countyscore
67.7
County Score
Safety 97.5Disaster Risk 93Cost of Living 74.1

County Report Card

About Emery County, Utah

Well Above the National Median

Emery County earns an impressive composite score of 70.1, far exceeding the national median of 50.0. It stands as a model for rural livability on the national stage.

A Leader in Utah Quality of Life

Outperforming the state average of 53.9 by nearly 20 points, Emery County is one of Utah's highest-ranking areas. It combines safety and affordability in a way few other counties in the state can match.

Top-Tier Safety and Affordability

The county boasts an elite safety score of 97.5 and a high environmental risk score of 93.0. Housing is exceptionally affordable with a cost score of 82.6 and median gross rent at only $696.

Improving Water Infrastructure and Health

Water quality is the primary concern with a score of 35.1, followed by a moderate health score of 47.7. Despite these gaps, the overall cost and safety profiles remain extremely strong.

The Gold Standard for Budget-Conscious Safety

Emery County is perfect for families and retirees looking for maximum safety and the lowest possible housing costs. It offers a rare combination of security and financial ease for those who don't mind a rural setting.

2040608010069.974.197.547.743.371.89335.131Tax69.9Cost74.1Safety97.5Health47.7Schools43.3Income71.8Risk93Water35.1Weather3167.7/100
This county
National avg
5 above average3 below average

Emery County DNA

C-overall

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

Emery County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (93/100) but notably weak in Weather & Climate (31/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
69.9+17.900000000000006
Cost
74.1+26.099999999999994
Safety
97.5+42.5
Health
47.7
Schools
43.3-10.700000000000003
Income
71.8+20.799999999999997
Risk
93+46
Water
35.1-22.9
Weather
31-25
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Many homeowners in Emery County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$218,700

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$739/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$218,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$29,560/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $74,291/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

10.0

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
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Nearby counties

Grand County
Utah
46.9
Carbon County
Utah
48.7
Wayne County
Utah
75.8
Sanpete County
Utah
55.1
Sevier County
Utah
47.5
Garfield County
Utah
66.5
San Juan County
Utah
58.6
Utah County
Utah
49.6

Deep Dives

Emery County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Emery County

via TaxByCounty

Emery County taxes in upper-middle range

At 0.584%, Emery's effective tax rate sits just below the national median of 0.590%, placing it near the middle of U.S. counties. The median annual tax of $1,151 remains less than half the national median of $2,690 due to lower home values.

Above-average taxes for Utah

Emery ranks 5th among Utah's 29 counties in effective tax rate at 0.584%—0.086% above the state average of 0.498%. The median annual tax of $1,151 runs $664 below the statewide median, but the rate itself places Emery among the state's higher-taxing counties.

Steeper than most southern Utah counties

Emery's 0.584% rate exceeds Rich (0.512%), Daggett (0.481%), and Piute (0.523%), making it the southern region's highest-taxed jurisdiction. Nearby San Juan (0.506%) and Kane (0.528%) counties offer slightly lower rates.

What Emery homeowners pay annually

A median Emery County home valued at $197,100 carries an annual property tax of $1,151. At roughly $96 per month, Emery residents pay one of Utah's steeper rates relative to home value, though modest absolute dollars.

Challenge your assessment if warranted

Given Emery's above-average tax rate, verifying that your home's assessment reflects current market value is important. If recent appraisals or comparable sales suggest your assessed value is inflated, filing a free appeal could provide meaningful savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Emery County

via IncomeByCounty

Emery County Below National Standard

Emery County's median household income of $69,956 falls $4,799 short of the national median of $74,755. This 6.4% gap places the county modestly below American average earnings.

Trails Utah's Income Average

Emery County's median household income of $69,956 trails Utah's state average of $80,176 by $10,220. The county ranks among Utah's lower-earning regions despite modest national performance.

Emery Outearns Immediate Peers

Emery's $69,956 income exceeds Carbon County ($53,673) and Daggett ($58,750) significantly, but lags Duchesne ($74,738). The county occupies a distinct middle position in the southeastern region.

Excellent Housing Affordability

Emery County's rent-to-income ratio of 11.9% is the most favorable in Utah, indicating housing costs consume minimal income. The median home value of $197,100 provides exceptional affordability relative to earnings.

Leverage Affordable Living Advantage

Emery County's exceptional housing affordability creates opportunity to direct more income toward savings and investments. Capitalize on this advantage by building emergency funds and exploring long-term wealth-building strategies.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Emery County

via CrimeByCounty

Emery County Reports Perfect Safety Score

Emery County currently shows a total crime rate of 0.0 per 100,000, vastly outperforming the national average of 2,385.5. This data earns the county a perfect 100.0 safety score. On paper, it ranks as one of the safest places in the entire United States.

