CountyScore

Skamania County

Washington · WA

#8 in Washington
71.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Skamania County, Washington

Skamania County strengthens above national median

Skamania County's composite score of 70.8 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, marking a 42% advantage in livability. The county ranks in the upper tier of American counties overall.

Above average in Washington state

Skamania County scores 70.8, outpacing Washington's state average of 68.1 and ranking in the state's upper tier. The county delivers stronger-than-typical livability for a smaller Washington community.

Low taxes and genuine affordability

Skamania County combines an 82.2 tax score with effective rate of 0.715% and a 69.4 cost score reflecting median home values of $472,600 and gross rent at $1,024/month. A median household income of $90,085 provides solid purchasing power.

Limited data on multiple dimensions

Safety, health, education, environmental risk, and water quality data remain unavailable, preventing a comprehensive livability assessment. These missing dimensions could materially affect the county's overall evaluation.

Great for outdoor families seeking value

Skamania County attracts outdoor-oriented families and professionals seeking genuine affordability, low taxes, and gateway access to natural recreation in the Columbia River Gorge. Those valuing outdoor lifestyle and reasonable housing costs will thrive here.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.2Cost69.4SafetyComing SoonHealth79.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome42.2Risk50.3WaterComing Soon
🏛82.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠69.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼42.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤79.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡50.3
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 Skamania County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Alamosa County
Colorado
71.2
Median income: $51,445
Grand County
Colorado
71.2
Median income: $84,558
Bingham County
Idaho
71.2
Median income: $76,842
Hamilton County
Illinois
71.2
Median income: $61,520
Hancock County
Indiana
71.2
Median income: $91,326

Deep Dives

Skamania County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Skamania County

via TaxByCounty

Skamania rates slightly above median

Skamania County's effective tax rate of 0.715% slightly trails the national median of 0.750%, placing it near the 50th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $3,380 is 26% above the national median of $2,690.

Moderate rates for Washington

Skamania County's 0.715% effective rate is slightly below Washington's state average of 0.761%, offering moderate tax relief. The median property tax of $3,380 is 11% above the state median of $3,028.

Lower than Puget Sound peers

Skamania County's 0.715% rate is lower than most Puget Sound neighbors, trailing Pierce County (0.940%), Snohomish County (0.794%), and Skagit County (0.824%). This advantage reflects the county's more rural character compared to Seattle-area counties.

Annual tax of $3,380

On Skamania County's median home value of $472,600, you'll pay approximately $3,380 in annual property taxes. Non-mortgaged homeowners pay $3,228 while mortgaged owners pay $3,525.

Assessment reviews benefit all owners

Skamania County homeowners should assess whether their property valuations align with comparable sales in the area. Overassessed properties are common, and appeals are a straightforward way to correct errors.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Skamania County

via CostByCounty

Skamania County's Exceptional Affordability

Skamania County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.6% ranks among the nation's most affordable, beating the national average by nearly 5 percentage points. With median household income of $90,085 and rent at just $1,024/month, Skamania delivers genuine housing affordability while maintaining above-average incomes.

Washington's Second-Most Affordable

Skamania County's 13.6% rent-to-income ratio ranks second only to Pend Oreille in Washington, significantly beating the state average of 18.8%. At $1,024/month, median rent remains $178 below the state median, making Skamania one of the state's top affordability destinations.

Skamania's Unbeaten Value Proposition

Skamania County's $1,024 rent is $62 higher than Pend Oreille but undercuts Spokane ($1,200) and crushes Pierce ($1,722) and Snohomish ($1,866). With a strong median income of $90,085, Skamania residents enjoy both low costs and solid earning power.

The Best Housing Math in Washington

Skamania County renters spend just 13.6% of income on rent—the lowest affordability burden in the state—while owners dedicate 17.8% to mortgage costs. The median home value of $472,600 requires strong income but remains more accessible than San Juan's $726,500.

Skamania: Affordability Meets Strong Income

Skamania County offers Washington's second-best housing affordability paired with above-average incomes—a rare combination for relocators seeking both value and earning potential. If you're moving within Washington, Skamania competes directly with Pend Oreille for the state's best housing value.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Skamania County

via IncomeByCounty

Skamania County beats national median

Skamania County's median household income of $90,085 surpasses the U.S. median of $74,755 by 20.5%, placing the county in the top 25% nationally. The county benefits from tourism, outdoor recreation, and proximity to Portland-Vancouver job markets.

