countyscore
58.1
County Score
Property Tax 76.5Schools 75.3Income & Jobs 69.2

County Report Card

About Park County, Wyoming

A High Standard of Living

Park County’s composite score of 57.8 sits comfortably above the national median of 50.0. This score reflects the county's success in blending natural amenities with strong public services. It is a attractive destination for those looking to relocate to the Mountain West.

Surpassing Wyoming State Averages

Park County outperforms the state average of 56.5, marking it as a premier Wyoming location. It excels in education and health, areas where other rural counties often struggle. It maintains a reputation as one of the state's most desirable regions.

Excellence in Schools and Health

The county’s school score of 75.3 is among the highest in the region. Residents also benefit from a strong health score of 64.1 and a tax score of 78.6. These factors make it a well-rounded choice for both families and seniors.

Rising Costs in a Popular Market

Popularity has driven home values to a median of $374,200, resulting in a low cost score of 31.1. Environmental and economic risk also moderate the overall score with a 42.3 ranking. Prospective residents must weigh these costs against the high quality of services.

A Top Pick for Families

Park County is ideal for families who prioritize education and outdoor health. The $70,533 median income supports a quality lifestyle, though the $374,200 home price requires careful planning. It remains a gold standard for Wyoming living near the gateway of the wilderness.

2040608010076.53453.764.175.369.242.35942.6Tax76.5Cost34Safety53.7Health64.1Schools75.3Income69.2Risk42.3Water59Weather42.658.1/100
This county
National avg
4 above average2 below average

Park County DNA

Foverall

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

Park County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (76.5/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (34/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
76.5+24.5
Cost
34-14
Safety
53.7
Health
64.1+14.099999999999994
Schools
75.3+21.299999999999997
Income
69.2+18.200000000000003
Risk
42.3
Water
59
Weather
42.6-13.399999999999999
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Compare mortgage rates in Park County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$400,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$925/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$400,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$37,000/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum5.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $73,035/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

39.9

per 100K

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

Deep Dives

Park County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Park County

via TaxByCounty

Park County taxes below national average

Park County's effective tax rate of 0.565% sits in the middle-to-lower range nationally, with median taxes of $2,115 versus the national median of $2,690. The county ranks around the 40th percentile—modestly cheaper than typical U.S. property taxes.

Midrange rate across Wyoming

Park County's 0.565% effective rate sits slightly above Wyoming's state average of 0.556%, placing it in the middle tier of the state's counties. Its median tax of $2,115 is notably higher than the state median of $1,666, reflecting stronger property values.

Steeper than most regional peers

Park County's 0.565% rate exceeds Hot Springs (0.561%) and Johnson (0.552%), but trails Laramie (0.583%) and Platte (0.588%). Among northern Wyoming options, it ranks as one of the pricier tax environments.

Median home tax reaches $2,115

Park County homeowners with a median-valued property of $374,200 pay approximately $2,115 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, taxes are $2,018; without one, they rise to $2,200.

Appeal if assessed above market

Park County's higher home values increase the stakes for accurate assessment—even small overvaluation errors translate to significant annual tax bills. Request a reassessment if you believe your property's assessed value exceeds recent comparable sales in your area.

Income & Jobs in Park County

via IncomeByCounty

Park slightly below national median

Park County's median household income of $70,533 runs roughly $4,200 behind the U.S. median of $74,755. The county sits just below the national midpoint, typical of many rural recreation and agriculture regions.

Below Wyoming state average

Park County's $70,533 falls $2,827 short of Wyoming's state average of $73,360, placing it in the lower-middle tier among state counties. The gap reflects competition from energy-dominant neighboring regions.

Mid-range in northwest Wyoming

Park's $70,533 trails Lincoln County ($86,092) significantly but outperforms Hot Springs ($64,375) and Johnson ($63,905). The county's tourism and outdoor recreation economy supports moderate incomes relative to resource-dependent neighbors.

Good housing value for the region

Park County's 15.9% rent-to-income ratio is healthy and well below the 30% affordability threshold. Despite having the state's highest median home value at $374,200, the strong income-to-housing ratio reflects the county's relative wealth.

Capitalize on property appreciation

Park County's premium home values and strong rent-to-income ratio create an ideal environment for building home equity while maintaining financial flexibility. With housing costs controlled, households can fund retirement accounts and diversified investments simultaneously.

Safety in Park County

via CrimeByCounty

Park County Maintains a Secure Profile

Park County earns a 98.3 safety score, reflecting its status as a secure community in northern Wyoming. Its total crime rate of 1,047.6 is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Slightly Below the Wyoming Average

The county falls just below the state average safety score of 98.5. Its total crime rate of 1,047.6 per 100,000 is slightly higher than the Wyoming average of 978.0.

