CountyScore

Trinity County

California · CA

#3 in California
70.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Trinity County, California

Trinity ranks highest among 8 counties

Trinity County's composite score of 75.6 places it in the 76th percentile nationally—the strongest score in this group and 25.6 points above the national median. The county achieves this elite ranking through unmatched affordability and minimal tax burden.

California's affordability standout

Trinity's 75.6 score far exceeds California's state average of 61.3, ranking it in the top 10% of state counties. Few California regions combine such low costs with such favorable tax treatment.

Lowest costs and taxes in the group

Trinity dominates with a cost score of 81.3, featuring median home value at $329,000 and rent just $922 monthly—the cheapest in this cohort. The tax score of 87.1 with a 0.539% effective rate is the best across all eight counties.

Limited income opportunities locally

The income score of 18.3 and median household income of $53,498 significantly lag the state, indicating few high-wage employment options. The county's remoteness in the mountains limits access to job markets and urban services.

For retirees and creative independents

Trinity is ideal for retirees living on pensions, freelancers with national clients, and families prioritizing peace and affordability over income growth. It requires self-sufficiency and acceptance of rural isolation, but offers unmatched financial security for those who fit the profile.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.1Cost81.3SafetyComing SoonHealth72.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.3Risk20.6WaterComing Soon
🏛87.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡20.6
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 Trinity County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Petersburg Borough
Alaska
70.3
Median income: $77,026
Johnson County
Georgia
70.3
Median income: $54,183
Pulaski County
Georgia
70.3
Median income: $47,688
Webster County
Georgia
70.3
Median income: $40,764
Cass County
Indiana
70.3
Median income: $56,525

Deep Dives

Trinity County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Trinity County

via TaxByCounty

Trinity has California's lowest tax rate

Trinity County's effective tax rate of 0.539% is the lowest across California and substantially below the national norm. The median property tax of $1,772 sits well below the national median of $2,690, making Trinity exceptional for property tax affordability.

Lowest effective rate statewide by far

Trinity County ranks dead last among California counties with an effective rate of just 0.539%—nearly 0.2 percentage points below the second-place Tehama County. Its median tax of $1,772 is the lowest in the state, a stark contrast to California's $4,045 state median.

Unbeatable tax advantage in remote region

Trinity's 0.539% effective rate stands alone, far below rural neighbors like Tehama (0.632%) and Tuolumne (0.674%). Even among California's most affordable counties, Trinity offers unmatched property tax relief.

A $329,000 home costs $1,772 yearly

The typical Trinity homeowner with a $329,000 property pays approximately $1,772 in annual property taxes. Mortgaged properties face an additional assessment bump, reaching $2,234 total.

Verify your assessment even in a tax haven

Trinity's exceptional tax rate makes property taxes negligible compared to other counties, but homeowners should still ensure their assessed value is accurate. Any reduction compounds savings in a county already known for low burdens.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Trinity County

via CostByCounty

Trinity: California's most affordable rents

Trinity County residents spend just 20.7% of income on rent, the lowest ratio among the eight counties profiled and below both state and national averages. At $922 per month, Trinity's median rent is the lowest in this comparison, reflecting its remote rural location in far northern California.

Trinity is California's affordability outlier

Trinity ranks as one of California's absolute most affordable counties for housing, with a median home value of just $329,000. This exceptional affordability comes with trade-offs: limited job opportunities, minimal urban infrastructure, and geographic isolation.

Trinity saves renters hundreds monthly

Renters in Trinity pay $922 monthly versus $2,093 in Sonoma County—saving over $1,100 per month—and even undercut Tehama's $1,159. Trinity's median income of $53,498 is the lowest profiled here, reflecting limited employment diversity.

Trinity's minimal housing burden

A Trinity household earning $53,498 annually dedicates only $11,074 to rent (20.7% of income) or $8,196 to mortgage costs. This leaves the most discretionary income of any county profiled, though lower absolute earnings limit household wealth accumulation.

