countyscore
43
County Score
Property Tax 84.7Income & Jobs 82.9Schools 62.6

County Report Card

About Humboldt County, Nevada

Solid Performance in Rural America

Humboldt County's composite score of 42.6 puts it within reach of the national median of 50.0. It remains a viable option for those looking to escape high-density urban pressures.

A Strong Contender in Northern Nevada

With a 42.6 score, Humboldt County sits slightly below the state average of 48.2 but remains a pillar of northern Nevada. It maintains its ranking through a balance of high wages and local educational quality.

Excellent Wages and Strong Schools

The county excels with an Income Score of 83.8 and a School Score of 62.6. A median household income of $79,946 supports a lifestyle that prioritizes both economic advancement and family needs.

Safety and Health Resource Gaps

Humboldt faces significant challenges with a Safety Score of 12.9 and a Health Score of 30.5. These numbers highlight the need for more local medical resources and enhanced community policing efforts.

Perfect for Blue-Collar Career Families

This county is a great match for families in the industrial or agricultural sectors who value strong local schools and high earnings. It offers a clear path to middle-class prosperity for those comfortable with rural safety profiles.

2040608010084.725.812.930.562.682.959.238.630.6Tax84.7Cost25.8Safety12.9Health30.5Schools62.6Income82.9Risk59.2Water38.6Weather30.643/100
This county
National avg
3 above average5 below average

Humboldt County DNA

Foverall

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

Humboldt County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (84.7/100) but notably weak in Safety (12.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
84.7+32.7
Cost
25.8-22.2
Safety
12.9-42.1
Health
30.5-19.5
Schools
62.6+8.600000000000001
Income
82.9+31.900000000000006
Risk
59.2+12.200000000000003
Water
38.6-19.4
Weather
30.6-25.4
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Compare mortgage rates in Humboldt County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$278,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$994/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$278,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$39,760/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $81,073/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

5.8

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Humboldt County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Humboldt County

via TaxByCounty

Humboldt taxes rank in nation's bottom quarter

Humboldt County's median property tax of $1,309 runs 51% below the national median of $2,690, while home values sit just 9% below the national average at $256,800. The 0.510% effective tax rate positions Humboldt firmly in the bottom 25% of U.S. counties for property tax burden.

Slightly above Nevada's average rate

At 0.510%, Humboldt County's effective tax rate edges above Nevada's state average of 0.525% by a negligible margin, making it nearly representative of the state's typical tax environment. The county sits comfortably in Nevada's competitive middle tier.

More affordable than Elko County

Humboldt County residents pay $1,309 in median annual property tax—about $125 less than neighboring Elko County's $1,434, despite similar home values. This small difference reflects Humboldt's slightly lower effective rate.

Expected annual tax on a typical home

The median Humboldt County home valued at $256,800 carries an estimated annual property tax of $1,309. Homeowners with mortgages pay roughly $1,363, while those without mortgages pay $1,219.

Review your assessment for potential savings

Nevada homeowners in rural counties like Humboldt sometimes discover their properties are valued above current market rates, opening the door to successful appeals. Filing a tax appeal is straightforward and could reduce your annual bill meaningfully.

Income & Jobs in Humboldt County

via IncomeByCounty

Humboldt County Exceeds National Income Average

Humboldt County's median household income of $79,946 outpaces the national median of $74,755 by over $5,000, placing it solidly above the U.S. midpoint. The county also exceeds Nevada's state average of $75,206, reflecting a relatively strong economy for its rural character.

Third-Highest Income County in Nevada

Humboldt County ranks third among Nevada's 16 counties, trailing only Douglas ($88,018) and Elko ($83,427) in median household income. The county's $79,946 income reflects prosperity from mining, agriculture, energy, and government employment.

Clear Economic Leader in Northwestern Nevada

Humboldt County's $79,946 income substantially outpaces nearby Elko County ($83,427) and stands well ahead of smaller rural counties like Eureka ($73,095). The county's stronger economy makes it a regional employment and opportunity center in northwestern Nevada.

Lowest Rent Burden Among Earning Counties

Humboldt County's 15.0% rent-to-income ratio is Nevada's lowest among counties with complete data, meaning residents spend only about one-seventh of household income on rent. Combined with a median home value of $256,800, Humboldt offers exceptional housing affordability that enables aggressive savings.

Exceptional Savings Opportunity in Humboldt County

Humboldt County's combination of above-average income and below-average housing costs creates an outstanding environment for wealth accumulation and financial independence. Maximize this advantage by directing housing savings into retirement accounts, real estate investments, and diversified portfolios to build substantial long-term wealth.

Safety in Humboldt County

via CrimeByCounty

Crime Above National Average

Humboldt County carries a safety score of 96.0, reflecting a busier crime environment. The total crime rate of 2,536.8 per 100,000 is slightly above the national average of 2,385.5.

Nevada Safety Rankings

The county ranks below the Nevada state average safety score of 97.5. Its total crime rate of 2,536.8 is also notably higher than the statewide average of 1,555.1.

