countyscore
68.2
County Score
Disaster Risk 99.1Safety 97.5Property Tax 92

County Report Card

About Piute County, Utah

National Leader in Overall Safety

Piute County reaches a composite score of 68.1, far exceeding the national median of 50.0. This score ranks it among the most livable rural counties in the United States.

A Top-Tier Utah Performer

With a 68.1 score, Piute significantly outperforms the Utah state average of 53.9. It is one of the highest-rated counties in the entire state for composite quality of life.

Maximum Safety and Resilience

The county achieves a near-perfect risk score of 99.1 and a safety score of 97.5. Housing is also very affordable, with a cost score of 70.1 and median home values of $235,400.

Economic and Health Limitations

The income score is exceptionally low at 6.9, reflecting a median household income of $44,650. Health services and water infrastructure also face challenges, with scores of 26.8 and 18.8.

A Fortress for Peaceful Retirement

Piute County is perfect for retirees or those with external wealth who prioritize safety and low costs above all else. It is the definitive choice for anyone seeking a secure, quiet, and affordable lifestyle.

Score breakdown

Tax92Cost70.1Safety97.5Health26.8Schools71.7Income6.9Risk99.1Water18.8Weather39.5
🏛92
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠70.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼6.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡97.5
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤26.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓71.7
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡99.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧18.8
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤39.5
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱26.3
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 →
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Piute County

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

See Today's Rates

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 Piute County with Brown County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Brown County
Indiana
Median income: $72,644
68.2
Ohio County
Indiana
Median income: $67,942
68.2
Franklin County
Nebraska
Median income: $57,692
68.2
Wells County
North Dakota
Median income: $61,346
68.2
Perry County
Tennessee
Median income: $50,489
68.2
Wirt County
West Virginia
Median income: $54,688
68.2
Green County
Kentucky
Median income: $41,087
68.3
McPherson County
Nebraska
Median income: $61,316
68.3

Nearby counties

Sevier County
Utah
47.4
Garfield County
Utah
66.8
Beaver County
Utah
57.5
Millard County
Utah
53.5
Wayne County
Utah
71.8
Iron County
Utah
46.9
Kane County
Utah
58.8
Sanpete County
Utah
54.6

Deep Dives

Piute County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Piute County

via TaxByCounty

Piute County taxes well below national median

Piute County's effective tax rate of 0.431% sits comfortably below the national median of 0.535%. The median property tax of $1,014 represents just 38% of the national median of $2,690.

Among Utah's most tax-friendly counties

Piute County's 0.431% effective rate falls well short of Utah's 0.498% state average, ranking it among the most affordable counties statewide. The median tax bill of $1,014 is $801 below Utah's median of $1,815.

Similar to Kane and Iron, much lower than Millard

Piute County's 0.431% rate closely aligns with Kane (0.419%) and Iron (0.421%) while dramatically undercutting Millard (0.535%). The median home value of $235,400 is the lowest in the region.

Median home pays $1,014 annually

The typical Piute County home valued at $235,400 carries an annual property tax of $1,014. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,086, while those without mortgages pay $877.

Verify your assessment to confirm fairness

Even in low-tax Piute County, homeowners should confirm their assessments match current market values. A free assessment appeal is available if you believe your property is overvalued.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Piute County

via CostByCounty

Piute County housing strains lowest incomes

Piute County's 21.3% rent-to-income ratio is among the nation's worst, placing severe housing pressure on residents with the lowest median household income in this sample: just $44,650. At $792 per month, rent consumes over one-fifth of typical household earnings here.

Utah's most affordability-challenged county

Piute County ranks as Utah's least affordable county for renters, with a 21.3% rent-to-income ratio far above the state average of 16.6%. The combination of extremely low household incomes and moderate rents creates genuine hardship for residents here.

Lowest income, tightest budgets

Piute County's $792 rent is cheap in absolute dollars, but its $44,650 median income—the lowest by far among these counties—makes affordability the county's defining challenge. Even Garfield's $61,688 income looks wealthy by comparison, yet Piute's rent burden is still heavier.

Over one-fifth of income goes to rent

Renters dedicate a crushing 21.3% of their $44,650 income to rent ($792/month), while homeowners commit 17.8% to mortgage costs ($663/month). Piute County residents struggle with the nation's tightest housing affordability among this group, leaving minimal room for other expenses.

Relocating to Piute requires caution

Piute County's extreme affordability challenges make it unsuitable for relocators unless employment opportunities significantly exceed the area's median income. Consider Garfield or Millard—nearby alternatives with better income prospects and less housing strain.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Piute County

via IncomeByCounty

Piute County faces income challenge

Piute County's median household income of $44,650 is 40.3% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it among the lowest-earning counties nationwide. This reflects significant economic hardship in Utah's smallest and most remote county.

Utah's lowest-income county

Piute's $44,650 median is 44.3% below Utah's state average of $80,176, making it the state's lowest-earning county by a wide margin. The per capita income of $23,171 is 34% below the state average, indicating limited wealth across the population.

