countyscore
51.1
County Score
Schools 85.8Safety 67.8Cost of Living 63.3

County Report Card

About Bailey County, Texas

Surpassing the National Median

Bailey County earns a composite score of 56.4, placing it comfortably above the national median of 50.0. This performance ranks the county in the top half of jurisdictions across the United States for overall livability.

A Top Performer in Texas

The county significantly outpaces the Texas state average composite score of 41.9. This high ranking highlights Bailey County as a regional leader in balancing quality of life with affordability.

Excellent Schools and High Affordability

Bailey County excels in education with a school score of 85.8 and offers exceptional affordability through a cost score of 79.3. Median home values sit at $104,400, while gross rents average just $744 per month.

Tax Burdens and Healthcare Access

The county faces hurdles in healthcare with a health score of 22.3 and a relatively high effective tax rate of 1.468%. These factors lower the tax score to 14.4, suggesting residents pay more for local services than peers in other counties.

Ideal for Budget-Conscious Families

Bailey County is a prime choice for families who prioritize high-quality local schools and low housing costs. It suits those who can navigate a higher tax environment in exchange for small-town affordability.

2040608010010.263.367.822.385.838.357.647.948Tax10.2Cost63.3Safety67.8Health22.3Schools85.8Income38.3Risk57.6Water47.9Weather4851.1/100
This county
National avg
4 above average4 below average

Bailey County DNA

Foverall

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

Bailey County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Schools (85.8/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (10.2/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
10.2-41.8
Cost
63.3+15.299999999999997
Safety
67.8+12.799999999999997
Health
22.3-27.7
Schools
85.8+31.799999999999997
Income
38.3-12.700000000000003
Risk
57.6+10.600000000000001
Water
47.9-10.100000000000001
Weather
48-8
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Bailey County?

Many homeowners in Bailey County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$105,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$931/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$105,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$37,240/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $61,420/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

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

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43.9
Lamb County
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46.3
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Deep Dives

Bailey County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Bailey County

via TaxByCounty

Bailey County taxes run high

Bailey County's effective tax rate of 1.468% exceeds the national median of 1.276%, placing it in the 63rd percentile nationally. Homeowners here pay a median of $1,533 annually, well below the national median of $2,690, thanks to much lower home values averaging $104,400 versus $281,900 nationwide.

Above Texas average for rural county

At 1.468%, Bailey County's effective rate ranks higher than the state average of 1.276%, and its median tax of $1,533 is 30% below Texas's state median of $2,193. This rural West Texas county imposes steeper rates despite modest property values.

Steeper than Baylor, lighter than Bee

Bailey County's 1.468% rate falls between neighboring Baylor County (1.246%) and Bee County (1.421%). With the lowest median home value in this cluster at $104,400, Bailey homeowners face the middle-ground tax burden relative to surrounding rural counties.

Expect $1,533 on median home

A median home valued at $104,400 in Bailey County generates an estimated annual tax bill of $1,533. With a mortgage, that climbs to $1,864; without one, it drops to $1,200.

Review your assessment today

Many property owners across Texas, including Bailey County, pay taxes on inflated assessments. If your tax bill seems steep relative to recent sales nearby, you have the right to appeal your appraisal with the county assessor at no cost.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Bailey County

via IncomeByCounty

Bailey County earns below national average

At $70,625, Bailey County's median household income falls short of the $74,755 national median by about $4,100. This places the county in the lower-middle range nationally, though it outperforms the Texas state average of $64,737 by nearly 9%.

Comfortably above Texas median

Bailey County ranks above the Texas state median household income, beating the state average by $5,888. This strong position reflects a county economy that performs better than most other Texas counties on income measures.

Competitive with surrounding counties

Bailey County's $70,625 median sits in the middle range of West Texas communities, performing better than Baylor County ($42,313) but below nearby Bastrop County ($82,730). The county's per capita income of $30,860 is slightly below the state average of $33,197, suggesting income is somewhat distributed across fewer earners.

Rent costs reasonable for local wages

At 12.6%, Bailey County's rent-to-income ratio is among the most affordable in Texas, well below the 21% threshold considered sustainable. A median household earning $70,625 annually pays roughly $740 monthly in rent, leaving ample room for other expenses.

Build financial security in Bailey County

With a median household income of $70,625 and one of the state's lowest housing cost burdens, Bailey County residents have genuine opportunity to save and invest. Consider working with a financial advisor to direct your rent savings—roughly $9,000+ annually—toward retirement accounts or property ownership.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Bailey County

via CrimeByCounty

Highly Secure Community Trends

Bailey County maintains a high safety score of 98.8, far exceeding national expectations. Its total crime rate of 753.4 per 100K is less than one-third of the national average of 2,385.5.

Outperforming the Texas Average

The county is notably safer than the Texas average, with its safety score of 98.8 topping the state mark of 96.8. Local law enforcement maintains a crime rate nearly 63% lower than the statewide average of 2,052.5.

A Regional Leader in Safety

Compared to Bandera County (845.1), Bailey County reports a significantly lower total crime rate of 753.4 per 100K. This makes it one of the most secure rural environments among its regional peers.

