Plumas County

California · CA

#6 in California
67
County Score

County Report Card

About Plumas County, California

Plumas Ranks High Nationally

Plumas County scores 69.9, significantly exceeding the national median of 50.0 by 40% and placing it in the upper tier of U.S. counties for livability. The strong score reflects exceptional housing affordability and low tax burden.

Above California's Average

At 69.9, Plumas exceeds California's 61.3 average by 8 points, ranking it among the state's more livable counties. This rural Sierra county offers genuine affordability paired with low taxes—rare in California.

Exceptional Affordability and Tax Rates

Plumas excels with a cost score of 71.8—second only to Modoc—featuring median home values of $327,400 and gross rent at $1,034/month. The tax score of 82.0 with an effective rate of 0.721% further enhances household financial flexibility.

Limited Income Opportunities

The income score of 25.8 reflects median household income of $64,946, constraining wealth accumulation and professional advancement. Detailed data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors are pending.

Perfect for Budget-Conscious Retirees

Plumas is ideal for retirees with modest fixed incomes, remote workers with portable salaries, and families prioritizing low cost-of-living over job opportunities. Those seeking Sierra forest living on a tight budget will find exceptional value.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax82Cost71.8SafetyComing SoonHealth77.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.8Risk13.6WaterComing Soon
🏛82
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠71.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼25.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
77.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
13.6
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Plumas County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Plumas County

via TaxByCounty

Plumas County's taxes significantly below average

Plumas County's effective rate of 0.721% sits below the national median of 0.85%, and homeowners pay just $2,360 annually—a mere 88% of the national median property tax of $2,690. The county's modest median home value of $327,400 keeps tax bills manageable despite rates that closely match the state average.

Plumas slightly below California's average rate

At 0.721%, Plumas edges just above California's state average effective rate of 0.714%, placing it squarely in the middle tier of state counties. However, Plumas's median tax of $2,360 is the second-lowest among the eight counties surveyed, reflecting lower home values rather than tax rate advantage.

Plumas offers balanced tax burden in region

Plumas's 0.721% rate sits between modest Modoc (0.682%) and pricier Nevada County (0.741%), making it the middle ground for the northern Sierra region. At $2,360 in median taxes, Plumas homeowners benefit from both reasonable rates and affordable home prices compared to mountain communities.

Median Plumas home costs $2,360 yearly in taxes

With a median home value of $327,400 and an effective rate of 0.721%, Plumas County homeowners pay approximately $2,360 in annual property taxes. With mortgage impounds, taxes climb to $2,505; without them, the base tax is $2,151.

Even modest appeals matter in lower-value counties

In counties like Plumas where tax bills are already modest, homeowners sometimes overlook potential appeals, assuming savings would be negligible. But a 10% assessment reduction on a $327,400 home yields roughly $236 in annual savings—meaningful for working families over a decade.

Cost of Living in Plumas County

via CostByCounty

Northern Sierra offers true affordability

Plumas County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.1% sits well below the national affordability threshold, supported by modest median household income of $64,946. Renters spend $1,034 monthly—less than 20% of earnings—providing rare housing comfort for California households.

Second-most affordable California county

Plumas County's 19.1% rent-to-income ratio ranks among California's most affordable markets, beating the state average of 22.4% by a significant margin. Only Modoc County outperforms Plumas, making this northern Sierra region an affordability bright spot in expensive California.

Mountain living on a smaller budget

Plumas County's median gross rent of $1,034 sits between Modoc's unbeatable $818 and Nevada County's $1,635, offering genuine value for mountain-county living. Its median home value of $327,400 is second-lowest in the eight-county set, undercut only by Modoc's $212,000.

Affordable housing frees up paychecks

Plumas renters commit just 19.1% of their $64,946 income to rent ($1,034/month), while homeowners spend 21.6% on ownership costs ($1,172/month). This leaves households substantially more room to save, invest, or manage other expenses compared to California averages.

Plumas for those valuing affordability

Plumas County trades a smaller income base for genuine housing affordability, making it ideal for retirees, remote workers, or anyone prioritizing lower living costs over urban job markets. If mountain living at reasonable prices appeals and you don't depend on local employment, Plumas delivers exceptional value.

Income & Jobs in Plumas County

via IncomeByCounty

Plumas lags behind national income

Plumas County's median household income of $64,946 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by 13%, reflecting a rural, mountain-based economy with limited job diversity. The county faces income challenges typical of sparsely populated Sierra Nevada communities.

Below California's income average

At $64,946, Plumas's median household income ranks below California's state average of $87,001 by more than $22,000 per household. The county's rural character and reliance on timber, tourism, and seasonal work limit income potential.

Plumas earns more than isolated Modoc

Plumas's $64,946 median income exceeds only Modoc ($56,648) among these eight counties but trails all others significantly. The county's slightly larger population and tourism base provide modest income advantages over its even more rural neighbor.

Affordable housing supports households

Plumas's 19.1% rent-to-income ratio and median home values of $327,400 make it one of California's most affordable counties for housing. This affordability advantage allows median-income households to achieve homeownership without financial strain.

Affordability creates savings opportunity

Despite lower incomes, Plumas's low housing costs—the second-lowest median home value among these counties—allow households to save and invest in financial security. Residents should prioritize emergency funds and retirement savings, taking advantage of the county's affordability edge.

Health in Plumas County

via HealthByCounty

Plumas life expectancy near national

Plumas residents live to 78.2 years on average, just slightly below the U.S. average of 78.5 years, indicating relatively typical life expectancy. At 15.4% reporting poor or fair health, Plumas shows manageable chronic disease prevalence.

Plumas slightly below state average

At 78.2 years, Plumas's life expectancy falls just below California's 78.5-year state average, positioning the county in the middle of state performance. The 15.4% poor/fair health rate is moderate and aligns with statewide patterns.

Plumas in middle of peer group

Plumas's 78.2-year life expectancy exceeds Modoc (74.6) but trails Nevada (80.0) and other mountain counties. With 75 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Plumas has moderate access compared to neighboring rural counties.

Moderate coverage and access

At 6.2%, Plumas's uninsured rate is below California's 7.2% state average, ensuring solid coverage across the county. With 75 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Plumas offers reasonable access for a rural mountain county.

Plumas residents: coverage is here

If you're among Plumas's uninsured, Covered California and Medicaid expansion have expanded affordable options significantly. Call your local health department or visit getcovered.ca.gov to find a plan that fits your budget.

Disaster Risk in Plumas County

via RiskByCounty

Plumas: Above Average U.S. Risk Profile

Plumas County's composite risk score of 86.39 ranks it as relatively moderate and exceeds the national average. This remote northeastern Sierra county faces significant natural hazards typical of high-elevation, forested terrain.

Moderate-Risk Within California

Plumas scores 86.39—just below California's state average of 88.72—positioning it near the midpoint of state risk distribution. It represents a moderate profile compared to the state's highest-risk coastal and urban counties.

Similar Risk to Sierra Nevada Region

Plumas' score of 86.39 aligns with Modoc (39.69, much lower) and sits between Mono (46.50) and Nevada County (89.89) in the range. The Sierra region shows varied risk based on location and exposure.

Wildfire Risk Dominates the County

Plumas County's wildfire risk is exceptionally high at 98.63, driven by extensive forests and dry summers. Earthquake risk follows at 92.21, while flood and tornado risks remain in the moderate range.

Wildfire and Earthquake Insurance Essential

With wildfire risk at 98.63, Plumas homeowners should maintain comprehensive fire coverage and create defensible space around structures. Add earthquake insurance to protect against the county's second-highest hazard; standard policies exclude seismic damage.

ByCounty Network

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