Eureka County

Nevada · NV

#6 in Nevada
73.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Eureka County, Nevada

Eureka County ranks in national upper tier

Eureka County's score of 73.9 places it at the 82nd percentile nationally, substantially exceeding the U.S. median of 50.0. The central Nevada county delivers strong livability despite its small population and limited service options.

Third-best among Nevada's profiled counties

Eureka County scores 73.9, the third-highest among the eight profiled Nevada counties and 4.4 points above the state average. The county ranks among Nevada's most competitive livability locations despite sparse data in several dimensions.

Unbeatable housing affordability stands out

Eureka County excels with a cost score of 85.8—the highest in the state—and exceptional rent affordability at just $940/month. These figures make the county's housing market among America's most accessible.

Risk profile and sparse healthcare worry

Eureka County's risk score of 94.8 signals substantial environmental or economic vulnerability, second-highest among profiled counties. Health score of 65.3 reflects limited medical infrastructure typical of rural Nevada communities.

Suited for self-sufficient, cost-conscious pioneers

Eureka County attracts retirees and remote workers prioritizing ultra-low housing costs and rural independence over convenient healthcare and services. Residents must be comfortable managing emergencies locally and accepting geographic isolation in exchange for maximum affordability.

Score breakdown

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

TaxComing SoonCost85.8SafetyComing SoonHealth65.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome31.1Risk94.8WaterComing Soon
🏛
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠85.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼31.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
65.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
94.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Eureka County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Eureka County

via TaxByCounty

Eureka County data limited but available

Eureka County's median property tax of $541 is among Nevada's lowest in absolute terms, though the county's home value data remains unavailable, making direct national comparisons challenging. What we know: residents of this ultra-sparse county pay considerably less than the national median of $2,690.

Sparse data reflects sparse population

Eureka County's median property tax of $541 ranks among Nevada's lowest, though the county's effective tax rate cannot be reliably calculated due to limited home value data. This reflects Eureka's status as one of Nevada's smallest and most remote counties.

Lowest-tax county in central Nevada

Eureka County's $541 median property tax is significantly lower than neighboring Esmeralda County's $604, and far below Elko County's $1,434 to the north. The difference underscores Eureka's extremely limited property base.

Property tax in Nevada's emptiest county

Eureka County residents report median property taxes around $541 annually, though individual assessments vary widely. Those without mortgages average $400; those with mortgages report $2,233, reflecting considerable variation in the county's sparse property market.

Appeal even in small, remote counties

Eureka County's minimal tax records and sparse comparable sales can lead to questionable assessments, making appeals particularly valuable for local homeowners. Nevada law protects your right to challenge valuations, regardless of county size.

Cost of Living in Eureka County

via CostByCounty

Eureka offers rural Nevada's best deal

Eureka County's 15.4% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest among Nevada's populated counties and well below the state average of 18.1%. With a median household income of $73,095 and median rent of just $940 monthly, renters here dedicate only about 15 cents of every dollar earned to housing.

Second-most affordable in Nevada

Eureka County ranks as Nevada's second-most affordable county by rent-to-income ratio at 15.4%, trailing only Elko County's 16.2%. Its median rent of $940 is the lowest statewide, reflecting a tiny population and minimal rental competition in this historic mining region.

Smallest rent bills in rural Nevada

Eureka's $940 median rent is $186 below Carson City and $263 below Churchill County, making it Nevada's cheapest rental market. Owner costs of just $365 monthly are extraordinarily low, though the unavailable median home value suggests limited market data for this county of fewer than 1,500 residents.

Minimal housing burden statewide

Renters allocate a mere 15.4% of their $73,095 income to a $940 monthly rent—the most favorable ratio in Nevada's populated counties. Homeowners pay just 6% of income ($365/month) toward housing, reflecting a county where rural affordability reaches its apex.

Eureka for resilient remote workers

Eureka County delivers Nevada's best housing affordability for those capable of thriving in extreme isolation, with rent and mortgage costs far below state norms. If you're a fully remote worker seeking maximum housing savings and don't require urban amenities, Eureka's 15.4% rent ratio offers unparalleled relief.

Income & Jobs in Eureka County

via IncomeByCounty

Eureka County Slightly Below National Income Median

Eureka County's median household income of $73,095 trails the national median of $74,755 by about $1,660, placing it near the middle of American counties. The county falls slightly below Nevada's state average of $75,206, reflecting its small rural economy and limited diversification.

