CountyScore

Esmeralda County

Nevada · NV

#2 in Nevada
75.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Esmeralda County, Nevada

Esmeralda County ranks exceptionally high

Esmeralda County's score of 75.8 places it at the 85th percentile nationally, far surpassing the U.S. median of 50.0. The small western Nevada county delivers top-quartile livability despite limited data availability.

Leads all profiled Nevada counties

Esmeralda County scores 75.8, the highest among all eight profiled Nevada counties and 6.3 points above the state average. The county ranks as Nevada's most livable location according to the CountyScore composite index.

Exceptional affordability and low taxes

Esmeralda County delivers a remarkable cost score of 77.0 with median homes at just $102,500—Nevada's most affordable. A tax score of 85.7 and effective rate of 0.589% ensure minimal tax burden despite limited income data.

Health concerns and extreme risk profile

Health score of 56.9 lags most counties, suggesting limited healthcare infrastructure. Most critically, the risk score of 97.9—the highest of any profiled county—indicates significant environmental or economic hazards requiring careful consideration.

Best for adventurous retirees with reserves

Esmeralda County suits retirees with substantial savings seeking maximum affordability and minimal taxes in a remote, rural setting. The county's extreme risk profile demands residents comfortable with isolation and willing to manage potential environmental challenges independently.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.7Cost77SafetyComing SoonHealth56.9SchoolsComing SoonIncomeComing SoonRisk97.9WaterComing Soon
🏛85.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠77
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤56.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡97.9
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 Esmeralda County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Edmonson County
Kentucky
75.8
Median income: $54,512
Menifee County
Kentucky
75.8
Median income: $44,672
Caldwell Parish
Louisiana
75.8
Median income: $44,957
Clearwater County
Minnesota
75.8
Median income: $64,934
Mitchell County
North Carolina
75.8
Median income: $58,089

Deep Dives

Esmeralda County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Esmeralda County

via TaxByCounty

Esmeralda's unique rural tax profile

Esmeralda County's 0.589% effective tax rate ranks above the national average, though the median property tax of just $604 reflects the county's exceptionally low home values ($102,500 median). This small, rural county operates outside typical tax comparisons due to its sparse population and modest property base.

Highest tax rate in Nevada

At 0.589%, Esmeralda County has Nevada's highest effective tax rate—12% above the state average of 0.525%. The rate reflects the county's limited tax base and small population supporting local services.

Rural Nevada's steep-rate outlier

Esmeralda County residents pay just $604 in annual property tax, lower than all neighboring counties in absolute dollars, yet the 0.589% rate is Nevada's highest. The disconnect highlights how sparse populations and low property values shape remote county tax structures.

Esmeralda County tax estimates

The median Esmeralda County home valued at $102,500 generates approximately $604 in annual property tax. While the absolute amount is low, the effective rate of 0.589% is Nevada's steepest.

Challenge overvaluation in small-population areas

Remote Nevada counties sometimes rely on outdated comparable sales, leading to overassessments on local properties. Even in Esmeralda County, homeowners can appeal assessments that exceed fair market value and reduce their tax obligation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Esmeralda County

via CostByCounty

Esmeralda: ultra-rural, limited data

Esmeralda County remains Nevada's most sparsely populated, with limited income data available; median rent of $1,319 sits 17% above Nevada's state average of $1,127. While specific rent-to-income calculations are unavailable, the county's $102,500 median home value indicates affordability for those able to relocate to this remote region.

Nevada's most remote county

Esmeralda County offers Nevada's lowest median home value at just $102,500, suggesting exceptional affordability where data exists. The median rent of $1,319 appears high relative to the sparse population, reflecting limited rental inventory in this desert county of fewer than 1,000 residents.

Lowest home prices in the state

Esmeralda's $102,500 median home value is less than one-fifth of Douglas County's $587,400 and less than half of Eureka County's comparable range. Its $1,319 rent exceeds most rural Nevada counties, though the vast majority of Esmeralda property transactions involve home sales, not rentals.

Home values skew ultra-affordable

With median home value of just $102,500 and owner costs of only $472 monthly, Esmeralda County offers unprecedented affordability for buyers. Income data limitations prevent precise rent-to-income calculation, but the median rent of $1,319 suggests renters face higher burdens relative to incomes in this isolated county.

Esmeralda for the truly remote-ready

Esmeralda County suits only those committed to extreme isolation and self-sufficiency; services and job opportunities are severely limited here. If you can work remotely and crave true desert solitude, Esmeralda's $102,500 median home value offers unmatched affordability—but verify broadband access and healthcare availability first.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Esmeralda County

via IncomeByCounty

Esmeralda County Data Limited, Per Capita Below Average

Median household income data for Esmeralda County is currently unavailable, limiting direct comparison to the national median of $74,755. However, the per capita income of $31,096 falls significantly below the national average and Nevada's state average of $37,257, suggesting economic challenges in this sparsely populated county.

