CountyScore

Lake County

California · CA

#19 in California
62.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Lake County, California

Lake County Tops National Median

Lake County's composite score of 66.8 places it well above the national median of 50.0, putting the county in the upper third of U.S. counties. This 34% advantage over the national baseline reflects solid fundamentals in affordability and tax burden, even as other dimensions await data.

Above-Average Livability in California

Lake County ranks above California's state average composite score of 61.3, earning a score of 66.8. Among the state's diverse counties, this positions Lake as a moderate performer with particular strength in cost and tax factors.

Affordable Living and Low Taxes

Lake County excels in tax burden, with a score of 81.9 and an effective tax rate of just 0.724%. Housing remains accessible with a median home value of $316,800 and median rent of $1,292/month, making it one of California's more budget-friendly inland counties.

Income Growth Lags Behind

The county's income score of 21.7 reflects a median household income of $58,738, significantly below state and national averages. Additional data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors is not yet available, limiting a complete livability picture.

Best for Budget-Conscious Californians

Lake County suits families and individuals prioritizing affordability and low taxes over high incomes or urban amenities. If you're seeking California living costs below statewide norms without compromising on a reasonable composite score, Lake County deserves consideration.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81.9Cost66.8SafetyComing SoonHealth69.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.7Risk7WaterComing Soon
🏛81.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠66.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤69.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡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 Lake County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Jefferson County
Colorado
62.4
Median income: $107,800
Charlotte County
Florida
62.4
Median income: $66,154
Pasco County
Florida
62.4
Median income: $67,384
St. Johns County
Florida
62.4
Median income: $106,169
Wapello County
Iowa
62.4
Median income: $60,034

Deep Dives

Lake County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lake County

via TaxByCounty

Lake County taxes rank below national median

Lake County's effective tax rate of 0.724% sits slightly above the state average of 0.714%, placing it in the middle tier nationally. The median property tax here is $2,295, well below the national median of $2,690, making Lake County a relatively affordable option for property owners.

Middle of the pack in California

Among California's 58 counties, Lake County's median property tax of $2,295 falls well below the state average of $4,045. With an effective rate of 0.724%, Lake County ranks closer to rural and northern California counties than to the state's coastal urban centers.

More affordable than regional peers

Lake County's median home value of $316,800 and tax rate of 0.724% puts it on the lower end compared to neighboring Mendocino County ($486,000 median home value) and Marin County ($1.39 million median home value). Lake County homeowners pay roughly $215 less annually in property taxes than the national median.

Lake County homeowner tax example

A typical Lake County homeowner with a $316,800 home pays approximately $2,295 in annual property taxes at the 0.724% effective rate. Adding mortgage-related assessments brings that to roughly $2,650 per year for financed properties.

You might be overassessing your home

Many Lake County homeowners pay more property tax than necessary due to outdated assessments or errors on county rolls. If your property value has declined or assessments seem inflated, filing an appeal could reduce your tax bill—a process that costs nothing to explore.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lake County

via CostByCounty

Lake renters spend more than US average

Lake County's rent-to-income ratio of 26.4% exceeds the national baseline, meaning renters here dedicate more of their earnings to housing than their peers across America. With a median household income of $58,738—well below the national median of $74,755—Lake residents face tighter budgets despite rent that's 20% cheaper than California's average of $1,618 per month.

Lake ranks below state average on affordability

Among California's 58 counties, Lake's 26.4% rent-to-income ratio falls above the state average of 22.4%, signaling housing stress relative to peers statewide. The county's median rent of $1,292 offers some relief compared to coastal and Bay Area counterparts, but local income levels keep affordability challenges in place.

Lake sits between rural and urban pressures

Lake's rent of $1,292 falls between more affordable Lassen County ($1,043) to the northeast and pricier Mendocino County ($1,325) to the west. However, Lake's median income trails both neighbors, making its housing burden proportionally heavier despite moderate nominal rents.

