CountyScore

Shasta County

California · CA

#17 in California
63
County Score

County Report Card

About Shasta County, California

Shasta surpasses national livability score

Shasta's composite score of 66.7 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 67th percentile nationally. The county demonstrates well-above-average livability by American standards. This northern California region outperforms most U.S. counties in overall livability metrics.

Among California's strongest performers

Shasta scores 66.7, exceeding California's state average of 61.3 and ranking in the upper tier of the state's counties. It outperforms the Bay Area counties analyzed here and most of coastal California. This positions Shasta as one of California's genuinely livable regions when balanced factors are considered.

Affordability meets reasonable tax burden

Shasta delivers a cost score of 63.9—the highest among these eight counties—with median homes at $347,200 and rent at $1,267/month. The tax score of 82.5 (0.703% effective rate) complements genuine housing affordability. This county offers the clearest path to homeownership for middle-income families.

Income opportunities remain limited

Shasta's income score of just 30.3 reflects a median household income of $71,931—significantly below state and national urban averages. Residents enjoy low housing costs but have fewer high-paying job opportunities. Health, safety, school, and environmental factors lack current data.

For families prioritizing homeownership

Shasta suits working families, retirees, and remote workers seeking affordable housing and reasonable living costs over maximum earning potential. A $72k household income achieves real housing security and quality of life here in ways impossible in coastal California. This county rewards those with flexible income sources and modest housing needs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.5Cost63.9SafetyComing SoonHealth72SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.3Risk6.6WaterComing Soon
🏛82.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠63.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡6.6
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Shasta County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Escambia County
Florida
63
Median income: $65,715
Walton County
Florida
63
Median income: $79,281
Mason County
Illinois
63
Median income: $62,127
Yates County
New York
63
Median income: $67,521
Brown County
Texas
63
Median income: $55,305

Deep Dives

Shasta County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Shasta County

via TaxByCounty

Shasta taxes roughly match national median

Shasta County residents pay a median of $2,442 in property taxes—slightly below the national median of $2,690. At an effective rate of 0.703%, the county sits just below California's state average of 0.714%, reflecting much more affordable home values of $347,200 median.

Below state average rate and tax bill

Shasta County's 0.703% effective rate trails California's 0.714% state average by just 11 basis points. At $2,442 median annual taxes, residents pay roughly 40% less than California's state average of $4,045.

Cheaper than Sierra and Siskiyou

Shasta County homeowners pay $2,442 annually on a median home worth $347,200. Neighboring Sierra County charges a higher rate (0.775%) on similar home prices, while Siskiyou County to the north has even lower absolute taxes ($1,880) on comparable values.

A $347K home costs $2,442 yearly

The typical Shasta County homeowner pays $2,442 in annual property taxes on a median home valued at $347,200. With mortgage-related adjustments, the effective total rises slightly to $2,669.

Even small savings add up here

While Shasta County's tax bills are modest compared to coastal California, overassessments still happen. Filing a property tax appeal costs nothing and could save you hundreds—meaningful money in a county where the median tax is under $2,500.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Shasta County

via CostByCounty

Northern California's affordability champion

Shasta County renters spend just 21.1% of income on housing—tracking the national norms despite a median income of only $71,931. This rare affordability comes from genuinely low rents ($1,267/month) rather than high wages, making it accessible to working-class families.

Most affordable in California

Shasta County ranks among California's most affordable regions, with rents 22% below state average ($1,267 vs. $1,618) and a median home value of just $347,200. The rent-to-income ratio of 21.1% beats the state average despite below-average incomes.

The north state deals

Shasta renters pay $1,267 monthly—$825 less than Santa Barbara and $1,547 less than San Mateo—while homes cost under $350K. Even nearby Sierra ($1,181 rent) and Siskiyou ($1,043 rent) counties are comparable, making this entire region a haven for budget-conscious Californians.

Making it work in Shasta

The typical household earning $71,931 annually pays $1,267 for rent or $1,399 for ownership—less than 20% of income. This leaves substantial room for savings, childcare, healthcare, and other essentials that squeeze families in coastal counties.

