Tooele County

Utah · UT

#21 in Utah
69.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Tooele County, Utah

Tooele County outperforms national livability baseline

Tooele County's composite score of 69.8 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 40%, ranking it in the 70th percentile nationally. This strong performance reflects balanced livability despite proximity to a major metro area.

Slightly below Utah state average overall

At 69.8, Tooele County trails the state average of 72.1 by 2.3 points, positioning it in the middle-upper tier of Utah's county rankings. It offers a practical suburban-rural balance that appeals to commuters and families seeking lower costs than Salt Lake City proper.

Solid income and reasonable housing costs

Tooele County offers a median household income of $101,846 with an income score of 49.9, providing solid earning potential for working families. Housing remains moderately accessible with a median home value of $391,300 and median rent of $1,134, along with a favorable tax score of 85.7.

Moderate natural disaster risk present

The risk score of 51.1 indicates moderate vulnerability to natural hazards, suggesting some consideration needed for property protection and insurance planning. Health outcomes at 74.8 and cost affordability at 63.9 are adequate but not exceptional compared to other counties in the state.

Suits commuters balancing career and affordability

Tooele County appeals to working families and professionals who commute to Salt Lake City's job market while seeking more affordable housing and reasonable taxes. It works best for those willing to trade some urban amenities for suburban practicality and financial breathing room.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.7Cost63.9SafetyComing SoonHealth74.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome49.9Risk51.1WaterComing Soon
🏛85.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠63.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼49.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
74.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
51.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Tooele County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Tooele County

via TaxByCounty

Tooele's taxes exceed national and state averages

Tooele County's effective tax rate of 0.589% sits 18% above the state average of 0.498% and in the 70th percentile nationally. The median tax bill of $2,303 falls below the national median of $2,690, despite the elevated rate, due to lower median home values of $391,300.

Above-average taxes among Utah counties

Tooele County ranks 6th among Utah's 29 counties by effective tax rate at 0.589%, notably above the statewide average of 0.498%. Its median tax of $2,303 exceeds the state median of $1,815, placing it in Utah's higher-tax tier.

Higher than most nearby counties

Tooele County's 0.589% rate exceeds Salt Lake County (0.563%), Sanpete County (0.511%), and Uintah County (0.535%), though it falls below San Juan County's exceptional 0.844%. Among the Wasatch Front and central Utah counties, Tooele carries one of the steeper tax burdens.

Median home tax runs $2,303 yearly

A typical Tooele County home valued at $391,300 generates an annual property tax bill of $2,303. Homeowners with mortgages pay slightly more at $2,358, while those owning outright pay less at $2,072.

Challenge assessments to reduce bills

In a county with above-average tax rates, assessment accuracy becomes critical—an overvalued home can mean hundreds of dollars in unnecessary annual taxes. Review your assessment notice carefully and file an appeal if your home is assessed higher than comparable recent sales in your area.

Cost of Living in Tooele County

via CostByCounty

Tooele offers affordability with strong income

Tooele County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.4% ranks among Utah's best and well below the national standard, while its median household income of $101,846 significantly exceeds the national average of $74,755. Residents enjoy both higher earnings and lower proportional housing costs—a rare combination.

Utah's affordability and income leader

Tooele County combines the second-highest median household income in Utah ($101,846) with one of the lowest rent-to-income ratios (13.4%), placing it at the state's affordability sweet spot. The county's $1,134 median rent sits between Rich County and Salt Lake, but far stronger incomes make it more manageable.

Strong position between Salt Lake and rural counties

Tooele County's $1,134 rent sits between Salt Lake's $1,493 and rural counties like Sevier ($878), while its median income of $101,846 rivals Salt Lake's $94,658. The county offers a balanced commuter advantage—closer to the metro than Sanpete or Sevier, yet with better affordability than Salt Lake proper.

Strong wages make housing manageable

Renters spend $1,134 monthly while homeowners average $1,568, consuming 13.4% to 18.5% of a median $101,846 household income. The typical Tooele family dedicates roughly $13,600 to $18,800 annually to housing—reasonable given their above-average earnings.

