CountyScore

Anderson County

Texas · TX

#131 in Texas
62.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Anderson County, Texas

Anderson: Well Above the National Bar

Anderson County's composite score of 69.5 significantly outpaces the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper half of U.S. counties. This 39% advantage over the national baseline suggests Anderson delivers above-average livability for its residents.

Better Than Average Across Texas

With a score of 69.5, Anderson County ranks above the Texas state average of 66.8, positioning it among the stronger performers in the state. This above-state-average standing reflects Anderson's appeal relative to other Texas counties.

Affordability and Tax Friendliness Lead

Anderson excels in cost and tax dimensions, earning scores of 77.4 and 74.9 respectively, with an effective tax rate of just 0.974%—the lowest in this county group. Housing affordability shines with a median home value of $173,400 and median rent of $1,006/month, making it accessible for budget-conscious families.

Income Levels Lag Behind Peers

Anderson's income score of 21.8 stands significantly below its affordability strengths, with a median household income of $58,846 that trails many comparable counties. Additional dimensions including safety, health, schools, and water quality lack current data, limiting a complete livability picture.

Perfect for Cost-Conscious Families

Anderson County suits retirees, young families, and anyone prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over higher earning potential. The combination of exceptional affordability and minimal tax burden makes it an attractive base for those with modest incomes or seeking to stretch their retirement savings.

Score breakdown

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

Tax74.9Cost77.4SafetyComing SoonHealth55SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.8Risk26.4WaterComing Soon
🏛74.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠77.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤55
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡26.4
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 Anderson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Boulder County
Colorado
62.3
Median income: $102,772
Hardee County
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62.3
Median income: $54,231
Martin County
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62.3
Median income: $80,701
Okaloosa County
Florida
62.3
Median income: $79,097
Cumberland County
Maine
62.3
Median income: $92,983

Deep Dives

Anderson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Anderson County

via TaxByCounty

Anderson County taxes: Below the national average

Anderson County's effective tax rate of 0.974% sits well below the national median of 1.03%, placing it in the bottom 30th percentile nationally. Homeowners here pay a median of $1,688 annually compared to the national median of $2,690, a difference of over $1,000 per year.

Rank among Texas counties: Lower than state average

At 0.974%, Anderson County's effective rate trails Texas's state average of 1.276% by about 23%. This below-average rate gives Anderson County homeowners some relief, with median taxes running $505 lower than the state median of $2,193.

How Anderson County compares to neighbors

Anderson County's 0.974% rate edges out nearby Angelina County (1.250%) and significantly undercuts Archer County (1.322%). Among this cluster of central Texas counties, Anderson offers some of the most favorable tax treatment for property owners.

What an Anderson County homeowner actually pays

On the median home value of $173,400, Anderson County property owners owe approximately $1,688 in annual property taxes at the effective rate of 0.974%. With a mortgage, that figure rises to about $1,994 when including mortgage-related taxes.

You might be paying too much already

Even in counties with lower tax rates, many homeowners discover their homes are overassessed during county reappraisals. Reviewing your assessment and filing an appeal if values seem inflated can save hundreds of dollars annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Anderson County

via CostByCounty

Anderson renters stretch paychecks tighter

Anderson County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.5% exceeds the national norm, meaning renters here dedicate a larger share of earnings to housing than average Americans do. The county's median household income of $58,846 lags the national median by $15,909, putting upward pressure on affordability despite moderate rent levels at $1,006 monthly.

Above Texas average for renters

Anderson County's 20.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks above Texas's 18.1% state average, placing it among counties where renters face tighter budgets. At $1,006 per month, Anderson's median rent is also $43 higher than the state average of $963.

Pricier than some East Texas peers

Angelina County, Anderson's neighbor to the south, has similar income levels but slightly higher rent at $1,056 monthly, pushing its rent-to-income ratio to 21.5%. Anderson offers a modest affordability advantage while maintaining comparable home values around $173,000.

Housing takes one-fifth of income

Renters in Anderson spend roughly $1,006 monthly on housing, while homeowners with mortgages spend $840—making ownership slightly more affordable per month. With median household income at $58,846, housing costs consume 20.5% of renter income but just 17.2% for homeowners, widening the ownership advantage.

