countyscore
71.7
County Score
Water Quality 86Schools 84.5Safety 81.2

County Report Card

About Wahkiakum County, Washington

A National Leader in Quality of Life

Wahkiakum County boasts a stellar composite score of 69.1, far surpassing the national median of 50.0. It ranks among the top-tier counties nationwide for its unique balance of safety and services.

Washington's Rural Gold Standard

At 69.1, this county's score is 25 points higher than the Washington state average of 44.1. It provides an exceptionally high standard of living that few other counties in the state can match.

Elite Schools and Environmental Purity

The county achieves remarkable scores in water quality at 86.0 and school quality at 84.5. Safety is also a major highlight, with a score of 81.2 and a low effective tax rate of 0.605%.

Economic Opportunity is Limited

The primary challenge is an income score of 30.6, reflecting a median household income of $57,091. Finding high-paying local employment may be difficult compared to the state's urban centers.

The Ultimate Family Sanctuary

Wahkiakum is perfect for families or retirees who value top-performing schools and pristine natural environments. It is a rare find where high safety and low taxes meet exceptional public services.

2040608010071.862.581.268.784.541.780.88670.1Tax71.8Cost62.5Safety81.2Health68.7Schools84.5Income41.7Risk80.8Water86Weather70.171.7/100
This county
National avg
8 above average

Wahkiakum County DNA

Coverall

How Wahkiakum County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Wahkiakum County scores above average across most dimensions. It's a well-balanced county with particular strength in Disaster Risk (80.8/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
71.8+19.799999999999997
Cost
62.5+14.5
Safety
81.2+26.200000000000003
Health
68.7+18.700000000000003
Schools
84.5+30.5
Income
41.7-9.299999999999997
Risk
80.8+33.8
Water
86+28
Weather
70.1+14.099999999999994
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Whether buying or refinancing in Wahkiakum County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$396,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$853/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$396,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$34,120/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum6.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $62,653/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Clatsop County
Oregon
37.3
Pacific County
Washington
46.4
Columbia County
Oregon
42.5
Cowlitz County
Washington
35.6
Washington County
Oregon
41.1
Clark County
Washington
38.1
Lewis County
Washington
37.9
Thurston County
Washington
37.6

Deep Dives

Wahkiakum County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Wahkiakum County

via TaxByCounty

Wahkiakum County offers tax relief nationally

Wahkiakum County's effective tax rate of 0.605% ranks among the lowest in the nation, placing it in the bottom 15% of U.S. counties. At $2,084 annually, median property taxes here fall well short of the national median of $2,690.

Washington's lowest-taxed county

Wahkiakum County boasts the lowest effective tax rate in Washington at 0.605%, nearly 0.16 percentage points below the state average of 0.761%. Residents pay just $2,084 in median property taxes compared to the state median of $3,028.

Significantly cheaper than Pacific County

Wahkiakum County's 0.605% rate positions it as an exceptional value in southwestern Washington, with notably lower taxes than neighboring Cowlitz and Pacific counties. This makes Wahkiakum one of the region's most affordable property tax environments.

What you'll pay on a Wahkiakum County home

On a median home valued at $344,500, Wahkiakum County residents pay approximately $2,084 per year in property taxes. With mortgage interest included, annual obligations rise to $2,331.

Still worth checking your assessment

Even in a low-tax county like Wahkiakum, some homeowners may face inflated assessments. Verifying your property's valuation against comparable sales is a simple step that could yield additional savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Wahkiakum County

via IncomeByCounty

Wahkiakum County lags the national income average

Median household income in Wahkiakum County is $57,091, nearly $18,000 below the national median of $74,755. This 24% gap places Wahkiakum among the lower-income counties nationally.

Wahkiakum ranks near the bottom statewide

Wahkiakum County's median household income of $57,091 falls well below Washington's state average of $76,363, positioning it in the lowest quartile of state counties. Per capita income of $32,879 lags the state average by nearly $8,000.

Wahkiakum is the second-poorest in this group

Only Whitman County ($52,893) earns less than Wahkiakum County's $57,091 median household income. Wahkiakum trails Stevens County by $10,314 and Yakima County by nearly $11,000.

Housing costs squeeze Wahkiakum households

Wahkiakum County's rent-to-income ratio of 22.8% is the second-highest in this group, meaning housing costs consume nearly 23% of median household income. Combined with lower earning power, this creates affordability pressure for residents.

Prioritize emergency savings and debt reduction

With higher rent burdens and lower incomes, Wahkiakum residents should focus on building a three-to-six-month emergency fund before aggressive investing. Once housing costs are stabilized, even small monthly contributions to a retirement account compound significantly over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Wahkiakum County

via CrimeByCounty

Stellar Safety Scores Along the Columbia River

Wahkiakum County boasts an impressive safety score of 99.3, one of the highest in the nation. Its total crime rate of 446.8 per 100,000 is over five times lower than the national average.

