countyscore
47.6
County Score
Property Tax 81.7Safety 64.1Income & Jobs 59.8

County Report Card

About Graham County, Arizona

Graham County moderately exceeds national livability median

Graham County's composite score of 47.6 falls just below the national median of 50.0, placing it at approximately the 48th percentile nationally. It represents modest livability with notable strengths in safety and income stability.

Above Arizona's average despite rural character

Graham County's composite score of 47.6 outperforms Arizona's state average of 40.1, positioning it as one of the state's more livable rural counties. This above-average performance is notable given the county's smaller population and limited urban amenities.

Safety and income create solid foundation for families

Graham County stands out with a safety score of 64.1 and median household income of $67,326, well above many Arizona counties. Its favorable tax score of 81.7 with a 0.540% effective rate rounds out a balanced financial picture.

Health services and school quality need strengthening

Graham County's health score of 33.1 and school score of 19.9 suggest gaps in healthcare access and educational resources. While not dire, these limitations require consideration for families prioritizing these services.

Ideal for safety-conscious families seeking rural stability

Graham County suits families prioritizing safe communities and stable incomes over urban amenities or school selection. Rural newcomers and retirees seeking a secure, low-tax environment will find Graham County welcoming.

2040608010081.738.664.133.119.959.835.43743.8Tax81.7Cost38.6Safety64.1Health33.1Schools19.9Income59.8Risk35.4Water37Weather43.847.6/100
This county
National avg
1 above average5 below average

Graham County DNA

Foverall

How Graham County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Graham County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (81.7/100) but notably weak in Schools (19.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
81.7+29.700000000000003
Cost
38.6-9.399999999999999
Safety
64.1+9.099999999999994
Health
33.1-16.9
Schools
19.9-34.1
Income
59.8+8.799999999999997
Risk
35.4-11.600000000000001
Water
37-21
Weather
43.8-12.200000000000003
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Compare mortgage rates in Graham County

Whether buying or refinancing in Graham County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$202,700

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$890/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$202,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$35,600/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $67,326/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

12.9

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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Counties with similar scores

San Mateo County
California
Median income: $156,000
47.6
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Median income: $53,805
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Shoshone County
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Median income: $49,975
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Grant County
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Median income: $54,007
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Madison County
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Median income: $62,407
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St. Martin Parish
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Median income: $53,394
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Washington County
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Median income: $114,457
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Lamar County
Mississippi
Median income: $69,106
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Nearby counties

Greenlee County
Arizona
70.1
Cochise County
Arizona
39.9
Pinal County
Arizona
37.5
Gila County
Arizona
34.3
Catron County
New Mexico
64
Grant County
New Mexico
61.5
Hidalgo County
New Mexico
54.1
Santa Cruz County
Arizona
39.9

Deep Dives

Graham County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Graham County

via TaxByCounty

Graham taxes rank below national median

Graham County's effective tax rate of 0.540% sits comfortably below the national median of 0.73%, placing it in the lower-tax quartile across all U.S. counties. This favorable rate helps keep homeownership costs manageable despite Arizona's growing real estate market.

Slightly below Arizona state average

Graham County's 0.540% rate is roughly 7% below Arizona's state average of 0.581%, making it one of the more tax-friendly counties in Arizona. Graham residents enjoy property tax burdens closer to the state's lower end.

Lower than Apache, similar to Gila

Graham County (0.540%) has a comparable rate to nearby Gila County (0.539%) but significantly lower than Apache County (0.838%), making southeast Arizona an attractive region for property tax considerations. Homebuyers in this region benefit from moderate tax rates.

Median home costs $1,094 annually

Graham County's median home value of $202,700 results in approximately $1,094 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, you should budget around $1,226 per year when combining property taxes and insurance.

