CountyScore

Sierra County

California · CA

#4 in California
69.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Sierra County, California

Sierra ranks among U.S. top performers

Sierra's composite score of 66.0 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 66th percentile nationally. The county demonstrates strong livability by American standards. It represents one of California's best-performing regions in balanced livability metrics.

Above California's state livability average

Sierra scores 66.0 compared to California's 61.3 average, ranking in the upper tier of state counties. It outperforms all eight Bay Area and central coast counties analyzed here. This mountain county delivers livability that exceeds most of California's more populated regions.

Strong affordability with low tax burden

Sierra's cost score of 66.0 provides the county's greatest strength, with median homes at just $334,100 and rent at $1,181/month. The tax score of 80.5 (0.775% effective rate) adds another layer of financial accessibility. This is among California's most affordable counties for housing and taxes combined.

Limited economic opportunities in region

Sierra's income score of 22.6 reflects a median household income of $60,000—the lowest among these eight counties. Economic opportunities are sparse in this rural mountain region. Current data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors is unavailable, preventing complete livability assessment.

For self-sufficient rural or remote workers

Sierra suits remote workers, early retirees, and those with independent income seeking mountain living at minimal cost. The $60k median income combined with $1,181 rent and $334k median home prices creates exceptional affordability. Success requires flexibility about job markets and comfort with isolation.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80.5Cost66SafetyComing SoonHealth77.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.6Risk68.5WaterComing Soon
🏛80.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠66
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤77.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡68.5
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 Sierra County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Teller County
Colorado
69.2
Median income: $80,666
Haralson County
Georgia
69.2
Median income: $65,016
White County
Georgia
69.2
Median income: $69,747
Stark County
Illinois
69.2
Median income: $62,284
Wabash County
Illinois
69.2
Median income: $53,650

Deep Dives

Sierra County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Sierra County

via TaxByCounty

Sierra's rate highest among peers

Sierra County residents pay a median of $2,590 in property taxes—roughly on par with the national median of $2,690. However, Sierra's effective rate of 0.775% stands notably above California's state average of 0.714%, making it one of the highest-taxed counties by rate in the state.

Highest effective rate in sample

Sierra County's 0.775% effective tax rate ranks among the very highest in California, more than 6 basis points above the state average of 0.714%. This makes Sierra one of the steepest-taxed counties by rate percentage, despite relatively affordable home values.

Significantly pricier than Shasta

Sierra County homeowners pay $2,590 annually on a median home worth $334,100—higher both in rate (0.775% vs. 0.703%) and absolute dollars than neighboring Shasta County ($2,442). The rate difference is particularly steep for a rural county.

A $334K home costs $2,590 yearly

The typical Sierra County homeowner pays $2,590 in annual property taxes on a median home valued at $334,100. Adding mortgage-related assessments brings the total to approximately $2,969.

High rates make appeals more valuable

Sierra County's unusually high effective tax rate of 0.775% means overassessments have outsized impact on your budget. Filing a no-cost property tax appeal could yield meaningful savings in this high-tax county.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Sierra County

via CostByCounty

Mountain living on modest income

Sierra County renters spend 23.6% of their income on housing—slightly above state average—despite the lowest median income in this cohort at $60,000. At $1,181/month for rent, costs are genuinely low, reflecting the county's rural mountain character.

Among California's most affordable regions

Sierra County ranks near the bottom of California's housing-cost spectrum, with median rents of $1,181 (27% below state average) and home values just above $334,000. The county offers rare affordability for working-class Californians with limited income.

The high country bargain

Sierra renters pay $1,181 monthly—$86 more than Siskiyou but nearly half Santa Barbara's rate—for access to mountain communities. Home prices of $334,100 are comparable to Shasta County, making this an alternative for those seeking high-elevation living.

Sierra County's tight budget reality

A household earning $60,000 annually dedicates $1,181 to rent (23.6% of income) or $1,373 for ownership. While the housing cost ratio is reasonable, the low absolute income leaves little margin for medical emergencies, car repairs, or other unexpected expenses.

