CountyScore

Siskiyou County

California · CA

#8 in California
65.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Siskiyou County, California

Siskiyou tops California's livability rankings

Siskiyou's composite score of 72.0 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 72nd percentile nationally. The county ranks among the most livable in the entire United States by balanced standards. This far-northern California region outperforms nearly all major U.S. metropolitan areas.

California's strongest livability performer

Siskiyou scores 72.0, significantly exceeding California's 61.3 state average and ranking highest among all eight counties analyzed. It outperforms the Bay Area, central coast, and inland regions substantially. This remote county delivers exceptional livability when affordability and tax burden are weighted fairly.

Unmatched affordability and tax efficiency

Siskiyou's cost score of 76.3—highest among all eight counties—combines with median homes at $284,500 and rent at just $1,043/month. The tax score of 83.7 (0.661% effective rate) adds significant financial advantage. This county offers the clearest path to housing security and wealth-building for modest-income households.

Income-earning opportunities scarce locally

Siskiyou's income score of 19.6 reflects a median household income of $55,499—the county's primary challenge. Job market opportunities are limited in this rural region, requiring self-sufficiency or remote work. Health, safety, school, and environmental data gaps remain.

For independent workers seeking affordability

Siskiyou attracts remote workers, retirees, and those with independent income seeking maximum affordability and lifestyle freedom. A $55k household income achieves genuine comfort and homeownership here—impossible in California's coastal regions. This county rewards those unconstrained by local job markets and valuing self-determination.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.7Cost76.3SafetyComing SoonHealth68.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.6Risk11WaterComing Soon
🏛83.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠76.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼19.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡11
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 Siskiyou County with another county →

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Deep Dives

Siskiyou County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Siskiyou County

via TaxByCounty

Siskiyou taxes well below national median

Siskiyou County residents pay just $1,880 in median property taxes—significantly below the national median of $2,690. At an effective rate of 0.661%, the county sits below California's state average of 0.714%, and home values of $284,500 make it one of California's most affordable counties.

Lowest absolute taxes in sample

Siskiyou County residents pay the lowest median property taxes in this sample at just $1,880 annually. The county's 0.661% effective rate sits comfortably below California's 0.714% state average.

Cheapest county in the north

Siskiyou homeowners pay just $1,880 annually on homes worth $284,500—the lowest absolute tax burden among neighboring northern counties. Both Shasta ($2,442) and Sierra ($2,590) charge significantly more, while Siskiyou's rate of 0.661% beats or matches both.

A $285K home costs $1,880 yearly

The typical Siskiyou County homeowner pays $1,880 in annual property taxes on a median home valued at $284,500. With mortgage-related adjustments, the total reaches approximately $2,253.

Even modest savings matter in rural areas

Though Siskiyou's tax bills are the lowest in this region, overassessments still occur and appeal filings cost nothing. Even recovering a few hundred dollars annually from an overstated assessed value makes a real difference for Siskiyou residents.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Siskiyou County

via CostByCounty

Far north California's greatest bargain

Siskiyou County renters spend just 22.6% of income on housing while earning only $55,499 annually—the lowest income in this group. Monthly rents of $1,043 are the cheapest here, reflecting a genuinely low-cost region where working families can afford housing.

California's most affordable county

Siskiyou ranks as California's most affordable county, with median rents 36% below state average ($1,043 vs. $1,618) and homes under $285,000. The favorable 22.6% rent-to-income ratio masks the reality: incomes here are simply the lowest in the state.

Cheapest rents in the north state

Siskiyou renters pay $1,043 monthly—the lowest of any county analyzed—compared to $1,181 in Sierra County and $1,267 in Shasta. Home prices follow suit at $284,500, making this the true bargain basement of California real estate.

Living on $55K in Siskiyou

The typical household earning $55,499 spends $1,043 on rent (22.6% of income) or $866 for ownership. This leaves roughly $3,600/month for all other living expenses—food, healthcare, utilities, transportation—a tight budget even by rural standards.

