countyscore
66
County Score
Safety 97.5Property Tax 75.6Disaster Risk 74.3

County Report Card

About Platte County, Wyoming

Exceptional Quality in the Heartland

Platte County achieves a 65.9 composite score, far exceeding the national median of 50.0. It ranks among the top rural counties in the United States for overall livability. This high performance is driven by extraordinary safety and general affordability.

A Wyoming Standout

With a score of 65.9, Platte County significantly beats the state average of 56.5. It offers one of the most compelling value propositions in the Cowboy State. It combines the safety of rural life with a manageable cost of living.

Remarkable Safety and Stability

The county earns an elite safety score of 97.5, suggesting an nearly unrivaled level of community security. It also maintains a strong risk score of 74.3 and a tax score of 75.6. Affordable housing is another draw, with a cost score of 63.2.

Health and Water Infrastructure

Health services remain a moderate challenge with a score of 45.1. Water quality is the most pressing issue for improvement, scoring just 28.9. These infrastructure needs are the main outliers in an otherwise exemplary profile.

The Ultimate Safe Haven

Platte County is the perfect destination for those where safety is the number one priority. With median rents at just $745 and a median income of $66,299, it offers a high degree of financial and personal comfort. It is a premier choice for raising a family or enjoying a secure retirement.

Score breakdown

Tax75.6Cost63.2Safety97.5Health45.1Schools53.1Income57.7Risk74.3Water28.9Weather34
🏛75.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠63.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼57.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡97.5
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤45.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓53.1
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡74.3
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧28.9
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤34
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨34.7
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱33.2
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

Goshen County
Wyoming
53.7
Converse County
Wyoming
58.8
Albany County
Wyoming
48.2
Niobrara County
Wyoming
51.9
Sioux County
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Laramie County
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Scotts Bluff County
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Banner County
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56

Deep Dives

Platte County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Platte County

via TaxByCounty

Platte's rate sits near U.S. average

Platte County's effective tax rate of 0.588% ranks slightly above the national median, with median taxes of $1,464 versus the national median of $2,690. The county falls in the 50th percentile nationally—right at the midpoint of American property tax burden.

Third-highest in Wyoming

Platte County's 0.588% effective rate ranks third-highest among Wyoming's 23 counties, trailing only Natrona (0.618%) and Laramie (0.583%). It exceeds the state average of 0.556% by roughly 6%.

Pricier than most regional options

Platte County's 0.588% rate exceeds Hot Springs (0.561%), Johnson (0.552%), and Lincoln (0.436%) while trailing only Natrona (0.618%) among close neighbors. It ranks among the higher-tax counties in central Wyoming.

Median home costs $1,464 yearly

Platte County homeowners with a median-valued property of $248,900 pay approximately $1,464 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that rises to $1,681; without one, it drops to $1,292.

Review your property assessment

As one of Wyoming's higher-tax counties, Platte residents benefit from scrutinizing their assessments carefully. If your assessed value exceeds recent comparable sales in your neighborhood, filing an appeal could reduce your annual tax obligation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Platte County

via CostByCounty

Platte County: Affordable by Any Measure

Platte County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.5% ranks among America's most affordable housing markets, well below the national benchmark, with median household income of $66,299 approaching the national average of $74,755. This county demonstrates that Wyoming's smaller markets can deliver genuine affordability without sacrificing economic viability.

Wyoming's Second-Most Affordable

Platte County's 13.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks second-best in Wyoming, trailing only Lincoln County's exceptional 12.1%. Among the eight surveyed counties, Platte represents one of the state's strongest affordability stories, with rents and incomes in genuine balance.

Lowest Rents in the Survey

Platte County's median rent of $745/month stands as the lowest in the entire survey, running 20% below the state average, while median home values of $248,900 sit squarely in the affordable band. This rare combination of low rents and reasonable home prices makes Platte an outlier opportunity.

Platte County's Exceptional Value

Renters pay just $745 monthly while homeowners invest $834—both among the survey's lowest costs—and median household income of $66,299 means families allocate only 13.5% to rent. This leaves Platte County households with over 86% of income available for savings, emergencies, and quality-of-life investments.

Platte County: Hidden Gem for Affordability

If you're relocating for cost of living and don't require metro amenities, Platte County delivers Wyoming's second-best rent-to-income ratio (13.5%) and the lowest rents statewide at $745/month. Compare Platte to Lincoln if both offer job prospects; either choice positions you in the state's genuine affordability tier.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Platte County

via IncomeByCounty

Platte modestly below national norm

Platte County's median household income of $66,299 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by approximately $8,450. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier nationally, typical of smaller rural and agricultural regions.

Below Wyoming average

Platte's $66,299 falls about $7,000 short of Wyoming's state average of $73,360, placing it in the bottom half of the state's counties. The gap reflects the county's smaller population and agricultural-dependent economy.

