CountyScore

Lake County

Oregon · OR

#4 in Oregon
73.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Lake County, Oregon

Lake County far exceeds national standard

Lake County's composite score of 73.5 substantially outpaces the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 15 percentile of U.S. counties. This positions Lake among Oregon's most livable counties and gives it meaningful advantage over most American markets.

Oregon's livability leader

Lake County ranks above Oregon's state average of 66.6 by 6.9 points, making it one of the top-performing counties in the state. This margin places it firmly in the upper tier of Oregon's livability landscape.

Exceptional risk resilience and affordability

Lake County's risk score of 80.9 is outstanding—indicating strong environmental and economic stability compared to peers. Combined with the lowest median rent in this group at $861/month, median home value of $219,400, and a cost score of 81.6, it offers unmatched financial accessibility.

Income growth remains modest

The income score of 23.4 and median household income of $61,222 reflect limited wage-growth opportunities, though they're slightly above some peer counties. This is the primary constraint on overall livability for higher-earning professionals.

Perfect for stable, value-seeking households

Lake County is ideal for families prioritizing stability, low cost of living, and environmental resilience over high incomes—think retirees, remote workers, and established professionals seeking quality of life. Its combination of rock-bottom housing costs, strong risk profile, and reasonable taxes makes it Oregon's most balanced affordable community.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.2Cost81.6SafetyComing SoonHealth66.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.4Risk80.9WaterComing Soon
🏛84.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡80.9
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

Gunnison County
Colorado
73.5
Median income: $77,358
Towns County
Georgia
73.5
Median income: $58,400
Latah County
Idaho
73.5
Median income: $65,179
Payette County
Idaho
73.5
Median income: $65,723
Sullivan County
Indiana
73.5
Median income: $54,985

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's taxes sit below American median

Lake County's 0.641% effective tax rate falls beneath the national median of 0.75%, placing it in the bottom 40% of U.S. counties. The median Lake County homeowner pays just $1,407 per year—roughly half the national median of $2,690.

Lake County ranks sixth-lowest in Oregon's tax ladder

Lake's 0.641% rate runs 17% below Oregon's 0.775% state average, offering meaningful relief to residents. With a median tax of $1,407, Lake homeowners pay about 51% of what Oregon homeowners typically owe.

Lake offers slight advantages in the south-central region

Lake County's 0.641% rate beats Klamath (0.678%) despite both sitting in Oregon's lower-tax tier. The two counties form a relatively affordable corridor in south-central Oregon, though homes themselves are smaller and cheaper.

Median Lake County home costs $1,407 yearly in tax

With a median home value of $219,400 and a 0.641% effective rate, Lake homeowners pay roughly $1,407 annually in property taxes. Adding a mortgage increases that to approximately $1,947 per year.

Lake County properties deserve a reassessment review

Overassessment affects Lake County homeowners just as it does elsewhere, even in lower-tax areas. The county assessor's office accepts property appeals at no cost—verify your home's valuation aligns with current market conditions.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lake County

via CostByCounty

Lake County: Oregon's Most Affordable Housing

Lake County residents enjoy a rent-to-income ratio of just 16.9%—well below both Oregon's 19.4% average and the national norm—making it among the country's most affordable housing markets. Median rent of $861 combined with household income of $61,222 creates a genuinely balanced housing picture rarely found in contemporary America.

Statewide Affordability Leader

At 16.9%, Lake County's rent-to-income ratio significantly undercuts Oregon's 19.4% state average, placing it among the state's least cost-burdened counties. This advantage reflects both lower rents and comparable incomes relative to pricier urban and coastal regions.

Clear Winner Among Peers

Lake County's $861 median rent beats all comparable southern Oregon neighbors—Klamath ($973), Josephine ($1,157), and even rural Malheur ($819) when accounting for income. The county's rent-to-income ratio of 16.9% is the lowest in its region, reflecting genuinely accessible housing.

Lowest Housing Costs in the Region

Monthly rent averages just $861 while homeownership runs $742, with the median home valued at $219,400—the most affordable in this comparison. At 16.9% of income dedicated to rent, Lake County residents spend substantially less on housing than peers across Oregon, freeing budget for savings and other priorities.

Affordable Living Without Sacrifice

If cost of living drives your relocation decision, Lake County delivers exceptional affordability while maintaining reasonable income levels and services. Remote workers or retirees considering southern Oregon moves will find Lake County's housing costs and overall financial flexibility hard to beat within the state.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lake County

via IncomeByCounty

Lake County income below U.S. median

Lake County's median household income of $61,222 falls 18% short of the national median of $74,755, positioning the sparsely populated county below typical American earnings. The $13,533 gap reflects an economy centered on ranching, timber, and natural resource sectors with limited wage growth. Lake ranks among the lower-earning counties nationally, but outpaces some rural peers.

