CountyScore

Del Norte County

California · CA

#13 in California
64.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Del Norte County, California

Del Norte leads this county group nationally

Del Norte County's composite score of 72.2 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it at the 72nd percentile nationwide. This northernmost California county ranks among America's most livable regions by composite index. The score reflects a remote coastal community that maximizes affordability and minimizes tax burden.

California's most livable rural county

At 72.2, Del Norte significantly outpaces California's 61.3 state average and ranks in the top-10 of the state's 58 counties. Among remote California communities, Del Norte stands as the livability leader in this comparison. The county proves that extreme remoteness combined with low costs creates exceptional composite scores.

Unmatched affordability and tax advantages

Del Norte leads all counties here with a cost score of 73.3 and an exceptional tax score of 85.8 (0.586% effective rate)—California's lowest. Median home values of $319,600 and rent at just $1,182 monthly represent 50-70% savings versus most California regions. These figures create maximum homeownership accessibility and financial freedom.

Lowest incomes and geographic isolation

Del Norte's income score of 27.0 reflects median household income of $66,780—the lowest in this comparison and well below California averages. Geographic isolation in California's far northwest limits job opportunities and service availability. Data on safety, health, schools, and water resources remain unavailable but should inform decisions given the county's remote location.

Ideal for remote workers and retirees

Del Norte County suits remote-work professionals, early retirees, and self-sufficient households seeking maximum affordability and minimal taxes near the Pacific coast. The county offers exceptional purchasing power for those comfortable with isolation and limited commercial services. Best matched with households with independent income sources and genuine comfort with rural Pacific Northwest living.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.8Cost73.3SafetyComing SoonHealth63.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome27Risk5.6WaterComing Soon
🏛85.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠73.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡5.6
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 Del Norte County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Gila County
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64.5
Median income: $59,089
Washington County
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64.5
Median income: $66,426
Elkhart County
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64.5
Median income: $65,617
Dallas County
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64.5
Median income: $102,349
Caddo Parish
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64.5
Median income: $50,067

Deep Dives

Del Norte County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Del Norte County

via TaxByCounty

Del Norte taxes 2.3× national average

Del Norte County's effective tax rate of 0.586% exceeds the national median of 0.25% by more than double, placing it in the 72nd percentile nationally. Even this remote coastal county imposes property taxes above most American communities.

Lowest-taxed among all profiled counties

At 0.586%, Del Norte has the lowest effective tax rate in this group—and among the lowest statewide—falling well below California's average of 0.714%. With median annual taxes of just $1,872, residents enjoy substantial relief compared to the state median of $4,045.

Far North Coast's most affordable option

Del Norte's 0.586% rate is significantly lower than every county in this profile, including mountain and agricultural regions. The remote location and lower property values contribute to the county's uniquely favorable tax position.

Del Norte median home: $1,872 yearly

A typical Del Norte County home valued at $319,600 costs approximately $1,872 in annual property taxes—the lowest median in this entire group. Even with mortgage considerations, obligations remain around $2,322, offering exceptional affordability.

Challenge assessments for additional savings

Del Norte County homeowners should still verify their assessments, as even small overvaluations compound over decades. A successful appeal, though modest in absolute terms, adds meaningful savings for lower-income residents.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Del Norte County

via CostByCounty

Del Norte's bargain for small-town seekers

Del Norte County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.2% beats the national average by 1 percentage point, offering genuine affordability in a remote coastal setting. With median income of $66,780 and median rent of just $1,182, Del Norte serves those seeking California's coast without coastal price tags.

Affordable redwood coast living

Del Norte's 21.2% rent-to-income ratio ranks in California's more affordable half, beating the state average of 22.4% by 1.2 percentage points. The $1,182 median rent undercuts the state median by $436, making it one of the state's true affordability gems despite its remote location.

Del Norte leads the north coast

Del Norte's $1,182 rent beats Butte ($1,369) and Calaveras ($1,615) while matching Alpine's ownership-focused economy, though with lower absolute costs. The 21.2% rent-to-income ratio outperforms Butte (24.0%) and Calaveras (24.3%), positioning Del Norte as the far north's affordability leader.

Lean budgets meet low housing costs

Renters dedicate $1,182 monthly while owners pay $889—the state's lowest ownership cost—on a $66,780 income. Combined housing expenses consume roughly 37% of gross earnings, leaving 63% for all other needs, though the county's rural character limits service access.

