CountyScore

Armstrong County

Texas · TX

#69 in Texas
65.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Armstrong County, Texas

Armstrong Exceeds National Baseline

Armstrong County's composite score of 64.9 rises 30% above the national median of 50.0, placing it clearly in the upper-middle tier of U.S. counties. This above-median performance indicates solid livability compared to the national average.

Slightly Below Texas Average

Armstrong scores 64.9 against Texas's state average of 66.8, putting it marginally behind the state median. While not leading the state, Armstrong still delivers better-than-national-typical conditions for residents.

Solid Affordability and Balanced Income

Armstrong earns a cost score of 76.4 with median rent at $1,010/month and home values near $185,700, providing accessible housing options. The median household income of $68,462 supports a comfortable middle-class lifestyle with decent earning potential.

Higher Tax Burden and Data Gaps

Armstrong carries the highest effective tax rate in this group at 1.443%, which moderates its affordability advantage compared to peers. Comprehensive data on safety, health, schools, environmental conditions, and risk factors remain unavailable.

Solid Choice for Middle-Class Stability

Armstrong County appeals to middle-class families seeking balanced housing costs and reasonable incomes without requiring the very lowest tax burden. The combination of moderate affordability and stable employment potential suits those prioritizing financial security over extreme cost minimization.

Score breakdown

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

Tax61.7Cost76.4SafetyComing SoonHealth63.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.1Risk80WaterComing Soon
🏛61.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠76.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡80
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 Armstrong County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Jo Daviess County
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65.7
Median income: $74,954
Porter County
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65.7
Median income: $85,828
Osage County
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65.7
Median income: $70,216
Kenton County
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65.7
Median income: $79,421

Deep Dives

Armstrong County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Armstrong County

via TaxByCounty

Armstrong County taxes: Well above national average

Armstrong County's effective tax rate of 1.443% significantly exceeds the national median of 1.03%, placing it in approximately the 75th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $2,679 nearly matches the national median of $2,690, despite lower median home values.

Rank among Texas counties: Notably above state average

Armstrong County's 1.443% effective rate ranks among the highest in Texas, running 13% above the state average of 1.276%. At $2,679 in median annual taxes, Armstrong County homeowners pay about 22% more than the state median of $2,193.

Armstrong County has the highest rates in this region

Armstrong County's 1.443% rate is the highest among all eight counties in this sample, exceeding Archer County (1.322%) and far surpassing Anderson County (0.974%). Panhandle residents here face notably steeper tax bills than nearby counties.

What Armstrong County homeowners owe annually

On the median home value of $185,700, Armstrong County property owners pay approximately $2,679 in annual property taxes at the 1.443% effective rate. With mortgage-related taxes included, the total climbs to about $3,317.

High rates make assessment appeals critical

In Armstrong County's high-rate environment, challenging an overassessment is especially valuable—even a 5% reduction saves over $130 annually. Review your appraisal carefully and file an appeal if comparable properties in your area sold for less.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Armstrong County

via CostByCounty

Armstrong beats national affordability norms

Armstrong County's 17.7% rent-to-income ratio sits below the national average, with renters spending $1,010 monthly on median income of $68,462. This favorable combination places Armstrong among the nation's more affordable housing markets, despite West Texas location.

Slightly below Texas average affordability

Armstrong County's 17.7% rent-to-income ratio edges just below Texas's 18.1% state average, offering renters marginally better affordability than the typical Texas county. At $1,010 monthly, Armstrong's median rent is $47 above the state average but supported by income levels that make it manageable.

West Texas sweet spot for value

Armstrong County's $1,010 rent and 17.7% affordability ratio position it between Andrews County's pricier market ($1,364) and Archer County's rural bargain ($766). Among West Texas options, Armstrong offers moderate rents with stronger income support than many rural alternatives.

Rents and mortgages stay balanced

Armstrong renters spend $1,010 monthly (17.7% of income), while homeowners with mortgages spend $897 (15.6% of income), a modest $113 monthly gap. Median household income of $68,462 and home values of $185,700 create workable affordability for both renters and buyers.

