countyscore
36.1
County Score
Property Tax 88.6Weather & Climate 41Cost of Living 35.3

County Report Card

About Nye County, Nevada

Challenges in National Ranking

Nye County's composite score of 36.1 is significantly lower than the national median of 50.0. This indicates a higher-than-average difficulty in providing essential services and economic opportunity.

Lagging Behind State Peers

Nye County sits well below the Nevada average of 48.2. It faces systemic issues in infrastructure and resource management that separate it from the state's more prosperous areas.

Very Low Tax Burden

The primary advantage for residents is the tax score of 88.6. An effective property tax rate of 0.472% makes it one of the most tax-friendly jurisdictions in the region.

Infrastructure and School Struggles

The county faces critical issues with water security (14.5) and school quality (18.2). Additionally, public safety remains a concern with a safety score of 21.1.

Suited for Off-Grid Living

Nye County is best for individuals who prioritize tax savings and autonomy over public services. It is a challenging environment for families who depend on robust school and water systems.

Score breakdown

Tax88.6Cost35.3Safety21.1Health32.4Schools18.2Income27.6Risk21.7Water14.5Weather41
🏛88.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠35.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡21.1
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤32.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓18.2
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡21.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧14.5
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤41
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱30.7
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

Esmeralda County
Nevada
67
Inyo County
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41.1
Lincoln County
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74.7
Mineral County
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Mono County
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Churchill County
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Tulare County
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Deep Dives

Nye County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Nye County

via TaxByCounty

Nye County taxes are unusually affordable

At 0.472% effective rate, Nye County charges less than half the national median rate, ranking among America's most tax-friendly large counties. The median tax of $1,256 is 53% below the national median of $2,690, despite median home values near the national mark.

Well below Nevada's statewide average

Nye County's 0.472% effective rate sits comfortably below Nevada's 0.525% state average, positioning it in the bottom tier. The median tax of $1,256 runs 13% below the state median of $1,443, reflecting both favorable rates and reasonable home values.

Nye offers competitive rates among larger counties

Nye County's 0.472% rate matches Lyon County's rate, making both county outliers for affordability. At $266,000 median home value, Nye sits between rural counties and urban centers, maintaining accessible tax bills.

Median Nye home costs $1,256 yearly

On the county's median home value of $266,000, property owners pay an estimated $1,256 in annual taxes. Homeowners with a mortgage can expect roughly $1,375 annually, while those without pay closer to $1,083.

Nye homeowners can challenge overvaluations

Many Nevada properties carry assessments higher than market value, and Nye County is no exception. If your home valuation appears inflated compared to recent neighborhood sales, filing a formal appeal could reduce your annual tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Nye County

via CostByCounty

Nye renters face above-average pressure

Nye County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.7% sits above the national norm, indicating moderate housing affordability challenges in this growing southern Nevada county. With median rent at $1,013 against a median household income of $55,975, renters spend more than one-fifth of earnings on housing—a significant burden for families with limited flexibility.

Below state average but still tight

Nye County's 21.7% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Nevada's state average of 18.1%, placing it among the less affordable counties in the state. However, Nye rents of $1,013 are slightly below the state median rent of $1,127, suggesting the affordability challenge stems more from limited wages than sky-high rents.

Middle ground in rural Nevada

Nye County's $1,013 median rent falls between cheaper rural counties like Lincoln ($754) and pricier ones like Lyon ($1,259), reflecting its mixed economic base of mining, tourism, and government jobs. Household income of $55,975 is higher than Mineral's $50,584 but far below northern counties, resulting in moderate affordability strain.

Ownership offers modest relief

Nye renters pay $1,013 monthly while homeowners pay $874, giving buyers a $139 monthly advantage and reducing the housing burden to 18.8% of the $55,975 median income. With a median home value of $266,000, ownership requires substantial savings but remains more affordable than renting for those who can qualify.

Consider carefully if renting long-term

Nye County appeals to remote workers and retirees but challenges traditional renters—housing consumes 21.7% of income, above the state average and unsustainable for lower-wage households. If relocating here, prioritize homeownership or ensure remote income substantially above the $55,975 median to maintain financial stability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Nye County

via IncomeByCounty

Nye lags national income standard

Nye County's median household income of $55,975 falls 25% below the national median of $74,755. This gap reflects Nye's rural character and reliance on tourism, government, and mining—all subject to cyclical fluctuations.

Sixth among Nevada counties

At $55,975, Nye ranks sixth among Nevada's eight tracked counties, roughly $19,200 below the state average of $75,206. The county faces persistent income challenges relative to other Nevada regions.

Nye exceeds only Mineral County

Nye's $55,975 outpaces only Mineral County ($50,584) among these eight counties, while trailing Pershing ($72,007), Lincoln ($69,496), and Lyon ($73,460). The income gap signals Nye's tighter job market.