Del Norte for the coastal minimalist

If you seek California's redwood coast, pristine beaches, and genuine affordability, Del Norte delivers $319,600 homes with the state's lowest ownership costs at $889 monthly. The trade-off is isolation: plan for limited job markets, a 7+ hour drive to the Bay Area, and rural service gaps that demand self-sufficiency.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Del Norte County

via IncomeByCounty

Del Norte trails national income standard

Del Norte County's median household income of $66,780 falls 11% below the US median of $74,755, placing it among America's lower-income regions. The county's remote location and limited employment diversity constrain household earnings.

California's most challenged income county

Del Norte's $66,780 median household income ranks lowest among California's profiled counties, trailing the state average of $87,001 by over $20,000 per household. The county's per capita income of $31,008 severely lags the state's $43,669 average.

Isolated in economic hardship

Del Norte's $66,780 median income ranks among this group's lowest, exceeded only by Butte County's $68,574. The county's geographic isolation creates distinctive economic challenges distinct from foothill or valley communities.

Lowest costs offer modest relief

Del Norte's 21.2% rent-to-income ratio and median home value of $319,600—lowest in this group—provide some affordability relief despite limited incomes. Housing remains more accessible than other California counties, though absolute income limitations persist.

Start small, build steady foundations

Del Norte households earning $66,780 face tight budgets but can begin wealth-building through automatic savings and employer retirement plans. Focus first on establishing emergency savings, then explore low-cost investment options as finances stabilize.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Del Norte County

via HealthByCounty

Del Norte's health crisis runs deep

At 73.8 years, Del Norte County's life expectancy is among the lowest in America, trailing the U.S. average of 76.1 years by 2.3 years and California's 78.5 state average by 4.7 years. A staggering 24.4% report poor or fair health—the highest rate among these counties and 36% above the national average—indicating severe health burden. Del Norte faces one of California's most acute health crises.

Lowest life expectancy in state

Del Norte County ranks at or near the bottom of California's 58 counties for life expectancy at 73.8 years, well below the state's 78.5-year average. Its 24.4% poor/fair health rate ties Colusa as the state's worst health perception indicator. Del Norte's population is dying younger and reporting more chronic illness than nearly any California county.

Isolated and declining

Del Norte's 73.8-year life expectancy is dramatically lower than any comparable California county examined here, making it a regional and statewide outlier. Its 24.4% poor/fair health rate matches Colusa's worst-in-sample rate and is nearly 7 percentage points worse than Butte (18.2%). Geographic isolation in far-north California compounds Del Norte's health disadvantage.

Uninsured and undersupported

Del Norte's 8.0% uninsured rate exceeds California's 7.2% state average, and primary care providers are limited at 61 per 100,000. Mental health providers at 504 per 100,000 are comparatively robust, though overall healthcare desert conditions persist. A population experiencing high disease burden and poor health has inadequate resources to manage chronic illness.

Coverage is essential for Del Norte

Del Norte residents urgently need health insurance to address the county's severe health crisis; 8% uninsured is unacceptable in a struggling population. Covered California and Medi-Cal offer free or low-cost options year-round—visit coveredca.com or call Del Norte County's Health and Human Services Division at (707) 464-0111. Coverage combined with community health center visits can begin reversing decades of health decline.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Del Norte County

via RiskByCounty

Del Norte faces above-average national risk

Del Norte County's composite risk score of 94.43 exceeds the national average, placing it in the relatively high category. The northernmost California coastal location exposes residents to significant earthquake, flood, and wildfire threats.

Well above California's average exposure

Del Norte's score of 94.43 surpasses California's state average of 88.72, ranking the county among the state's higher-risk areas. This positioning reflects the county's unique combination of coastal proximity, seismic activity, and forest landscape hazards.

Comparable risk to nearby Butte County

Del Norte (94.43) and Butte County (93.92) present nearly identical risk profiles, both falling in the upper-middle tier statewide. The remote northern location distinguishes Del Norte from the Bay Area's extreme-risk counties (Alameda and Contra Costa).

Earthquake and flood pose major threats

Earthquake risk (94.24) and flood risk (77.80) dominate Del Norte County's hazard profile, with wildfire risk (85.66) adding significant secondary exposure. The county's coastal terrain and proximity to rivers create compounded flood and tsunami vulnerabilities.

Prioritize earthquake and flood insurance now

Del Norte homeowners should secure both earthquake insurance and flood coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program or private carriers. The county's remote location can delay emergency response, making financial preparedness through insurance especially critical.

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.