Low Violent and Property Incidents

Property crime accounts for 681.0 per 100K residents, while violent crime remains exceptionally low at 72.4. These figures sit well below the national violent crime average of 369.8.

Simple Steps for Continued Safety

Basic deterrents like motion-activated lighting can prevent opportunistic property crimes even in safe areas. Stay vigilant by securing outbuildings and ranch equipment daily.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Bailey County

via WeatherByCounty

A cooler and drier High Plains climate

Bailey County's annual average of 57.2°F is very close to the national median temperature. It is quite dry, receiving only 18.0 inches of annual precipitation, which is well below the national average.

Much cooler than the Texas average

At 57.2°F, Bailey County is over 8 degrees cooler than the Texas state average of 65.5°F. It also receives nearly 14 inches less rain than the state average, reflecting its high-altitude panhandle location.

Winter snow sets it apart

Bailey County averages 7.5 inches of snow per year, which is significantly higher than most other Texas counties. Its 81 extreme heat days are fewer than the triple-digit counts seen further south and east.

Cold winters with significant snowfall

The county has a true winter with a January average of 37.4°F and 7.5 inches of snow. Summers are warm but manageable, with 81 days above 90°F and a summer average of 75.9°F.

Winterize for snow and cold

Residents need heavy winter coats and snow removal tools to handle the 7.5-inch annual snowfall. With only 18.0 inches of rain, water conservation and drought-resistant landscaping are vital for local residents.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Bailey County

via SoilByCounty

Alkaline Sands of the Panhandle

Bailey County features an average pH of 7.76, making it significantly more alkaline than the national median of 6.5. This high pH level often influences nutrient availability in the dominant fine sand textures found here. While the taxonomic order is not specified in current records, the soil remains distinct for its high mineral content.

A Sandy Foundation in Bailey

The soil composition is heavily skewed toward sand at 62.2%, with 20.1% silt and 17.7% clay. This high sand content ensures the ground is easy to work but requires frequent attention to maintain moisture. Gardeners find that this mix provides little natural resistance to root growth.

Modest Organic Matter and Water Capacity

With an organic matter content of 1.39%, the county falls below the Texas state average of 1.66% and the national 2.0% benchmark. The available water capacity (AWC) sits at 0.130 in/in, slightly trailing the state average of 0.133. These levels suggest that supplemental irrigation and organic amendments are vital for high yields.

Rapid Drainage for Arid Landscapes

The soil is classified as excessively drained and belongs to hydrologic group A, which means water moves through it very quickly. This rapid movement prevents pooling but can lead to nutrient leaching if not managed carefully. Construction projects benefit from these dry conditions, though landscaping requires drought-tolerant species.

Tough Plants for Zone 7a

Bailey County sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a, where extremes in temperature and sandy soil favor resilient varieties. Grapes and heat-tolerant vegetables like peppers thrive here with consistent watering. Start your garden with native species that appreciate the well-drained, alkaline environment.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Bailey County

via LawnByCounty

Bailey County's Uphill Lawn Battle

Maintaining a lawn in Bailey County is a challenge, earning a difficulty score of 36.7 out of 100. While this is slightly easier than the Texas average of 31.7, it remains significantly more difficult than the national median of 50.0. Residents in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a must contend with semi-arid conditions that demand constant attention.

High Winds and Low Rainfall

The county receives only 18.0 inches of annual precipitation, which is nearly half of the 30-50 inches required for an ideal lawn. With 81 extreme heat days and 4,097 growing degree days, lawns face intense evaporation rates. Most yards require significant supplemental irrigation to survive the Panhandle's dry climate.

Sandy, Alkaline Soil Challenges

The local soil is composed of 62.2% sand, leading to an excessively drained environment that struggles to hold moisture. A high pH of 7.76 exceeds the ideal 6.0-7.0 range, which can lead to nutrient deficiencies like iron chlorosis. Lawns here benefit from organic matter additions to improve water retention and lower alkalinity.

Managing 16 Weeks of Drought

Bailey County spent 16 weeks in drought over the past year, with 100% of the area currently categorized as abnormally dry. Watering early in the morning helps minimize loss from the high evaporation typical of this region. Local growers should focus on deep, infrequent watering to encourage deep root growth.

Starting Your Panhandle Lawn

Buffalograss and Bermudagrass are the best choices for Zone 7a due to their drought tolerance. Wait until the risk of frost passes after April 22 before seeding or laying new sod. Proper timing and species selection are the keys to a resilient landscape in this high-plains environment.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bailey County's county score?
Bailey County, Texas has a composite county score of 51.1 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 Bailey County rank among counties in Texas?
Bailey County ranks #55 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 Bailey County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Bailey County is $1,601, with an effective tax rate of 1.52%. This earns Bailey County a tax score of 10.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Bailey County?
The median household income in Bailey County, Texas is $61,420 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Bailey County earns an income score of 38.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Bailey County, Texas a good place to live?
Bailey County scores 51.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #55 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Bailey 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 Bailey 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.