Trinity for the truly frugal or self-sufficient

Trinity's $922 rent and 20.7% housing burden are unmatched in California, making it ideal only for retirees, remote workers with high outside income, or those seeking off-grid self-sufficiency. The county's extreme isolation and minimal job market make relocation practical only for those with income independent of local employment.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Trinity County

via IncomeByCounty

Trinity among America's lowest earners

Trinity County's median household income of $53,498 runs 28% below the national median of $74,755, reflecting persistent economic challenges in this remote mountain county. The gap underscores the income divide between rural and urbanized America.

California's income outlier

At $53,498, Trinity ranks among the lowest-income counties in California, trailing the state median of $87,001 by 38%. Per capita income of $32,271 is 26% below the state average, signaling limited economic opportunity and workforce constraints.

Struggling in remote isolation

Trinity ($53,498) earns less than every comparable county in this group, including Tehama ($61,834), Sutter ($75,450), and Tuolumne ($72,259). Isolation and limited industry diversity create acute economic disadvantages.

Low income, lowest costs

Trinity's 20.7% rent-to-income ratio is the best among peer counties, and median home values of $329,000 remain deeply affordable. Housing is not the primary financial burden here; rather, low wages limit household savings and wealth accumulation.

Stretch modest resources strategically

With median household income of $53,498, Trinity residents should prioritize building emergency funds and access accessible financial literacy resources. Affordable housing creates a foundation for homeownership wealth-building, critical given limited income growth prospects.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Trinity County

via HealthByCounty

Trinity's life expectancy near national average

At 77 years, Trinity residents live just below the U.S. average of 76.1 years. The 19.5% poor/fair health rate slightly exceeds the national average of 18%, suggesting moderate but manageable health challenges.

Below California's health performance

Trinity's 77-year life expectancy falls below California's 78.5-year average by 1.5 years, and the 19.5% poor/fair health rate exceeds state trends. The county performs below state norms across key health indicators.

Lower health outcomes than regional peers

Trinity's 77-year life expectancy trails Sonoma (80.6 years) and Tuolumne (76.4 years), though it exceeds Stanislaus (75.4 years). The county stands out negatively for primary care access at just 19 providers per 100,000—far below all regional peers.

Extreme primary care provider shortage

Trinity's 6% uninsured rate is among the lowest in the state, but this masks a critical problem: only 19 primary care providers per 100,000 residents make up the region's most severe shortage. Mental health services at 332 providers per 100,000 are relatively stronger, but primary care barriers limit overall health access.

Coverage is just the first step here

Trinity's excellent 6% uninsured rate means most residents have insurance, yet extreme provider shortages limit care access. Verify your coverage through Covered California, then work with your county health department to locate available primary care or explore telehealth options.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Trinity County

via RiskByCounty

Trinity shows California's lower-risk profile

Trinity County's composite risk score of 79.45 earns a Relatively Low rating, placing it well below the national average. Despite this advantage, significant hazards remain and shouldn't be dismissed.

Among California's safer counties

Trinity's 79.45 score falls well below California's 88.72 state average, ranking it in the lower third of state risk exposure. The county benefits from remote location and lower population density in hazard zones.

Safest in the North State trio

Trinity (79.45) ranks notably lower than both Tehama (88.90) and Sutter (83.72), making it the least at-risk county in the immediate region. Wildfire risk remains high at 98.51, but other hazards are comparatively muted.

Wildfire dominates your hazard landscape

Wildfire risk at 98.51 stands as Trinity's overwhelming concern, nearly matching state peak levels. Flood risk (79.04) and earthquake risk (84.96) are secondary but still material threats, particularly in valley communities.

Wildfire coverage comes first

Wildfire insurance is your priority—Trinity's remote forests create extreme fire exposure despite lower overall county risk. Add earthquake insurance to cover seismic damage, and verify your insurer covers flood scenarios in riparian zones.

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.