Housing costs press hard here

Nye's rent-to-income ratio of 21.7% exceeds the 20% caution mark, with a median home value of $266,000 straining modest household earnings. Housing affordability is a meaningful challenge for Nye families.

Strengthen income foundations first

Nye residents should prioritize stable, year-round employment opportunities and skill advancement before aggressive investing. Work with nonprofit credit counseling services and explore shared savings programs to build financial stability amid housing pressures.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Nye County

via CrimeByCounty

Nye County Remains Below National Averages

Nye County maintains a safety score of 96.8, even as it faces a crime rate of 2,040.7 per 100K. This rate remains lower than the national average of 2,385.5 crimes per 100K.

Crime Rates Higher Than State Average

Nye ranks slightly below the Nevada state average safety score of 97.5. Its total crime rate of 2,040.7 per 100K is higher than the state average of 1,555.1.

Mixed Safety Performance Among Neighbors

Nye County experiences more crime than neighboring Mineral County, which sits at 1,050.8 per 100K. However, it remains safer than Washoe County to the north, where rates climb to 2,685.6.

Property Crime Drives Local Statistics

Property crime makes up the bulk of the data at 1,704.1 per 100K. The violent crime rate of 336.6 per 100K is slightly lower than the national average of 369.8.

Secure Entry Points in Nye County

Protecting your home in Nye County starts with securing entry points against property crime. Modern security systems provide a valuable layer of defense for residents in these vast desert landscapes.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Nye County

via HealthByCounty

Nye County lags behind national averages

Nye County residents live to 73.3 years on average—3.1 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 and 1.9 years below Nevada's 75.2-year average. Nearly 1 in 4 residents (23.0%) report poor or fair health, well above national averages.

Second-lowest life expectancy in Nevada

Nye ranks among Nevada's poorest-performing counties for health outcomes, trailing only Mineral County. The county's 10.3% uninsured rate is below the state average, but health disparities persist.

Significantly worse than western peers

Nye's 73.3-year life expectancy trails Lander (75.2), Lyon (74.2), and Lincoln (77.0) counties. The 23% poor/fair health rate is substantially higher than all nearby counties.

Primary care access lags provider strength

Nye has only 24 primary care providers per 100K—less than a third of the national average of 90 per 100K. Mental health providers are plentiful at 151 per 100K, but the shortage of primary care physicians limits preventive care access.

Strengthen your coverage today

With 10.3% uninsured, Nye County's coverage rate is better than state average but health outcomes remain poor. Visit Healthcare.gov to explore plans and ensure your family has stable, continuous coverage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Nye County

via SchoolsByCounty

Vast Geographic Reach and Student Enrollment

Nye County operates a large network of 27 public schools catering to 5,873 students. The infrastructure is diverse, featuring 11 elementary schools, eight middle schools, and six high schools spread across one of the nation's largest counties.

Navigating Challenges in Graduation Rates

The county graduation rate currently stands at 77.0%, which is lower than the Nevada state average of 84.9%. With a per-pupil expenditure of $6,667 and a school score of 46.0, the district operates with significant financial efficiency given its massive geographic constraints.

The Expansive Nye County School District

Nye County School District oversees all 27 schools in the region, including four alternative education programs. While there are no charter schools, the district provides a wide range of traditional public options from Pahrump to more remote areas.

Predominantly Rural with Hub-City Schools

While 20 schools are in rural settings, the hub of Pahrump features larger campuses like Pahrump Valley High, which enrolls 1,362 students. Outside the main towns, the average school size drops to 218, offering a varied experience for students.

Find Your Place in a Growing Community

Nye County offers a unique mix of large town schools and small rural outposts to fit any family's preference. Look for homes in the Pahrump Valley to stay close to the county's largest educational and extracurricular resources.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Nye County

via RiskByCounty

Nye County faces relatively low national risk

Nye County's composite risk score of 78.34 ranks as relatively low nationally, though it exceeds many U.S. counties in overall exposure. The score reflects concentrated risks in specific hazard categories rather than pervasive vulnerability across all disaster types.

Highest-risk county in rural Nevada

Nye County's 78.34 composite risk score significantly exceeds Nevada's state average of 46.25, making it the state's highest-risk county outside the Reno-Carson urban corridor. This large southern Nevada county faces notably greater natural disaster exposure than most statewide peers.

Riskier than all nearby counties

Nye County's 78.34 score substantially exceeds Lincoln County (25.92), Lyon County (71.41), and Esmeralda County's typical risk levels. As a sprawling county with diverse terrain and development, it faces compounded hazards across multiple categories.

