market dynamics.

Homeownership carries the heavier burden

Cowlitz renters spend 19.2% of income on housing, but homeowners commit 23.0%—the steepest ownership burden in this sample. At $72,932 median household income and $367,400 median home value, Cowlitz homebuyers face significant affordability headwinds.

Cowlitz suits renters better than buyers

If relocating to Cowlitz County, renters will find more balanced economics than prospective homebuyers, whose monthly costs consume nearly a quarter of income. Evaluate both your tenure preference and income stability before committing to this market.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cowlitz County

via IncomeByCounty

Cowlitz County slightly below national earnings

At $72,932, Cowlitz County's median household income falls 2.4% short of the national median of $74,755, positioning residents in solid middle-income territory. Per capita income of $36,520 trails national averages slightly, suggesting lower individual earnings despite moderate household incomes.

Lower-middle income tier within Washington

Cowlitz County's median household income of $72,932 lags the Washington state average of $76,363 by $3,431. The county ranks in the lower-middle quartile statewide, reflecting industrial economy challenges and fewer high-wage employer concentrations.

Mid-range earner among rural and suburban peers

Cowlitz County's $72,932 median income exceeds Adams County by $7,890 and trails Columbia County by just $596. The Longview region balances legacy timber and manufacturing industries with Kelso-area service sector jobs, creating moderate but not exceptional earning power.

Housing pressure mounts as costs rise faster

Cowlitz County's 19.2% rent-to-income ratio approaches affordability concern levels, and median home value of $367,400 rises faster than local wage growth. Residents increasingly struggle to maintain housing affordability as regional property values climb despite stagnant industrial wages.

Strategic planning amid economic transition

Cowlitz County residents should prioritize debt reduction and emergency funds given moderating incomes and rising costs. Explore employer training programs for higher-wage sectors, consider dual-income household strategies, and consult financial counselors about managing housing affordability.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Cowlitz County

via HealthByCounty

Cowlitz County faces significant health gap

At 75.1 years, Cowlitz County residents live 3.2 years less than the U.S. average of 78.3 years—the largest shortfall among comparison counties. The 18.5% poor/fair health rate exceeds the national average of 18%, indicating both lower life expectancy and worse perceived health status.

Washington's lowest-performing county

Cowlitz County's 75.1-year life expectancy ranks 3.0 years below Washington's 78.1-year state average, making it the lowest-performing comparison county. This significant gap reflects serious health challenges that require targeted community and clinical interventions.

Substantial health disadvantage versus peers

Cowlitz County's 75.1-year life expectancy trails all comparison counties, with a 4.2-year gap behind Chelan County (79.3 years) and 2.7 years behind Clark County (78.6 years). With just 56 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Cowlitz has the lowest primary care provider density among peers, limiting preventive care access.

Modest uninsured rate masks access gaps

At 7.5%, Cowlitz County's uninsured rate is below the state average of 9.0%, but the county's lower life expectancy suggests coverage alone doesn't guarantee care access. With only 56 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—well below state need—residents may face long waits or travel to access preventive care.

Get covered and find care in Cowlitz

Cowlitz County residents need health insurance to overcome the county's documented health challenges and access limited primary care. If uninsured, visit Healthcare.gov or contact a local health center navigator today to secure coverage and connect with available providers that can help reverse this county's concerning health trends.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Cowlitz County

via RiskByCounty

Cowlitz County faces high disaster risk

Cowlitz County's composite risk score of 90.30 places it in the relatively moderate risk category, well above the national average. The county experiences meaningful natural hazard exposure that requires active preparedness planning from residents.

Fourth-highest risk in Washington

Cowlitz County ranks among Washington's most hazardous counties with a score of 90.30, exceeding the state average of 70.01 by nearly 29%. Only Clark, Chelan, and Clallam counties face greater overall disaster risk in the state.

Hazardous region in southwestern Washington

Cowlitz County (90.30) faces comparable risk to Clark County (92.24) just to the south, creating a particularly hazardous corridor in southwestern Washington. The county's proximity to the Cascade subduction zone and flood-prone river systems elevate its natural disaster exposure.

Earthquakes and floods dominate hazards

Cowlitz County residents face extreme earthquake risk (97.46) and severe flood risk (88.26), which combine as the county's defining natural hazards. Wildfire (61.29) and tornado (20.55) risks are secondary but still notable concerns for residents.

Earthquake and flood insurance essential

Cowlitz County homeowners should prioritize earthquake insurance and flood coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program given the county's extreme scores in both categories. These specialized policies fall outside standard homeowners coverage and are critical for protecting your property investment.

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.