CountyScore

Curry County

Oregon · OR

#16 in Oregon
66.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Curry County, Oregon

Curry County exceeds national standard

Curry County's composite score of 66.2 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 30% of U.S. counties. This solid performance reflects particularly favorable tax and housing costs.

Essentially matches Oregon average

Curry County scores 66.2 versus Oregon's state average of 66.6, placing it at the state median. This indicates typical livability for Oregon with no major structural advantages or disadvantages versus peer counties.

Exceptional tax efficiency

Curry County offers the lowest effective tax rate among all counties at 0.531% and the highest tax score at 87.3. The cost score of 72.9 further supports affordability, with median home values of $366,700 and rent at $1,156/month.

Income and health lag slightly

Curry County's income score of 25.7 reflects a median household income of $64,769—lower than many Oregon counties—and health score of 67.3. These moderate scores suggest limited high-wage employment and health care resources relative to state benchmarks.

Perfect for tax-conscious coastal retirees

Curry County suits retirees, remote workers, and families seeking dramatic tax savings and coastal living at reasonable cost. If minimizing tax burden and accessing outdoor recreation outweigh concerns about income potential and health resources, this county offers compelling livability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.3Cost72.9SafetyComing SoonHealth67.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.7Risk13.5WaterComing Soon
🏛87.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠72.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡13.5
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 Curry County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Benton County
Arkansas
66.2
Median income: $89,879
Phillips County
Arkansas
66.2
Median income: $38,874
Sumter County
Florida
66.2
Median income: $73,297
Carroll County
Georgia
66.2
Median income: $72,327
Plaquemines Parish
Louisiana
66.2
Median income: $82,874

Deep Dives

Curry County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Curry County

via TaxByCounty

Curry County taxes rank among nation's lowest

Curry County's effective tax rate of 0.531% is exceptionally low, placing it in the nation's bottom 5% of all counties—well below the national median of 1.1%. At $1,948 annually on the median home, Curry County residents enjoy some of America's most affordable property taxes.

Oregon's most tax-friendly county

Curry County's 0.531% effective rate is the lowest in Oregon by a wide margin, less than 69% of the state average of 0.775%. The median property tax of $1,948 is the lowest in Oregon, offering unmatched affordability on the southern coast.

Curry County dominates tax comparison

Curry County's 0.531% rate is dramatically lower than Coos County (0.741%) and all other Oregon counties, creating a stark tax advantage. The $1,948 median bill attracts retirees and remote workers seeking the lowest property tax burden on the Oregon coast.

Your Curry County tax bill

The median Curry County home valued at $366,700 incurs just $1,948 in annual property taxes—among the nation's lowest. Homeowners with mortgages pay $2,264, while those owning outright pay $1,661.

Ensure fair assessment despite low rates

Even at Curry County's uniquely low rates, homeowners should verify their assessments reflect current market value. A challenge to the assessor's office is free and could save you hundreds annually if your property was overvalued.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Curry County

via CostByCounty

Curry County: Expensive Despite Lower Income

Curry County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.4% ranks among Oregon's least affordable, even though median income of $64,769 is 13% below the national average. Renters here spend a larger share of earnings on housing than most Americans, despite earning less.

Curry County: Oregon's Affordability Challenge

At 21.4%, Curry County ties Benton County for the worst rent-to-income ratio among Oregon comparison counties, significantly above the state average of 19.4%. The south coast's scenic appeal and limited housing supply drive costs that outpace local incomes.

Curry's Rents High Despite Rural Location

Curry's $1,156 median rent exceeds nearby Coos ($992) by 16% and Baker ($814) by 42%, despite Curry having lower median income than both. Only Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, and Benton counties charge higher rents for housing in less developed areas.

Limited Income Against Rising Costs

Renters in Curry spend $1,156 monthly (21.4% of income), among Oregon's highest burdens, while homeowners pay only $947—an unusual inversion suggesting many own outright. The median home value of $366,700 reflects strong property values but limited affordability for renters.

