CountyScore

Klickitat County

Washington · WA

#14 in Washington
68
County Score

County Report Card

About Klickitat County, Washington

Klickitat ranks among America's best counties

Klickitat County scores 71.9 out of 100, significantly outpacing the national median of 50.0 and placing it in the 88th percentile nationally. This exceptional ranking puts Klickitat in the top tier of U.S. counties for livability.

Exceeds Washington's average performance

Klickitat County scores 71.9 against Washington's state average of 68.1, making it one of the stronger-performing counties in the state. It stands out as a genuine strength within Washington's competitive livability landscape.

Lowest taxes and best housing affordability

Klickitat County leads with a tax score of 84.9 and the state's lowest effective tax rate at just 0.618%, plus a cost score of 72.7 with median homes at $388,700 and rent at $1,119 monthly. This is exceptional value for families seeking to minimize housing and tax burdens.

Below-average incomes require modest lifestyle

Klickitat County's income score of 29.3 reflects a median household income of $70,400, limiting opportunities for high earners or rapid wealth accumulation. Gaps remain in health, school, and safety data.

Best for rural families seeking true affordability

Klickitat County delivers exceptional livability for families and retirees who prioritize affordable housing and minimal taxes above career advancement or urban amenities. It offers rare value for those seeking sustainable rural living.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.9Cost72.7SafetyComing SoonHealth71.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.3Risk26.1WaterComing Soon
🏛84.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠72.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡26.1
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 Klickitat County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Jackson County
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Calhoun County
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Early County
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Median income: $53,750

Deep Dives

Klickitat County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Klickitat County

via TaxByCounty

Klickitat offers lowest tax rates regionally

Klickitat County's effective tax rate of 0.618% sits well below the U.S. median of 0.71%, placing it in the 25th percentile nationally. The median tax bill of $2,401 is nearly on par with the national median of $2,690, despite lower rates.

Second-lowest tax rate in Washington

Klickitat County ranks 38th among Washington's 39 counties with an effective rate of 0.618%, just above Lincoln County's 0.595%. This positions the county significantly below the statewide average of 0.761%.

Most tax-friendly in regional peer group

Klickitat County's 0.618% rate undercuts all surrounding counties including Lewis (0.712%), Mason (0.751%), and Kittitas (0.708%). Rural location and lower service demands translate into genuine tax relief.

Median tax stays under $2,500 yearly

Klickitat County's median home value of $388,700 produces an annual tax bill of just $2,401. Mortgaged properties average $2,519, while mortgage-free homes average $2,255.

Still worth appealing if overvalued

Low rates don't eliminate overassessment; even in Klickitat County, homeowners sometimes carry assessed values above market reality. Filing a free appeal protects your savings and ensures fair valuation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Klickitat County

via CostByCounty

Klickitat stays near national balance

Klickitat County's 19.1% rent-to-income ratio hovers just above the national average, a rare sweet spot among Washington's pricier counties. At $1,119 monthly rent and $70,400 median income, the county offers reasonable affordability relative to national standards.

Below-average rents, solid income

Klickitat's 19.1% rent-to-income ratio sits just above Washington's 18.8% average, making it one of the state's more balanced housing markets. The median rent of $1,119 is notably lower than the state average of $1,202, a rarity east of the Cascades.

Gorge gateway holds affordability

Klickitat's $1,119 rent is significantly lower than western counties but higher than rural Okanogan ($868), positioning it as a moderate-cost gateway to the Columbia River Gorge. Lewis County offers slightly cheaper rents, but Klickitat maintains better income-to-cost alignment.

Mortgages outpace rent burden

Renters spend 19.1% of $70,400 income on housing, while homeowners dedicate just 17.1% to mortgage costs of $1,008. The median home value of $388,700 is among the state's most reasonable, balancing affordability with property values.

Affordable Gorge living awaits

Klickitat punches above its weight for housing affordability while offering outdoor lifestyle and small-town charm. If you work remotely or seek outdoor recreation without coastal crowds, Klickitat delivers reasonable rents and modest home prices relative to Washington's average.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Klickitat County

via IncomeByCounty

Klickitat Slightly Exceeds National Average

Klickitat County's median household income of $70,400 edges 5.9% below the national median of $74,755, reflecting its rural character and agriculture-based economy. Despite modest income, the county maintains reasonable cost-of-living advantages.