Floods, earthquakes, and wildfires converge

Nye County faces its highest risks from floods (81.87), earthquakes (90.97), and wildfires (80.92), making it uniquely vulnerable across three major hazard categories. This convergence of threats is exceptional among Nevada counties.

Get comprehensive multi-hazard insurance

Homeowners must secure flood (81.87), earthquake (90.97), and wildfire (80.92) insurance given Nye County's triple-threat hazard profile. Implement defensible space standards, elevate critical systems, and ensure structural seismic reinforcement.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Nye County

via WeatherByCounty

Sprawling Heat and Desert Aridity

Nye County's 54.8°F average annual temperature is slightly above the national median. It receives only 6.2 inches of precipitation, characterizing it as a high-desert environment.

Warmer Than the State Typical

Nye stays warmer than the Nevada average of 52.0°F by nearly three degrees. It is also drier than the state average, receiving 2.4 inches less precipitation than the typical Nevada county.

Similar to Southern Neighbors

Nye shares a similar heat profile with Lincoln County, with both seeing 74 extreme heat days. However, Nye receives nearly double the annual snowfall of Lincoln, averaging 9.9 inches.

Extreme Heat and Sharp Cooling

Summer heat is intense with a July average of 77.1°F and 74 days hitting 90°F+. Winters bring a significant chill, with temperatures dropping to a 35.5°F average in January.

Manage the Temperature Swings

Dual heating and cooling capacity is necessary to handle the 41.6-degree difference between winter and summer averages. Residents should also prepare for occasional snow accumulation of nearly 10 inches.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Nye County

via SoilByCounty

Nye County Soil Characteristics

National soil datasets currently lack specific pH and taxonomic details for Nye County. Although the national median pH is 6.5, this arid region likely contains more alkaline soils. Discovering your specific soil identity requires a private laboratory test.

Composition and Texture Gaps

Sand, silt, and clay percentages are not officially recorded for this county. These ratios determine how much water your soil can hold and how easy it is to till. Without these metrics, manual soil inspections are necessary for effective garden planning.

Cultivating Fertility in Nye

Organic matter and available water capacity data are missing compared to the 2.0% national organic benchmark. The low rainfall in this area suggests that organic content is naturally minimal. Growers should focus on mulching and composting to boost these levels over time.

Hydrology and Water Drainage

No official drainage class or hydrologic group is listed for the county at this time. This means that site-specific drainage tests are vital before any construction or irrigation project. Knowing how your land moves water is the best defense against erosion and flooding.

Subtropical Potential in Zone 8b

Nye County features USDA Hardiness Zone 8b, one of the warmest growing zones in the state. This allows for success with hot-weather crops like okra, peppers, and even some citrus with protection. Your warm-weather gardening adventure is ready to begin.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Nye County

via LawnByCounty

Taming the Vast Nye County Landscape

Nye County scores a 30.7 for lawn difficulty, reflecting the intense demands of its USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. This score sits below the state average of 34.4, indicating that homeowners here face steeper challenges than many of their neighbors. Growing a lawn in this environment is a feat of engineering and persistence.

Scant Rain and High Energy Demand

With only 6.2 inches of annual rainfall, Nye County falls far short of the 30-50 inches lawns need to thrive. The county faces 74 days of extreme heat annually, which is much higher than the Nevada average of 57 days. These conditions require a robust irrigation system to keep grass from scorching in the 77.1°F July heat.

Building a Foundation from Scratch

Soil data is currently unavailable, but typical Zone 8b desert soils require significant amendment to support turf. You should focus on increasing the soil's water-holding capacity through the addition of peat moss or compost. A professional pH test is recommended to ensure you can reach the 6.0-7.0 range required for nutrient uptake.

A Year of Constant Drought

Nye County experienced 53 weeks of drought over the past year, with over half the county currently in abnormally dry conditions. Efficient water use is not just a suggestion here; it is a requirement for lawn survival. Deep watering at dawn is the best way to minimize loss from the 74 days of extreme heat.

Selecting Grass for Zone 8b

Warm-season grasses such as Buffalo grass or Bermuda thrive in the heat and tolerate the long growing season. Your best planting window is between the April 30 last frost and the November 3 first frost. These dates provide a long season to establish a resilient lawn before the winter cold arrives.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nye County's county score?
Nye County, Nevada has a composite county score of 36.1 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 Nye County rank among counties in Nevada?
Nye County ranks #15 among all counties in Nevada 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 Nye County, Nevada?
The median annual property tax in Nye County is $1,256, with an effective tax rate of 0.47%. This earns Nye County a tax score of 88.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Nye County?
The median household income in Nye County, Nevada is $55,975 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Nye County earns an income score of 27.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Nye County, Nevada a good place to live?
Nye County scores 36.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #15 in Nevada. The best way to evaluate Nye 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 Nye County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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