Lander County

Nevada · NV

#7 in Nevada
72
County Score

County Report Card

About Lander County, Nevada

Lander ranks well above the national median

With a composite score of 72.0, Lander County significantly outperforms the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 44th percentile nationally. This rural Nevada county offers a livability profile that appeals to those seeking better-than-average conditions across multiple dimensions.

A clear winner within Nevada

Lander ranks above Nevada's state average composite score of 69.5, placing it among the top-performing counties in the state. This above-average standing reflects particularly strong performance in tax and risk management.

Tax efficiency and economic resilience lead

Lander County excels in tax burden (84.4) with an effective tax rate of just 0.635%, and boasts the highest risk score (83.0) in this group, signaling strong economic stability. Median household income of $84,474 and affordable housing at $210,500 median home value round out a solid economic foundation.

Income growth remains the biggest gap

The income score of 38.5 represents Lander's primary weakness relative to other dimensions, indicating median household earnings trail national benchmarks. Limited data on schools and safety prevents a complete livability picture, though health outcomes (65.8) are moderate.

Ideal for tax-conscious rural professionals

Lander County suits established professionals and retirees seeking low taxes, economic stability, and a small-town Nevada lifestyle without the housing cost inflation of urban areas. The moderate income profile suggests this is best for those with already-adequate earnings rather than those seeking high wage growth.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.4Cost72.9SafetyComing SoonHealth65.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome38.5Risk83WaterComing Soon
🏛84.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠72.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼38.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
65.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
83
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Lander County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lander County

via TaxByCounty

Lander County taxes well below U.S. average

At 0.635% effective tax rate, Lander County homeowners pay roughly a quarter of what the national median household pays in property taxes. The county's median tax of $1,336 trails the national median of $2,690 by more than half, placing it in the lower tier nationwide.

Higher rate than most Nevada counties

Lander County's 0.635% rate exceeds Nevada's state average of 0.525%, ranking it above the middle among the state's 16 counties. The median tax of $1,336 sits below the state median of $1,443, reflecting relatively modest home values in the county.

Pricier than rural neighbor Lincoln County

Lander County's effective rate of 0.635% outpaces Lincoln County's 0.543%, though both counties hover near the state average. Lander homes are valued slightly higher at $210,500 versus Lincoln's $208,900, creating a $201 annual tax difference between them.

Median Lander home costs $1,336 yearly

On the county's median home value of $210,500, property owners pay an estimated $1,336 in annual taxes. Homeowners with a mortgage can expect roughly $1,416 annually, while those without pay closer to $1,009.

Lander homeowners may be overassessed

Many Nevada property owners discover their assessments exceed fair market value, making them eligible for tax appeals. If you believe your Lander County home is overvalued, a formal assessment challenge could reduce your annual tax bill significantly.

Cost of Living in Lander County

via CostByCounty

Lander rents eat 15% of income

Lander County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.1% sits well below the national norm, making it one of the more affordable rental markets in the country. Residents here spend significantly less on housing costs relative to earnings compared to most U.S. counties, with median rent at just $1,066 monthly against a median household income of $84,474.

Best affordability in Nevada

Lander County boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio in Nevada at 15.1%, beating the state average of 18.1% by a clear margin. This makes Lander one of the most affordable places to rent in Nevada, where median incomes are typically lower than the national average.

Cheaper than Lincoln, pricier than Pershing

Lander's median rent of $1,066 falls between nearby Lincoln County ($754) and Pershing County ($667) on the low end, but sits above what renters pay in rural Nevada's most affordable markets. While Lander rents are slightly below the state median of $1,127, neighboring Storey County commands $1,007 monthly—nearly identical affordability despite different income levels.

Rent and ownership costs nearly equal

Lander residents pay roughly the same whether renting ($1,066) or owning ($1,062 monthly), with both consuming about 15% of the median household income of $84,474. This balance reflects a median home value of $210,500—moderate for Nevada and accessible to households earning above the state median.

