CountyScore

Ferry County

Washington · WA

#7 in Washington
71.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Ferry County, Washington

Ferry County dominates national benchmark

Ferry County's composite score of 76.5 crushes the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper tier of U.S. counties. This 53% advantage represents exceptional livability when measured against typical American counties.

Washington's affordable housing leader

Ferry County ranks above Washington's state average of 68.1, securing a top-tier position among the state's 39 counties. Its 76.5 score places it among Washington's most livable communities overall.

Unbeatable affordability and low taxes

Ferry County excels with a cost score of 85.3 and tax score of 83.9, supported by median rent of just $703/month and an effective tax rate of 0.653%. Housing and taxes here are among Washington's most affordable, making this county exceptionally accessible for budget-conscious residents.

Income potential lags significantly

The income score of 19.1 reflects Ferry County's median household income of $54,650, substantially below state and national norms. Limited economic opportunity and earning potential represent the primary livability tradeoff in this rural county.

Haven for retirees and cost minimizers

Ferry County is ideal for retirees on fixed incomes, remote workers, or anyone prioritizing rock-bottom costs over high earnings. The combination of minimal housing and tax expenses makes it a rare affordable gem for those who don't depend on local job markets.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.9Cost85.3SafetyComing SoonHealth65.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.1Risk48.4WaterComing Soon
🏛83.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼19.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡48.4
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 Ferry County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Tallapoosa County
Alabama
71.4
Median income: $57,185
Van Buren County
Arkansas
71.4
Median income: $47,266
Audubon County
Iowa
71.4
Median income: $54,152
Butler County
Iowa
71.4
Median income: $69,651
Jones County
Iowa
71.4
Median income: $73,071

Deep Dives

Ferry County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Ferry County

via TaxByCounty

Ferry County offers below-average tax burden

Ferry County's effective tax rate of 0.653% falls well below the national median of 0.67%, placing it in the 35th percentile nationally. At just $1,792 in annual median property taxes, homeowners here pay $898 less than the national median, one of the lowest burdens in the region.

One of Washington's most tax-friendly counties

Ferry County ranks 6th lowest among Washington's 39 counties by effective tax rate at 0.653%, significantly below the state average of 0.761%. Its median tax of $1,792 is the lowest among the eight counties analyzed, making it highly attractive to tax-conscious homeowners.

Ferry stands out as the region's tax bargain

Ferry County's 0.653% rate is notably lower than all regional neighbors: Garfield (0.610%) is slightly lower, but Grant (0.823%), Douglas (0.786%), and Grays Harbor (0.873%) are all significantly higher. Despite a median home value of $274,500, Ferry residents enjoy some of the region's most affordable property tax rates.

Annual tax on median home: just $1,792

A homeowner with a median-valued property of $274,500 in Ferry County pays approximately $1,792 in annual property taxes. Whether paying with a mortgage ($1,818) or outright ($1,769), Ferry County residents benefit from consistently low effective rates across all ownership scenarios.

Even Ferry homeowners should verify assessments

Even in low-tax counties, property assessments can contain errors that inflate tax bills unnecessarily. Ferry County homeowners are encouraged to review their assessed value and file an appeal if they believe it overestimates their property's true market worth.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Ferry County

via CostByCounty

Ferry offers rare rental bargain territory

Ferry County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.4% is exceptional—well below the national renter burden of roughly 28–30%. At just $703 monthly rent, residents earning a median of $54,650 enjoy one of the most affordable rental markets in the state.

Washington's affordability champion

Ferry County ranks among Washington's most affordable counties, with a rent-to-income ratio of 15.4% compared to the state average of 18.8%. This 3.4-percentage-point advantage reflects genuinely low housing costs in a rural, less-developed market.

Significantly cheaper than all peers

Ferry County's $703 rent dramatically undercuts neighboring Douglas ($1,234) and Grant ($1,059) counties, and its $274,500 median home value is the lowest in this regional cluster. This rural county trades urban amenities for some of Washington's most accessible housing.

Minimal housing burden across the board

Both renters ($703/month) and homeowners ($695/month) spend roughly 15% of household income on housing, freeing up income for other needs. This is the lowest burden ratio among the eight counties examined, reflecting Ferry's cost-of-living advantage.

