CountyScore

Borden County

Texas · TX

#1 in Texas
82.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Borden County, Texas

Borden Scores High vs. National Average

Borden County's composite score of 82.4 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top tier of U.S. counties for overall livability. This 65% advantage over the national baseline reflects strong fundamentals in taxation and housing affordability that make the county genuinely competitive on a national scale.

Among Texas's Best, But Limited Data

Borden ranks decisively above Texas's state average composite score of 66.8, claiming a position in the upper quartile of Texas counties. However, five of seven measured dimensions lack data—meaning the 82.4 score reflects only tax, cost, and income factors, not a complete livability picture.

Tax Relief and Housing Bargains

Borden excels where it matters most for household budgets: an exceptionally low effective tax rate of 0.468% (among the lowest in the nation) and a cost score of 91.7 that reflects median home values of just $105,400. These two dimensions alone drive the county's overall strength for families seeking minimal tax burden and affordable real estate.

Income and Data Gaps Need Attention

The income score of 25.3 reflects a median household income of $64,250, which trails both the state and national averages—a real consideration for households seeking wage growth potential. Safety, health, schools, environmental risk, and water quality remain unmeasured, leaving important livability questions unanswered.

Ideal for Retirees and Cost-Conscious Families

Borden County suits households prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over employment opportunities or robust public services. It's particularly attractive to retirees on fixed incomes or remote workers seeking to minimize cost of living, provided they're comfortable with incomplete data on schools, safety, and health resources.

Score breakdown

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

Tax89.1Cost91.7SafetyComing SoonHealth78.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.3Risk94.3WaterComing Soon
🏛89.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠91.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤78.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡94.3
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 Borden County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Oliver County
North Dakota
82.5
Median income: $76,953
Sheridan County
North Dakota
82.5
Median income: $67,361
Burke County
North Dakota
81.5
Median income: $96,339
Billings County
North Dakota
83.8
Median income: $81,250
Loup County
Nebraska
81.1
Median income: $60,156

Deep Dives

Borden County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Borden County

via TaxByCounty

Borden's tax rate ranks among America's lowest

Borden County's effective tax rate of 0.468% sits well below the national median of 1.09%, placing it in the bottom 5% of U.S. counties. A typical Borden homeowner pays just $493 annually in property taxes, compared to the national median of $2,690—a difference of over $2,000 per year.

Texas's leanest tax burden among 254 counties

Borden County has one of the lowest effective tax rates in Texas, at 0.468% versus the state average of 1.276%. The median property tax of $493 is roughly 78% lower than Texas's state median of $2,193.

Significantly lower than regional peers

Borden County's 0.468% rate is substantially lighter than neighboring Brewster County (1.224%) and Briscoe County (1.084%), reflecting Borden's unique tax structure. Homeowners here benefit from tax obligations that are a fraction of those in surrounding West Texas counties.

Your median annual tax bill: $493

On a median home valued at $105,400, a typical Borden County homeowner pays approximately $493 per year in property taxes. Homeowners without a mortgage pay closer to $435, while those with mortgages may see that figure adjusted.

Appeal your assessment if overvalued

Even in low-tax Borden County, many homeowners face inflated property valuations. If your home's assessed value seems high, you can file a formal protest with the county appraisal district—a free process that could reduce your tax bill further.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Borden County

via CostByCounty

Borden's housing costs trail national income

With a median household income of $64,250, Borden County residents earn about 14% less than the U.S. median of $74,755. While rental data is limited in this rural county, homeownership costs of $563 monthly suggest affordability compared to national owner-cost trends, though income constraints remain a factor.

Below-average rents, below-average wages

Borden County's income falls below Texas's median, placing it among the state's lower-earning counties. The lack of rental data prevents a precise state ranking, but the $105,400 median home value suggests this county remains one of Texas's most affordable markets for would-be homeowners.

Borden stands out for affordability

Borden's estimated $563 monthly owner cost is half what neighboring Scurry and Dawson counties typically see. The $105,400 median home value is significantly lower than nearby Bowie County ($161,300), making Borden one of the Panhandle's most accessible housing markets.

