CountyScore

Lassen County

California · CA

#7 in California
66.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Lassen County, California

Lassen Leads National Livability Index

Lassen County's composite score of 70.0 sits 40 points above the national median of 50.0, placing it among the more livable counties in the United States. This strong showing reflects balanced performance across the three available dimensions.

Top Performer Among California Counties

Lassen County scores 70.0 against California's state average of 61.3, making it one of the state's better-ranking counties on the composite index. Its 8.7-point edge over the state mean reflects consistent strength in affordability metrics.

Affordable Housing and Low Taxes

Lassen County combines an excellent tax score of 82.0 (effective rate: 0.720%) with a cost score of 72.2, the highest among the eight counties profiled here. Median rent of $1,043/month and a median home value of $259,500 make it California's most affordable option by far.

Income Levels Remain Modest

With a median household income of $64,395 and an income score of 25.4, Lassen reflects the economic reality of a rural county. Safety, health, school, and environmental data are not yet available, leaving important livability factors unmeasured.

Ideal for Frugal, Self-Sufficient People

Lassen County is perfect for those willing to trade higher incomes for dramatically lower living costs and small-town life. Remote workers, retirees on fixed incomes, and families seeking maximum affordability will find this rural county an exceptional value.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82Cost72.2SafetyComing SoonHealth69.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.4Risk26.9WaterComing Soon
🏛82
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠72.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤69.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡26.9
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 Lassen County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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
Sharkey County
Mississippi
66.3
Median income: $35,741

Deep Dives

Lassen County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lassen County

via TaxByCounty

Lassen County taxes well below national average

Lassen County's effective tax rate of 0.720% aligns closely with California's state average of 0.714%. With a median property tax of just $1,868, Lassen County is one of the most affordable places in America for property taxes, nearly 31% below the national median of $2,690.

Among California's lowest tax counties

Lassen County ranks in the bottom tier statewide, with a median property tax of $1,868 compared to California's state average of $4,045. This rural northeastern county offers tax bills less than half what most California homeowners pay.

Most affordable in the region

Lassen County's median home value of $259,500 is the lowest among the surveyed northern California counties, paired with an effective rate of 0.720%. Its median property tax of $1,868 undercuts neighboring Lake County ($2,295) and is a fraction of Marin County's $10,001 annual tax bill.

Lassen County homeowner tax estimate

A Lassen County homeowner with a $259,500 home pays roughly $1,868 annually in property taxes at the 0.720% rate. For those with mortgages, that figure rises to approximately $2,144 when including additional assessments.

Even Lassen County homes get overassessed

Property tax appeals are available to any homeowner who believes their assessment is inaccurate—and many succeed in lowering their bills. With Lassen County's lower overall tax burden, even a modest reduction through an appeal can add up over time.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lassen County

via CostByCounty

Lassen renters beat national affordability

Lassen County's 19.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks well below national norms, offering renters genuine breathing room compared to most American counties. Though its $64,395 median household income trails the national average by $10,360, Lassen's bargain rents of $1,043 monthly create one of California's most favorable affordability profiles.

Lassen leads California on housing affordability

Among all California counties, Lassen ranks among the most affordable, with a rent-to-income ratio of 19.4% significantly below the state average of 22.4%. Its median rent of $1,043 is California's lowest, providing genuine relief for renters in a state notorious for housing costs.

Lassen's rents are the region's best value

Lassen's median rent of $1,043 dramatically undercuts surrounding counties—nearly $250 cheaper than Lake County ($1,292) and over $200 less than Madera County ($1,307). This rural northeastern location trades proximity to urban centers for California's most accessible rent prices.

Under one-fifth of income goes to rent

Lassen renters spend just $1,043 monthly—a mere 19.4% of the county's $64,395 median household income—while homeowners manage $1,138 in monthly costs. This leaves substantially more discretionary income than most California households, a rare advantage in the state.