Leading Washington in Public Safety

The county easily surpasses the state safety average of 96.2 and the state crime rate of 2,377.2. Because data comes from a single reporting agency, residents should interpret these extremely low numbers with cautious optimism.

Quiet Streets Compared to Neighbors

Wahkiakum’s crime rate of 446.8 per 100,000 is exceptionally low for the region. It remains one of the most peaceful pockets of Washington, far quieter than its more populated neighbors.

Extremely Low Violent Crime Incidents

The violent crime rate stands at just 44.7 per 100,000, roughly eight times lower than the national average. Property crime also remains low at 402.1 per 100,000, suggesting a very low risk for local households.

Preserving Peace in Wahkiakum County

Living in one of the state's safest areas offers peace of mind, but community awareness is still key. Maintaining visibility around your property and knowing your neighbors are the best ways to keep crime rates at these historic lows.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Wahkiakum County

via WeatherByCounty

Extreme Rainfall on the Pacific Coast

While specific temperature averages are unavailable, Wahkiakum County is defined by its 79.8 inches of annual precipitation. This is more than double the national average, marking it as one of the wettest regions in the country.

Dripping Past the Washington Average

The county’s 79.8 inches of annual rain is over twice the Washington state average of 38.5 inches. This extreme moisture levels the county among the top tier of the state's wettest locales.

Soaking Wet Compared to Neighbors

Wahkiakum receives nearly 30 inches more rain annually than nearby Thurston County. Despite the rain, it sees very little snow, averaging only 3.2 inches per year.

Mild Winters and Damp Summers

Specific seasonal temperature data is limited, but the low 3.2-inch snowfall suggests a very mild winter cycle. The primary seasonal variation is the intensity of the nearly 80 inches of rainfall.

Prioritize Drainage and Waterproofing

Residents must invest in professional-grade waterproof clothing and ensure home drainage systems can handle 79.8 inches of rain. Snow tires are rarely needed, but hydroplaning resistance is a year-round priority.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Wahkiakum County

via SoilByCounty

Coastal Influences on Soil Chemistry

Wahkiakum County lacks specific soil pH and taxonomic records in the current survey. Given its location in the rainy coastal corridor, the soil likely mirrors the state average pH of 6.20, which is slightly more acidic than the national 6.5 baseline.

Riverine Composition and Texture

Comprehensive data on sand, silt, and clay percentages is currently unavailable for this territory. Growers in the area typically manage the heavier, moisture-rich textures characteristic of the lower Columbia River landscape.

Biomass and Regional Fertility

We lack specific local figures for organic matter, but the region's high rainfall supports significant biomass. This generally hints at fertility levels that meet or exceed the state organic matter average of 14.85%.

Navigating High-Moisture Environments

Drainage and hydrologic data are currently unrecorded for this specific coastal county. Professional site assessments are recommended to navigate the high-moisture conditions typical of the local riverfront and hill lands.

Lush Growth in Zone 8b

Hardiness Zone 8b provides Wahkiakum gardeners with a gentle, frost-free climate for much of the year. This environment is ideal for cool-weather crops like kale and peas, as well as flowering rhododendrons.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Wahkiakum County

via LawnByCounty

Managing Extreme Moisture Challenges

Wahkiakum County presents a significant challenge for traditional lawn care with a difficulty score of 19.4. This score sits far below both the national median and the Washington state average of 36.9 due to extreme coastal conditions.

Double the State Average Rainfall

An incredible 79.8 inches of annual precipitation nearly doubles the state average, creating a constant battle with saturated roots. While specific heat data is unavailable, managing this excessive moisture is the primary hurdle for any local landscape.

Preventing Soil Compaction and Leaching

Specific soil metrics are not available for this region, but heavy rainfall often leads to rapid nutrient leaching and potential drainage issues. Regular aeration is usually necessary to prevent soil compaction in these persistently damp coastal conditions.

Resilience During Unexpected Dry Windows

Despite the high rainfall, the area spent 29 weeks in drought over the last year, proving that even wet climates face dry periods. Focus on maintaining healthy soil structure to help your grass survive these unexpected intervals without rainfall.

Choosing Moisture-Tolerant Turf Varieties

In Zone 8b, moisture-tolerant cool-season grasses like bentgrass or rough bluegrass are the most reliable choices for local landscapes. Since frost dates are not strictly defined, monitor local temperature trends to time your seeding for periods of moderate moisture.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Wahkiakum County's county score?
Wahkiakum County, Washington has a composite county score of 71.7 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Wahkiakum County rank among counties in Washington?
Wahkiakum County ranks #1 among all counties in Washington on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Wahkiakum County, Washington?
The median annual property tax in Wahkiakum County is $2,392, with an effective tax rate of 0.60%. This earns Wahkiakum County a tax score of 71.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Wahkiakum County?
The median household income in Wahkiakum County, Washington is $62,653 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Wahkiakum County earns an income score of 41.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Wahkiakum County, Washington a good place to live?
Wahkiakum County scores 71.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #1 in Washington. The best way to evaluate Wahkiakum County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Wahkiakum County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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