CountyScore

Sweetwater County

Wyoming · WY

#14 in Wyoming
72.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Sweetwater County, Wyoming

Strong performer in national rankings

Sweetwater County's composite score of 72.1 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 22.1 points, placing it in approximately the 79th percentile nationally. This reflects solid livability across most dimensions compared to the broader U.S. landscape.

Virtually at Wyoming's mean

Sweetwater's score of 72.1 sits just barely above Wyoming's state average of 71.8, reflecting performance in line with the state's typical county. It ranks in Wyoming's middle tier, competitive with peers but not among the absolute top performers.

Housing affordability and tax relief

Sweetwater County stands out with the state's best cost score of 76.3, boasting the lowest median home value at $242,900 and a tight median rent of $913/month. A tax score of 85.3 with an effective rate of 0.605% further reinforces its affordability advantage.

Health and income warrant focus

Sweetwater's health score of 67.1 is the lowest among these seven counties, signaling potential gaps in healthcare access or outcomes. The income score of 33.3 with median household income of $76,464 also lags several peer counties.

Sweet deal for cost-conscious buyers

Sweetwater County is ideal for cost-conscious families and first-time homebuyers who prioritize affordable housing and low taxes over higher incomes. Those with healthcare concerns may want to explore healthcare availability before committing.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.3Cost76.3SafetyComing SoonHealth67.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome33.3Risk69.4WaterComing Soon
🏛85.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠76.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼33.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡69.4
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 Sweetwater County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Geneva County
Alabama
72.1
Median income: $50,951
Winston County
Alabama
72.1
Median income: $48,032
Stone County
Arkansas
72.1
Median income: $38,531
Montezuma County
Colorado
72.1
Median income: $63,005
Rio Grande County
Colorado
72.1
Median income: $62,166

Deep Dives

Sweetwater County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Sweetwater County

via TaxByCounty

Sweetwater's rate exceeds national norm

At 0.605%, Sweetwater's effective tax rate runs 15% higher than the national median of 0.715%, placing it in the top 40% of taxed U.S. counties. However, the median tax bill of $1,469 remains 45% below the national median of $2,690 due to lower home values.

Sweetwater ranks in top tier statewide

Sweetwater's 0.605% rate is the third-highest in Wyoming, exceeding the state average of 0.556% by 9%. The county collects more per capita in taxes than most other Wyoming counties despite lower median home values of $242,900.

Higher taxes than surrounding counties

Sweetwater's 0.605% rate noticeably exceeds neighbors Sublette County (0.410%) and Uinta County (0.544%), making it one of the region's higher-tax jurisdictions. Only Washakie County (0.700%) and Weston County (0.682%) tax properties at higher rates in the broader region.

What your home costs annually

On a median home valued at $242,900, Sweetwater County homeowners pay approximately $1,469 in annual property taxes. Owners with mortgages pay $1,677, while those without mortgages pay $1,190.

You may be overassessed

With Sweetwater's above-average tax rate, assessment errors can be particularly costly. Consider requesting a review of your home's assessed value with Sweetwater County's assessor—successful appeals could provide meaningful tax relief.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Sweetwater County

via CostByCounty

Sweetwater delivers rare housing affordability

Sweetwater County renters spend just 14.3% of income on housing—well below the national squeeze and a rare bright spot for affordability in the Mountain West. This advantage stems from moderate rents ($913/month) paired with healthy median household income of $76,464.

Sweetwater ranks among Wyoming's most affordable

At 14.3%, Sweetwater's rent-to-income ratio beats Wyoming's 15.5% state average by 1.2 percentage points. The county stands out as genuinely accessible, ranking in the top tier for housing affordability statewide.

Sweetwater undercuts most neighboring counties

Sweetwater's $913 rent falls below Sheridan ($950) and well below Sublette ($1,116), making it the affordable rental choice in its region. Only Washakie County offers lower rents, but Sweetwater pairs those savings with stronger household incomes.

Sweetwater balances income and housing costs efficiently

On a $76,464 median household income, Sweetwater renters allocate just $913 monthly to rent—14.3% of earnings. Homeowners pay $1,027 monthly, representing about 16% of household income, a reasonable burden for owner-occupied housing.