Significantly behind peers

Piute's $44,650 income trails every other county analyzed: Garfield ($61,688), Grand ($62,521), Iron ($65,527), Millard ($70,877), Kane ($75,000), Juab ($89,803), and Morgan ($126,092). The gap is substantial and multidimensional.

Rent absorbs too much income

Piute's rent-to-income ratio of 21.3% is the highest among these eight counties, signaling genuine affordability strain for renters. The median home value of $235,400 represents roughly five times annual median income, a challenging ratio for first-time buyers.

Seek support and training

Piute County residents should prioritize financial education and access to local resources: credit counseling, job training programs, and employer benefits enrollment. Even modest wealth-building—a savings account, employer match into a 401(k), or a small business—compounds over time and builds economic resilience.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Piute County

via CrimeByCounty

Unrivaled Safety in Piute County

Piute County reports a perfect safety score of 100.0, with zero crimes recorded per 100,000 residents in the current data cycle. This places it far below the national average of 2,385.5 total crimes.

The Safest Region in the State

With a reporting rate of 0.0, Piute ranks as the safest county in Utah compared to the state average of 1,204.8. This reflects an exceptionally low-activity environment for local law enforcement.

Quiet Streets Across the County

Piute's reported crime rate is the lowest among its neighbors, including Garfield and Sevier counties. Since data comes from only one agency, it suggests a community where major incidents are extremely rare.

Understanding the Data Gaps

Both violent and property crime rates are currently recorded at 0.0 per 100,000. While this indicates a very safe community, residents should recognize that even minor incidents might not be captured in this specific report.

Helping Piute Stay Crime-Free

A reporting rate of zero is a badge of honor, but home safety should still be a priority. Simple neighborhood watch habits and locking your home are easy ways to help keep Piute County safe.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Piute County

via HealthByCounty

Piute's health status demands attention

Piute County's 23.4% poor or fair health rate is among the nation's worst, more than double the U.S. average and signaling a severe public health crisis. While life expectancy data is limited, the high poor health rate suggests residents face significant chronic disease burden and unmet healthcare needs.

Utah's worst self-reported health

Piute County's 23.4% poor or fair health rate is the worst in Utah by a substantial margin, more than four percentage points above the second-worst county. This alarming metric suggests Piute residents experience the state's most severe chronic disease challenges and health system gaps.

Crisis-level outcomes compared to peers

Piute's 23.4% poor health rate dwarfs neighboring Millard (19.5%), Juab (15.2%), and all surrounding counties, marking Piute as Utah's health crisis epicenter. While mental health providers are abundant at 452 per 100K, data gaps on life expectancy and primary care access obscure the full extent of Piute's healthcare challenges.

Data gaps mask healthcare reality

Piute County's 11.9% uninsured rate approaches state averages, but limited data on life expectancy and primary care providers obscures whether the county faces severe access barriers or other drivers of poor health. The exceptional poor health rate suggests urgent investigation into what factors—chronic disease prevalence, behavioral health challenges, environmental factors—are driving Piute's health crisis.

Insurance is a lifeline in Piute

Faced with the state's worst health outcomes, every Piute resident—insured or not—deserves access to comprehensive care and preventive services. If you're uninsured, enrollment in coverage is a critical first step toward addressing the health conditions affecting more than one in five county residents.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Piute County

via SchoolsByCounty

Utah's Smallest and Most Personal Schools

Piute County manages five public schools for a total enrollment of just 286 students. The landscape is unique, featuring two elementary schools, one high school, and two specialized centers, all within one district.

State-Leading School Scores and High Spending

Piute County achieves an impressive school score of 62.5, the highest among these counties. This success is backed by a per-pupil expenditure of $11,165, which is nearly double the state average and helps support a 90.0% graduation rate.

The Piute District Community Focus

The Piute District is the sole educational provider, focusing on small-scale learning with no charter schools. Piute High is the largest school in the county, yet it only enrolls 144 students.

A Truly Rural Learning Experience

Every school in Piute County is classified as rural, with an incredibly small average school size of just 57 students. This means schools like Oscarson School can provide intense individual attention to their 31 students.

Quiet Living with Elite School Scores

If you are looking for a home where your child will receive unparalleled individual attention, Piute County is the answer. The high school scores and low student-to-teacher ratios make it a hidden gem for educational quality.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Piute County

via RiskByCounty

Piute County is Utah's safest region

Piute County's composite risk score of 0.89 is the lowest in Utah and represents exceptional safety compared to the national average. This remote south-central county experiences minimal exposure to natural disasters.

Lowest-risk county in entire state

Piute County ranks definitively as Utah's safest county for natural disaster exposure, with a score 40 points below the state average of 36.19. Its isolation and benign geography create unparalleled protection from hazards.

Dramatically safer than all surrounding areas

Piute's 0.89 score makes it far safer than neighboring Millard (22.17), Juab (15.30), and Sevier County. It represents the lowest-risk county in its entire region of southwestern and central Utah.