Ferry County for those prioritizing affordability

If housing cost is your primary concern and you can embrace a rural lifestyle, Ferry County offers genuine affordability rarely seen in Washington. Your income stretches furthest here, though job opportunities and services are more limited than in larger counties.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Ferry County

via IncomeByCounty

Ferry lags behind national earnings

Ferry County's median household income of $54,650 falls $20,105 short of the national median of $74,755. This 27% gap reflects the economic challenges many rural Washington communities face compared to the broader U.S. economy.

Among Washington's lower-income counties

Ferry County ranks below Washington's state average of $76,363, with households earning about 28% less than the state median. The county's per capita income of $33,322 is also notably below the state average of $40,628.

Ferry faces income headwinds

Ferry County's $54,650 median income is significantly lower than neighboring Grant County ($71,115) and Garfield County ($62,411). The income gap underscores Ferry's distinct economic challenges in northeastern Washington.

Low housing costs help Ferry families

Ferry County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.4% is the lowest among the eight counties studied, providing relief for renters. A median home value of $274,500 remains accessible, though lower incomes require careful budgeting for homeownership.

Small steps build bigger futures

Even modest incomes can generate wealth through disciplined saving and low-cost investment vehicles like index funds or employer retirement plans. Ferry County residents should prioritize building emergency savings and exploring local economic development programs to increase earning potential.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Ferry County

via HealthByCounty

Ferry County faces significant health challenges

At 73.5 years, Ferry County residents live 4.3 years below the U.S. average of 77.8 years, marking one of the nation's lower life expectancy rates. Nearly one in four (21.4%) report poor or fair health, exceeding the national average of 19.1%.

Lowest life expectancy in Washington

Ferry County's 73.5-year life expectancy trails the Washington State average of 78.1 years by 4.6 years, placing it among the state's most challenged counties for longevity. The 21.4% poor/fair health rate significantly exceeds Washington's typical outcomes, indicating urgent health equity concerns.

Health crisis in a rural corner

Ferry County's 73.5-year life expectancy is dramatically lower than Douglas County (80.7 years) and even underperforms Grant County (76.8 years) and Garfield County (77.0 years). At 21.4%, the poor/fair health rate is the highest among its neighboring counties, suggesting concentrated health challenges.

Surprisingly strong provider presence

Ferry County actually boasts robust provider access, with 110 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—far exceeding the state average—and 320 mental health providers per 100,000. Yet with an 8.9% uninsured rate (below state average), the county's poor health outcomes suggest barriers beyond access, such as transportation, education, or social determinants of health.

Maximize coverage in Ferry County

Nearly 9% of Ferry County residents remain uninsured despite strong provider availability, likely due to awareness gaps or eligibility confusion. Visit the Washington Health Plan Finder or contact local tribal health services to ensure you're enrolled in the coverage option that works for your family.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Ferry County

via RiskByCounty

Ferry County's Natural Disaster Risk

Ferry County scores 51.65 on the composite risk scale, earning a Relatively Low rating and sitting well below Washington's state average of 70.01. This makes Ferry one of the state's lower-risk counties for natural disasters overall.

Where Ferry Ranks in Washington

Ferry County ranks among the lowest-risk counties in Washington for composite disaster hazards. The county's score of 51.65 is significantly below the state average, offering residents notably lower exposure to the full spectrum of natural hazards.

Compared to Your Neighbors

Ferry County has the lowest overall risk score among northeastern Washington counties, outperforming Douglas County (74.08) and Grant County (76.94). The county benefits from lower earthquake exposure (45.13) compared to coastal neighbors, though wildfire risk remains elevated at 97.36.

Your Top Threat: Wildfire Risk

Wildfire represents Ferry County's dominant hazard at 97.36, among the highest in the state, driven by extensive forests and seasonal fire conditions. Flood and earthquake risks are moderate at 52.32 and 45.13 respectively, while tornado exposure remains minimal at 4.36.

Focus on Wildfire Preparedness

Ferry County residents should prioritize wildfire insurance and defensible space around homes, given the county's extreme fire exposure. Review evacuation routes annually and maintain brush clearance near structures, especially during dry months.

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.