Sierra County: for mountain lovers on tight budgets

This remote mountain county works best for retirees with modest fixed income or remote workers earning above-local wages. Limited job markets and harsh winters are the real costs here; affordable housing is the benefit.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sierra County

via IncomeByCounty

Sierra falls short of national earnings

Sierra County's median household income of $60,000 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by 20%, indicating below-average earning capacity in this remote mountain region. Per capita income of $40,612 also falls below national norms. This rural county faces significant income-generation challenges.

Lowest-income cohort in California

Sierra's $60,000 median household income runs 31% below California's state average of $87,001, placing it in the state's lowest-earning tier. Per capita income of $40,612 falls nearly $3,000 below the state average of $43,669. The county ranks among California's poorest by income metrics.

Poorest of rural mountain counties

Sierra ($60,000) barely outearns Siskiyou County ($55,499), with both trapped in the state's lowest income tiers. Shasta County ($71,931) to the south earns roughly $12,000 more per household. These remote northern and eastern mountain counties face structural economic challenges limiting income growth.

Low income, modest housing relief

Sierra residents spend 23.6% of their $60,000 income on rent, with median home values of $334,100 providing relative affordability. While housing costs remain manageable, the absolute income of $60,000 leaves limited surplus for savings and wealth-building. Many households here operate on tight margins.

Build resilience with limited resources

Despite earning $60,000 annually, Sierra households benefit from modest housing costs that free roughly 76% of income for other needs. Focus first on emergency savings and employer retirement programs, then systematically invest surplus amounts into low-cost index funds. Even modest, consistent savings compound into meaningful long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Sierra County

via HealthByCounty

Sierra County life expectancy solid

Sierra County residents live to 81.3 years, beating the U.S. average of 78.3 years by 3 years. However, 17.3% report poor or fair health, the highest in this comparison, suggesting wellness challenges despite longer lifespan.

Above state average on longevity

Sierra's 81.3-year life expectancy exceeds California's 78.5 average by 2.8 years. The county's 6.3% uninsured rate sits below the state average of 7.2%, indicating reasonable coverage access for this rural mountain community.

Rural health patterns emerge

Sierra's 81.3-year life expectancy matches some healthier coastal counties but its 17.3% poor/fair health rate—the highest in this group—suggests underlying health conditions despite relative longevity. Primary care provider data is unavailable, limiting full capacity assessment.

Limited provider data masks challenges

Primary care provider data for Sierra County is currently unavailable, complicating full assessment of physical healthcare access. The county reports 250 mental health providers per 100,000 residents and 6.3% uninsured, though the small population makes per-100K metrics less meaningful.

Ensure continuous coverage

For Sierra County's small, scattered population, maintaining active health insurance is essential given limited local providers and distance to larger medical centers. Visit coveredca.com to confirm coverage is active and explore telehealth options that can supplement local access.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Sierra County

via RiskByCounty

Sierra County faces below-average risk

Sierra County's composite risk score of 31.52 earns a 'Very Low' rating and falls significantly below the national average. This rural, mountainous county's overall vulnerability is notably lower than most of California, though specific hazards still require attention.

California's safest county overall

Sierra's 31.52 score is far below California's 88.72 average, making it the state's lowest-risk county by a substantial margin. The county's low population density and distance from major fault lines contribute to its exceptional safety profile.

Significantly safer than surrounding counties

Sierra (31.52) faces dramatically lower risk than neighboring Shasta (93.38) and Siskiyou (89.03), making it a notable exception in northern California's hazard profile. The county's high elevation and remote location insulate it from many regional risks.

Wildfire remains the primary concern

Sierra's wildfire risk scores 95.58, reflecting the county's extensive forest cover and elevation, despite overall low composite risk. Flood risk (37.69) and earthquake risk (66.83) are moderate by state standards, posing less immediate threat than fire.

Wildfire insurance protects mountain homes

Sierra County residents should focus on wildfire insurance given the 95.58 risk score, even as other hazards remain relatively low. Defensible space maintenance and community fire preparedness are equally important protections for this forest-dependent county.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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