Graham homeowners can reduce tax bills

Graham County homeowners who suspect their property assessment is too high can file a formal appeal with the county assessor at no cost. Many successful appeals result in meaningful annual savings if your home's assessed value exceeds what comparable nearby sales suggest.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Graham County

via CostByCounty

Graham renters enjoy strong affordability

At 15.9%, Graham County's rent-to-income ratio ranks well below the national standard, offering renters substantial relief relative to typical American housing costs. With median rent at $890 against a $67,326 household income, Graham ranks among Arizona's most affordable rental markets.

Arizona's most affordable rental option

Graham County's 15.9% rent-to-income ratio significantly beats Arizona's 19.4% state average, making it the state's most renter-friendly county. At $890, its median rent undercuts the state average by 12%, offering real savings for households stretched thin by housing costs elsewhere.

Cheaper than Cochise, pricier than Apache

Graham's $890 median rent sits between Apache's ultra-affordable $647 and Cochise's $939, yet offers competitive homeownership at $202,700—just below Cochise's $207,400. This positions Graham as a rare sweet spot for both renters and buyers seeking Southeast Arizona value.

Renters pay just 16% of income

Graham renters spend $890 monthly—only 15.9% of the $67,326 median income—while homeowners pay $965, or 17.2% of income. Remarkably, renters here enjoy better affordability than homeowners, suggesting strong entry-level rental supply and potentially tight land availability for development.

Graham is Arizona's hidden rental gem

If you prioritize housing affordability while maintaining decent income levels, Graham County's 15.9% rent-to-income ratio and $890 median rent outperform nearly every Arizona county. Weigh this against smaller job markets and compare against nearby Apache and Cochise to determine if savings justify lifestyle trade-offs.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Graham County

via IncomeByCounty

Graham County edges closer to national income levels

Graham County's median household income of $67,326 trails the U.S. median by $7,429, capturing about 90% of typical American household earnings. The Southeast Arizona county performs better than most rural peers nationally.

Third-highest income county in rural Arizona

Graham County ranks fifth overall among Arizona's 15 counties, with median income $4,663 above the state average of $62,663. The strong showing reflects a mix of agriculture, manufacturing, and commuter access to Tucson employment.

Outearns Apache, Cochise, and Gila counties

Graham County's $67,326 income exceeds Apache by $26,988, Cochise by $8,356, and Gila by $8,237. The county ranks among Arizona's more economically stable rural regions outside the Phoenix and Tucson metros.

Best housing affordability in rural Arizona

Graham County's 15.9% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest among Arizona's rural counties, offering exceptional housing affordability even at the $202,700 median home value. Households retain maximum income flexibility for investing and savings.

Convert low housing costs into investment gains

Graham County's favorable rent-to-income ratio creates space for residents to invest aggressively—consider allocating 15-20% of household income to retirement and brokerage accounts. The low housing burden is a powerful wealth-building advantage.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Graham County

via CrimeByCounty

Graham County Boasts High Safety Score

Graham County is exceptionally safe, with a score of 98.7 out of 100. Its total crime rate of 834.8 per 100,000 is less than half the national average of 2,385.5. It remains one of the most tranquil regions in the Southwest.

Exceeding Arizona Safety Standards

With a safety score of 98.7, Graham County outperforms the Arizona state average of 97.4. Its crime rate of 834.8 is roughly 50% lower than the state's average of 1,677.3. Four local agencies work efficiently to keep crime levels suppressed.

A Secure Alternative to Neighbors

Graham County is significantly safer than its neighbors Cochise and Gila, which both have crime rates nearly double its own. It shares a low-crime profile with tiny Greenlee County to the east. This region forms a pocket of high security in southeastern Arizona.

Impressively Low Violent Crime Rates

Graham County reports a violent crime rate of just 88.4 per 100,000, which is far lower than the national average of 369.8. Property crime is also low at 746.4 per 100,000. These statistics translate to a very low risk for the average resident.

