countyscore
64.1
County Score
Income & Jobs 90Property Tax 89.5Safety 77.5

County Report Card

About Lincoln County, Wyoming

An Elite National Performer

Lincoln County’s composite score of 65.1 places it well above the national median of 50.0. It is among the higher-performing counties in the Western United States for overall livability. Its mix of high income and low tax burden creates a powerful draw for residents.

Leading the Wyoming Rankings

Surpassing the state average of 56.5, Lincoln County is a top-tier Wyoming destination. It offers a rare combination of high income potential and high safety that few other counties can match. It represents a premium tier of the state's residential options.

Exceptional Taxes and High Incomes

The county shines with a tax score of 91.7, backed by a very low effective rate of 0.436%. Incomes are equally impressive with a score of 89.3 and a median of $86,092. Safety remains a pillar of the community, scoring a high 77.5.

Water Infrastructure and Market Entry

Water quality is the county’s weakest link, scoring only 10.0. While rents are affordable at $868, home values of $334,500 can be a barrier, leading to a cost score of 40.5. These hurdles are the primary trade-offs for the area's high quality of life.

A Prime Choice for Families

Lincoln County is an ideal fit for upwardly mobile families and high earners seeking security. With great schools and high safety, the investment in a $334,500 home yields significant lifestyle returns. It is one of the most balanced and attractive options in the Rocky Mountain region.

2040608010089.536.877.562.668.59048.11046.3Tax89.5Cost36.8Safety77.5Health62.6Schools68.5Income90Risk48.1Water10Weather46.364.1/100
This county
National avg
5 above average2 below average

Lincoln County DNA

D+overall

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

Lincoln County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (90/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (10/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
89.5+37.5
Cost
36.8-11.200000000000003
Safety
77.5+22.5
Health
62.6+12.600000000000001
Schools
68.5+14.5
Income
90+39
Risk
48.1
Water
10-48
Weather
46.3-9.700000000000003
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Lincoln County

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

See Today's Rates

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$372,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$960/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$372,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$38,400/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.2x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $89,330/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

44.6

per 100K

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

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare Lincoln County with Stevens County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Stevens County
Minnesota
Median income: $75,733
64.1
Wabasha County
Minnesota
Median income: $82,007
64.1
Frontier County
Nebraska
Median income: $70,132
64.1
Conejos County
Colorado
Median income: $50,978
64
Lincoln County
Kentucky
Median income: $52,440
64
Johnson County
Nebraska
Median income: $57,632
64
Keya Paha County
Nebraska
Median income: $64,000
64
Clarke County
Virginia
Median income: $117,111
64

Nearby counties

Bear Lake County
Idaho
65.3
Sublette County
Wyoming
67
Caribou County
Idaho
66.2
Franklin County
Idaho
59
Bonneville County
Idaho
41.7
Bannock County
Idaho
42.5
Rich County
Utah
73.8
Cache County
Utah
51.6

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 offers lowest rates nationwide

Lincoln County's effective tax rate of 0.436% ranks in the bottom 10% nationally, with median taxes of $1,458 against the national median of $2,690. Homeowners here enjoy one of America's most tax-friendly property tax environments.

Third-lowest in Wyoming

Lincoln County's 0.436% rate ranks third-lowest among Wyoming's 23 counties, trailing only Niobrara (0.376%) and Johnson (0.552%). It sits well below the state average of 0.556%, delivering substantial savings to property owners.

Most favorable in the region

Lincoln County's 0.436% rate significantly undercuts Laramie County (0.583%) and Park County (0.565%) to the north and east. Among southwestern Wyoming options, it offers the lightest tax load by a considerable margin.

Median home pays just $1,458

Despite having the highest median home value in this dataset at $334,500, Lincoln County residents pay only $1,458 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, taxes reach $1,695; without one, they drop to $1,252.

Verify your assessment value

Even in low-tax counties, assessment errors occur and compound over time. Review your property's assessed value against recent sales in your neighborhood—an appeal to correct any overvaluation could produce meaningful annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lincoln County

via IncomeByCounty

Lincoln leads Wyoming earnings

Lincoln County's median household income of $86,092 beats the U.S. median of $74,755 by more than $11,300, placing it well above the national 50th percentile. The county ranks among the top 30% of American counties by income.

Wyoming's top income earner

Lincoln County's $86,092 substantially exceeds Wyoming's state average of $73,360 by nearly $13,000, making it the state's strongest income performer. The county's energy sector and agricultural base drive superior earning power.

Significant regional advantage

Lincoln's $86,092 vastly outpaces nearby counties: Natrona ($71,247), Park ($70,533), and Platte ($66,299). This income leadership reflects specialized industry employment and economic concentration.

Housing highly affordable here

Lincoln County boasts the state's lowest rent-to-income ratio at 12.1%, well below the 30% threshold and indicating exceptional housing affordability. Median home values of $334,500 are easily manageable for median-income households.

