countyscore
36
County Score
Property Tax 82.7Soil Quality 73Lawn Care 50.9

County Report Card

About Josephine County, Oregon

Falling Below the National Median

Josephine County earns a composite score of 35.7, trailing the national median of 50.0. This score places the county significantly below the average for the United States.

Lagging Behind Oregon's State Average

With a composite score of 35.7, Josephine falls behind the Oregon state average of 42.5. It ranks among the lower-scoring counties within the state's diverse geography.

A Very Low Tax Burden

The county's biggest advantage is its 83.0 tax score, driven by a low effective tax rate of 0.528%. Moderate health outcomes also provide a stable foundation compared to other dimensions.

Significant Safety and Environmental Risks

Low scores in environmental risk (9.8) and safety (11.1) suggest significant room for improvement in community resilience. High housing costs also strain residents, with a median home value of $383,100.

Best for Tax-Conscious Residents

This county suits retirees or remote workers who value a low tax burden over urban safety metrics. It is best for those with established savings who can navigate the higher cost of living.

2040608010082.721.611.150.237.1349.816.945.4Tax82.7Cost21.6Safety11.1Health50.2Schools37.1Income34Risk9.8Water16.9Weather45.436/100
This county
National avg
1 above average7 below average

Josephine County DNA

Foverall

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

Josephine County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Safety (11.1/100), though Property Tax (82.7/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
82.7+30.700000000000003
Cost
21.6-26.4
Safety
11.1-43.9
Health
50.2
Schools
37.1-16.9
Income
34-17
Risk
9.8-37.2
Water
16.9-41.1
Weather
45.4-10.600000000000001
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Compare mortgage rates in Josephine County

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$404,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,194/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$404,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$47,760/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum6.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $60,098/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

6.8

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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Nearby counties

Curry County
Oregon
42.7
Del Norte County
California
39
Coos County
Oregon
29.8
Jackson County
Oregon
31.4
Douglas County
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37.1
Siskiyou County
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Klamath County
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37.5
Lane County
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31

Deep Dives

Josephine County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in Josephine County

via CrimeByCounty

Crime levels exceed national averages

Josephine County reports a total crime rate of 2,682.0 per 100K, which is higher than the national average of 2,385.5. Despite this, the county maintains a high safety score of 95.8.

Safety score trails the Oregon average

The county's safety score of 95.8 sits slightly below the Oregon average of 96.3. Four local agencies coordinate law enforcement efforts across the region to manage public safety.

Crime rates higher than eastern neighbors

The total crime rate here is notably higher than in nearby Klamath County, which sees 2,068.8 incidents per 100K. Residents face more frequent crime reports than those in several adjacent rural areas.

Property crime drives local safety concerns

Property crime is the primary issue at 2,279.7 per 100K residents. The violent crime rate of 402.3 also exceeds both the state and national averages.

Securing your property remains essential

Installing motion-sensor lighting and high-quality locks helps deter property-related incidents. Staying connected with neighborhood watch programs adds an important layer of community protection.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Josephine County

via WeatherByCounty

Josephine County Matches the National Median Temperature

With an average annual temperature of 53.1°F, Josephine County sits right at the national median. This mediterranean climate remains mild compared to the broader United States.

Warmer and Wetter Than the Oregon Average

The county's 53.1°F average temperature makes it significantly warmer than the state average of 50.5°F. It also receives 41.3 inches of annual precipitation, outpacing the Oregon average of 37.4 inches.

Southern Oregon's Warm Interior Basin

Josephine is warmer than neighboring Klamath County, which averages just 43.8°F. While Lane County to the north shares a similar 52.6°F average, Josephine experiences more intense summer peaks.

Hot Summers and Mild Snowfall

Summer temperatures average 67.6°F, but the county faces 44 extreme heat days above 90°F annually. Winters remain manageable with an average temperature of 40.5°F and only 4.8 inches of snow.

