countyscore
32.2
County Score
Disaster Risk 91.1Income & Jobs 79.9Schools 56.5

County Report Card

About Andrews County, Texas

Significant Gap Compared to National Peers

Andrews County posts a composite score of 32.2, which is roughly 35% lower than the national median of 50.0. This indicates that while the county has specific economic strengths, it faces broader systemic challenges. The overall ranking suggests a lifestyle that differs significantly from the typical American county.

Trailing the Texas Average

The county's score of 32.2 falls well below the Texas state average of 41.9. High local costs and tax burdens contribute to this disparity despite the area's industrial importance. It remains an outlier in the state, prioritizing high-income potential over general affordability.

Exceptional Safety from Natural Hazards

A remarkable Risk Score of 91.1 makes Andrews one of the safest counties in the state regarding environmental disasters. Residents also benefit from high earning potential, reflected in an Income Score of 79.9 and a median household income of $76,902. This combination creates a uniquely secure economic environment for high-skill workers.

Infrastructure and Cost Hurdles

Limited water access is a critical issue, evidenced by a very low Water Score of 8.2. Furthermore, the high tax burden and housing costs result in Tax and Cost scores of 19.7 and 17.2, respectively. These factors increase the daily cost of living for families in the region.

A Magnet for Industrial Professionals

Andrews is an ideal destination for high-earning professionals in the energy sector who prioritize income and disaster safety. The trade-off involves higher living costs and limited environmental resources. It serves best as a specialized economic hub rather than a general-purpose retirement or starter-home destination.

Score breakdown

Tax19.7Cost17.2Safety28.3Health18.7Schools56.5Income79.9Risk91.1Water8.2Weather34
🏛19.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠17.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼79.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡28.3
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤18.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓56.5
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡91.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧8.2
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤34
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨20.8
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱13.8
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

Winkler County
Texas
52.4
Ector County
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21.2
Gaines County
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49.3
Midland County
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Martin County
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Lea County
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Ward County
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Dawson County
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32.6

Deep Dives

Andrews County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Andrews County

via TaxByCounty

Andrews County taxes: Slightly above national median

Andrews County's effective tax rate of 1.328% edges above the national median of 1.03%, landing it in roughly the 55th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $2,500 is still below the national median of $2,690, reflecting Andrews County's lower median home values.

Rank among Texas counties: Above state average

Andrews County's 1.328% effective rate exceeds Texas's state average of 1.276% by about half a percentage point. At $2,500 in median annual taxes, Andrews County homeowners pay slightly more than the state median of $2,193.

How Andrews County stacks against the region

Andrews County's 1.328% rate ranks among the highest in this West Texas cluster, above Armstrong County (1.443%) when looking at the broader dataset. For comparison, nearby Anderson County residents enjoy a notably lower 0.974% rate.

What an Andrews County homeowner pays annually

On the median home value of $188,200, Andrews County property owners pay approximately $2,500 in annual property taxes at the 1.328% effective rate. With mortgage-related taxes included, that amount climbs to about $3,024.

Appeal your assessment if you think it's too high

Many Andrews County homeowners overpay because their properties are assessed above fair market value. Filing a formal appeal during the county's assessment review period costs nothing and could reduce your annual tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Andrews County

via CostByCounty

Andrews rents rise above national norms

Andrews County's 21.3% rent-to-income ratio outpaces the national average, with renters paying $1,364 monthly—41% higher than the national typical rent. Though median household income here is $76,902 (above the national $74,755), the elevated rent costs offset that advantage.

Among Texas's priciest rental markets

At 21.3% of income spent on rent, Andrews County ranks well above Texas's 18.1% state average, making it one of the state's less affordable counties for renters. The median rent of $1,364 is 42% higher than Texas's $963 state average, reflecting robust local demand.

West Texas outlier for rental costs

Andrews County's $1,364 median rent far exceeds Armstrong County to the northwest, which asks only $1,010 monthly while maintaining a healthier rent-to-income ratio of 17.7%. The $354 monthly difference reflects Andrews's unique position as a higher-cost West Texas location.

Renters bear the heaviest burden

Andrews renters spend $1,364 monthly—21.3% of the $76,902 median household income—while homeowners with mortgages pay $1,088, or 17.0% of income. The $276 monthly gap underscores how renting consumes significantly more of household budgets despite the county's relatively strong income levels.

Andrews appeals to higher earners only

Andrews County's median home value of $188,200 and elevated rents suit relocating professionals with incomes near or above the $76,902 county median. If your household income falls below that mark, neighboring counties like Armstrong offer substantially lower rents and better affordability ratios.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Andrews County

via IncomeByCounty

Andrews outearns most American households

Andrews County's median household income of $76,902 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by $2,147, placing it in the upper-middle income tier nationwide. This slight advantage reflects stronger local economic conditions than the typical U.S. county.

