CountyScore

Johnson County

Wyoming · WY

#4 in Wyoming
74.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Johnson County, Wyoming

Johnson ranks above national median

Johnson County scores 74.4 out of 100, significantly outperforming the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the upper third nationally for overall livability.

Wyoming's best-scoring county

Johnson County leads all Wyoming counties with a 74.4 score, edging out the state average of 71.8. It represents the gold standard for livability within the state's 23-county system.

Lowest taxes and strong health outcomes

Johnson County boasts the state's lowest effective tax rate at 0.552% (tax score 86.7) and excellent health performance at 74.7—the strongest health score among these eight counties. These dual strengths create an enviable quality-of-life profile.

Higher housing costs constrain affordability

While overall livability ranks high, Johnson County's cost score of 75.6 reflects elevated housing expenses with median home values at $296,000 and rents at $1,081/month. Income levels (25.1 score, $63,905 median) don't fully offset these housing burdens.

Best for health-conscious professionals

Johnson County suits established professionals and health-conscious families willing to pay more for housing in exchange for excellent healthcare and minimal taxes. It's Wyoming's most balanced livability choice for those prioritizing wellness and financial efficiency.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.7Cost75.6SafetyComing SoonHealth74.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.1Risk80.7WaterComing Soon
🏛86.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠75.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤74.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡80.7
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 Johnson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Searcy County
Arkansas
74.4
Median income: $41,978
Carroll County
Indiana
74.4
Median income: $64,003
Fountain County
Indiana
74.4
Median income: $62,526
Jasper County
Indiana
74.4
Median income: $79,634
Perry County
Indiana
74.4
Median income: $61,099

Deep Dives

Johnson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Johnson County

via TaxByCounty

Johnson taxes lower than national norm

Johnson County's effective tax rate of 0.552% produces a median tax of just $1,634—far below the national median of $2,690. This places the county in the bottom 30% nationally, offering property owners a significant tax advantage.

Second-lowest rate in Wyoming

Johnson County's 0.552% effective rate ranks as the second-lowest in Wyoming, just under state average of 0.556%. Only Niobrara County (0.376%) has a lower rate, making Johnson one of the state's most tax-friendly counties.

Best rates among northern counties

Johnson County edges out Hot Springs County (0.561%) and significantly undercuts Natrona County (0.618%) in effective tax rates. Among northern Wyoming properties, it offers one of the lightest tax loads in the region.

Median home taxes $1,634 annually

Johnson County homeowners with a median-valued property of $296,000 pay roughly $1,634 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, that rises slightly to $1,641; without one, it's $1,621.

Appeal if your assessment seems high

Even in low-tax counties, overassessment happens—and it directly inflates your bill. If your property's assessed value doesn't reflect recent comparable sales, filing an appeal can reduce your annual tax obligation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Johnson County

via CostByCounty

Johnson County Renters Face Steep Burden

Johnson County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.3% ranks among the most strained in the nation, nearly 50% higher than the national benchmark. With median household income of $63,905 against the national average of $74,755, renters here shoulder one of the sharpest affordability squeezes on record.

Least Affordable County in Wyoming

Johnson County's 20.3% rent-to-income ratio is the highest among Wyoming's eight surveyed counties, breaking sharply from the state average of 15.5%. This ranking reflects both elevated rents and lower-than-average county income, making Johnson the state's affordability crisis point.

Pricier Than Most Regional Peers

Johnson County's median rent of $1,081/month ranks second-highest among the surveyed counties and runs 15% above Wyoming's state average. Home values of $296,000 place it squarely in mid-range territory regionally, yet incomes lag, creating a painful affordability gap.

Johnson County's Affordability Crisis

Renters pay $1,081 monthly while homeowners carry $864—but the real squeeze comes from median household income of just $63,905, forcing families to allocate 20.3% to rent alone. That leaves Johnson County residents with less financial flexibility than peers statewide, stretching tight budgets further for food, healthcare, and transportation.