Considering Anderson County? Weigh your options.

If you're relocating to East Texas, Anderson offers moderate rents and a median home value of $173,400, but check how your income compares to the $58,846 county median. Prospective homeowners may find better affordability here than renting, though both options consume more of your budget than national averages suggest.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Anderson County

via IncomeByCounty

Anderson trails national income benchmarks

Anderson County's median household income of $58,846 falls $15,909 below the national median of $74,755. This 21% gap suggests residents earn considerably less than the typical American household, placing the county in the lower income quartile nationally.

Below-average earnings in Texas

At $58,846, Anderson County's median household income trails the Texas state average of $64,737 by about $5,891. The county ranks in the lower third of Texas's 254 counties by household earnings.

Similar to nearby East Texas counties

Anderson County earns $7,056 less than neighboring Archer County ($71,958) but remains comparable to Angelina County ($58,847), indicating consistent economic conditions across the region. The gap widens significantly when compared to better-performing counties like Austin County ($75,994).

Housing remains affordable here

With a rent-to-income ratio of 20.5%, Anderson County households spend roughly one-fifth of earnings on rent—well below the 30% affordability threshold. The median home value of $173,400 is accessible relative to local incomes, supporting stable homeownership.

Building financial security in Anderson

Anderson County residents should prioritize emergency savings and employer retirement plans given median earnings of $58,846. Even modest contributions to 401(k)s or IRAs compound over time and can significantly boost long-term wealth despite current income constraints.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Anderson County

via HealthByCounty

Anderson lags behind national life expectancy

At 72.0 years, Anderson County residents live nearly 3 years less than the U.S. average of 74.5 years. The county's 22.4% rate of residents reporting poor or fair health runs above the national norm, signaling broader population health challenges.

Below Texas average on longevity

Anderson County's 72.0-year life expectancy falls 2.3 years short of Texas's 74.3-year average, placing it in the lower half of the state's counties. This gap widens when looking at self-reported health outcomes, where 22.4% of residents report poor or fair health.

Healthier than some rural neighbors

Anderson outperforms Armstrong County (69.7 years) but trails Angelina County (72.6 years) on life expectancy. The county's uninsured rate of 17.7% is notably better than Andrews County's 22.9%, suggesting some residents have stable insurance access.

Primary care access lags mental health

Anderson has 38 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—below the typical threshold for adequate access—while offering 62 mental health providers per 100,000. At 17.7%, the uninsured rate means one in six county residents likely delay care due to cost.

Check your insurance options today

If you're among the 17.7% of uninsured Anderson County residents, marketplace plans and Medicaid may be available to you. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to explore subsidies and enrollment deadlines.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Anderson County

via RiskByCounty

Anderson's risk exceeds national average

Anderson County scores 73.63 on the composite risk scale, well above the national average and placing it in the relatively low risk category for Texas. This score reflects meaningful exposure to multiple hazard types that residents should understand and prepare for.

Higher risk within Texas counties

Anderson ranks significantly above Texas's state average composite risk score of 49.00, putting it in the upper tier of Texas counties for natural disaster exposure. The county faces notably elevated hazard risks compared to most of its state peers.

Riskier than surrounding counties

Anderson's 73.63 composite score exceeds nearby counties like Angelina (71.82) and other neighboring regions, making it one of the more hazard-exposed areas in East Texas. Residents here face somewhat greater exposure than those in immediately adjacent counties.

Tornadoes and wildfires dominate

Tornado risk reaches 92.33 in Anderson County—exceptionally high and the dominant threat—while wildfire risk scores 78.18, making these two hazards your primary concerns. Flood risk (69.69) and hurricane risk (73.38) also merit preparation, though they rank below tornado exposure.

Secure comprehensive disaster coverage

Given tornado exposure of 92.33 and wildfire risk of 78.18, standard homeowners policies often exclude these hazards; verify your coverage includes wind and fire protection. Consider a separate flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program, especially if you're in a flood-prone area near creeks or low-lying 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.