CountyScore

Klamath County

Oregon · OR

#15 in Oregon
66.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Klamath County, Oregon

Klamath outperforms national baseline

Klamath County's composite score of 66.3 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by a significant margin, placing it in the upper third of U.S. counties. This solid advantage reflects particularly strong performance in affordability and low tax burden.

Right at Oregon's average

With a score of 66.3 versus Oregon's state average of 66.6, Klamath is essentially aligned with typical Oregon county livability. It neither stands out as exceptional nor lags noticeably, making it representative of the statewide experience.

Affordability across housing and taxes

Klamath shines in cost-of-living metrics with a cost score of 75.8, median rent of just $973/month, and median home values at $255,700. The tax score of 83.2 reflects an effective rate of 0.678%, offering meaningful savings for property owners.

Income and risk factors lag

The income score of 22.1 mirrors statewide weakness in wage levels, with median household income at $59,353. A risk score of 22.1 suggests moderate environmental or economic vulnerabilities that warrant attention for long-term planning.

Ideal for cost-conscious families

Klamath County attracts families and individuals seeking maximum affordability without sacrificing community stability. Its lowest-in-class rental and home prices, combined with reasonable tax burden, make it particularly valuable for middle-income households prioritizing savings and homeownership accessibility.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.2Cost75.8SafetyComing SoonHealth66.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.1Risk22.1WaterComing Soon
🏛83.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠75.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡22.1
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 Klamath County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lassen County
California
66.3
Median income: $64,395
Screven County
Georgia
66.3
Median income: $53,017
St. Bernard Parish
Louisiana
66.3
Median income: $57,638
Shiawassee County
Michigan
66.3
Median income: $64,464
Lowndes County
Mississippi
66.3
Median income: $54,460

Deep Dives

Klamath County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Klamath County

via TaxByCounty

Klamath tax rate underperforms national average

Klamath County's 0.678% effective tax rate falls below the national median of 0.75%, placing it in the bottom 35% nationwide. With a median tax bill of $1,734, Klamath residents pay about $956 less than typical American homeowners.

Klamath ranks seventh-lowest in Oregon tax burden

At 0.678%, Klamath's effective rate sits 12% below Oregon's 0.775% state average, making it one of the state's more affordable tax jurisdictions. Its median tax of $1,734 is just 63% of Oregon's state median of $2,745.

Klamath offers moderate relief versus southern peers

Klamath's 0.678% rate exceeds Josephine County's 0.528% but undercuts Lake County's 0.641% by a small margin. The region as a whole enjoys consistently lower tax rates than most of Oregon's population centers.

Median Klamath home costs $1,734 annually in taxes

Klamath's median home value of $255,700 combined with its 0.678% rate yields an annual tax bill of approximately $1,734. With a mortgage attached, expect to owe closer to $2,022.

Klamath homeowners can challenge overassessments easily

Many Klamath County property owners are assessed above fair market value, leaving money on the table each year. Filing a property tax appeal with the county assessor is free and can result in meaningful annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Klamath County

via CostByCounty

Klamath Holds Its Own Nationally

Klamath County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.7% sits just slightly above the Oregon state average of 19.4%, putting it in solid standing compared to national affordability pressures. With a median household income of $59,353 and monthly rent of $973, residents here earn about $15,400 less than the national median but pay considerably less in housing costs.

Middle-of-the-Pack Affordability

Klamath's 19.7% rent-to-income ratio ranks near Oregon's state average of 19.4%, positioning it as one of the state's more affordable mid-sized counties. Renters face manageable housing burdens compared to coastal and urban Oregon counties experiencing sharper affordability crunches.

Southern Oregon's Most Affordable

Klamath's median rent of $973 undercuts Josephine County ($1,157) by nearly $200 monthly while matching similar income levels. Only Lake County to the north offers lower rents, making Klamath an attractive middle ground for renters seeking reasonable costs without sacrificing regional amenities.

Balanced Renting and Homeownership

Monthly rent averages $973 while homeownership costs run $985, with the median home valued at $255,700—notably lower than coastal counties. Housing payments consume about 19.7% of median income for renters, leaving reasonable room in household budgets for other expenses.

Affordability-Focused Relocators Take Note

Klamath offers one of southern Oregon's lowest rents combined with manageable home prices, making it ideal for budget-conscious movers. Compared to Lane County's steeper costs or Josephine's coastal premium, Klamath delivers solid affordability without remote-area isolation.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Klamath County

via IncomeByCounty

Klamath income lags national average

Klamath County's median household income of $59,353 trails the national median of $74,755 by about 21%, marking the county below most American households. The $15,402 gap reflects the economy's dependence on agriculture, timber, and outdoor recreation—sectors often offering lower average wages. Nationally, Klamath ranks in the lower quartile of U.S. county earnings.