Top-tier income rank in Washington

Skamania County ranks 5th among Washington's 39 counties by median household income, outpacing the state average of $76,363 by $13,722. Strong tourism infrastructure and cross-border employment opportunities fuel above-average earnings.

Strong regional income standing

Skamania County's $90,085 income ranks behind Snohomish ($107,982), Pierce ($96,632), and Skagit ($85,474), but exceeds Pend Oreille ($63,750) and Pacific ($62,350). The position reflects Skamania's natural amenities and strategic location.

Excellent housing affordability

Skamania County boasts the second-lowest rent-to-income ratio at 13.6%, indicating exceptional affordability for renters. With a median home value of $472,600, homeownership requires roughly 5.2 years of median income—favorable compared to peer counties.

Combine income and affordability

Skamania County residents enjoy both above-average income and notably low rent costs, creating an ideal environment for wealth accumulation. Maximizing retirement contributions and investment accounts can transform this cost advantage into long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Skamania County

via HealthByCounty

Skamania County leads nation on life expectancy

At 82.5 years, Skamania County residents live 4 years longer than the U.S. average of 78.5 years. With only 16.2% reporting poor or fair health, this small Columbia River county outpaces most American regions on longevity and health status.

Among Washington's healthiest counties

Skamania's 82.5-year life expectancy ranks in the state's top tier, exceeding Washington's 78.1-year average by 4.4 years. The county's low poor/fair health rate of 16.2% places it well above average statewide.

Outpaces surrounding Southwest Washington

Skamania's health outcomes significantly exceed neighboring Pacific County (76.1 years) and rival those of affluent western Washington communities. Primary care provider data is limited, but the county's strong health metrics suggest adequate access to care.

Good insurance coverage despite provider gaps

Only 6.8% of Skamania residents lack health insurance—well below the state average of 9%—ensuring most have coverage. While primary care provider numbers are unavailable, the county offers 174 mental health providers per 100,000, though this is below state norms.

Secure coverage that covers your care

If you're among Skamania's uninsured, finding coverage is essential to maintaining the county's strong health trajectory. Visit Healthcare.gov or call a local navigator to explore plans that fit your family's needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Skamania County

via RiskByCounty

Skamania County has relatively low risk

Skamania County scores 49.68 on the composite risk scale, below Washington's state average of 70.01 and in the relatively low risk category nationally. This means Skamania residents face less frequent or severe natural hazard exposure than the typical American county. The county's forest-dominated geography and remote location create a more favorable disaster profile than densely populated regions.

One of Washington's safer counties

Skamania County ranks in the lower-risk half of Washington counties, with a 49.68 score placing it above Pend Oreille (28.02) and San Juan (35.37) but well below Puget Sound counties. The county's composite score reflects a stark contrast between its very high wildfire risk (93.92) and moderate earthquake risk (87.09), with low flood (49.78) and tornado (5.63) exposure. Most of Skamania's risk is concentrated in a single hazard type rather than distributed across multiple threats.

Wildfire dominates relative to peers

Skamania County's 49.68 score is lower than eastern Washington counties like Spokane (89.98) but shares similar wildfire exposure—Skamania's wildfire risk (93.92) is comparable to Spokane's (96.56). Unlike Spokane, Skamania's earthquake risk (87.09) is notably lower, reflecting its distance from the most active seismic zones. Clark County to the west faces more balanced multi-hazard exposure, while Skamania's risk is heavily weighted toward forest fire threats.

Wildfire is overwhelming primary threat

Wildfire risk dominates at 93.92, making Skamania County one of Washington's most fire-prone regions due to extensive forestlands and seasonal drought conditions typical of the rain shadow east of the Cascades. Earthquake risk (87.09) is moderate and primarily threatens older structures and infrastructure, while flood (49.78) and tornado (5.63) risks are minimal. Community preparedness must prioritize fire season readiness and defensible space around homes and structures.

Wildfire insurance and forest management

Skamania County homeowners should ensure earthquake insurance coverage in addition to standard homeowners policies with adequate wildfire protection, as the county's 93.92 wildfire risk exceeds most Washington communities. Create and maintain defensible space extending 30 feet from your home, removing dead trees, dense brush, and ladder fuels that accelerate fire spread. Use fire-resistant materials for roofing and exterior cladding, and clear roof gutters regularly to prevent ember accumulation.

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.