Small-town affordability meets decent wages

If you're relocating to Nevada, Lander offers a rare combination: below-average rent-to-income ratio and above-state-average household income. Compare this county's $84,474 median income to neighbors like Nye ($55,975) and Mineral ($50,584) to see why Lander attracts remote workers and early retirees seeking affordable Nevada living.

Income & Jobs in Lander County

via IncomeByCounty

Lander outearns the nation

Lander County's median household income of $84,474 runs 13% ahead of the national median of $74,755. This positions Lander among stronger-performing counties nationally, reflecting a stable local economy driven by mining and agriculture.

Second strongest in Nevada

At $84,474, Lander ranks second in Nevada for household income, trailing only Storey County. The county exceeds Nevada's state average of $75,206 by $9,268, placing it firmly in the state's upper tier.

Lander leads rural Nevada peers

Lander's $84,474 significantly outpaces neighbors Lincoln County ($69,496) and Pershing County ($72,007). The county's income advantage reflects stronger employment opportunities and wage levels across its resource-based industries.

Housing remains affordable here

Lander's rent-to-income ratio of 15.1% sits well below the 30% affordability threshold, meaning housing costs consume only a modest share of household earnings. With a median home value of $210,500 and strong household income, residents enjoy solid housing security.

Build on Lander's income strength

With median income above the national average and affordable housing, Lander residents have a foundation to invest beyond basic shelter. Consider directing savings toward retirement accounts, property equity growth, or diversified investments to multiply your household's long-term wealth.

Health in Lander County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy matches state average

Lander County residents live to 75.2 years on average, matching Nevada's state average but trailing the U.S. average of 76.4 years. About 1 in 5 residents (19.9%) report poor or fair health, slightly below the national poor/fair health rate of 21%.

Middle of the pack in Nevada

Lander ranks around the middle among Nevada's 17 counties for life expectancy and health outcomes. The county's uninsured rate of 11.3% is slightly better than Nevada's 11.7% state average.

Healthier than Lyon, less than Lincoln

Lander's 75.2-year life expectancy outpaces Lyon County (74.2 years) but lags behind neighboring Lincoln County (77.0 years). The county has similar poor/fair health rates to Lyon and Lincoln, clustering around 19-20%.

Primary care access needs attention

Lander has just 35 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—less than half the national average of 90 per 100K. Mental health providers are similarly scarce at 17 per 100K, limiting access to behavioral health care.

Keep your insurance strong

With 11.3% of residents uninsured, coverage gaps remain a barrier to preventive care in Lander County. Visit Healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore Marketplace plans and see if you qualify for subsidies or Medicaid.

Disaster Risk in Lander County

via RiskByCounty

Lander County faces very low disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 16.98, Lander County sits well below the national average and ranks in the very low category for natural disaster exposure. This means residents face significantly fewer threats from the major hazards that affect most American communities.

Among Nevada's safer counties

Lander County's composite risk score of 16.98 places it among the lowest-risk counties in Nevada, where the state average is 46.25. Only a handful of Nevada counties have comparable protection from natural disasters.

Safer than most neighboring areas

Lander County's risk profile is substantially lower than nearby Lyon County (71.41) and Lincoln County (25.92), making it one of the safer options in central Nevada. However, all three counties share elevated wildfire risk, a regional concern across the state.

Wildfire and earthquakes are your top threats

Wildfire risk dominates Lander County's hazard profile at 94.02, reflecting Nevada's arid conditions and vegetation patterns, while earthquake risk at 69.18 reflects the region's seismic activity. Flood and tornado risks remain minimal, scoring 15.71 and 1.84 respectively.

Prepare for wildfire and seismic risks

Homeowners should prioritize wildfire insurance and ensure their properties meet defensible-space standards given the 94.02 wildfire risk score. Consider earthquake insurance as well, since the 69.18 earthquake risk score is significant for the region.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.