Middle-lower ranking within Oregon

Klamath's $59,353 median sits below Oregon's state average of $69,965 by $10,612, placing it in the lower-middle tier of Oregon's 36 counties. The gap reflects both workforce demographics and limited access to high-wage industries concentrated in Portland and Salem metros. This positioning suggests economic vulnerability during regional downturns.

Part of rural Oregon's income belt

Klamath's $59,353 income clusters closely with Josephine County ($59,097), forming a peer group of rural southwestern Oregon counties. Lake County ($61,222) slightly outpaces both neighbors, though all three hover well below state averages. Per capita income here ($32,939) reflects a younger population and fewer high-earning professionals.

Housing costs remain manageable here

Klamath's rent-to-income ratio of 19.7% is among the state's most favorable, suggesting housing affordability compared to Oregon peers. With a median home value of $255,700—lower than most Oregon counties—homeownership remains accessible for many households. This relative affordability provides breathing room for other essential expenses.

Lower costs enable greater savings potential

Klamath's affordable housing market creates an opportunity: households can redirect savings toward retirement accounts and investments rather than excessive rent. Even modest $100 monthly contributions to a Roth IRA grow substantially over 30 years. Local credit unions and community banks often offer financial planning resources tailored to rural economies.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Klamath County

via HealthByCounty

Oregon's shortest life expectancy

Klamath County residents live to just 73.3 years, nearly 6 years shorter than the U.S. average of 79.3 years and among Oregon's worst. Over 1 in 5 residents (20.2%) report poor or fair health, compared to 21% nationally. The county faces significant health challenges that demand urgent attention and resources.

Lowest life expectancy in state

Klamath County's 73.3-year life expectancy ranks last among Oregon counties, 3.7 years below the state average of 77.0 years. Its 20.2% poor/fair health rate slightly exceeds Oregon's average, indicating persistent chronic disease and preventable health problems. These trends place Klamath County in a health crisis relative to its state peers.

Struggles despite good primary care

Klamath County's 73.3-year life expectancy falls well below Josephine County (74.6 years), Lake County (75.7 years), and Lane County (77.1 years). The county has strong primary care infrastructure at 104 providers per 100,000—above most Oregon peers—but only 581 mental health providers per 100,000. High uninsured rates (8.9%) may undermine residents' ability to use available care.

Uninsured rate is state's highest

Klamath County's 8.9% uninsured rate exceeds Oregon's 8.1% average, meaning nearly 1 in 11 residents lack coverage. Despite 104 primary care providers per 100,000—among Oregon's best—patients may struggle to afford or access appointments. The gap between supply and actual utilization suggests affordability, not availability, is the main barrier.

Get insured, get healthier

Klamath County's high uninsured rate and shortest life expectancy are interconnected—coverage unlocks preventive care that saves lives. Visit healthcare.gov or Oregon's marketplace immediately to explore plans, subsidies, and Medicaid eligibility. Even one year of continuous coverage can establish relationships with providers that improve long-term outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Klamath County

via RiskByCounty

Klamath faces moderate national risk

Klamath County's composite risk score of 77.93 puts it above the national average for natural disaster exposure. The Relatively Low state rating masks significant underlying hazards, particularly wildfire and earthquake risks. While not in the highest national tier, Klamath residents should maintain active hazard awareness.

Mid-range risk within Oregon

At 77.93, Klamath ranks in the middle tier of Oregon's 36 counties—notably above the state average of 63.43. The county sits between low-risk Lake (19.08) and high-risk Josephine (90.24), reflecting a balanced but still-concerning hazard profile. Klamath's position underscores that even mid-tier Oregon counties face substantial disaster risk.

Riskier than Lake, safer than Josephine

Klamath (77.93) sits between its rural neighbors: Lake County's very low 19.08 score and Josephine's elevated 90.24. Klamath's wildfire risk of 94.40 rivals Josephine's, though Klamath's earthquake risk (94.50) and flood risk (78.50) are somewhat lower. This positions Klamath as a moderate-to-elevated threat zone in south-central Oregon.

Wildfire and earthquakes top the list

Klamath's wildfire risk of 94.40 and earthquake risk of 94.50 are nearly identical and equally severe. The county's flood risk of 78.50 adds a third significant exposure, particularly relevant given Oregon's precipitation patterns. Tornado risk remains very low at 4.33, allowing residents to focus preparedness efforts elsewhere.

Bundle earthquake and wildfire coverage

Klamath homeowners must add earthquake insurance to standard policies, given the 94.50 seismic risk and proximity to fault zones. Review wildfire exclusions carefully; many insurers tighten coverage in high-risk zones, so early enrollment is critical. Combine insurance with defensible space maintenance—clearing brush and dead trees significantly reduces wildfire vulnerability.

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.