Nevada's Smallest and Most Rural County

Esmeralda County, Nevada's smallest and most rural county by population, faces data limitations that reflect its sparse settlement and limited economic activity. The available per capita income of $31,096 ranks among Nevada's lowest, indicating limited employment and wage-earning opportunities in the region.

Significantly Below Regional Income Standards

Esmeralda County's per capita income of $31,096 falls well below neighboring Eureka County ($32,518 per capita) and all larger Nevada counties, reflecting its extreme isolation and minimal economic development. The median home value of $102,500 suggests property ownership is affordable but income-generation opportunities are severely constrained.

Limited Data Reflects Economic Constraints

Rent-to-income ratio data is unavailable for Esmeralda County, but the very low per capita income suggests affordability challenges despite low nominal housing costs. Residents of this remote county likely depend on specialized employment, government jobs, or remote work arrangements to achieve economic stability.

Seek Economic Opportunities Beyond County Borders

Given Esmeralda County's limited local economic activity, wealth-building may require exploring remote employment, education, or relocating to higher-opportunity regions. Residents should prioritize developing marketable skills, building emergency savings, and considering geographic flexibility to access wage opportunities aligned with state and national standards.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Esmeralda County

via HealthByCounty

Esmeralda County faces severe health challenges

Esmeralda County's life expectancy data is not available, but nearly one in four residents (23.6%) report poor or fair health—the highest rate in Nevada. The county's 18.8% uninsured rate is among the nation's highest, creating significant barriers to healthcare access. This tiny, remote county faces compounding health disadvantages.

Nevada's most vulnerable health profile

Esmeralda County's 23.6% poor/fair health rate is the worst in Nevada, exceeding the state average by over 10 percentage points. The 18.8% uninsured rate dwarfs the state average of 11.7%, suggesting severe access and affordability barriers. Despite limited data, Esmeralda's metrics signal a public health crisis in this remote community.

Isolated health disparities in rural Nevada

Esmeralda County's 23.6% poor/fair health rate exceeds every comparable Nevada county—nearly 10 points higher than Humboldt (23.0%) and Eureka (19.9%). The 18.8% uninsured rate is double Eureka's (7.0%), making Esmeralda an outlier even among Nevada's most remote areas. These figures reflect geographic isolation and economic stress.

Severe provider shortage and insurance crisis

Esmeralda County reports no primary care or mental health provider data, reflecting the county's extreme rural isolation and sparse infrastructure. With 18.8% of residents uninsured—the state's highest—most residents must travel significant distances for any healthcare. This combination creates a healthcare access emergency in Nevada's most vulnerable county.

Urgent: Find coverage now

Esmeralda County's 18.8% uninsured rate demands immediate action—nearly one in five residents lack protection against medical emergencies. The Nevada Health Insurance Marketplace offers plans at reduced costs for low-income residents, and special enrollment periods accommodate qualifying life changes. Call 1-800-318-2596 today to connect with coverage options that could be lifesaving for your family.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Esmeralda County

via RiskByCounty

Esmeralda County: lowest risk in Nevada

Esmeralda County's composite risk score of 2.13 ranks it among the safest counties in the entire United States, far below the national average of 50. This "Very Low" rating reflects its remote location and sparse development across Nevada's southwestern high desert.

Nevada's safest county by far

At 2.13, Esmeralda County ranks lowest among Nevada's 16 counties—dramatically safer than the state average of 46.25. Only Eureka County approaches its safety profile, scoring 5.18, making Esmeralda the state's clear leader in disaster resilience.

Exceptional safety in southern Nevada

Esmeralda County's 2.13 stands in stark contrast to nearby Eureka (5.18) and distant Carson City (76.14) and Clark County (99.55). This small, remote county enjoys isolation that protects it from the hazard concentrations plaguing more populated Nevada regions.

Earthquake risk is the only notable threat

Even Esmeralda County's highest risk—earthquake at 68.70—remains below many Nevada counties' secondary hazards. Wildfire (34.73), flood (4.68), and tornado (0.92) risks are all minimal, creating the safest overall hazard profile in the state.

Standard homeowners insurance suffices

Esmeralda County's exceptional safety means standard homeowners insurance typically covers most disaster scenarios adequately. However, earthquake risk at 68.70 still warrants consideration of earthquake coverage as a prudent precaution, even in Nevada's safest county.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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