Highest earners in Texas sample

At $76,902, Andrews County leads all eight counties examined here and ranks well above Texas's state average of $64,737. The $12,165 advantage over the state mean signals robust regional economic activity.

Clear income leader among peers

Andrews County residents earn $4,944 more than Austin County ($75,994) and significantly outpace other regional neighbors like Archer County ($71,958). This leadership position reflects Andrews's concentration of energy sector employment and higher-wage industries.

Strong affordability for renters and buyers

Andrews County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.3% indicates affordable rental costs relative to earnings. The median home value of $188,200 remains manageable for households earning $76,902, supporting sustainable homeownership.

Seize investment opportunities now

With median household income of $76,902, Andrews County residents are positioned to build substantial wealth through investment diversification. Prioritize maxing out retirement contributions, exploring real estate investment, and developing a long-term financial plan to leverage current earning strength.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Andrews County

via CrimeByCounty

Andrews County maintains strong safety marks

Andrews County holds a safety score of 97.3, indicating a very secure environment for its residents. Its total crime rate of 1,731.8 per 100,000 people is well below the national figure of 2,385.5.

Exceeding the Texas safety average

The county's safety profile is stronger than the Texas state average score of 96.8. Local law enforcement agencies report data that reflects a consistent commitment to maintaining public order.

Competitive safety rates in West Texas

The total crime rate of 1,731.8 per 100,000 residents is lower than the Texas state average of 2,052.5. This makes Andrews County a relatively safe pocket within the Permian Basin region.

Breaking down Andrews County crime stats

Violent crime in the county is recorded at 370.3 per 100,000 people, which aligns closely with the national average. Property crime makes up the bulk of offenses at 1,361.5, though this remains lower than national trends.

Securing your Andrews County property

With property crime as the most frequent category, simple measures like motion lighting can make a difference. Staying aware of local trends helps keep this community safer than the national norm.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Andrews County

via HealthByCounty

Andrews matches national life expectancy

At 74.6 years, Andrews County residents live slightly longer than the U.S. average of 74.5 years. However, 25.4% of residents report poor or fair health—well above the national average—suggesting chronic conditions remain prevalent despite decent longevity.

Slightly above Texas life expectancy

Andrews County edges out Texas's 74.3-year average by 0.3 years, yet its 25.4% poor/fair health rate ranks among the state's highest. The county's 22.9% uninsured rate is notably above the state average of 19.8%, affecting health access.

Uninsured rate highest among peers

Andrews County's 22.9% uninsured rate exceeds all nearby counties tracked, including Anderson (17.7%) and Aransas (20.6%). Despite solid life expectancy, this coverage gap signals affordability barriers that may underlie the high poor/fair health rate.

Mental health access critically limited

Andrews offers 49 primary care providers per 100,000 residents but only 16 mental health providers per 100,000—severely below adequacy benchmarks. Combined with a 22.9% uninsured rate, many residents likely face dual barriers to both physical and mental healthcare.

Nearly one in four Andrews residents uninsured

With 22.9% uninsured, Andrews County has one of the highest coverage gaps in this region. Explore Texas marketplace plans, Medicaid expansion eligibility, and county health programs at Healthcare.gov to reduce your out-of-pocket costs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Andrews County

via SchoolsByCounty

Unified Education in a Single District

Andrews County consolidates its education into a single district serving 4,198 students across 6 public schools. The system is streamlined with three elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools.

Strong Graduation Success in Andrews

The 93.0% graduation rate is significantly higher than the 87% national average, despite a $6,945 per-pupil expenditure. A composite school score of 55.0 keeps the county competitive with state performance levels.

One District Leading the Way

Andrews ISD manages every public campus in the county, serving over 4,000 students under a unified curriculum. No charter schools currently operate in the county, ensuring all resources remain focused on the traditional district.

Town-Based Learning with Larger Campuses

Every school in the county operates in a town locale, with an average school size of 700 students. Andrews High School is the largest facility, housing 1,161 students and serving as a central hub for the community.

Simplified Living Near Quality Schools

The single-district system offers consistency for families looking to settle in a town-centered environment. Explore residential options in Andrews to be near these well-attended and high-performing campuses.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Andrews County

via RiskByCounty

Andrews County sits very low nationally

With a composite risk score of just 8.97, Andrews County ranks in the very low risk category and sits far below both the national average and Texas state average of 49.00. This West Texas location enjoys substantially lower natural disaster exposure than most U.S. counties.

Among Texas's safest counties

Andrews County's 8.97 score places it well below Texas's state average of 49.00, making it one of the safer West Texas communities for natural hazard exposure. Residents here face significantly lower risk than most Texas peers.

Safest in the West Texas region

Andrews County's 8.97 composite score is substantially lower than nearby counties, reflecting West Texas's generally low hazard exposure in this region. The county offers below-average disaster risk compared to surrounding areas.

