CountyScore

Josephine County

Oregon · OR

#22 in Oregon
65
County Score

County Report Card

About Josephine County, Oregon

Josephine beats the national average

With a composite score of 65.0, Josephine County ranks well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper 30th percentile nationally. This means the county offers livability advantages that many Americans don't have access to, particularly in tax burden and housing affordability.

Slightly below Oregon's middle

Josephine's score of 65.0 trails Oregon's state average of 66.6 by just 1.6 points, positioning it comfortably in the middle tier of Oregon counties. It's competitive with most of the state, though a handful of counties outpace it significantly.

Tax efficiency and affordability shine

Josephine County excels with a tax score of 87.4 and an effective tax rate of just 0.528%—among the lowest in the state. Housing remains reasonably priced at a median home value of $383,100 and median rent of $1,157/month, making it attractive to budget-conscious families.

Income levels need strengthening

The county's income score of 22.0 is a significant weak point, with median household income at $59,097—trailing both state and national expectations. This income-affordability gap suggests limited economic mobility and wage growth opportunities for residents.

Best for retirees and budget seekers

Josephine County suits people prioritizing low taxes and moderate housing costs over high incomes—particularly retirees, remote workers, and families already established in modest-income professions. The combination of affordability and tax efficiency makes it ideal for those seeking stability over rapid economic advancement.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.4Cost70SafetyComing SoonHealth68.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome22Risk9.8WaterComing Soon
🏛87.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠70
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡9.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Josephine County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Montgomery County
Alabama
65
Median income: $58,153
Mohave County
Arizona
65
Median income: $55,799
Navajo County
Arizona
65
Median income: $52,752
Adams County
Illinois
65
Median income: $64,962
Massac County
Illinois
65
Median income: $62,584

Deep Dives

Josephine County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Josephine County

via TaxByCounty

Josephine taxes run well below national average

At 0.528%, Josephine County's effective tax rate sits significantly below the national median of 0.75%, placing it in the bottom 25% nationally. The typical Josephine homeowner pays $2,023 annually in property taxes—$667 less than the national median of $2,690.

Josephine ranks lowest in Oregon for tax burden

Josephine County has the lowest effective tax rate among all Oregon counties at 0.528%, well below Oregon's 0.775% state average. Residents pay just 74% of the state median tax bill, making it the most tax-favorable county in Oregon.

Josephine undercuts neighboring southern Oregon counties

Josephine's 0.528% rate beats Klamath County (0.678%) and Lake County (0.641%) by a clear margin. Despite having a higher median home value than these neighbors, Josephine residents still pay the lowest taxes in the region.

Median Josephine home costs $2,023 annually to tax

With a median home value of $383,100 and an effective rate of 0.528%, a typical homeowner pays roughly $2,023 per year in property taxes. Adding a mortgage increases the combined burden to approximately $2,172.

Josephine homeowners should verify their assessments

Even in Oregon's lowest-taxing county, many homeowners are overassessed relative to their home's actual market value. You can file a free property tax appeal through your county assessor if you believe your valuation is inflated.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Josephine County

via CostByCounty

Josephine's Rent Burden Exceeds National Norms

Josephine County renters spend 23.5% of their income on rent, outpacing the nation's typical burden and signaling tighter affordability than most American counties. The median household income here is $59,097—about $15,650 below the national average of $74,755—making housing costs feel steeper relative to earnings.

Above Average Strain in Oregon

At 23.5%, Josephine's rent-to-income ratio ranks above Oregon's state average of 19.4%, placing it among the state's more cost-burdened counties. This gap suggests renters here face measurably tighter housing markets than many of their neighbors across Oregon.

More Expensive Than Southern Peers

Josephine's median rent of $1,157 exceeds neighboring Klamath County ($973) and Lake County ($861), reflecting higher coastal housing demand. Despite lower incomes than Lane County residents, Josephine renters pay nearly as much in monthly rent, creating a sharper affordability squeeze.

Rent vs. Ownership: Both Stretch Budgets

Renters pay a median $1,157 monthly while homeowners carry $1,135 in monthly costs, with the median home valued at $383,100. Together, these figures mean over 23% of median household income flows to rent alone—well above the 30% affordability threshold financial advisors recommend.

Weighing Josephine Against Alternatives

If affordability is your priority, Lake County and Klamath County offer notably lower rents and rent-to-income ratios in the same region. For renters comfortable with higher costs, Josephine's coastal lifestyle and home values come at a premium compared to interior Oregon counties with similar incomes.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Josephine County

via IncomeByCounty

Josephine trails national income benchmark

Josephine County's median household income of $59,097 falls 21% below the national median of $74,755, placing the county in the lower tier of U.S. earnings. This gap reflects regional economic patterns shaped by timber, agriculture, and tourism sectors. Households here earn notably less than the typical American family, requiring careful budgeting.