Local Comparisons in Northern Wyoming

Park County reports more incidents than nearby Hot Springs County, which has a lower rate of 888.3. Three local reporting agencies provide consistent data on the area's safety trends.

A Higher Percentage of Violent Reports

The violent crime rate of 210.9 is higher than the state average of 126.9. Property crime stands at 836.7, which remains less than half the national average of 2,015.7.

Securing Your Property and Valuables

Since property crime accounts for the majority of local reports, securing your home remains important. Using modern alarm systems and smart doorbells helps deter opportunistic crime.

Weather & Climate in Park County

via WeatherByCounty

Chilly Gateway to the Mountains

Park County averages a cool 42.4°F annually, falling more than 10 degrees below the national median temperature. It is a classic semi-arid mountain climate with only 13.8 inches of annual precipitation.

Cooler than the Wyoming Median

Park County’s 42.4°F average is 1.4 degrees lower than the statewide average of 43.8°F. The high elevation of the Absaroka and Beartooth ranges keeps the regional climate consistently brisk.

A Cold Spot in the North

Park County is significantly colder than neighboring Hot Springs County, which averages 45.6°F. It maintains a climate profile more similar to the high mountain counties of the western border.

Mild Summers and Snowy Winters

The area enjoys mild summers with only 11 days of extreme heat and a July average of 65.7°F. Winters are the main event, featuring 54.3 inches of snow and average December-February temperatures of 23.3°F.

Winterize for the Long Haul

With over 50 inches of snow and very few hot days, residents should prioritize home insulation and high-quality winter tires. Summer cooling is less of a concern, as temperatures rarely exceed 90°F.

Soil Quality in Park County

via SoilByCounty

Park County's Uncharted Soils

Park County lacks specific mapped data for its taxonomic orders and pH levels. However, its soils are expected to align with the state’s alkaline average of 7.18, staying well above the national 6.5 median.

Sizing Up the Soil Texture

Specific sand and clay percentages are not recorded, though the diverse landscape ranges from rocky slopes to silty valley floors. Testing your own soil's texture is the first step toward effective garden management.

Boosting Local Growing Potential

No local fertility score is available, so gardeners should use the state average water capacity of 0.165 in/in as a comparison point. Adding organic material is the best way to improve fertility beyond the 2.0% national average.

Hydrology in the Big Horn Basin

Drainage classifications are not currently provided for Park County. Landowners should monitor their fields during the spring melt to understand how water moves across their specific property.

Garden Potential in Zone 5a

As a Zone 5a region, Park County supports a wide variety of cold-hardy vegetables and flowers. With a little bit of planning and soil prep, you can grow a stunning high-desert garden.

Lawn Care in Park County

via LawnByCounty

Park County's Arid Mountain Environment

Park County is one of the toughest places for a lawn, with a difficulty score of 28.1. This is well below the Wyoming average of 32.6 and represents a major challenge for hardiness zone 5a. Low scores here reflect a climate that is naturally resistant to traditional turfgrass.

Cool Summers but Very Little Rain

Park County receives 13.8 inches of rain annually, which is less than half of what a healthy lawn typically requires. While you only face 11 extreme heat days, the 1,555 growing degree days indicate a relatively slow growth rate for turf. This means your lawn will be slow to recover from traffic or pet damage.

Essential Soil Testing for Park County

Current data for soil pH and texture is unavailable for the county, making a DIY soil test kit an essential first step. Many mountain soils are rocky or lack the organic material needed to sustain thirsty grasses. Focus on building soil health through top-dressing with quality compost to improve the foundation.

A Year of Constant Drought

Park County has been in drought for all 53 weeks of the past year, representing a chronic moisture deficit. Currently, 34.6% of the county remains abnormally dry, though severe drought levels are currently at zero. To survive these conditions, choose grass varieties that can enter dormancy during the driest months without dying.

Short Growing Windows in Zone 5a

Hardy cool-season grasses like Blue Grama or Fine Fescue are best suited for Park County's arid conditions. With the last spring frost occurring as late as May 27, your planting window is compressed. Aim to have your lawn well-established before the first fall frost arrives on September 25.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Park County's county score?
Park County, Wyoming has a composite county score of 58.1 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 Park County rank among counties in Wyoming?
Park County ranks #11 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 Park County, Wyoming?
The median annual property tax in Park County is $2,262, with an effective tax rate of 0.56%. This earns Park County a tax score of 76.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Park County?
The median household income in Park County, Wyoming is $73,035 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Park County earns an income score of 69.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Park County, Wyoming a good place to live?
Park County scores 58.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #11 in Wyoming. The best way to evaluate Park 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 Park 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.