countyscore
55.1
County Score
Disaster Risk 96.7Cost of Living 86.5Property Tax 85.4

County Report Card

About Niobrara County, Wyoming

Above Average National Ranking

Niobrara County earns a composite score of 51.9, exceeding the national median of 50.0. While it faces economic challenges, its exceptional safety and low taxes elevate its overall standing. It represents a unique niche in the American rural landscape.

A Rural Outlier in Wyoming

The county's score of 51.9 sits below the state average of 56.5. Its profile is defined by extreme highs in fiscal security and notable lows in school and income metrics. It offers a very different experience than the state's more affluent western counties.

Unrivaled Fiscal and Personal Security

Niobrara boasts an elite risk score of 96.7 and a tax score of 95.3. Homeowners benefit from an incredibly low effective tax rate of 0.376%. These scores suggest one of the most financially and environmentally stable environments in the country.

Economic and Educational Headwinds

Income and schools are primary concerns, scoring 12.4 and 11.5 respectively. The median household income of $48,987 is significantly lower than state peers. Water quality also ranks at the bottom of the scale with a score of 2.0.

Best for Self-Sufficient Retirees

Niobrara is perfect for retirees or remote workers who prioritize low taxes and absolute peace of mind. While local schools and incomes are low, the $194,200 median home value makes it highly accessible for those with external savings. It is a quiet, safe harbor for those seeking minimal government footprint.

2040608010085.486.545.546.511.54696.7231.3Tax85.4Cost86.5Safety45.5Health46.5Schools11.5Income46Risk96.7Water2Weather31.355.1/100
This county
National avg
3 above average3 below average

Niobrara County DNA

Foverall

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

Niobrara County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (96.7/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (2/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
85.4+33.400000000000006
Cost
86.5+38.5
Safety
45.5-9.5
Health
46.5
Schools
11.5-42.5
Income
46
Risk
96.7+49.7
Water
2-56
Weather
31.3-24.7
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Many homeowners in Niobrara County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$221,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$605/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$221,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$24,200/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $64,113/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

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
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Nearby counties

Fall River County
South Dakota
47.1
Sioux County
Nebraska
61.2
Converse County
Wyoming
60.4
Weston County
Wyoming
58.8
Platte County
Wyoming
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Dawes County
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40.4
Goshen County
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Custer County
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50.3

Deep Dives

Niobrara County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Niobrara County

via TaxByCounty

Niobrara offers extreme tax relief

Niobrara County's effective tax rate of 0.376% ranks in the bottom 5% nationally, with median taxes of just $731 against the national median of $2,690. Homeowners here enjoy one of the nation's lowest property tax burdens.

Wyoming's lowest tax rate

Niobrara County's 0.376% effective rate is the lowest in Wyoming by a wide margin, running 32% below the state average of 0.556%. Its median property tax of $731 is less than half the state median of $1,666.

Dramatically cheaper than peers

Niobrara County's 0.376% rate undercuts every neighboring county, with Johnson County (0.552%) nearly 50% higher and Platte County (0.588%) more than 50% steeper. It stands alone as the region's most tax-advantaged option.

Median home tax just $731

Niobrara County homeowners with a median-valued property of $194,200 pay only $731 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, taxes rise to $1,048; without one, they drop to just $676.

Verify accuracy of low assessments

While Niobrara's overall rates are exceptionally low, individual properties can still be misassessed. Ensure your assessment accurately reflects your property's recent comparable sales value—even here, appeals can correct overvaluations.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Niobrara County

via IncomeByCounty

Niobrara significantly trails nation

Niobrara County's median household income of $48,987 falls roughly $25,800 below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the bottom quartile nationally. The county faces one of the steepest income gaps among Wyoming's 23 counties.

Lowest income county in Wyoming

Niobrara's $48,987 trails Wyoming's state average of $73,360 by more than $24,000, making it the state's lowest-income county by a significant margin. The gap reflects limited economic diversity and population decline.

Substantially below all neighbors

Niobrara's $48,987 lags every adjacent county: Platte ($66,299), Laramie ($77,884), and Hot Springs ($64,375) all earn $15,000–$28,000 more per household. Isolation and limited industry diversity drive this substantial income gap.

Housing is relative bright spot

Niobrara's 19.0% rent-to-income ratio, while manageable, approaches the affordability ceiling given low overall income. At $194,200, median home values are the state's lowest, making homeownership the most accessible path to housing stability.

Focus on income growth first

Given tight household budgets, Niobrara residents should prioritize skills development and job transitions that unlock higher earning potential. Even modest income increases compound significantly—pair this with automatic modest savings to build emergency reserves.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Niobrara County

via CrimeByCounty

Niobrara County's National Safety Standings

Niobrara County holds a 98.1 safety score, which is well above the national average for safety. Its total crime rate of 1,219.6 per 100,000 remains far below the national average of 2,385.5.

Ranking Below the State Average

The county sits just below the Wyoming state average safety score of 98.5. Its total crime rate of 1,219.6 is higher than the state average of 978.0 per 100,000 residents.