Active Regional Environment

At 2,536.8 per 100,000, Humboldt sees more crime than neighbor Elko County's 1,701.5. It is one of the more active counties for law enforcement in northern Nevada.

Breakdown of Local Crime

Property crime dominates the statistics at 2,166.1 per 100,000. Violent crime is on par with the national average at 370.7, meaning the main risk to residents involves theft or burglary.

Deterring Theft at Home

With property crime rates exceeding the national average, home security systems are a vital tool. Monitoring your property with cameras can help deter potential intruders and safeguard your belongings.

Weather & Climate in Humboldt County

via WeatherByCounty

Cooler than the national median

Humboldt County’s average annual temperature of 49.7°F sits a few degrees below the national median. It experiences a classic Great Basin climate with cold winters and hot, dry summers.

Near the Nevada average

At 49.7°F, Humboldt is slightly cooler than the Nevada state average of 52.0°F. Its precipitation of 8.8 inches almost exactly matches the state's average of 8.6 inches.

Warmer than Elko and Eureka

Humboldt is significantly warmer and less snowy than Elko County. It sees 57 days of extreme heat, which is notably more than the 39 days recorded in neighboring Eureka.

Hot summers and steady snow

Summer brings 57 days over 90°F, while July averages 72.9°F. Winter remains active with 19.0 inches of annual snowfall and a winter average temperature of 31.8°F.

Be ready for two extremes

HVAC systems must be robust enough to handle both the 57 extreme heat days and the freezing winter lows. Winter tires are recommended to navigate the 19 inches of annual snow.

Soil Quality in Humboldt County

via SoilByCounty

Sagebrush Plains and Alkaline Chemistry

Northwest Nevada's Humboldt County currently lacks detailed taxonomic and pH records. Like its neighbors, it likely features the alkaline soil chemistry common to the Great Basin's vast, arid landscapes.

Light Soils and Wind Erosion

Precise sand and silt ratios are not listed, but the region is characterized by expansive sagebrush plains. These soils are often light and easily moved by the wind without proper plant cover or windbreaks.

Managing Water in the North

Data for organic matter and water capacity is unavailable, though levels likely trail the 2.0% national average. Success for local growers depends on carefully managing the limited available water and building soil structure.

Humboldt River Basin Hydrology

We lack specific drainage classes, but the Humboldt River basin dictates local hydrology. Natural drainage varies significantly between the riverbanks and the surrounding mountains, affecting both farming and ranching.

Hardy Grains and Roots in Zone 6a

Humboldt County resides in zone 6a, a climate well-suited for alfalfa and hardy grains. Home gardeners find success with root vegetables and berries that can withstand the fluctuating desert temperatures and dry air.

Lawn Care in Humboldt County

via LawnByCounty

Humboldt's High Desert Challenge

Humboldt County earns a lawn difficulty score of 44.0, making it easier than the state average of 34.4. However, it remains more challenging than the national median of 50.0 due to its dry, high-desert environment. Living in Zone 6a requires a balanced approach to managing both summer heat and winter cold.

Timing for the Great Basin

Lawns must endure 57 days of extreme heat with just 8.8 inches of annual rain to cool them down. The growing season lasts from late May to late September, providing 2,502 growing degree days for your turf to develop. Careful irrigation is necessary to supplement the low rainfall and survive the nearly two months of 90°F+ temperatures.

Optimizing Your Yard's Soil

Detailed soil metrics are not currently listed for the county, so checking your own plot for clay and pH is a priority. Most Great Basin soils benefit from the addition of gypsum or compost to improve texture and drainage. Keeping your pH near the 6.0-7.0 ideal will help your grass stay green despite the 57 extreme heat days.

Protecting Lawns in Dry Years

The county is currently 96.2% abnormally dry, despite only seeing 6 weeks of official drought over the past year. Homeowners should utilize mulch and smart watering schedules to keep moisture in the soil during the hottest months. Building a deep root system now will protect your lawn if a multi-year drought begins.

Starting Strong in Zone 6a

Tall fescue is a top-performing choice for this region because of its deep root system and heat tolerance. Schedule your planting for late May once the final frost risk on May 30 has subsided. This gives the grass a full summer of 2,502 growing degree days to establish itself before the first fall freeze.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Humboldt County's county score?
Humboldt County, Nevada has a composite county score of 43 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 Humboldt County rank among counties in Nevada?
Humboldt County ranks #10 among all counties in Nevada 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 Humboldt County, Nevada?
The median annual property tax in Humboldt County is $1,372, with an effective tax rate of 0.49%. This earns Humboldt County a tax score of 84.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Humboldt County?
The median household income in Humboldt County, Nevada is $81,073 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Humboldt County earns an income score of 82.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Humboldt County, Nevada a good place to live?
Humboldt County scores 43/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #10 in Nevada. The best way to evaluate Humboldt 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 Humboldt County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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