countyscore
60.6
County Score
Water Quality 86Schools 74Property Tax 73

County Report Card

About Lincoln County, Washington

Elite Standing Across the Nation

Lincoln County boasts an impressive composite score of 60.9, far exceeding the national median of 50.0. Its high performance in essential services makes it one of the top-tier counties in the country.

Setting the State Standard

At 60.9, Lincoln County crushes the Washington state average of 44.1. It is a standout performer, offering a quality of life that few other counties in the state can match.

Top-Tier Schools and Water Quality

Lincoln County excels with a water score of 86.0 and a school score of 74.0. Residents also benefit from a very low 0.595% effective tax rate, the lowest among its peers.

Safety and Risk Management

While strong overall, the county has a safety score of 44.0 and a risk score of 45.1. These are respectable numbers but represent the only areas where the county is not in the elite percentile.

The Choice for Young Families

This county is a haven for families who value high-quality education and clean environmental resources. With low taxes and great schools, it provides a superior foundation for raising children.

204060801007353.54468.37465.545.18639.5Tax73Cost53.5Safety44Health68.3Schools74Income65.5Risk45.1Water86Weather39.560.6/100
This county
National avg
5 above average2 below average

Lincoln County DNA

Doverall

How Lincoln County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Lincoln County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Water Quality (86/100) but notably weak in Weather & Climate (39.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
73+21
Cost
53.5
Safety
44-11
Health
68.3+18.299999999999997
Schools
74+20
Income
65.5+14.5
Risk
45.1
Water
86+28
Weather
39.5-16.5
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Compare mortgage rates in Lincoln County

Whether buying or refinancing in Lincoln County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$292,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$883/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$292,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$35,320/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $71,512/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

35.5

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Lincoln County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Lincoln County

via TaxByCounty

Lincoln County offers lowest tax rates statewide

Lincoln County's effective tax rate of 0.595% stands well below the U.S. median of 0.71%, placing it in the 20th percentile nationally. The median tax bill of $1,621 is 40% lower than the national median of $2,690, reflecting both low rates and modest property values.

Lowest-taxed county in Washington

Lincoln County ranks 39th and last among Washington's counties with an effective rate of 0.595%, significantly undercutting the statewide average of 0.761%. Rural Eastern Washington location drives both lower taxes and lower property values.

Most favorable rates in Eastern Washington

Lincoln County's 0.595% rate is the lowest regionally, beating Klickitat (0.618%), Lewis (0.712%), and Okanogan (0.772%). The county provides genuine tax relief for owners of modest rural properties.

Median annual tax stays under $1,650

Lincoln County's median home value of $272,300 produces an annual tax bill of just $1,621. Mortgaged properties average $1,785, while mortgage-free homes average $1,429.

Even low-tax counties see overassessments

Rural properties in Lincoln County can still be overassessed, especially in years when comparable sales data lags. A simple appeal ensures your assessed value reflects current market conditions.

Income & Jobs in Lincoln County

via IncomeByCounty

Lincoln County Below U.S. Income Median

Lincoln County's median household income of $71,227 falls 4.8% short of the national median of $74,755, reflecting its rural agricultural and small-business base. The county represents typical rural America in earnings terms.

Lower-Middle Income for Washington

Lincoln County ranks in Washington's lower tier at $71,227 median income, about 7% below the state average of $76,363. Per capita income of $38,719 trails the state per capita of $40,628, yet the county's earnings distribution appears relatively balanced.

Comparable to Region's Rural Counties

Lincoln's $71,227 income slightly exceeds Klickitat ($70,400) and Lewis ($69,690) but trails Kittitas ($69,928) marginally. The county sits comfortably within Washington's rural income band, distinct from metropolitan and suburban markets.

Best Rent-to-Income Ratio

Lincoln County residents spend only 14.7% of median income on rent—the lowest ratio among these eight counties—with median home values of $272,300. Housing is exceptionally affordable relative to earnings, freeing money for other needs.

Maximize Housing Savings Advantage

Lincoln County's 14.7% rent-to-income ratio creates substantial room to invest; direct the housing cost difference into dedicated savings accounts and retirement vehicles. Even modest additional savings compound powerfully over time.

Safety in Lincoln County

via CrimeByCounty

Lincoln County is Safer Than Average

Lincoln County reports a total crime rate of 1259.5 per 100K, nearly half the national average of 2,385.5. It currently holds a safety score of 98.0 out of 100. Three reporting agencies provide these statistics for the county.

Lincoln Surpasses Washington State Safety Benchmarks

The county's safety score of 98.0 is significantly higher than the Washington state average of 96.2. Its total crime rate of 1259.5 is also well below the state average of 2377.2. This marks Lincoln as a consistently safe place to reside in Washington.