Wildfire only meaningful natural hazard

Wildfire risk scores 58.72, representing Piute County's only significant natural hazard exposure; all other risks score well below state averages. Flood (3.44), tornado (1.34), and earthquake (49.17) risks remain minimal in this remote location.

Minimal disaster insurance needs here

Piute County's exceptional safety means standard homeowners insurance provides substantial protection for most residents. Only those in wildland-prone areas need to consider wildfire riders; earthquake and flood coverage are unnecessary given the county's minimal exposure to these hazards.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Piute County

via WeatherByCounty

Dry and Cool Piute County

Piute County's average temperature of 47.7°F is roughly five degrees below the national median. With only 8.9 inches of annual precipitation, it is one of the driest regions in the country.

Slightly Below the Utah Average

The county's 47.7°F average is just below the Utah state average of 48.9°F. It also receives about 5 inches less annual precipitation than the state average of 13.7 inches.

Drier Than Its Neighbors

Piute's 8.9 inches of precipitation is lower than Garfield's 12.2 inches and Iron's 13.3 inches. It also sees far less snow than Iron County, receiving only 19.8 inches annually compared to Iron's 57.2.

Mild Summers and Light Snow

Summers are pleasant with a July average of 69.6°F and only 29 days hitting 90°F. Winters are dry and cold, with a January average of 27.9°F and a modest 19.8 inches of total snowfall.

Focus on Water and Dry Cold

The extremely low 8.9 inches of annual rain makes drought-resistant planning a priority for residents. While snowfall is light at 19.8 inches, heating systems must be reliable to handle the cold 29.1°F winter average.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Piute County

via SoilByCounty

The mysterious soils of Piute

Detailed taxonomic and pH data for Piute County are currently unmapped in this dataset. We expect local pH to align with the Utah state average of 7.71, which is higher than the national median of 6.5. This alkalinity means local growers often focus on plants that can tolerate lime-rich soils.

Defining texture in the highlands

Percentages for sand, silt, and clay are unavailable for the county at this time. Piute's high-elevation geography likely features gravelly or silty textures that demand specific irrigation strategies. Testing your own soil will reveal its unique ability to hold onto water and nutrients.

Healthy organic goals for the state

Piute lacks specific organic matter and water capacity stats, but the Utah average is 7.59%. This state average is significantly higher than the 2.0% national average, showing great potential for local growth. Gardeners strive for the state available water capacity benchmark of 0.138 in/in to combat dryness.

Observing drainage in the hills

No dominant drainage class or hydrologic group is recorded for Piute County's soils. In this mountainous region, understanding how water drains is essential to prevent soil saturation or rapid erosion. Always perform a site-level inspection before starting any new agricultural or building project.

Growing cold-hardy in Zone 5b

Piute County resides in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b, one of the cooler zones in Utah. This climate is ideal for short-season crops and hardy perennials like rhubarb, kale, and currants. Embrace the challenge of high-altitude gardening and plant your first seeds today.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Piute County

via LawnByCounty

Cold and Dry in Piute

Piute County is one of Utah's colder regions, sitting in Hardiness Zone 5b with a lawn difficulty score of 26.3. This score reflects the combined challenges of a short growing season and limited natural moisture. Growing a lawn here is an exercise in patience and careful climate management.

Minimal Rainfall and Brief Summers

With only 8.9 inches of annual rain, the environment is extremely dry compared to the 30-50 inches lawns prefer. Piute only sees 29 extreme heat days, which is much lower than the Utah average of 43. However, the growing season is very short, with frosts typically occurring until late May.

Soil Testing is Crucial

Because we lack specific soil metrics for Piute, we highly recommend a local soil analysis before you plant. High-altitude soils often struggle with nutrient availability and can be quite compacted. Adding organic amendments is the best way to improve both water retention and root health.

Extreme Drought Vulnerability

Piute faces critical water stress, with 84.8% of the county currently in severe drought or worse. This makes water conservation the top priority for any homeowner attempting to keep grass alive. Use drip irrigation for beds and only water the lawn when the grass shows visible signs of thirst.

Hardy Choices for Zone 5b

In Zone 5b, you need the most cold-hardy varieties available, such as Hard Fescue or specific Kentucky Bluegrass cultivars. Wait until the soil warms after the May 24 frost date to start your lawn for the best results. These choices will help your grass survive the long, cold winters typical of the area.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Piute County's county score?
Piute County, Utah has a composite county score of 68.2 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 Piute County rank among counties in Utah?
Piute County ranks #5 among all counties in Utah 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 Piute County, Utah?
The median annual property tax in Piute County is $1,014, with an effective tax rate of 0.43%. This earns Piute County a tax score of 92/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Piute County?
The median household income in Piute County, Utah is $44,650 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Piute County earns an income score of 6.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Piute County, Utah a good place to live?
Piute County scores 68.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #5 in Utah. The best way to evaluate Piute 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 Piute 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.