Which counties are teetering on the edge of disaster, where homes, boulders, and mud risk tumbling down hillsides?
With landslide season in full swing, Home Gnome ranked 2025’s Most Landslide-Vulnerable Counties.
We compared over 700 of the biggest U.S. counties based on three categories. We looked at landslide, earthquake, and avalanche risk, the net change in tree cover over the last 20 years, and expected annual financial loss from landslides, among 11 total metrics.
Slide into our ranking below. To learn how we ranked the counties, see our methodology.
In This Article
- Quick Stats
- The Leaderboard
- The Most Landslide-Vulnerable Counties
- The Least Landslide-Vulnerable Counties
- Behind the Ranking
- Rock Solid Defense: Landscape Protection Tips
Quick Stats
- On Shaky Ground: Oregon dominates with 6 counties, including Lincoln County (No. 1) and Douglas County (No. 2), topping the list for the highest landslide risk scores. Pitkin County, Colorado (No. 24) and Elmore County, Idaho (No. 20), bring the Rockies into the mix, while Floyd County, Kentucky (No. 21) faces steep risks in the Appalachian region.
- Rain Check: On average, Jefferson County, Washington (No. 601) experiences a staggering 532.3 inches of rain annually but lands safely in the bottom half of the ranking. With over half of the county covered by Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest, development is limited, keeping expected financial losses to a minimum despite heavy rainfall. On the other side, Tillamook County, Oregon (No. 3), faces high landslide risk with similar soggy conditions.
- Unstable Slopes: Multnomah County, Oregon (No. 9), Ventura County, California (No. 75), and San Bernardino County, California (No. 79), face double trouble with high earthquake and landslide risk scores.
The Leaderboard
See how each county fared in our ranking:
The Most Landslide-Vulnerable Counties
Landslide Risk Score: 100 | Rank: 1
Expected Annual Financial Loss from Landslides: $6,110,392.07 | Rank: 1
Historical Average Yearly Precipitation (in Inches): 437.52 | Rank: 6
Earthquake Risk Score: 97.84 | Rank: 57
20-Year Change in Tree Cover (%): - 4.1% | Rank: 89
Photo credit: Qygen | Wikimedia Commons | License
Landslide Risk Score: 99.97 | Rank: 2
Expected Annual Financial Loss from Landslides: $4,090,766.02 | Rank: 2
Historical Average Yearly Precipitation (in Inches): 231.52 | Rank: 329
Earthquake Risk Score: 97.9 | Rank: 55
20-Year Change in Tree Cover (%): - 5.3% | Rank: 66
Photo credit: Marty Bernard | Wikimedia Commons | License
Landslide Risk Score: 99.84 | Rank: 6
Expected Annual Financial Loss from Landslides: $2,469,696.14 | Rank: 5
Historical Average Yearly Precipitation (in Inches): 501.02 | Rank: 2
Earthquake Risk Score: 96.4 | Rank: 87
20-Year Change in Tree Cover (%): - 6% | Rank: 53
Photo Credit: RickObst | Wikimedia Commons | License
Landslide Risk Score: 99.9 | Rank: 4
Expected Annual Financial Loss from Landslides: $2,897,035.94 | Rank: 4
Historical Average Yearly Precipitation (in Inches): 501.02 | Rank: 75
Earthquake Risk Score: 99.05 | Rank: 29
20-Year Change in Tree Cover (%): - 3.2% | Rank: 117
Photo credit: Marty Bernard | Wikimedia Commons | License
Landslide Risk Score: 99.94 | Rank: 3
Expected Annual Financial Loss from Landslides: $2,905,360.78 | Rank: 3
Historical Average Yearly Precipitation (in Inches): 299.35 | Rank: 59
Earthquake Risk Score: 98.54 | Rank: 41
20-Year Change in Tree Cover (%): - 3.2% | Rank: 89
Photo credit: A'eron Blackman | Wikimedia Commons | License
- West Coast Woes: The Pacific Northwest dominates the top 25, with Oregon and Washington counties at the greatest risk. Santa Cruz County, California (No. 13) stands out as the only California locale in the top 25, while McDowell County, North Carolina (No. 22) is the lone East Coast contender. All top 25 counties face high landslides and financial risks, making preparedness essential.