Keeping Graham County Safe

Residents can help maintain these low numbers by practicing basic security habits like locking vehicles and homes. Community involvement in local safety initiatives ensures that crime stays at these enviable levels. Awareness is the key to preserving the county's peaceful reputation.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Graham County

via SchoolsByCounty

Graham County's Focused School Network

Graham County supports 7,128 students across 32 public schools and 10 districts. The system is balanced with 12 elementary and 15 high schools, providing a clear path through the K-12 years. Education here is centralized in town settings, serving as the heart of the local community.

Strong Academic Outcomes in Graham

Graham County delivers an impressive 85.6% graduation rate, significantly outperforming the Arizona state average of 81%. Per-pupil expenditure is $5,973, which is higher than the state average of $5,607. The county’s school score of 49.0 also exceeds the state average, showing a high return on educational investment.

Safford and Thatcher Lead the Way

Safford Unified is the largest district, educating 2,943 students across 7 schools. Thatcher Unified follows closely with 1,849 students and 5 schools in its system. Charter schools represent a small niche in the county, making up just 6.3% of the total school landscape.

A Classic Small-Town School Feel

With 24 of its 32 schools located in town settings, the county offers a classic community-centric education. The average school size is 264 students, with Safford High being the largest hub at 836 students. Only 8 schools are located in rural areas, making most campuses easy to access for residents.

Join the Thatcher or Safford Communities

Thatcher and Safford offer excellent residential options near some of the county's highest-performing schools. Proximity to Thatcher High or Safford High is often a top priority for local homebuyers. Find your next home where community spirit and academic success meet.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Graham County

via RiskByCounty

Graham County has low overall risk

Graham County scores 64.60 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the "Relatively Low" category and well below Arizona's state average of 84.45. The southeastern county enjoys one of Arizona's safer natural hazard profiles.

Safer than most Arizona counties

Graham County ranks among Arizona's lower-risk counties, significantly outperforming the state average. Its 64.60 score positions it as one of the safest areas in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Safer than surrounding counties

Graham County's 64.60 score is substantially lower than Cochise County (92.84) to the east and Apache County (78.78) to the north. Its favorable position makes it one of southeastern Arizona's most protected areas.

Wildfire remains the primary concern

Graham County's main hazard is wildfire risk, which scores 94.27 despite the county's overall low composite rating. Flood risk (67.94) is also present but secondary; together these two hazards drive most of the county's natural disaster exposure.

Wildfire insurance is the priority

While Graham County's overall risk is low, wildfire coverage should still be a priority given the 94.27 risk score. Standard homeowners policies typically exclude wildfire, making supplemental or specialized insurance essential for property protection.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Graham County

via WaterByCounty

Low Per-Capita Violation Rate for Graham

Graham County has recorded 11 health violations over five years, earning an F grade but maintaining a low violation rate. At 40.3 per 100,000 people, the county is far below the Arizona state average of 140.2. This indicates that while violations occur, they affect a smaller portion of the population than in many other areas.

E. Coli Remains Primary Watershed Concern

Only 5.9% of Graham County's 34 assessed water bodies are impaired, according to the 2022 ATTAINS cycle. This performance is better than the state average of 10.0%. E. coli is identified as the top cause for the two failing water bodies in the county.

Smaller Monitoring Network at 32 Sites

Water quality monitoring is less dense here than in other counties, with only 32 sites and 2,952 measurements recorded over five years. The data primarily covers physical and inorganic characteristics. This limited footprint provides a narrower window into the long-term health of local streams.

Gila River Running at 4% of Mean

The Gila River at Calva is currently discharging 14 cfs, a mere 4% of its long-term mean of 351 cfs. This gauge represents a massive 11,470 square mile drainage area that is currently nearly dry. These low levels significantly impact the availability of source water for the region.

Guarding Against Bacteria and Drought

Since E. coli is the main impairment in Graham County watersheds, outdoor enthusiasts should avoid ingesting untreated surface water. The severe lack of flow in the Gila River suggests residents should be mindful of water conservation. Although the per-capita violation rate is low, the F grade signifies that drinking water systems still face periodic safety challenges.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Graham County

via WeatherByCounty

Dry Heat in the Upper Tiers

Graham County averages 62.2°F, placing it in the upper tier of temperatures compared to the national median. It receives a sparse 11.4 inches of rain annually.