Emery Leads Utah in Safety Statistics

The county's 100.0 score is well above the Utah state average of 98.1. However, because only a single agency reports data for Emery, these figures should be viewed with a degree of caution. Limited reporting can sometimes mask the true frequency of minor offenses.

Safest Profile in the Local Region

Emery County reports zero crime, making it safer than Carbon (1278.4) and Duchesne (2436.9). Compared to Beaver’s 971.5, Emery appears to be an outlier in its level of security. It offers a very quiet and seemingly crime-free environment for its citizens.

A Look at the Zero-Crime Report

Both violent and property crime rates are recorded as 0.0 per 100,000 residents for the 2022 period. This lack of activity reflects either a highly peaceful community or limited data collection from the single reporting agency. Either way, major crime is not currently a recorded issue.

Maintaining Peace in Emery County

While reported crime is non-existent, residents should still practice standard home safety protocols. Rural communities often rely on neighborly watchfulness to keep crime out. Simple precautions like outdoor lighting help ensure the county stays as safe as the data suggests.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Emery County

via WeatherByCounty

Cool High Desert Conditions

Emery County’s 46.5°F annual average is roughly 6.5 degrees below the national median. The climate is characterized by low moisture and significant elevation, typical of the Colorado Plateau.

Below the Utah State Average

Emery County sits 2.4 degrees below the Utah state average of 48.9°F. Its climate is cooler than many of its central Utah neighbors due to its varied topography.

Colder and Drier than Carbon County

Emery is nearly half a degree colder than neighboring Carbon County. It is also much drier, receiving only 14.3 inches of snow compared to Carbon's 85.2 inches.

Dry Winters and Steady Summer Heat

Emery County experiences 39 days of extreme heat over 90°F but very little snow at 14.3 inches. January averages 23.6°F, while July rises to a peak average of 70.8°F.

Focus on Arid-Climate Resilience

Low annual precipitation of 11.1 inches requires water-wise landscaping and conservation efforts. Residents should prepare for 39 days of extreme heat while maintaining systems for sub-freezing winter nights.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Emery County

via SoilByCounty

Emery County's alkaline desert soil

Specific pH data is unrecorded, but local soils likely align with the 7.71 Utah state average. This alkalinity is typical for the region and sits significantly higher than the 6.5 national median.

Analyzing texture for desert farming

We lack specific sand and clay percentages for Emery County at this time. Knowing your soil's texture is vital for managing the unique irrigation needs of a high-desert environment.

Building organic matter in arid lands

Organic matter data is missing, though the county's potential is tied to the 0.138 in/in state water capacity average. Adding organic amendments is a proven way to improve soil health in these dry conditions.

Monitoring drainage for better yields

Since hydrologic groups are not officially mapped, residents must observe how water moves after heavy rains. Proper drainage is key to preventing salt buildup and ensuring healthy plant roots.

Successful growing in zone 6a

Emery County sits in zone 6a, which is well-suited for resilient perennials and summer staples like tomatoes. With a little extra water and care, you can turn your soil into a productive oasis.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Emery County

via LawnByCounty

Emery County's uphill lawn battle

With a difficulty score of 25.6, Emery County is one of the hardest places in Utah to maintain a traditional lawn. This Zone 6a county is significantly below the state average of 28.5 and the national benchmark of 50.0.

Hot, dry, and demanding

The county receives just 11.1 inches of annual precipitation while enduring 39 days of extreme heat. These conditions require intense irrigation management to keep grass from entering permanent dormancy during the 2,391 growing degree days.

Assessing your local soil

Data on local soil texture is currently unavailable, but high-desert soils in this region are often low in organic matter. We recommend adding compost to your lawn every spring to improve its ability to hold onto what little water is available.

Critical drought across the board

Currently, 100% of Emery County is in severe drought after a full year of dry conditions. Lawns are under extreme stress, and homeowners should prioritize high-traffic areas if they must limit water usage.

Planting for the Emery climate

Stick to the hardiest cool-season grasses that can withstand the May 18th to October 18th growing season. Seeding in late summer is often more successful here, as it avoids the most intense July heat while roots establish.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Emery County's county score?
Emery County, Utah has a composite county score of 67.7 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 Emery County rank among counties in Utah?
Emery County ranks #4 among all counties in Utah 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 Emery County, Utah?
The median annual property tax in Emery County is $1,350, with an effective tax rate of 0.62%. This earns Emery County a tax score of 69.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Emery County?
The median household income in Emery County, Utah is $74,291 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Emery County earns an income score of 71.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Emery County, Utah a good place to live?
Emery County scores 67.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #4 in Utah. The best way to evaluate Emery 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 Emery 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.