Tooele: commuter haven with strong affordability

If you're seeking proximity to Salt Lake's job market without its housing premium, Tooele County delivers excellent value—strong median income with one of the state's lowest rent-to-income ratios. The county's $391,300 median home value and manageable rents make it ideal for families balancing work access and cost control.

Income & Jobs in Tooele County

via IncomeByCounty

Tooele's income leads the nation solidly

Tooele County's median household income of $101,846 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by $27,091, or 36.2%. This substantial premium reflects a county economy powered by manufacturing, mining, and industrial sectors offering strong wage opportunities.

Utah's third-highest income county

Tooele County ranks third in Utah behind only Summit County ($137,058) and Salt Lake County ($94,658), exceeding the state average of $80,176 by $21,670. Per capita income of $37,365 surpasses the state average of $35,055, indicating robust individual earnings across the county.

Outearning most regional peers decisively

Tooele County's $101,846 income exceeds all neighboring counties except Summit, including Rich County ($76,875) and Sevier County ($73,765). The county's industrial base supports significantly higher wages than most nearby regions.

Housing costs remain very manageable

Tooele County's 13.4% rent-to-income ratio is among Utah's best, consuming roughly $1,136 monthly on housing relative to median income. This leaves over 86% of income available for other expenses, savings, and wealth accumulation.

Strong income and affordability fuel wealth growth

Tooele County residents combining high income with low housing costs are ideally positioned for aggressive wealth building through retirement savings, real estate investment, and diversified portfolios. Consider maximizing tax-advantaged accounts to accelerate long-term financial independence.

Health in Tooele County

via HealthByCounty

Tooele County near U.S. health average

Life expectancy of 77.1 years closely mirrors the U.S. average of 76.4 years, showing broadly typical American longevity. At 15.4%, the poor/fair health rate matches national averages, suggesting moderate overall wellness.

Below Utah's health median

Tooele County's 77.1-year life expectancy falls 0.8 years short of Utah's 77.9-year state average. While the county's health outcomes aren't dire, they lag the state norm slightly.

Mid-range outcomes in western Utah

Tooele County's 77.1-year life expectancy sits between Sevier County (77.3 years) and San Juan County (72.8 years), showing moderate regional variation. It substantially trails Summit County (84.0 years) by 6.9 years.

Severe primary care shortage

Tooele County has only 14 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the lowest statewide—creating significant access barriers. The positive news: its 7.7% uninsured rate is the second-lowest in Utah, though few providers means coverage alone doesn't guarantee timely appointments.

Get covered despite provider gaps

Tooele County's 7.7% uninsured rate is excellent, but the 8 in 100 residents without coverage should enroll at Healthcare.gov. Insurance won't solve the county's primary care shortage, but it removes financial barriers when appointments do open.

Disaster Risk in Tooele County

via RiskByCounty

Tooele County faces moderate disaster risk

Tooele County's composite risk score of 48.89 sits above the national average and in the relatively low risk category. The county experiences significant exposure to wildfires and earthquakes.

Above Utah's average but not extreme

At 48.89, Tooele County exceeds Utah's state average of 36.19 by about 35 percent. This positioning places it in the upper-middle range of Utah counties for overall disaster vulnerability.

Higher risk than Summit, lower than Salt Lake

Tooele County (48.89) sits between Summit County (60.08) and the state average, while substantially below the extreme risk of neighboring Salt Lake County (98.57). Rich County (0.83) to the north represents a striking contrast in risk levels.

Wildfires and earthquakes pose major threats

Wildfire risk (97.26) is Tooele County's dominant hazard, with earthquake risk (83.56) presenting a secondary but substantial concern. Flood (18.29) and tornado (13.61) risks remain relatively minor.

Prioritize wildfire and earthquake coverage

Tooele County residents should ensure wildfire protection and earthquake insurance as essential additions to standard homeowners policies. These two hazards account for the vast majority of the county's disaster risk.

ByCounty Network

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