Higher Crime Density Than Neighbors

Niobrara faces a higher crime rate than neighboring Johnson County, which stands at 1,054.4. Two local reporting agencies manage the data for this rural Wyoming community.

Analyzing Violent vs. Property Incidents

Violent crime is recorded at 365.9 per 100,000, which is very close to the national average. Property crime is lower at 853.7, compared to the national rate of 2,015.7.

Strengthening Your Personal Security

Because violent crime rates are higher than the state average, residents should prioritize home and personal safety. Installing reliable security systems and well-lit entryways can improve overall security.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Niobrara County

via WeatherByCounty

A High Plains Climate Profile

Niobrara County’s annual average temperature of 46.5°F is cool by national standards but typical for the High Plains. It is relatively dry, with 15.6 inches of annual precipitation compared to the much higher national average.

Surpassing the State Average

The county is roughly 2.7 degrees warmer than the Wyoming state average of 43.8°F. It benefits from a lower elevation that helps keep its annual temperature profile in the state's upper quartile.

Wetter and Warmer Neighbors

Niobrara is slightly cooler than Platte County to the southwest (47.2°F). However, its 15.6 inches of precipitation makes it wetter than many interior Wyoming counties like Natrona.

The State's Summer Hotspot

Niobrara County experiences 38 days of extreme heat over 90°F, the highest among these eight counties. Winters still bring 48.9 inches of snow, though January remains slightly warmer than the state average at 24.7°F.

Cooling is a Priority

Because of the 38 extreme heat days, reliable air conditioning is more critical here than in most of Wyoming. Residents should also prepare for moderate snowfall that can total nearly 50 inches annually.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Niobrara County

via SoilByCounty

Niobrara’s Alkaline Prairie Soils

Niobrara County maintains an average soil pH of 7.22, slightly more alkaline than the Wyoming state average of 7.18. This level is much higher than the national median of 6.5, requiring careful selection of salt-tolerant plants.

A Balanced Grain Mix

The soil contains 48.0% sand, 28.9% silt, and 20.6% clay. This mixture provides a stable structure that is easier to work than heavy clay while still retaining some moisture.

Room for Organic Growth

Organic matter sits at 1.76%, which is below the national average of 2.0% and well behind the state average of 5.40%. The available water capacity of 0.145 in/in suggests the soil needs frequent, light watering.

Predicting Water Flow

Though formal drainage classes are not listed, the nearly 50% sand content typically allows for moderate water infiltration. This structure helps prevent the root rot often seen in heavier Wyoming soils.

Ready for Zone 5a Growth

With a Hardiness Zone of 5a, Niobrara County is perfect for growing root vegetables and hardy herbs. Enrich your soil with compost this spring to see your garden flourish.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Niobrara County

via LawnByCounty

Niobrara County's Alkaline High-Plains Turf

With a lawn difficulty score of 33.3, Niobrara County is slightly easier for lawn care than the Wyoming state average of 32.6. In hardiness zone 5a, you still face a challenging environment that is significantly tougher than the national median of 50.0. Success hinges on managing the heat and the soil's natural chemistry.

Managing High Heat and Limited Rain

Niobrara County sees 38 extreme heat days per year, which is significantly higher than the state average of 23. This heat, combined with only 15.6 inches of rain, creates a high-evaporation environment for your grass. The 2,417 growing degree days suggest a vigorous growing season if moisture is managed carefully.

Sandy, Alkaline Soil Challenges

The local soil has a pH of 7.22, which is slightly alkaline and outside the ideal 6.0-7.0 range. With 48.0% sand and 20.6% clay, drainage is generally good, but the soil may struggle to hold onto nutrients. You may need to use acidifying fertilizers or sulfur to bring the pH down for optimal grass health.

Watering Wisely During Drought

The county has spent 41 weeks in drought this past year, and 100% of the land area is currently abnormally dry. About 15.5% of the county faces severe drought conditions, making water conservation a high priority. Incorporating drought-resistant native grasses can significantly reduce your outdoor water usage.

Optimizing Your Planting Schedule

Buffalo grass is an excellent, heat-tolerant choice for this county's high number of extreme heat days. Time your seeding for late May to avoid the last frost on May 17 and give the grass a head start. Be mindful that the first fall frost typically hits by September 25, ending the season's growth.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Niobrara County's county score?
Niobrara County, Wyoming has a composite county score of 55.1 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 Niobrara County rank among counties in Wyoming?
Niobrara County ranks #14 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 Niobrara County, Wyoming?
The median annual property tax in Niobrara County is $1,072, with an effective tax rate of 0.48%. This earns Niobrara County a tax score of 85.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Niobrara County?
The median household income in Niobrara County, Wyoming is $64,113 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Niobrara County earns an income score of 46/100 on CountyScore.
Is Niobrara County, Wyoming a good place to live?
Niobrara County scores 55.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #14 in Wyoming. The best way to evaluate Niobrara 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 Niobrara 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.