Slightly above state bottom tier

At $61,222, Lake County inches above Josephine and Klamath but remains $8,743 below Oregon's state median of $69,965. This positioning places Lake in Oregon's lower-middle ranks, where geographic isolation and smaller population limit economic diversification. The $8,743 shortfall underscores rural Oregon's persistent income challenges.

Best performer among rural trio

Lake's $61,222 income edges ahead of both Josephine ($59,097) and Klamath ($59,353), making it the highest earner in this rural cluster. Yet all three share similar economic structures and challenges tied to natural resource dependence. Lake's slight advantage may reflect agricultural stability or smaller population size.

Most affordable housing in the region

Lake County boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio among its rural peers at 16.9%, indicating housing costs consume the least percentage of median income. A median home value of just $219,400—dramatically lower than state averages—means homeownership is genuinely accessible. This affordability advantage gives households more resources for savings and investment.

Affordability unlocks long-term wealth building

Lake's combination of lower income and exceptionally affordable housing creates unique wealth-building potential for disciplined savers. Households saving 15% of income after housing still have room for emergencies and retirement contributions. Consulting with a fee-only financial advisor can help maximize wealth-building in this lower-income environment.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lake County

via HealthByCounty

Rural Oregon's health gap emerges

Lake County residents live to 75.7 years, about 3.6 years shorter than the U.S. average of 79.3 years. Over 1 in 5 residents (21.2%) report poor or fair health, matching the national average of 21%. As one of Oregon's most rural counties, Lake County shows the health toll of geographic isolation and limited resources.

Below state average, rural challenges

Lake County's 75.7-year life expectancy falls 1.3 years short of Oregon's 77.0-year average, reflecting rural health care access barriers. Its 21.2% poor/fair health rate is slightly above the state average, indicating higher rates of chronic disease. Limited population density and economic resources constrain health care infrastructure and outcomes.

Worse access than larger counties

Lake County's 75.7-year life expectancy exceeds Klamath County (73.3 years) but trails Josephine County (74.6 years) and Lane County (77.1 years). Primary care access is sparse at just 48 per 100,000—Oregon's lowest—and mental health providers number only 265 per 100,000. At 10.0% uninsured, Lake County ties Malheur County for the highest rate in this group.

Severe provider shortage, high uninsured

Lake County has only 48 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—less than half the state average—making routine care a logistical challenge for many. The 10.0% uninsured rate means 1 in 10 residents delay or skip medical care due to cost. Mental health access is equally strained at 265 providers per 100,000, leaving many residents without behavioral health support.

Coverage matters in rural areas

Lake County's high uninsured rate (10.0%) and limited provider network make health insurance enrollment critical—it connects you to care in a sparse landscape. Check Oregon's health plan marketplace today to find affordable plans and learn about Medicaid expansion eligibility. In rural counties, insurance is often the only pathway to preventive care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lake County

via RiskByCounty

Lake County sits below national risk

Lake County's composite risk score of 19.08 places it well below the national average, earning a Very Low risk rating. This makes Lake one of the safest counties in the United States for natural disasters. However, wildfire and earthquake risks still merit attention despite the overall low profile.

Oregon's least risky county

At 19.08, Lake County has the lowest composite risk score among all 36 Oregon counties—far below the state average of 63.43. Lake's very low rating reflects its remote, sparsely populated geography in south-central Oregon. Even Oregon's safest county faces modest wildfire and earthquake exposure that residents should prepare for.

Dramatically safer than Klamath and Josephine

Lake County (19.08) is dramatically safer than adjacent Klamath (77.93) and Josephine (90.24) counties. Lake's wildfire risk of 89.22 matches regional peers, but its low composite score reflects minimal flood and earthquake exposure. This dramatic disparity shows how geography and development patterns drive disaster risk within a single region.

Wildfire dominates Lake's risk profile

Lake County's wildfire risk of 89.22 is its most serious exposure, though still manageable given the county's low population density. Earthquake risk (72.90) and flood risk (37.60) present minor concerns by comparison. Tornado risk remains negligible at 2.04.

Standard coverage usually sufficient here

Lake County's low composite risk means standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection, though wildfire riders should still be reviewed. Earthquake insurance is optional here given the 72.90 risk, but consider it for added peace of mind. Focus preparedness dollars on wildfire mitigation—clearing defensible space and using fire-resistant materials.

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.