Housing absorbs over one-quarter of income

Lake County renters spend $1,292 monthly on rent while homeowners carry $1,183 in monthly ownership costs, yet both groups contend with a median household income of just $58,738. Nearly 26% of Lake household income flows to rent alone, leaving limited resources for other essentials.

Consider Lake if seeking affordable rural living

Lake County offers some of California's lower nominal rents and home values ($316,800 median), making it worth comparing if you're relocating from high-cost coastal counties. However, prospective movers should verify employment opportunities locally, as the area's lower median income suggests a tighter job market than state averages.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lake County

via IncomeByCounty

Lake County earns below the national average

Lake County's median household income of $58,738 falls 21% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the lower tier nationally. This gap reflects regional economic challenges and limited high-wage employment opportunities compared to more prosperous American counties.

Lake ranks among California's lowest-income counties

At $58,738, Lake County's median household income is 32% below California's state average of $87,001. Lake ranks near the bottom of California's 58 counties in household income.

Lake trails neighboring rural counties in earnings

Lake County ($58,738) significantly underperforms its nearest neighbors: Mendocino County ($64,688) and Madera County ($75,496) both earn measurably more. The income gap suggests Lake faces steeper economic headwinds than comparable rural regions.

Housing costs strain Lake County budgets

Lake County residents spend 26.4% of income on rent—above the recommended 25% threshold—while median home values of $316,800 require annual income well beyond current household medians. This affordability squeeze leaves limited margin for savings and emergency expenses.

Building wealth in Lake County requires strategy

With median income below national and state averages, Lake County households should prioritize budgeting, emergency funds, and exploring skills-based income growth. Even modest increases in per capita income or household earnings can meaningfully improve long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lake County

via HealthByCounty

Lake County lags the nation on lifespan

Lake County residents live an average of 74.1 years, nearly 5 years shorter than the U.S. average of 78.9 years. One in five residents report poor or fair health, reflecting broader health challenges that extend across the county.

Well below California's health average

At 74.1 years, Lake County's life expectancy trails California's state average of 78.5 years by 4.4 years. The county ranks among the lowest-performing California counties on this critical health measure.

Faces steeper health burden than neighbors

Lake County's 19.2% poor/fair health rate exceeds Mariposa County's 19.9% slightly, but both lag neighbors like Marin County at 10.6%. In primary care access, Lake's 42 providers per 100,000 fall short of Mendocino County's 78 per 100,000.

Uninsured rate edges above state average

Lake County's 7.5% uninsured rate marginally exceeds California's 7.2% average, meaning roughly 1 in 13 residents lack coverage. The county has just 42 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, creating real wait times for routine care.

Check coverage options today

If you're among the uninsured in Lake County, visit Covered California to explore plans that fit your budget. With 7.5% of the county uninsured, finding the right coverage is a concrete step toward better health outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lake County

via RiskByCounty

Lake County's composite risk

Lake County scores 93.0 on the composite risk scale, earning a "Relatively Moderate" rating—above the national average and higher than California's state average of 88.7. This reflects meaningful exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly wildfire and earthquake risk.

Sixth most at-risk in California

Lake County ranks 6th in disaster risk among California's 58 counties, placing it squarely in the state's higher-risk tier. Only Los Angeles, Madera, Merced, Mendocino, and Marin counties face comparably elevated composite risks.

More exposed than regional peers

Lake County's 93.0 risk score significantly exceeds neighboring Lassen County (73.1) and matches the elevated risk profile of nearby North Bay counties. Its wildfire risk of 99.1 is among the state's highest, reflecting the region's fire-prone geography.

Wildfire and earthquake dominate

Lake County faces extreme wildfire risk (99.1 out of 100) and serious earthquake risk (97.0), making these the county's primary natural hazard concerns. Flood risk also scores high at 94.2, adding a third significant vulnerability that residents should monitor.

Prioritize comprehensive coverage

Given Lake County's very high wildfire, earthquake, and flood risks, homeowners should carry dedicated wildfire and earthquake insurance alongside standard homeowners policies. Review your coverage annually and ensure your home meets current defensible-space standards.

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.