Near the Arizona State Median

The county's average temperature of 62.2°F is just below the statewide average of 63.5°F. It experiences significantly more extreme heat days than northern counties like Coconino.

Intense Heat Relative to Gila

Graham records 113 days over 90°F, which is more intense than neighboring Gila's 104 days. However, it is much drier than Greenlee, receiving about 4 inches less rain annually.

Four Months of Extreme Heat

Summers are long and hot, featuring 113 days of extreme heat and a July average of 81.8°F. Winters stay temperate, averaging 44.6°F with a light 6.9 inches of annual snow.

Prioritize Efficient Summer Cooling

Prioritize water conservation and desert-landscaping for your property to handle the low rainfall. Effective air conditioning is vital for the 113 days of extreme heat.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Graham County

via SoilByCounty

Gila Valley Soil Heritage

Graham County lacks specific taxonomic and pH data in the current regional survey. Understanding where your local soil sits compared to the national 6.5 pH median is the first step for any grower.

Sandy vs. Clay Mixes

The exact percentages of sand, silt, and clay remain unrecorded for Graham County. This mix dictates how hard you have to work to till the earth and how well it retains vital nutrients.

Organic Matter and Water

Information on organic matter and available water capacity is not yet available for this county. Gardeners should aim to improve their soil quality to reach or exceed the national 2.0% organic matter benchmark.

Managing the Valley Floor

The dominant drainage class and hydrologic group are currently undefined for Graham County. This data is essential for irrigation planning in the fertile agricultural valleys along the Gila River.

Planting in Zone 8b

Graham County sits in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b, supporting a thriving agricultural industry of cotton and nut trees. Home gardeners can enjoy success with a wide variety of Mediterranean herbs and heat-loving vegetables.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Graham County

via LawnByCounty

Extreme Aridity in Graham County

With a lawn score of just 10.0, Graham County is one of the more difficult places in Arizona to sustain a traditional lawn. This 8b hardiness zone is far more taxing than the national average, requiring expert-level water management. Success depends on selecting the right species for this unforgiving environment.

The Scorching 113-Day Summer

The county endures 113 days of extreme heat annually, exactly matching the state average but dwarfing most of the country. Only 11.4 inches of rain falls each year, leaving a massive deficit for plants that need consistent moisture. Your 5,254 growing degree days mean your lawn is essentially a high-speed engine that needs constant fuel and cooling.

Managing Soil for Arid Success

Data on local soil texture is currently unavailable, but Graham's valley locations often deal with heavy clay or salty deposits. You should check your drainage specifically, as standing water in high heat can boil grass roots. Gypsum or organic amendments can help break up tough soils and improve aeration.

Facing Severe Moisture Deficits

The county is currently 93.5% abnormally dry, with nearly 10% facing severe drought conditions after a 53-week dry streak. You must treat water as a precious resource by using drip irrigation for landscape borders and precise sprinklers for turf. Xeriscaping parts of your yard can help focus your water budget on the most important green zones.

Spring Starts in the Gila Valley

Heat-hardy hybrids like Midiron or Celebration Bermuda are the most reliable choices for this climate. Start your planting projects after the April 1st frost date to ensure warm soil temperatures for germination. You can expect a long growing season that persists until the first freeze around November 9th.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Graham County's county score?
Graham County, Arizona has a composite county score of 47.6 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 Graham County rank among counties in Arizona?
Graham County ranks #3 among all counties in Arizona 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 Graham County, Arizona?
The median annual property tax in Graham County is $1,094, with an effective tax rate of 0.54%. This earns Graham County a tax score of 81.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Graham County?
The median household income in Graham County, Arizona is $67,326 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Graham County earns an income score of 59.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Graham County, Arizona a good place to live?
Graham County scores 47.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #3 in Arizona. The best way to evaluate Graham 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 Graham County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.