A Very Safe Choice Among Neighbors

Lincoln County’s crime rate of 1259.5 is much lower than nearby Kittitas County's 2257.7. It is slightly higher than Okanogan County's 1126.7, but still extremely low. Residents benefit from a far safer environment than the state's urban hubs.

Low Violent Crime Risk for Residents

The violent crime rate in Lincoln is 181.2 per 100K, roughly half the national average of 369.8. Property crime is also low at 1078.3 per 100K. These figures suggest that crimes against persons and property are both infrequent.

Practical Home Security in Lincoln County

While crime rates are low, basic home security remains a wise investment for peace of mind. Keeping outbuildings locked and maintaining visibility around the property can prevent opportunistic theft. Strong community ties further enhance the safety of this rural area.

Weather & Climate in Lincoln County

via WeatherByCounty

Cold and Dry Inland Climate

Lincoln County's 46.5°F average annual temperature is much colder than the national median. It is one of the drier regions in the country, receiving very little annual rainfall.

Among Washington's Driest Counties

The county receives just 12.6 inches of precipitation, less than a third of the 38.5-inch state average. Its 46.5°F temperature is also well below the state average of 49.9°F.

Extreme Heat Compared to Kittitas

Lincoln County experiences 24 extreme heat days, surpassing the 16 days found in Kittitas County. It is also significantly drier than any of its neighbors to the west.

Harsh Winters and Hot Summers

Winters are cold with a January average of 27.4°F and 22.6 inches of snow. Summers bring 24 days over 90°F, despite a relatively mild July average of 67.4°F.

Plan for High Heat

Residents must prepare for 24 days of extreme heat with efficient cooling systems. The 22.6 inches of snow and sub-freezing winter averages also require robust home heating and insulation.

Soil Quality in Lincoln County

via SoilByCounty

Rich Mollisols define the plains

Lincoln County features an average pH of 6.38, sitting very close to the national median of 6.5. This taxonomic profile is dominated by Mollisols, which are world-renowned for their agricultural productivity and health.

The perfect silt loam balance

The soil is a heavy silt loam, composed of 50.3% silt, 24.4% sand, and 10.9% clay. This specific texture provides excellent workability for farming while maintaining enough structure to prevent erosion.

Solid organic foundations

The organic matter content is 5.90%, nearly triple the national average of 2.0%. While the water capacity of 0.163 in/in is below the state average, the overall soil score of 69.5 far exceeds the state's 58.1.

Steady drainage for the Palouse

These soils are classified as well drained and belong to hydrologic group B. This combination allows for moderate water infiltration, making the land exceptionally stable for both farming and construction projects.

Reliable harvests in Zone 6b

Hardiness Zone 6b supports robust wheat production and hardy garden vegetables. With a soil score that beats the state average by over 10 points, this is a premier location to cultivate your own food.

Lawn Care in Lincoln County

via LawnByCounty

Lincoln County's Semi-Arid Challenge

With a lawn difficulty score of 40.1, Lincoln County is slightly easier for lawn care than the Washington average of 36.9. However, the 6b hardiness zone brings cold winters that are much harsher than the coastal regions. Success here requires a specific focus on cold-hardy and drought-tolerant turf varieties.

Scant Rain and High Summer Heat

Lincoln receives only 12.6 inches of rain annually, far below the ideal 30-50 inch range for traditional lawns. The 24 extreme heat days and 1,883 growing degree days create a high demand for supplemental irrigation. Without extra water, lawns will quickly enter dormancy during the hot summer months.

Superior Soil for Turf Growth

The county features excellent silt loam soil with a near-perfect pH of 6.38, falling right in the 6.0-7.0 ideal range. This well-drained soil contains 24.4% sand and 10.9% clay, providing a great structure for root development. You likely won't need major pH adjustments to get your grass started.

Widespread Dryness Demands Efficiency

Currently, 100% of Lincoln County is experiencing abnormally dry conditions after 39 weeks of drought this past year. Water conservation is paramount, making smart irrigation systems a valuable investment for homeowners. Focus on early morning watering to minimize evaporation loss during those 24 high-heat days.

Navigating a Shorter Growing Season

Choose hardy cool-season grasses like Fine Fescue or Kentucky Bluegrass to survive the 6b winters. The growing window is tight, beginning after the last frost on June 1st and ending with the first frost on September 22. Early fall is often the best time to seed here to allow roots to establish before the freeze.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lincoln County's county score?
Lincoln County, Washington has a composite county score of 60.6 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Lincoln County rank among counties in Washington?
Lincoln County ranks #2 among all counties in Washington on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Lincoln County, Washington?
The median annual property tax in Lincoln County is $1,744, with an effective tax rate of 0.60%. This earns Lincoln County a tax score of 73/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Lincoln County?
The median household income in Lincoln County, Washington is $71,512 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Lincoln County earns an income score of 65.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Lincoln County, Washington a good place to live?
Lincoln County scores 60.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #2 in Washington. The best way to evaluate Lincoln County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Lincoln County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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