Wildfire is the main hazard

Wildfire risk reaches 74.97 in Andrews County, making it the most significant natural hazard threat despite the county's overall low composite score. All other hazards—tornado (18.35), flood (10.78), earthquake (13.87), and hurricane (15.77)—remain minimal.

Focus on wildfire preparedness

Although Andrews County faces very low overall risk, wildfire exposure at 74.97 warrants defensive landscaping and home hardening measures to protect against brush fires. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers wildfire damage, but verify your policy limits are adequate for your property value.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Andrews County

via WeatherByCounty

A dry desert climate in West Texas

Andrews County maintains an annual average temperature of 64.9°F, which is roughly 10 degrees warmer than the national median. With only 14.0 inches of annual precipitation, this area is significantly drier than most of the United States.

Typical Texas heat with far less rain

The county's average temperature of 64.9°F aligns closely with the state average of 65.5°F. However, its 14.0 inches of rain is less than half of the statewide average of 31.9 inches, highlighting its semi-arid character.

Arid landscapes define the western border

Andrews County faces significantly drier conditions than the state average, receiving 17.9 fewer inches of rain annually. This water scarcity is typical for the Permian Basin region where sun and wind dominate the weather patterns.

Endless sun and triple-digit threats

Residents face a grueling 116 days of extreme heat annually, with summer averages reaching a high of 81.8°F. Winter is brief and cool, featuring a January average of 45.4°F and just 1.7 inches of snow.

Focus on water and sun protection

The 116 days of extreme heat require robust cooling systems and reliable vehicle maintenance for long desert drives. Xeriscaping is recommended for local yards to thrive in the 14-inch annual rainfall environment.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Andrews County

via SoilByCounty

Andrews County's Alkaline Profile

The soil in Andrews County is notably alkaline with an average pH of 7.62, higher than both the national median of 6.5 and the state average of 7.09. This basic environment can limit the availability of phosphorus and iron for some crops. Local growers often select plants that can tolerate these elevated calcium levels.

Sand-Heavy Western Terrain

The soil composition is 63.9% sand, 18.9% silt, and 17.2% clay. This high sand content provides excellent aeration but can lead to rapid nutrient leaching. It is a light soil that responds well to cultivation but dries out quickly without consistent moisture.

Healthy Organic Matter Levels

The soil contains 1.70% organic matter, which actually beats the Texas state average of 1.66%. Despite this, the available water capacity is low at 0.116 in/in, compared to the state average of 0.133. This combination means the soil holds nutrients well but struggles to retain enough water for long dry spells.

Hydrologic Realities in the West

Assigned to Hydrologic Group D, the land shows very slow infiltration rates when saturated. This can lead to surface runoff even in sandy areas if the soil becomes compacted or crusts over. Proper land grading is essential for both construction and irrigation efficiency.

High-Desert Growing in Zone 8a

Andrews County sits in Hardiness Zone 8a, supporting a variety of hardy perennials and shrubs. Drought-resistant species like lavender and desert willow perform exceptionally well in this sandy, alkaline ground. Local gardeners should prioritize water-wise plants to make the most of the region's unique soil.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Andrews County

via LawnByCounty

Overcoming Significant High-Plains Lawn Hurdles

Andrews County faces a difficult lawn score of 13.8, which is less than half the state average of 31.7. Maintaining a traditional green lawn in Hardiness Zone 8a requires specialized care and highly drought-tolerant species.

Extreme Heat and Arid Conditions

With only 14.0 inches of annual precipitation, the county falls far short of the 30-50 inches needed for most standard turf. Gardeners must manage 116 days of extreme heat, which is significantly higher than the Texas state average of 105 days.

Alkaline Sands Require Careful Management

The soil pH of 7.62 is more alkaline than the ideal 6.0-7.0 range, which can lead to iron chlorosis in certain grasses. The high sand content of 63.9% ensures quick drainage but necessitates more frequent watering during the peak growing season.

Battling Persistent Dry Spells

The county endured 36 weeks of drought over the last year, and 100% of the area is currently classified as abnormally dry. Using xeriscaping or native Buffalograss can help homeowners conserve water while maintaining ground cover in these harsh conditions.

Hardy Turf Choices for Andrews

Wait until after the March 18 spring frost to begin seeding, focusing on drought-resistant varieties like Buffalograss. Given the 6025 growing degree days, early preparation is vital to help turf survive the 116 extreme heat days ahead.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Andrews County's county score?
Andrews County, Texas has a composite county score of 32.2 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 Andrews County rank among counties in Texas?
Andrews County ranks #200 among all counties in Texas 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 Andrews County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Andrews County is $2,500, with an effective tax rate of 1.33%. This earns Andrews County a tax score of 19.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Andrews County?
The median household income in Andrews County, Texas is $76,902 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Andrews County earns an income score of 79.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Andrews County, Texas a good place to live?
Andrews County scores 32.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #200 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Andrews 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 Andrews County with other counties side by side.

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🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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