Stable Mid-Range Earner in Nevada

Eureka County ranks in Nevada's middle tier with a median household income of $73,095, holding steady between smaller rural counties and higher-earning areas like Douglas and Elko. The county's economy relies on mining, agriculture, and government employment, supporting stable if modest household incomes.

Comparable to Carson City and Churchill County

Eureka County's $73,095 median closely aligns with Churchill County ($73,268) and Carson City ($71,809), forming a stable income band across Nevada's more rural and less developed counties. All three rank below the state average but above the poorest rural counties.

Excellent Housing Affordability in Eureka

Eureka County's 15.4% rent-to-income ratio is among Nevada's lowest, meaning residents spend just over one-seventh of household income on rent, well below the 30% affordability threshold. Median home value data is unavailable, but the low rent burden suggests exceptional housing affordability for the region.

Low Housing Costs Enable Meaningful Savings

Eureka County's low rent burden creates an excellent foundation for building savings and investments relative to median income. Focus on establishing an emergency fund, contributing to retirement accounts, and exploring local investment or business opportunities to convert housing cost advantages into long-term wealth growth.

Health in Eureka County

via HealthByCounty

Eureka County's life expectancy crisis

At 69.7 years, Eureka County residents live nearly 9 years less than the U.S. average of 78.8 years—among the lowest in America. One in five residents (19.9%) report poor or fair health, and limited healthcare infrastructure compounds these challenges. This remote mining county faces a severe population health crisis.

Nevada's lowest life expectancy by far

Eureka County's 69.7-year life expectancy is Nevada's lowest, trailing the state average of 75.2 years by 5.5 years. Despite strong insurance uptake (7.0% uninsured—Nevada's best), residents still face dramatic longevity disadvantages. The disconnect suggests that insurance alone cannot overcome Eureka's deep health and geographic barriers.

Alarming gap from every Nevada peer

Eureka County's 69.7-year life expectancy is 9.4 years below Douglas County's 79.1 years and 5.6 years below Elko County's 75.3 years. Even struggling Esmeralda County likely exceeds Eureka's outcomes, though comparable data is unavailable. Eureka's isolation and economic constraints create health outcomes rivaling the most disadvantaged American counties.

Excellent insurance, zero provider data

Eureka County's 7.0% uninsured rate is Nevada's best, suggesting strong Medicaid enrollment and employer coverage. However, the county reports no primary care or mental health provider data, likely reflecting an absence of local healthcare infrastructure. Residents must travel substantial distances for routine medical care, undermining the protective value of insurance.

Maintain coverage despite isolation

Eureka County's exceptional 7.0% insurance rate shows residents understand coverage's importance despite geographic barriers. If you're among the uninsured, the Nevada Health Insurance Marketplace provides subsidized plans. Call 1-800-318-2596 or visit healthcare.gov to secure coverage—especially vital in a county facing such profound health disparities.

Disaster Risk in Eureka County

via RiskByCounty

Eureka County: exceptionally low risk

Eureka County's composite risk score of 5.18 ranks it among the safest counties nationwide, roughly 10% of the U.S. average of 50. This "Very Low" rating reflects its sparse population and remote location in central Nevada's high desert.

Nevada's second-safest county

At 5.18, Eureka County ranks second-lowest statewide, exceeding only Esmeralda County's 2.13. The score sits roughly 90% below Nevada's state average of 46.25, making this one of the few truly low-risk areas in the state.

Safe haven amid moderate-to-high risk

Eureka County's 5.18 stands far below neighbors Elko County (87.91) and Humboldt County (40.84), offering dramatically lower exposure. This rural oasis exemplifies how Nevada's hazard distribution clusters in populated and fire-prone regions while sparing isolated areas.

Wildfire concern despite overall safety

Even in Eureka County's low-risk profile, wildfire scores 90.94—likely reflecting seasonal exposure across the region's sagebrush landscape. Earthquake (41.73), flood (7.73), and tornado (1.05) risks remain minimal, making wildfire the only meaningful hazard consideration.

Basic coverage adequate, wildfire recommended

Standard homeowners insurance generally provides adequate protection in Eureka County's low-risk environment. However, adding wildfire coverage at 90.94 offers reasonable precaution given seasonal fire season exposure across the Great Basin, even in this otherwise exceptionally safe county.

ByCounty Network

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