Lassen beckons remote workers seeking affordability

If you're relocating to California but want to minimize housing costs, Lassen County deserves serious consideration—its rents and home prices ($259,500 median) are among the state's lowest. Remote workers with stable out-of-state income will find exceptional value here, though verify broadband access before committing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lassen County

via IncomeByCounty

Lassen County slightly underperforms national income

Lassen County's median household income of $64,395 sits 14% below the U.S. median of $74,755, reflecting a rural economy with limited access to high-wage sectors. The county ranks in the lower third nationally for household earnings.

Lassen ranks below California's income average

At $64,395, Lassen County's median household income is 26% below California's state average of $87,001. The county ranks in the lower quartile among California's 58 counties.

Lassen's income aligns with other rural California counties

Lassen County ($64,395) earns similarly to Mendocino ($64,688) and Merced ($65,044), placing it in the peer group of California's rural areas. Despite comparable median incomes, Lassen's lower per capita income of $25,852 suggests income concentration or household size differences.

Lassen's rent burden is manageable but tight

At 19.4%, Lassen County's rent-to-income ratio stays below the 25% threshold, offering better housing affordability than many California counties. However, median home values of $259,500 still require incomes that stretch typical household budgets.

Lassen residents can leverage affordable housing advantage

Lassen County's relatively low housing costs compared to state peers create opportunity for wealth-building through homeownership and savings. Investing in education, skills training, or remote work arrangements could accelerate income growth beyond current local averages.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lassen County

via HealthByCounty

Lassen's life expectancy trails national average

Lassen County residents have a life expectancy of 74.9 years, roughly 4 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years. Over one in five residents report poor or fair health, signaling significant population-level health concerns.

Among California's healthiest counties

Lassen County's 74.9-year life expectancy falls 3.6 years short of California's 78.5-year average, placing it in the lower tier statewide. Yet its 6.0% uninsured rate ranks better than the state average of 7.2%, showing modest insurance coverage strength.

Rural access challenges mirror region patterns

Lassen's 27 primary care providers per 100,000 residents represent one of the lowest access levels in northern California, below Lake County's 42. Mental health resources at 315 per 100,000 similarly lag more urban neighbors like Los Angeles County at 478 per 100,000.

Low uninsured rate masks provider scarcity

Lassen County achieves a relatively low 6.0% uninsured rate compared to the state's 7.2%, but residents face critical shortages of primary care providers. With just 27 primary care providers per 100,000 people, many residents travel significant distances for routine medical care.

Ensure your family has coverage

While Lassen has better insurance uptake than most counties, 6.0% of residents remain uninsured—visit Covered California to check your options. Having coverage ensures you can access the limited primary care providers available in your rural community.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lassen County

via RiskByCounty

Lassen County's moderate risk profile

Lassen County scores 73.1 on the composite risk scale, earning a "Relatively Low" rating that sits comfortably below both the national average and California's state average of 88.7. The county has more breathing room than most California peers on disaster preparedness.

Among California's safer counties

Lassen County ranks in California's lower half for composite disaster risk, placing it in a much safer tier than high-risk urban and fire-prone regions. Its 73.1 score reflects meaningful but manageable natural hazard exposure.

Significantly safer than Lake County

Lassen County's 73.1 risk score stands well below neighboring Lake County (93.0) and well below the state average, positioning it as the region's lowest-risk county. This differential reflects Lassen's smaller population and lower exposure to some urban hazards.

Wildfire is the primary concern

Lassen County's greatest natural disaster risk stems from wildfire (97.5 out of 100), a hazard that dominates the region's exposure profile. Earthquake risk (89.7) ranks as a secondary concern, while flood and tornado risks remain relatively modest.

Focus on wildfire protection

Lassen County residents should prioritize dedicated wildfire insurance and maintain defensible space around homes, given the county's extreme wildfire risk score. Standard homeowners insurance should also include earthquake coverage for additional security.

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.