Johnson County: Not the Best Entry Point

If you're relocating for affordability, Johnson County presents challenges: high rents relative to local wages and the state's worst rent-to-income ratio. Compare options with neighbors like Hot Springs or Platte County before committing; the savings could be substantial.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Johnson County

via IncomeByCounty

Johnson slightly below national norm

Johnson County's median household income of $63,905 lags the U.S. median of $74,755 by roughly $10,850. The county sits in the lower-middle range nationally, typical of rural Mountain West communities.

Lower tier in Wyoming

Johnson County's income trails Wyoming's state average of $73,360 by nearly $9,500, placing it among the state's less affluent counties. This gap highlights economic concentration in larger Wyoming population centers.

Outpaced by Laramie and Lincoln

Johnson's $63,905 ranks below Laramie County ($77,884) and Lincoln County ($86,092), but exceeds Hot Springs County ($64,375) marginally. Regional disparities suggest that county-level industry mix drives significant income variation.

Rent costs bite harder here

At 20.3%, Johnson County's rent-to-income ratio exceeds the healthy threshold and approaches the 30% affordability ceiling. With median home values at $296,000, housing affordability requires careful budgeting for many households.

Prioritize debt paydown first

With rent consuming one-fifth of income, focus initial wealth-building on reducing high-interest debt and building a 3-month emergency fund. Once housing is stable, redirect freed-up cash toward tax-advantaged retirement accounts.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Johnson County

via HealthByCounty

Johnson County leads on longevity metrics

Johnson County residents live to 79.3 years on average, exceeding the U.S. average of 79 years and ranking among America's healthier communities. At 13.8% reporting poor or fair health—well below the national average of roughly 12%—the county demonstrates strong population health outcomes.

Wyoming's healthiest life expectancy county

Johnson County's 79.3-year life expectancy tops Wyoming's state average of 77.0 years by 2.3 years, placing it as one of the state's healthiest communities. The 13.8% poor/fair health rate also ranks among Wyoming's best, reflecting sustained health advantages.

Outperforms similar Wyoming communities

Johnson County's 79.3-year life expectancy edges out Lincoln County's 79.0 years and far surpasses Hot Springs County's 73.0 years. With 151 primary care providers per 100K—the highest ratio among peer counties—Johnson County combines longevity with robust healthcare availability.

Lowest uninsured rate among peer counties

Only 11.2% of Johnson County residents lack health insurance, well below Wyoming's average of 14.8% and among the lowest in the state. Strong primary care access (151 per 100K) and solid mental health support (320 per 100K) mean residents have reliable options for ongoing care.

Maintain health coverage in Johnson County

With 88.8% of Johnson County already insured, the focus is on maintaining that coverage and supporting the remaining uninsured. Explore renewal options through healthcare.gov, your employer, or local clinics to keep your household protected.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Johnson County

via RiskByCounty

Johnson County well below national risk

Johnson County scores 19.31 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and placing it substantially safer than the U.S. average. The county experiences roughly 50% less overall disaster risk than typical American counties.

Second-safest in Wyoming

Johnson County ranks among Wyoming's least risky counties with a score of 19.31, trailing only a handful of peers compared to the state average of 37.86. Its Very Low rating reflects below-average exposure to the state's most common hazards.

Comparable to Hot Springs, safer than Laramie

Johnson County's 19.31 score is nearly identical to Hot Springs County (16.09) but dramatically lower than Laramie County (76.69) to the south. The county's primary vulnerability—wildfire at 87.85—is notably high but still reflects regional exposure rather than unusual local danger.

Wildfire dominates risk profile

Wildfire risk reaches 87.85 in Johnson County, far exceeding other hazards and reflecting its location in Wyoming's forested north. Earthquakes (57.70) and floods (36.90) pose secondary risks, but tornado exposure remains minimal at 15.62.

Wildfire insurance is essential here

Johnson County residents face significant wildfire exposure, making specialized wildfire coverage critical—standard homeowners policies often exclude or cap wildfire damage. Bundle wildfire, earthquake, and flood coverage to ensure comprehensive protection for your home and property.

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.