Siskiyou: cheapest but smallest opportunities

If you're seeking California's lowest housing costs, Siskiyou delivers—rent under $1,050 and homes under $285K. Be realistic: the low costs reflect limited job markets, extreme isolation, and harsh winters; this county suits retirees and remote workers, not those seeking career growth.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Siskiyou County

via IncomeByCounty

Siskiyou significantly underperforms nationally

Siskiyou County's median household income of $55,499 falls 26% short of the U.S. median of $74,755, marking it among America's lowest-earning counties. Per capita income of $34,074 ranks in the nation's bottom tier. This far northern county faces fundamental economic challenges.

California's income basement

Siskiyou's $55,499 median household income runs 36% below California's state average of $87,001, ranking it in the state's lowest-income quartile. Per capita income of $34,074 lags the state average by 22%. The county struggles with economic opportunity and wage generation.

Poorest county in northern cluster

Siskiyou ($55,499) underearns Sierra County ($60,000) and Shasta County ($71,931), making it the lowest-income county among its northern neighbors. The income gap exceeds $16,000 per household compared to Shasta. This remote region concentrates California's most economically challenged communities.

Affordable housing, tight budgets

Siskiyou residents allocate 22.6% of their $55,499 income to rent, with median home values of $284,500 remaining relatively affordable on these earnings. However, the absolute income of $55,499 leaves limited surplus after essential expenses. Households here operate with constrained financial flexibility.

Start small, stay consistent

With $55,499 household income, Siskiyou residents must prioritize building emergency savings before investing, aiming for 3-6 months of expenses. Contribute systematically to employer retirement programs and explore low-cost investment accounts as surplus emerges. Even modest, consistent saving habits compound into meaningful wealth over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Siskiyou County

via HealthByCounty

Siskiyou mortality crisis deepens

Siskiyou County residents live to 73.1 years, nearly 5.2 years below the U.S. average of 78.3 years—the lowest in this entire comparison. With 18.8% reporting poor or fair health, the highest rate in this dataset, Siskiyou faces a severe population health crisis.

Worst health outcomes in state

Siskiyou's 73.1-year life expectancy trails California's 78.5 average by 5.4 years, indicating acute health challenges. The county's 8.2% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 7.2%, compounding access barriers for vulnerable residents.

Significant disparity vs. all peers

Siskiyou's 73.1-year life expectancy ranks worst among all eight counties analyzed, trailing even Shasta (74.3) by 1.2 years. The 18.8% poor/fair health rate and 8.2% uninsured rate suggest Siskiyou faces systemic economic and health infrastructure challenges.

Healthcare access crisis evident

Siskiyou supports only 75 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the lowest rate in this comparison—while 8.2% of residents lack health insurance. The county's 550 mental health providers per 100K cannot fully compensate for physical healthcare scarcity and deep economic hardship.

Coverage saves lives here

In Siskiyou County, where health outcomes lag statewide, securing insurance is literally life-saving. If you're uninsured, visit coveredca.com immediately or call 1-800-300-1506 for assistance; emergency Medi-Cal may cover you if income-eligible regardless of immigration status.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Siskiyou County

via RiskByCounty

Siskiyou faces moderate disaster risk

Siskiyou County scores 89.03 on composite risk, earning a 'Relatively Moderate' rating and hovering just above the national average. The county's risk profile reflects significant wildfire exposure combined with moderate flood and earthquake hazards.

Slightly above California's average risk

Siskiyou's 89.03 score marginally exceeds California's 88.72 average, positioning it near the state median. The county's northern location and mixed landscape create a more balanced hazard profile than coastal counties to the south.

Safer than most northern California peers

Siskiyou (89.03) faces lower overall risk than Shasta County (93.38) but significantly higher risk than nearby Sierra County (31.52). The county's position in the state's fire-prone north drives substantial wildfire exposure despite moderate overall vulnerability.

Wildfire dominates Siskiyou's hazard profile

Siskiyou's wildfire risk reaches 98.60—among California's highest—reflecting extensive forest lands and seasonal fire season severity. Flood risk (90.94) and earthquake risk (88.20) are moderate but significant, with flooding particularly affecting valley floor communities.

Wildfire and flood coverage recommended

Siskiyou residents should prioritize wildfire insurance, given the 98.60 risk score and the county's fire-prone geography. Flood insurance is also recommended for properties near the Klamath River and other flood-prone waterways.

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.