Accelerate long-term wealth building

With strong income and minimal housing burden, Lincoln households should maximize retirement contributions, establish diversified investment accounts, and consider real estate as a wealth multiplier. The combination of cash flow and local home values creates unique equity-building opportunities.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Lincoln County

via CrimeByCounty

Lincoln County Ranks Among the Safest

Lincoln County earns an impressive safety score of 99.2, making it one of the most secure counties nationwide. Its total crime rate of 535.5 per 100,000 is about 22% of the national average.

Leading the State in Public Safety

Lincoln outperforms the Wyoming average safety score of 98.5. Its total crime rate of 535.5 is roughly half of the statewide average of 978.0 per 100,000 residents.

Safer Than Many Regional Neighbors

With 535.5 crimes per 100,000, Lincoln County is significantly safer than neighboring Park County at 1,047.6. Six different reporting agencies cooperate to maintain this high level of community security.

Low Rates for All Crime Types

Property crime is minimal at 439.5 per 100,000 compared to the national average of 2,015.7. The violent crime rate is also exceptionally low at 96.0 per 100,000.

Keeping Your Neighborhood Secure

Residents in this safe county can maintain low crime levels by participating in neighborhood watch programs. Simple habits like locking vehicles and garages help preserve Lincoln County's safety.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Lincoln County

via WeatherByCounty

Deep Cold in the High Country

Lincoln County is one of the coldest regions in the nation, with an average annual temperature of just 38.6°F. This is nearly 15 degrees below the national median, reflecting its high-altitude mountain environment.

Below the State Average

While Wyoming is generally cold, Lincoln County’s 38.6°F average is significantly lower than the state average of 43.8°F. It represents the harsher side of the state's climate spectrum.

Colder Than Its Peers

Lincoln County is much colder than neighboring Park County, which averages 42.4°F. It shares the high-elevation characteristics of the western border but stays consistently chilled throughout the year.

Short Summers and Long Winters

Extreme heat is rare here, with only 5 days per year reaching 90°F. Conversely, winter is long and brutal, featuring a January average of just 15.0°F and 49.5 inches of annual snowfall.

Focus on Winter Survival

Heating costs are a primary consideration given the 16.4°F winter average. Residents need high-performance winter gear and vehicles equipped for significant ice and snow for much of the year.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Lincoln County

via SoilByCounty

Mountainous Soils of Lincoln County

Soil pH and taxonomic data are limited in this mountainous region, though most local soils are moderately alkaline. This aligns with the Wyoming average of 7.18, which is higher than the 6.5 national median.

Managing Mountain Textures

Specific sand and clay ratios are not currently recorded for the county. Most mountain soils feature a rocky composition that offers high drainage but requires extra care to retain nutrients.

Organic Potential in the West

While local organic matter data is missing, the state average of 5.40% serves as a useful benchmark for local farmers. Improving your soil's water capacity helps plants survive the dry summer stretches.

Drainage in a High-Elevation Landscape

Official drainage classes are not available, making the observation of local runoff patterns essential. High-elevation slopes generally drain quickly, which can lead to erosion if the soil is left bare.

Planting in Zone 5b

Lincoln County’s Zone 5b status means a fair variety of vegetables can thrive during the summer months. Focus on short-season crops and protective covers to make the most of your garden.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Lincoln County

via LawnByCounty

Wyoming's Most Difficult Lawn Environment

Lincoln County holds a lawn difficulty score of 28.6, making it the most challenging county in this group for turf maintenance. This score is well below both the state average of 32.6 and the national median of 50.0. Even in hardiness zone 5b, the unique mountain climate demands specialized care.

Short Seasons and Sparse Rain

With only 1,141 growing degree days, your grass has a very limited window to grow and recover from damage. The county receives 13.4 inches of annual precipitation, requiring constant vigilance with the garden hose. However, with only 5 extreme heat days, your lawn is less likely to scorch than in other Wyoming counties.

Customizing Your Soil Prep

Specific soil metrics like pH and drainage class are not currently available for Lincoln County. Given the low difficulty score, you should expect your soil to require significant organic amendments to thrive. A local soil test is your best tool for identifying what nutrients your specific yard is missing.

Persistent Drought Constraints

The county has faced drought conditions for 50 weeks out of the last year, an incredibly high duration. While only 22.6% of the area is in severe drought, the entire county is classified as abnormally dry. Focus on water-saving techniques like aerating and avoiding mowing during the hottest parts of the day.

Choosing Cold-Hardy Varieties

Because the growing degree days are so low, focus on cold-hardy, fast-establishing grasses like Fine Fescue. Since specific frost dates vary wildly in this mountainous terrain, monitor local soil temperatures carefully before seeding. Start your lawn as early in the spring as possible to take advantage of every growing day.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lincoln County's county score?
Lincoln County, Wyoming has a composite county score of 64.1 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 Wyoming?
Lincoln County ranks #6 among all counties in Wyoming 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, Wyoming?
The median annual property tax in Lincoln County is $1,664, with an effective tax rate of 0.45%. This earns Lincoln County a tax score of 89.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Lincoln County?
The median household income in Lincoln County, Wyoming is $89,330 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Lincoln County earns an income score of 90/100 on CountyScore.
Is Lincoln County, Wyoming a good place to live?
Lincoln County scores 64.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #6 in Wyoming. 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

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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