Armstrong offers solid West Texas value

Armstrong County appeals to relocating professionals seeking West Texas living with genuine affordability: median rent of $1,010 on $68,462 income leaves breathing room. Home values at $185,700 make ownership accessible, and the county's balanced affordability works for both renters and buyers.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Armstrong County

via IncomeByCounty

Armstrong earns modestly below U.S. average

Armstrong County's median household income of $68,462 trails the national median of $74,755 by $6,293. This 8% gap places the county slightly below the national average, reflecting moderate regional economic strength.

Solid middle ground in Texas

At $68,462, Armstrong County exceeds Texas's state average of $64,737 by $3,725, ranking solidly in the middle-income range statewide. The county performs better than most of its examined neighbors.

Solid performer in regional comparison

Armstrong County ($68,462) outearns the lower-income East Texas counties but trails Archer ($71,958), Andrews ($76,902), and Austin counties ($75,994). The $3,500 advantage over state average suggests stable, diversified local employment.

Balanced housing costs

Armstrong County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.7% indicates strong housing affordability, with tenants spending roughly one-sixth of earnings on rent. The median home value of $185,700 aligns well with household incomes, supporting accessible homeownership.

Build compound wealth steadily

Armstrong County households earning $68,462 have favorable conditions for wealth-building with moderate housing costs consuming only 17.7% of income. Allocate freed-up resources to retirement accounts and diversified investments to leverage your income advantage over the state average.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Armstrong County

via HealthByCounty

Armstrong life expectancy well below national average

At 69.7 years, Armstrong County residents live 4.8 years less than the U.S. average of 74.5 years—one of the largest gaps in this region. Despite a relatively low 17.6% poor/fair health rate, the abbreviated life span signals serious underlying health issues.

Texas's lowest life expectancy county

Armstrong County's 69.7-year life expectancy falls 4.6 years below Texas's 74.3-year average, making it one of the state's most concerning health outliers. However, its 11.6% uninsured rate—the lowest among all counties tracked—suggests coverage is not the primary barrier.

Critically low life expectancy despite good coverage

Armstrong's 69.7-year life expectancy is the lowest in this region, trailing even Anderson County (72.0) by 2.3 years. Its 11.6% uninsured rate is the best in the group, indicating that health access barriers may stem from healthcare quality or population risk factors rather than coverage gaps.

Limited provider data, excellent uninsured rate

Primary care and mental health provider data are unavailable for Armstrong County, limiting insight into healthcare infrastructure. The exceptional 11.6% uninsured rate suggests strong Medicaid enrollment or employer coverage, yet life expectancy remains critically low.

Armstrong's coverage advantage needs investigation

With just 11.6% uninsured—the best rate in this analysis—Armstrong residents have strong baseline coverage. If you're among the remaining uninsured 11.6%, Healthcare.gov and local health departments can help identify options to strengthen your care access.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Armstrong County

via RiskByCounty

Armstrong County ranks very low

Armstrong County's composite risk score of 20.04 places it in the very low risk category and well below the national average. This Texas Panhandle location enjoys substantially lower natural disaster exposure than most U.S. counties.

Well below Texas state average

Armstrong County's 20.04 score sits far below Texas's state average of 49.00, making it one of the safer Texas communities for natural hazard exposure. Residents face significantly reduced risk compared to most state peers.

Low risk in Panhandle region

Armstrong County's 20.04 composite score reflects the generally lower hazard exposure typical of the Texas Panhandle. The county's risk profile aligns with the region's geographic characteristics.

Wildfire is the main hazard

Wildfire risk reaches 74.43 in Armstrong County, making it the most significant natural hazard threat despite the county's overall very low composite score. All other hazards—tornado (24.01), earthquake (12.21), flood (1.34)—remain minimal, and hurricane risk is zero.

Wildfire awareness with peace of mind

Although Armstrong County faces very low overall disaster risk, wildfire exposure at 74.43 warrants basic brush management and clearing vegetation near structures. Standard homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage; the county's low overall risk means insurance should be affordable and straightforward.

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.