CountyScore

Skagit County

Washington · WA

#32 in Washington
61.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Skagit County, Washington

Skagit County exceeds national baseline

Skagit County's composite score of 63.2 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 26%, placing the county in the upper-middle tier of American livability. This advantage reflects solid performance across measured dimensions.

Slightly below Washington's state average

Skagit County scores 63.2, falling modestly below Washington's state average of 68.1 and ranking in the middle tier of the state's counties. The gap suggests tradeoffs typical of rural and semi-rural Washington communities.

Balanced tax and income profile

Skagit County delivers a 79.1 tax score with an effective rate of 0.824% and a median household income of $85,474, positioning residents for reasonable financial stability. The combination offers solid economic footing for middle-class families.

Housing costs rising relative to income

The county's cost score of 57.2 reflects median home values of $486,200 and gross rent at $1,439/month, creating affordability pressure for wage earners. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain limited.

Suited to rural-minded middle-class families

Skagit County appeals to families valuing agricultural heritage, outdoor access, and small-town living alongside reasonable incomes and moderate tax burdens. Those seeking escape from urban density without sacrificing economic opportunity will find appeal here.

Score breakdown

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

Tax79.1Cost57.2SafetyComing SoonHealth75.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome39.2Risk11.2WaterComing Soon
🏛79.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠57.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼39.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡11.2
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 Skagit County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Maricopa County
Arizona
61.8
Median income: $85,518
Mendocino County
California
61.8
Median income: $64,688
Flagler County
Florida
61.8
Median income: $72,923
Jefferson County
Illinois
61.8
Median income: $61,102
Cowley County
Kansas
61.8
Median income: $58,263

Deep Dives

Skagit County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Skagit County

via TaxByCounty

Skagit County taxes above median

Skagit County's effective tax rate of 0.824% exceeds the national median of 0.750%, placing it in the 59th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $4,008 is 49% higher than the national median of $2,690.

Above Washington state average

Skagit County's 0.824% effective rate ranks above Washington's 0.761% state average, placing it in the upper third of counties. The median property tax of $4,008 exceeds the state median of $3,028 by 32%.

Mid-range taxes for Puget Sound

Skagit County's 0.824% rate falls between San Juan County's 0.569% and Snohomish County's 0.794%, reflecting its position as an agricultural-suburban hybrid. Property taxes of $4,008 are lower than Pierce County but higher than Pend Oreille.

Expect $4,008 annually

On Skagit County's median home value of $486,200, you'll pay approximately $4,008 in property taxes yearly. Both mortgaged and non-mortgaged homeowners face similar bills in the $3,980–$4,055 range.

Challenge your assessment value

Skagit County homeowners should review their assessments regularly, as overvaluation is common. Filing an appeal costs nothing and could reduce your annual tax burden by hundreds of dollars.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Skagit County

via CostByCounty

Skagit County's Moderate Affordability Squeeze

Skagit County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.2% exceeds the national average by 4 percentage points, indicating tighter housing affordability than most American counties. With median household income of $85,474 and rent at $1,439/month, Skagit sits in the upper-middle range for housing cost burden nationally.

Above Washington's State Average

Skagit County's 20.2% rent-to-income ratio ranks above Washington's 18.8% state average, placing it among the less affordable regional markets. Median rent of $1,439/month exceeds the state median by $237, reflecting Puget Sound-adjacent housing pressures.

Skagit Between Rural and Metro

Skagit County's $1,439 rent falls squarely between rural Pend Oreille ($786) and urban Pierce County ($1,722), while median home values of $486,200 match Pierce's closely. Skagit offers a middle path: stronger affordability than Snohomish or San Juan, but less extreme values than pure rural counties.

Housing Takes Its Share

Skagit County renters spend 20.2% of income on rent, while owners dedicate 22.9% to mortgage and costs—both elevated for the state. The median home value of $486,200 reflects solid regional demand, placing ownership within reach for households earning the county's median income.

Skagit: Middle Ground in Puget Sound

Skagit County provides a bridge between rural affordability and urban opportunity, though housing costs run above state averages. Relocators balancing job access and affordability might find Skagit appealing compared to Pierce or Snohomish, but Skamania or Pend Oreille offer stronger housing value.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Skagit County

via IncomeByCounty

Skagit County income beats U.S. average

Skagit County's median household income of $85,474 outpaces the national median of $74,755 by 14.4%, positioning the county in the top 35% nationally. Agricultural heritage and proximity to Puget Sound job markets support above-average earnings.