- Trigger Warning: Harris County, Texas (No. 439) may slide under the radar, barely scraping into the top half of the ranking. But the county’s high Trigger Rank (thanks to hurricanes, drought, wildfires, and flooding) keeps it on shaky ground. With a landslide risk score of 83.23 — in the danger zone — it’s a disaster cocktail waiting to spill, thankfully financial loss is expected to be minimal.
- High-Stakes Slopes: A landslide could cost 20 counties more than just dirt — they all face expected financial loss exceeding $1 million. Oregon leads the pack with 9 counties, followed by Washington with 6. Colorado, Idaho, Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia all add 1 county with significant financial risk to the mix.
The Least Landslide-Vulnerable Counties
- Rock-Solid Rankings: While all counties in the ranking face at least moderate landslide risk, the bottom 25 show more stability, with Midwestern counties like Allamakee County, Iowa (No. 743) and Vernon County, Wisconsin (No. 742) leading the pack. Crook County, Oregon (No. 732) is a surprising addition, thanks to lower annual precipitation and expected financial loss.
- Minimal Mudslides: 60 counties face the lowest financial impacts from landslides, each with expected annual losses under $100,000. Wayne County, Tennessee (No. 698) leads with the least expected loss at around $49,000. Despite moderate to high risks, sparsely populated regions like Klickitat County, Washington (No. 682), and San Juan County, Utah (No. 725), benefit from their rugged, undeveloped landscapes, keeping potential damages to a minimum.
- Rooted resilience: 9 counties, including Adams County, Colorado (No. 450), and Johnson County, Kansas (No. 681), saw tree cover increase by 15% or more over 20 years, helping to root these counties firmly in the less vulnerable half of the rankings. Broward County, Florida (No. 361), however, increased its tree canopy but still faces higher landslide risks.
Behind the Ranking
First, we determined the factors (metrics) that are most relevant to rank the Most Landslide-Vulnerable Counties. We then assigned a weight to each factor based on its importance and grouped those factors into 3 categories:
| Landslide Risk | Landslide Triggers | Financial Risk |
The categories, factors, and their weights are listed in the table below.
For each of the 743 biggest U.S. counties with moderate to very high landslide risk according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), we then gathered data on each factor from the sources listed below the table.
Finally, we calculated scores (out of 100 points) for each county to determine its rank in each factor, each category, and overall. A county’s Overall Score is the average of its scores across all factors and categories. The highest Overall Score ranked “Most Vulnerable” (No. 1) and the lowest “Least Vulnerable” (No. 743).
Notes:
- The “Least Vulnerable” among individual factors may not be No. 743 due to ties.
- Alaska was not included in the ranking due to lack of FEMA data, but aspects of the state’s climate and landscape make Alaska very vulnerable to landslides.
- Several cities are located within counties bearing the same name but are not part of the county and operate independently. For example, Roanoke City, Virginia, is not considered part of Roanoke County, Virginia. Those cities are included among counties by the U.S. Census Bureau for data purposes and therefore were also included in our sample.
Sources: FEMA, National Centers for Environmental Information, and Global Forest Watch
Rock Solid Defense: Landscape Protection Tips
Landslides are a deadly force of nature, causing significant property damage and loss of life. Natural hazards like heavy rainfall, wildfires, and earthquakes increase the risk of landslides, making preparation crucial, especially those near slopes or high-risk areas.
Strategic landscaping, home maintenance, and proper drainage systems can significantly reduce the threat. Read through some essential tips below to help minimize landslide risks and keep your home safe.
- Know Your Terrain: Research historical landslide activity in your area. They tend to strike the same places.
- Stay Alert: Sign up for local emergency alerts, and craft a clear evacuation plan for your household.
- Smart Landscaping: Plant trees and ground cover to stabilize soil and prevent erosion, especially on slopes.
- Build Defenses: Construct retaining walls or diversion channels to safely direct rainwater away from your property. Be cautious not to redirect water onto neighboring land to avoid liability.
- Fortify Your Home: Ensure your roof, gutters, and downspouts are in tip-top shape, efficiently channeling water away from your home’s foundation.
- Slope Sense: Avoid building or clearing land on steep slopes or mountain edges. If necessary, hire an expert to survey your property and recommend the best erosion control measures.
- Insurance Check: Update your home insurance policy — many don’t cover landslide or mudslide damage.
About Home Gnome: Home Gnome is where you’ll find all sorts of DIY and professional help for projects around your house, rental, or apartment.
Media resources
Main Photo Credit: Oregon Department of Transportation | Wikimedia Commons | License
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