Below-Average Income for Washington

Klickitat County ranks toward the lower end of Washington counties at $70,400 median income, approximately 8% below the state average of $76,363. Its per capita income of $42,193 exceeds the state average of $40,628, indicating relatively even income distribution.

Similar to Other Rural Washington Counties

Klickitat's $70,400 income closely matches Kittitas ($69,928) and Lewis ($69,690) counties but lags significantly behind Kitsap ($98,546). The county clusters with Washington's rural income tier rather than urban or suburban markets.

Affordable Housing Market

Klickitat residents spend just 19.1% of median income on rent—well below the 20% affordability threshold—with median home values of $388,700. Housing remains one of the county's economic strengths relative to household earnings.

Leverage Low Housing Costs

Klickitat's 19.1% rent-to-income ratio creates room to invest; direct savings from lower housing costs into retirement accounts and diverse investments. Even modest regular contributions compound significantly over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Klickitat County

via HealthByCounty

Klickitat struggles with health and uninsurance

At 79.4 years, Klickitat's life expectancy is about 2.6 years below the U.S. average and 1.3 years below Washington's state mean. Nearly 19% of residents report poor or fair health—well above national patterns—and 9.7% lack insurance, exceeding both state and national averages. These trends point to economic stress, healthcare access barriers, and lifestyle risk factors.

Among Washington's healthiest challenges

Klickitat ranks in the lower half of Washington's 39 counties for life expectancy and health outcomes. Its 9.7% uninsured rate exceeds Washington's 9.0% average, while 18.8% poor/fair health rates reflect chronic conditions and limited preventive care. Only 56 primary care providers per 100,000 residents serve the population, straining access.

Faces steeper challenges than adjacent counties

Klickitat's 79.4-year life expectancy matches Kitsap but trails Kittitas (79.8) and significantly lags King (81.1). With 56 primary care providers per 100K, it has fewer than Kittitas (51) and far fewer than urban centers. Mental health provider density at 191 per 100K ranks among the state's lowest, leaving behavioral health needs underserved.

Healthcare access is a daily struggle for many

Klickitat's 9.7% uninsured rate means roughly 1 in 10 residents lack health coverage, facing financial barriers to routine care and prescriptions. The county's 56 primary care providers per 100,000 residents means long waits or travel to neighboring areas, and 191 mental health providers per 100K leaves gaps in behavioral health support. Rural isolation compounds these challenges.

Insurance opens doors to care and stability

If you're among Klickitat's 9.7% uninsured residents, health coverage is crucial and within reach—visit Washington's health insurance marketplace to explore subsidized options based on your income. Coverage removes barriers to preventive care, prescription medicines, and mental health support, improving both your health and financial security. Don't let cost concerns prevent enrollment—subsidies often make coverage affordable.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Klickitat County

via RiskByCounty

Klickitat County carries relatively low risk

Klickitat County's composite risk score of 73.89 ranks in the "Relatively Low" category, slightly above the national average. The county's risk is concentrated in wildfires and earthquakes, with minimal tornado and hurricane exposure.

Below-average risk for Washington state

Klickitat County scores 73.89 against Washington's state average of 70.01, placing it slightly above the midline for state hazard exposure. This makes it one of Washington's lower-risk counties despite significant wildfire and earthquake threats.

Klickitat sits among state's safer counties

Klickitat County (73.89) ranks lower than all its neighboring high-risk counties, including Kittitas (89.12), Lewis (89.69), and Okanogan (89.19). It represents a relative haven in south-central Washington's hazard landscape.

Wildfire and earthquake dominate hazards

Klickitat County faces severe wildfire risk (98.41) across its semi-arid, forested terrain, plus moderate earthquake exposure (78.37) from regional fault systems. Flooding (66.60) presents a secondary concern along river valleys, while tornadoes (6.30) are negligible.

Wildfire and earthquake insurance critical

Klickitat County residents should prioritize wildfire defensibility and earthquake insurance, securing their homes against these two dominant hazards. Flood insurance is advisable for river-adjacent properties, and all homeowners should ensure adequate coverage for seismic events.

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.