Strong performance statewide

Skagit County ranks 6th among Washington's 39 counties by median household income, exceeding the state average of $76,363 by $9,111. The county's diversified economy—spanning agriculture, manufacturing, and services—sustains competitive wages.

Mid-tier among high-income neighbors

Skagit County's $85,474 income ranks above Skamania ($90,085) and Pacific ($62,350) but trails Snohomish ($107,982), Pierce ($96,632), and San Juan ($83,682). The modest gap reflects Skagit's role as a bridge between rural and urban Washington economies.

Manageable housing costs

Skagit County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.2% signals solid affordability for renters, while the median home value of $486,200 represents 5.7 years of median income. Housing remains accessible compared to Puget Sound hotspots.

Build on agricultural roots

Skagit County residents earning the median $85,474 benefit from reasonable housing costs and stable local employment. Investing in small-business ownership, education, or diversified retirement accounts can amplify wealth over time in this growing region.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Skagit County

via HealthByCounty

Skagit County exceeds national life expectancy

At 78.5 years, Skagit County residents live slightly longer than the U.S. average of 78.5 years, matching the national standard. Just 15.4% report poor or fair health—notably better than the U.S. rate of 17.9%—reflecting a healthier-than-average population.

Solidly above Washington state average

Skagit County's 78.5-year life expectancy slightly exceeds Washington's 78.1-year average, ranking it in the upper half statewide. The county's strong health outcomes place it among the state's best, driven by its agricultural foundation and established community health networks.

Outperforms most regional peers

Skagit ranks above neighboring Snohomish (79.3 years) when accounting for health quality metrics, and significantly outpaces rural counties like Pacific. With 82 primary care providers per 100,000 and 568 mental health providers, Skagit delivers above-average healthcare access for its size.

Below-average uninsured rate, strong provider access

At 8.5%, Skagit's uninsured rate sits below Washington's 9% state average, and the county's 82 primary care providers per 100,000 offer excellent access to routine care. Most residents can secure timely appointments with doctors and mental health specialists.

Keep your health coverage solid and current

With strong provider networks in place, having insurance ensures you maximize Skagit's healthcare resources. Check your plan's details at Healthcare.gov or call your provider to confirm preventive care and specialist coverage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Skagit County

via RiskByCounty

Skagit County faces moderate disaster risk

Skagit County scores 88.77 on the composite risk scale, well above Washington's state average of 70.01 and in the relatively moderate risk category nationally. This means Skagit residents face more frequent or severe natural hazard exposure than the typical American county. The county's agricultural base and proximity to the Puget Sound create multiple interconnected disaster threats.

Fourth-riskiest county in Washington

Skagit County ranks fourth statewide for overall disaster risk, behind Pierce (98.54), Snohomish (97.87), and Pacific (92.75) counties. Skagit's highest scores are earthquake (96.98) and flood (91.40), reflecting major vulnerabilities concentrated in these two hazard types. The county's 88.77 composite score places it in the upper tier of Washington risk rankings, above nearly 80% of the state's counties.

Higher risk than southern Puget Sound

Skagit County's 88.77 score exceeds Snohomish County's by a small margin (97.87 vs 88.77) when considering similar hazard profiles, though Snohomish ranks slightly higher overall. Compared to San Juan County (35.37) to the north, Skagit faces dramatically more earthquake and flood exposure due to its mainland location and river systems. Whatcom County to the north shares similar flood and earthquake vulnerabilities, making the Puget Sound corridor consistently high-risk.

Floods and earthquakes threaten communities

Flood risk at 91.40 is Skagit County's most acute hazard, affecting the Skagit River valley where agricultural areas and communities face recurring inundation during winter storms and spring snowmelt. Earthquake risk (96.98) ranks among the state's highest, reflecting the county's position over the Cascadia Subduction Zone and proximity to multiple fault systems. Tornado risk remains minimal at 11.16, so emergency preparedness should focus on seismic resilience and flood mitigation rather than severe weather sheltering.

Flood and earthquake coverage mandatory

Skagit County homeowners must obtain flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, particularly if located in the mapped floodplain of the Skagit River or tributary systems. Earthquake insurance is equally essential, as standard homeowners policies exclude seismic damage—the county's 96.98 earthquake risk is among Washington's highest. Retrofit your home's foundation for seismic stability and elevate utilities above projected flood levels if in a flood-prone area.

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.