Sweetwater is Wyoming's affordability sweet spot

If housing costs concern you, Sweetwater delivers competitive rents without sacrificing income potential. Compare its 14.3% rent-to-income ratio against Teton (18.7%) or even national averages, and you'll find genuine savings waiting.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sweetwater County

via IncomeByCounty

Sweetwater Tracks National Median

Sweetwater County's median household income of $76,464 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by $1,709, keeping the county slightly ahead of typical American households. This 2% advantage reflects a stable mix of mining, refining, and service industries.

Third-Ranked in Wyoming

Sweetwater ranks third among Wyoming's 23 counties with income $3,104 above the state average of $73,360. Its per capita income of $40,988 slightly edges the state average of $40,222, indicating broadly shared prosperity.

Steady Income in Industrial Hub

Sweetwater's $76,464 falls below Sublette County by $6,327 but exceeds Sheridan County by $5,609, positioning it as a steady middle performer. Compared to Uinta County at $82,672, Sweetwater ranks lower despite similar industrial bases.

Best Rent-to-Income Ratio in Region

At 14.3%, Sweetwater's rent-to-income ratio is the lowest among these seven counties, meaning renters enjoy the most favorable housing costs relative to earnings. The median home value of $242,900 is the most affordable in this cohort, enabling strong homeownership access.

Leverage Sweetwater's Affordability

Sweetwater households earning $76,464 benefit from the region's low housing-cost burden, freeing cash for savings and investments that compounds over decades. Prioritize building an emergency fund, then maximize retirement account contributions to secure your financial future.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Sweetwater County

via HealthByCounty

Sweetwater struggles against national averages

At 74.6 years, Sweetwater County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.4 years by 1.8 years. Nearly 16% report poor or fair health—significantly above the national 17% benchmark—signaling persistent health challenges in this industrial region.

One of Wyoming's youngest life expectancies

Sweetwater's 74.6-year life expectancy ranks among the lowest in Wyoming, 2.4 years below the state average of 77.0. Its 15.9% poor/fair health rate places it in the state's bottom tier, indicating concentrated health risk factors.

Outpaced by western county peers

Sweetwater's 74.6-year life expectancy lags both Sublette (80.2 years) to the north and Uinta (75.0 years) to the east. The county's 15.9% poor/fair health rate is second-worst in the region, reflecting challenges from industrial employment patterns and demographic shifts.

Insurance coverage low, providers sparse

With 13.2% uninsured, Sweetwater performs slightly better than state average, yet only 43 primary care providers per 100,000 serve the population. Mental health support at 250 per 100,000 also trails most Wyoming counties, limiting access to preventive and behavioral care.

Health insurance is your first step

If you lack coverage or underinsurance, Sweetwater's limited local providers make off-site care more likely—making a solid plan essential. Visit healthcare.gov to compare options and understand available subsidies for your household.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Sweetwater County

via RiskByCounty

Sweetwater's risk remains well below average

Sweetwater County scores 30.63 on the composite risk index, earning a Very Low rating and sitting below the national risk baseline. This moderate score reflects balanced exposure across several hazard types without extreme vulnerability in any single category. Sweetwater residents benefit from relative geographic stability compared to many U.S. counties.

Middle-rank safety among Wyoming counties

Sweetwater's composite score of 30.63 falls below Wyoming's state average of 37.86, placing it in the safer half of the state's county rankings. The county avoids the elevated risks present in northwestern Wyoming while maintaining reasonable preparedness standards. Sweetwater's position reflects its location in south-central Wyoming's varied terrain.

Comparable risk profile to regional peers

Sweetwater (30.63) shares similar risk exposure with neighboring Sublette County (21.63) and Washakie County (24.36), forming a relatively safe corridor in western Wyoming. Sweetwater's composite score exceeds nearby Uinta County (16.70) but remains well below Teton County (70.64) and Sheridan County (65.20). This middle positioning reflects Sweetwater's transitional geography between high and low-risk zones.

Flood and wildfire deserve attention

Sweetwater's flood risk reaches 52.45, the highest hazard score in the county and reflecting its location along river corridors and drainage areas. Wildfire risk scores 66.16, a moderate exposure reflecting grassland and forest vegetation patterns across the region. Tornado risk remains low at 9.35, with earthquake exposure moderate at 65.55.

Flood insurance worth evaluating carefully

Sweetwater residents, particularly those near stream corridors or low-lying areas, should investigate NFIP flood insurance given the county's 52.45 flood risk score. Standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage, making supplemental coverage essential if you're in a flood-prone location. Verify wildfire coverage separately and maintain defensible space around structures in forested or grassland areas.

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.