Curry County: Only for Flexible Budgets

Curry County's scenic beauty and small-town character come at a premium price relative to local incomes—making it best suited for retirees, remote workers with outside income, or those relocating with significant savings. Budget-conscious renters should seriously consider inland alternatives like Coos or Baker counties.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Curry County

via IncomeByCounty

Curry County trails the national income average

Curry County's median household income of $64,769 falls $9,986 below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-middle income tier nationally. Economic reliance on tourism and timber limits wage growth opportunities.

Lower-income ranking among Oregon counties

Curry County earns $5,196 below Oregon's median of $69,965, ranking in the lower half of state counties. Per capita income of $40,421 slightly exceeds the state average, reflecting age and employment structure rather than high individual earnings.

Income gaps with regional counties

Curry County's $64,769 median trails Columbia County ($86,359) significantly and trails Coos County ($60,313) only slightly. Douglas County to the north also outearns Curry, reflecting limited economic diversification in the southern coast.

High rents pressure household budgets

Curry County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.4% is elevated, with renters dedicating over one-fifth of earnings to housing costs. Median home values of $366,700 strain lower-income households, creating affordability pressure despite lower absolute housing costs.

Develop skills and explore opportunities beyond tourism

Curry County residents should seek education in portable, high-wage fields to break free from seasonal tourism dependence. Consider remote work, entrepreneurship in tech or services, or relocation assistance programs that can boost household income without leaving the region.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Curry County

via HealthByCounty

Curry County has Oregon's lowest life expectancy

At 73.9 years, Curry County residents live nearly 5 years less than the U.S. average of 78.9 years. The county's 20.4% poor or fair health rate is among the highest in the nation, far exceeding the 13.5% national average.

Ranked last in Oregon for health outcomes

Curry County's 73.9-year life expectancy is the lowest in Oregon, trailing the state average of 77.0 years by 3.1 years. This southern coastal county faces the state's most severe health challenges.

Worst health outcomes in the region

Curry County's life expectancy of 73.9 years trails all measured neighbors, including Coos (74.8), Crook (78.0), and Clackamas (79.9). Its 8.1% uninsured rate ties the state average but compounds limited local resources.

Isolated, under-resourced healthcare landscape

Curry County has 68 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, below national standards, with 588 mental health providers per 100,000 suggesting concentrated behavioral health needs. At 8.1% uninsured—tying the state average—access barriers are acute in this remote county.

Your health insurance is the first step

Curry County faces Oregon's most urgent health crisis, with life expectancy 4 years below the national average. If you're uninsured, visit healthcare.gov immediately; if covered, establish care with a primary provider and prioritize preventive screenings now.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Curry County

via RiskByCounty

Curry County: Moderate-High Risk

Curry County scores 86.55 on the composite risk scale, earning a "Relatively Moderate" rating and exceeding Oregon's 63.43 state average by 23 points. This southernmost coastal county faces significant multi-hazard exposure despite its small population.

Upper-Tier Risk Among Oregon

Curry County ranks in Oregon's higher-risk counties by composite score, placing it well above the statewide median. Only the most exposed coastal and metropolitan counties exceed Curry's overall disaster risk.

Comparable to Southern Peers

Curry County's 86.55 score is lower than Coos County (91.89) to the north but notably higher than inland Josephine and Jackson counties. Its position on Oregon's remote southern coast creates distinct hazard exposure compared to northern coastal counties.

Wildfires and Earthquakes Dominate

Wildfire risk peaks at 93.42, driven by Oregon's dry climate and wildland-urban interface expansion, making it the county's most persistent threat. Earthquake risk is nearly as concerning at 96.66, reflecting Cascadia Subduction Zone proximity, while flood risk (62.18) remains significant for coastal and river communities.

Wildfire and Earthquake Coverage Critical

Homeowners insurance must include wildfire coverage; review your policy's deductibles and replacement cost limits, especially if you live in the wildland-urban interface. Add earthquake insurance to protect against the county's substantial seismic exposure, and maintain 100 feet of defensible space around structures.

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.