Shasta County: California's affordability secret

If you earn $70K and want to buy a home, Shasta's $347K median beats any coastal county and requires far less down payment. The tradeoff: smaller job market and distance from urban centers, but remote work, retirees, and rural families find tremendous value here.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Shasta County

via IncomeByCounty

Shasta slightly lags national average

Shasta County's median household income of $71,931 falls 4% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it just under national averages. Per capita income of $38,746 also runs slightly below national norms. This rural northern California county faces income challenges despite its natural assets.

Below-average earnings in California

Shasta's $71,931 income runs 17% below California's state average of $87,001, ranking it in the lower half of the state's 58 counties. Per capita income of $38,746 significantly underperforms the state average of $43,669, falling $4,923 short. The county struggles with income generation despite proximity to regional markets.

Slightly ahead of deepest rural poverty

Shasta ($71,931) outearns Sierra County ($60,000) and Siskiyou County ($55,499), but trails Santa Cruz ($109,266) and Solano ($99,994) by $37,000+ per household. These rural northern counties cluster together with significantly lower incomes than Bay Area and coastal regions. Geographic isolation and limited industry diversity constrain earning potential.

Modest income, affordable housing

Shasta's rent-to-income ratio of 21.1% indicates affordability, with median home values of just $347,200 remaining accessible on the county's income levels. Housing costs consume less than one-quarter of income, leaving room for other expenses and savings. However, the absolute income level limits overall wealth-building capacity.

Maximize affordable housing advantage

With $71,931 household income and moderate housing costs at 21.1% of income, Shasta residents can prioritize emergency savings and retirement accounts ahead of many higher-cost regions. Investigate employer retirement programs and tax-advantaged savings options to build wealth despite lower absolute income. The county's affordability provides a foundation for disciplined, long-term accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Shasta County

via HealthByCounty

Shasta faces mortality challenge

Shasta County residents live to 74.3 years, nearly 4 years below the U.S. average of 78.3 years, marking the lowest life expectancy in this county comparison. With 16.1% reporting poor or fair health, the county shows patterns of health vulnerability.

Significant gap from state average

Shasta's 74.3-year life expectancy trails California's 78.5 average by 4.2 years, among the widest gaps in the state. The county's 7.5% uninsured rate slightly exceeds California's 7.2%, adding pressure to already stressed health outcomes.

Healthiest of northern rural counties

Compared to Siskiyou County (73.1 years), Shasta performs slightly better on life expectancy. However, both northern counties significantly underperform coastal and Bay Area peers, indicating regional health disparities tied to rural access and economic factors.

Limited primary care capacity

Shasta supports only 78 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—below levels in wealthier counties—while 7.5% of residents remain uninsured. With 539 mental health providers per 100K, behavioral health services exist, yet overall healthcare capacity strains in this rural county.

Coverage is your first step

In Shasta County, securing health insurance is critical to accessing limited local providers and managing travel to specialty care. Head to coveredca.com to enroll or re-enroll, and check for emergency Medi-Cal eligibility if you're uninsured and in need of immediate care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Shasta County

via RiskByCounty

Shasta faces moderate to high disaster risk

Shasta County scores 93.38 on composite risk, placing it above the national average with a 'Relatively Moderate' rating. The county's risk is concentrated in wildfire and flood hazards, rather than the seismic threats dominating coastal California.

Above average for California overall

Shasta's 93.38 score exceeds California's average of 88.72, reflecting significant exposure to fire and flood. However, the county ranks lower than most coastal counties due to moderate earthquake risk relative to the state's seismically active regions.

Slightly riskier than northern peers

Shasta (93.38) faces higher overall risk than Siskiyou County (89.03) but lower risk than more seismically active regions to the south. The county's wildfire risk (99.49) is among the state's highest, reflecting its position in California's fire-prone north.

Wildfire and flood are primary threats

Shasta's wildfire risk reaches 99.49—among California's highest—while flood risk scores 94.85, affecting both forest and valley communities. Earthquake risk (96.53) is moderate but significant, particularly near active fault zones in the county's eastern areas.

Wildfire and flood insurance top priority

Shasta residents should secure wildfire insurance immediately, given the county's 99.49 risk score and history of large fires. Flood insurance is equally important, particularly for properties near the Sacramento River, creeks, or designated flood zones.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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