Mid-tier among regional peers

Platte's $66,299 exceeds Niobrara ($48,987) and Hot Springs ($64,375) but trails Laramie ($77,884) and Lincoln ($86,092). Regional economic variation shows how industry composition dramatically affects household earning power.

Rent costs very manageable

Platte County leads the region with the lowest rent-to-income ratio at 13.5%, indicating exceptional housing affordability. At $248,900, median home values are reasonable and accessible for median-income households.

Use affordability to build savings

With only 13.5% of income going to rent, Platte households have substantial opportunity to fund emergency savings, retirement accounts, and long-term investments. Commit to redirecting the 30% housing affordability headroom into automatic savings vehicles.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Platte County

via CrimeByCounty

Platte County Reports Near-Perfect Safety

Platte County reports a perfect safety score of 100.0 for the current data cycle. With no reported crimes per 100,000 residents, it sits far below the national average of 2,385.5.

The Safest County in the State

Platte ranks at the top of Wyoming's safety list, far exceeding the state average safety score of 98.5. While zero reports may indicate a quiet year, it contrasts sharply with the state average of 978.0.

A Rural Haven Near Busiier Counties

Compared to Laramie County's rate of 3,084.3, Platte County appears as a tranquil outlier. Three local agencies oversee the reporting for this area's exceptionally low crime statistics.

Zero Reported Violent or Property Crimes

Both violent and property crime rates stand at 0.0 per 100,000 residents for this period. This indicates that no major incidents were processed by reporting agencies during the 2022 data year.

Maintaining the Standard of Safety

Even with perfect reported numbers, it is wise to maintain standard safety precautions. Keeping your home and vehicles secured ensures that Platte County remains a safe place to live.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Platte County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy below U.S. national average

Platte County residents reach 75.1 years on average, nearly 4 years below the U.S. average of 79 years. With 16.2% reporting poor or fair health, the county faces health challenges comparable to the highest-risk peers nationally.

Well below Wyoming's state health average

Platte County's 75.1-year life expectancy trails Wyoming's state average of 77.0 years by 1.9 years. The 16.2% poor/fair health rate matches Hot Springs County and signals significant population health vulnerabilities across the county.

Among the lowest life expectancy in state

Platte County's 75.1-year life expectancy ranks third-lowest among peers, ahead of only Hot Springs and Natrona counties. Primary care access is critically low at 46 providers per 100K—the worst in the entire sample—making routine care difficult to access.

High uninsured rate, critical primary care shortage

15.6% of Platte County residents lack health insurance, above Wyoming's average of 14.8%, while only 46 primary care providers per 100K serve the population—the lowest rate among all sampled counties. With 269 mental health providers per 100K available, the imbalance between mental health and primary care access leaves residents struggling to find routine care.

Act now to secure health coverage

Platte County's low primary care availability and above-average uninsured rate require urgent action on coverage and care coordination. Visit healthcare.gov or your county health department to enroll in a plan and locate the primary care providers available in your area.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Platte County

via SchoolsByCounty

Rural Education with High Investment

Platte County manages 13 public schools serving 1,124 students across two districts. The school mix includes four elementary, three middle, and four high schools. This infrastructure includes special education and alternative options for the Wheatland and Guernsey communities.

National-Level Spending and Solid Scores

Platte County invests heavily in its students, spending $13,058 per pupil, which matches the national average. The graduation rate is 79.4%, slightly lower than the state average of 82.0%. Despite this, the county maintains a high composite school score of 61.0.

Wheatland and Guernsey Districts

Platte County School District #1 in Wheatland is the largest district, educating 913 students across 9 schools. District #2 serves the Guernsey-Sunrise area with 211 students. There are no charter schools, ensuring all funding and resources stay within the two primary public districts.

Intimate Classes and Rural Roots

Education here is highly personal, with an average school size of just 102 students. Wheatland High School is the largest campus with 271 students, while Guernsey-Sunrise Elementary serves 126. Eight of the county's schools are located in strictly rural settings, emphasizing a quiet, focused learning environment.

Small Town Charm and Strong School Support

Families value Platte County for its high per-pupil investment and small class sizes. Real estate in Wheatland offers proximity to the county’s largest school hub and administrative services. Research local listings to find a home where education is a top community priority.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Platte County

via RiskByCounty

Platte County below national risk baseline

Platte County scores 25.73 on the composite risk scale, placing it below the national average and earning a Very Low rating. The county experiences roughly 65% less disaster risk than typical U.S. counties.

Among Wyoming's safest counties

Platte County ranks in the lower half of Wyoming's natural disaster risk with a score of 25.73, well below the state average of 37.86. The county benefits from low earthquake (40.59) and flood (33.17) exposure.

Safer than Park, comparable to Hot Springs

Platte County's 25.73 score ranks between Hot Springs (16.09) and Johnson (19.31), making it one of the region's safer areas. It faces substantially lower risk than Park County (57.73), though wildfire exposure (87.60) remains high by county standards.