Below Oregon's state average

At $59,097, Josephine ranks below Oregon's state median of $69,965, positioning it in the lower half of the state's 36 counties. The $10,868 gap underscores disparities between rural southwestern Oregon and more prosperous urban centers. This income lag reflects both workforce composition and limited high-wage job availability in the region.

Similar struggles across Southwest Oregon

Josephine's $59,097 income sits closest to Klamath County ($59,353) and Lincoln County ($61,314), reflecting a shared economic belt in rural Oregon. All three counties lag the state average, though Josephine's per capita income of $34,176 edges slightly behind peers. This clustering suggests regional economic challenges extend across multiple counties.

Housing costs stretch household budgets

Josephine's rent-to-income ratio of 23.5% indicates housing consumes nearly a quarter of median income, pushing affordability limits. Combined with a median home value of $383,100—well above what median income typically supports—many households face tight finances after covering shelter. This squeeze leaves limited room for savings, healthcare, and education investments.

Build financial resilience today

Even with modest median income, Josephine households can grow wealth through consistent savings and low-cost investment vehicles like employer 401(k) plans and IRAs. Starting early with automatic contributions—even $50 monthly—compounds significantly over decades. Local nonprofits and library systems often offer free financial literacy workshops to help residents build pathways to stability.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Josephine County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy gap widens here

Josephine County residents live to 74.6 years on average, about 5 years shorter than the U.S. average of 79.3 years. Nearly 1 in 5 residents (19.8%) report poor or fair health, slightly better than the national rate of 21%. This health gap reflects broader economic and healthcare access challenges across Southern Oregon.

Below Oregon's health performance

At 74.6 years, Josephine County trails Oregon's state average life expectancy of 77.0 years by 2.4 years. The county ranks among Oregon's lower-performing counties on health outcomes, though its 19.8% poor/fair health rate is close to the state average of 19%. Josephine residents face steeper health headwinds than most of their Oregon neighbors.

Healthier than Klamath, below Lane

Josephine County's 74.6-year life expectancy exceeds Klamath County (73.3 years) but lags Lane County (77.1 years) and Marion County (77.5 years) to the north. Its uninsured rate of 7.8% is among Oregon's lowest, beating the state average of 8.1%. Primary care access is moderate at 74 providers per 100,000, but mental health services are robust at 958 per 100,000.

Insurance is strong, access varies

Just 7.8% of Josephine County residents lack health insurance, better than the state average of 8.1%, but finding a primary care provider can mean a wait—the county has 74 per 100,000 residents. Mental health care is more readily available with 958 providers per 100,000, suggesting residents have better access to behavioral health than traditional medical services.

Check your coverage today

With 7.8% of Josephine County uninsured, most residents have access to care, but enrollment gaps persist. Visit healthcare.gov or Oregon's health plan marketplace to confirm your coverage and explore financial assistance options. Even short-term gaps in insurance can delay preventive care and worsen health outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Josephine County

via RiskByCounty

Josephine ranks above average nationally

With a composite risk score of 90.24, Josephine County faces above-average natural disaster risk compared to U.S. counties overall. The county earns a Relatively Moderate rating, driven by significant earthquake and wildfire exposure. This places Josephine in the riskier half of American counties, requiring serious hazard preparedness.

Oregon's fourth most at-risk county

Josephine's 90.24 score ranks it fourth among Oregon's 36 counties—well above the state average of 63.43. Only Lane, Marion, and one other county face higher composite risk in Oregon. This elevated standing reflects Josephine's location in a seismically active and fire-prone region.

Far riskier than southern Oregon peers

Josephine (90.24) dwarfs nearby Klamath County (77.93) and Lake County (19.08) on composite risk. Josephine's wildfire risk of 99.24 is among the state's highest, while neighboring counties show dramatically lower overall exposure. This difference underscores Josephine's unique vulnerability to cascading disaster scenarios.

Wildfire and earthquakes dominate here

Josephine faces an extreme wildfire risk of 99.24—among Oregon's most dangerous—alongside a critical earthquake risk of 95.20. The county's 90.20 flood risk rounds out a trio of serious hazards. Together, these three threats create compounding vulnerabilities that demand tailored emergency planning and home hardening.

Prioritize earthquake and wildfire insurance

Homeowners in Josephine must secure comprehensive earthquake insurance alongside standard homeowners coverage, given the 95.20 earthquake risk. Wildfire coverage gaps are common in high-risk zones; verify your policy covers wildfire damage and consider additional riders. Working with a local agent familiar with Josephine's specific hazards ensures you're not underinsured.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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