Prepare for Extended Summer Heat Waves

Residents should invest in high-efficiency cooling systems to handle the 44 days of extreme heat each year. While heavy snow gear isn't vital, reliable rain protection is necessary for the 41.3 inches of annual rainfall.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Josephine County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic soils define Josephine County

The soil here is notably acidic with an average pH of 5.22, which is lower than the national median of 6.5. This measurement sits slightly below the Oregon state average of 5.26. While specific taxonomic data is limited, these acidic conditions strongly influence local plant selection and soil management.

A balanced mix of earth

The soil composition features 37.4% sand, 41.1% silt, and 17.7% clay. This balanced distribution provides a versatile texture that supports reasonable workability for farmers and gardeners. The silt and clay components help the soil maintain its structure while the sand prevents excessive compaction.

Exceptional organic matter levels

Josephine County boasts a massive 39.68% organic matter content, dwarfing the state average of 29.41% and the national average of 2.0%. The available water capacity of 0.285 in/in also exceeds the state benchmark of 0.275 in/in. These high levels indicate an extremely nutrient-dense environment for growing.

Understanding high runoff potential

The soil falls into Hydrologic Group D, which is characterized by high runoff potential and low infiltration rates when wet. While specific drainage classes are not recorded, this group suggests that water moves slowly through the profile. Proper site grading is essential for any building or large-scale agricultural projects.

Thriving in Zone 8b

In USDA Hardiness Zone 8b, the acidic, organic-rich soil is perfect for blueberries, rhododendrons, and azaleas. The mild climate and fertile earth provide a long growing season for a wide variety of crops. Now is the perfect time to start your garden and take advantage of these superior soil scores.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Josephine County

via LawnByCounty

Above-Average Lawn Ease in Josephine County

Josephine County scores a 50.9 on the lawn difficulty scale, slightly outperforming the national median of 50.0. Homeowners find it much easier to maintain green space here than the state average of 38.9. The local climate within hardiness zone 8b provides a relatively stable foundation for turf growth.

Sunny Days and Wet Winters

The county receives 41.3 inches of annual precipitation, which sits comfortably within the ideal range for healthy lawns. However, 44 extreme heat days per year and 2631 growing degree days mean summer irrigation is essential to prevent dormancy. Mowing schedules peak during the warm spring months before the July heat intensifies.

Managing Acidic Soil for Better Turf

With a soil pH of 5.22, local lawns are significantly more acidic than the ideal 6.0 to 7.0 range. The soil composition is 37.4% sand and 17.7% clay, which generally facilitates decent drainage but requires lime applications to balance the acidity. Regular soil testing helps ensure nutrients remain available to grass roots.

Navigating 25 Weeks of Drought

Over the past year, the county spent 25 weeks in drought conditions, with 76% of the area currently classified as abnormally dry. To conserve water, homeowners should prioritize deep, infrequent watering during the early morning hours. Mulching grass clippings back into the lawn helps retain soil moisture during these dry spells.

Start Seeding After the May Frost

Tall fescue and perennial ryegrass are excellent choices for the zone 8b climate in Josephine County. The best window for seeding or sodding opens after the last spring frost on May 1st to ensure healthy establishment before the summer heat. Plan your final major fertilization before the first fall frost arrives around October 28th.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Josephine County's county score?
Josephine County, Oregon has a composite county score of 36 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 Josephine County rank among counties in Oregon?
Josephine County ranks #27 among all counties in Oregon 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 Josephine County, Oregon?
The median annual property tax in Josephine County is $2,086, with an effective tax rate of 0.52%. This earns Josephine County a tax score of 82.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Josephine County?
The median household income in Josephine County, Oregon is $60,098 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Josephine County earns an income score of 34/100 on CountyScore.
Is Josephine County, Oregon a good place to live?
Josephine County scores 36/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #27 in Oregon. The best way to evaluate Josephine 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 Josephine County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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.