Wildfire and tornado the primary threats

Wildfire risk reaches 87.60 in Platte County, making it the county's most significant hazard, while tornado exposure climbs to 33.59. Together these fire and storm hazards dominate the county's risk profile, though both remain manageable with proper preparation.

Prioritize wildfire and tornado coverage

Platte County residents should secure wildfire insurance, as standard homeowners policies often exclude or limit fire damage from vegetation fires. Add tornado/hail coverage to protect against the county's secondary risk, and ensure your property meets basic wildfire defense landscaping standards.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Platte County

via WeatherByCounty

A Warmer Pocket of the West

Platte County averages 47.2°F annually, which is cool compared to the national median but warm for its latitude. It receives 14.8 inches of precipitation, making it a typical semi-arid High Plains environment.

Wyoming's Warmest County in Sample

At 47.2°F, Platte County is 3.4 degrees warmer than the state average of 43.8°F. It stands out as one of the most temperate regions in a state known for its harsh cold.

Warmer than the Southern Border

Platte County is slightly warmer than Laramie County to the south (46.7°F) and Niobrara County to the north (46.5°F). It enjoys a relatively low elevation that moderates its annual temperature.

Intense Summers and Brisk Winters

The county faces 36 days of extreme heat annually, with July averages reaching 71.3°F. Winter remains a factor with 51.2 inches of snow and January temperatures averaging 27.2°F.

Prepare for Both Extremes

Residents need versatile home systems to handle 36 days of 90-degree heat and 51 inches of winter snow. The 44-degree swing between summer and winter averages requires robust heating and cooling solutions.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Platte County

via SoilByCounty

Sandy Soils in Platte County

The county features an average pH of 7.17, which is nearly identical to the state average of 7.18. This alkaline environment is significantly higher than the national 6.5 median, which can limit the uptake of some micronutrients.

Sand-Dominant Composition

With 57.6% sand and only 13.9% clay, these soils are exceptionally light and easy to till. This high sand content means the soil warms up quickly in the spring but may lose nutrients through leaching.

Moisture Management Challenges

Organic matter is 1.87%, falling just short of the 2.0% national average. The available water capacity is 0.132 in/in, which is lower than the state average and requires attentive irrigation.

Rapid Drainage and Infiltration

While not officially classified, the high sand percentage typically creates rapid drainage. This is excellent for preventing waterlogged roots but means the soil dries out faster than more balanced mixes.

Abundance in Zone 5a

Platte County’s Zone 5a climate is well-suited for crops like potatoes and peppers that enjoy well-drained soil. Start your garden today and enjoy the benefits of some of the easiest-to-work soil in the state.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Platte County

via LawnByCounty

Platte County's Sandy Plains Lawn Care

Platte County scores a 33.2 on the lawn difficulty scale, making it slightly easier to manage than the state average of 32.6. As part of hardiness zone 5a, it still poses significant challenges compared to the national median of 50.0. Local growers must balance sandy soils with frequent heat stress.

High Heat and Moderate Moisture

The county experiences 36 extreme heat days, which is much higher than the state average of 23 days. Combined with 14.8 inches of rain, this creates a high-demand environment for any irrigation system. The 2,331 growing degree days provide enough warmth for most cool-season grasses to thrive if watered.

Managing Fast-Draining Sandy Soils

The soil here is 57.6% sand and has a pH of 7.17, which is slightly above the ideal range for grass. Because sandy soils drain quickly, your lawn may require more frequent, shorter watering sessions to keep the root zone moist. Adding organic matter is crucial to improve the nutrient-holding capacity of the soil.

Severe Drought Requires Strategic Care

Platte County has faced 45 weeks of drought over the past year, and 46% of the county is currently in severe drought. With 100% of the area classified as abnormally dry, water conservation is not just a suggestion but a necessity. Mulching clippings back into the lawn can help provide a tiny bit of extra moisture and shade.

Planting for the Platte County Climate

Turf-type Tall Fescue is a great choice here because its deep roots can handle the sandy soil and heat. Plan to seed after the last frost on May 19 to give the grass the best start before the summer heat. The season begins to close quickly as the first fall frost typically arrives by September 22.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Platte County's county score?
Platte County, Wyoming has a composite county score of 66 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 Platte County rank among counties in Wyoming?
Platte County ranks #2 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 Platte County, Wyoming?
The median annual property tax in Platte County is $1,464, with an effective tax rate of 0.59%. This earns Platte County a tax score of 75.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Platte County?
The median household income in Platte County, Wyoming is $66,299 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Platte County earns an income score of 57.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Platte County, Wyoming a good place to live?
Platte County scores 66/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #2 in Wyoming. The best way to evaluate Platte 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 Platte County with other counties side by side.

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🏛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.