Homeownership dominates Borden's market

Borden County residents spend roughly 10.5% of median household income on owner costs—well below the 18.1% state average. Rental data gaps limit our full picture, but the county's mortgage-friendly pricing suggests homeownership is the dominant, affordable path for residents.

Seeking rural affordability? Consider Borden

If you're relocating for lower housing costs and don't mind wide-open spaces, Borden's $105,400 median home value and $563 monthly owner costs are among Texas's most accessible. Compare this to neighboring counties and state averages to see if rural West Texas fits your budget and lifestyle.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Borden County

via IncomeByCounty

Borden lags behind national income levels

Borden County's median household income of $64,250 falls about 14% below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-middle range nationally. While the county underperforms the U.S. average, its per capita income of $36,074 exceeds Texas's state average of $33,197, suggesting relatively stable individual earnings.

Below average for Texas counties

Borden's $64,250 median household income sits just below Texas's state average of $64,737, ranking it in the lower-middle tier among the state's 254 counties. The county's per capita income of $36,074 outpaces the state average, indicating broader earning capacity despite modest household totals.

Mixed performance among nearby counties

Borden ($64,250) outearns struggling Brooks County ($31,310) by more than half but trails prosperous Brazoria County ($95,155) by $30,905. Among its regional peers, Borden's income sits comfortably in the middle, outperforming Brewster and Briscoe counties while trailing Bosque.

Limited affordability data, but modest home values help

Rent-to-income data for Borden is unavailable, but the county's median home value of $105,400 remains affordable relative to the $64,250 median income. This suggests housing is within reach for most households, though broader cost-of-living pressures may still constrain household budgets.

Build financial security in Borden County

With a median household income of $64,250, Borden residents have room to grow wealth through consistent saving and investment. Starting with an emergency fund and exploring retirement accounts can help families build long-term security in a county where housing costs remain manageable.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Borden County

via HealthByCounty

Borden's Health Profile

Borden County residents report better health than many peers, with just 13.1% in poor or fair health compared to national averages. While specific life expectancy data is limited, the county's low poor health rate suggests a community with relatively strong health outcomes.

Better Than Texas Average

Borden County's 13.2% uninsured rate significantly outperforms Texas's 19.8% state average, meaning residents have stronger health coverage. This puts the county in a favorable position for healthcare access across Texas.

A Healthier Pocket

Borden stands out among neighboring rural counties with its lower uninsured rate and lower poor health reporting. Specific provider data is limited, but the strong insurance coverage suggests better healthcare access than many similar-sized Texas counties.

Coverage Advantage, Data Gaps

With 13.2% of residents uninsured, Borden outpaces its state, though specific information on primary and mental health providers is unavailable. The strong insurance rate indicates residents have pathways to regular care, but limited provider data suggests a rural healthcare landscape worth monitoring.

Keep Your Coverage Strong

Borden's residents already benefit from above-average health insurance rates. If you're among the 13.2% uninsured, visit healthcare.gov or contact a local health department to explore coverage options and protect your health.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Borden County

via RiskByCounty

Borden ranks far below national risk

Borden County's composite risk score of 5.69 places it in the Very Low category, well below the national average. This West Texas county faces minimal overall natural disaster threat compared to the typical American county.

One of Texas's safest counties

Borden's 5.69 score ranks it among the lowest-risk counties in Texas, sitting just 11% of the state average composite risk of 49.00. Few Texas counties enjoy this level of natural disaster protection.

Safer than surrounding High Plains peers

Borden's 5.69 score significantly undercuts nearby Briscoe County (8.75) and Brewster County (21.06). Its isolated location on the High Plains shields it from the wildfire and tornado risks that affect neighboring regions.

Wildfire poses the primary threat

Wildfire risk reaches 74.65 in Borden—the county's dominant hazard—though still moderate in absolute terms. Tornado risk of 11.26 and other perils remain minimal, making this one of Texas's most protected areas.

Standard homeowners coverage suffices

Borden County's very low risk profile means standard homeowners insurance provides adequate protection for most residents. Consider adding wildfire coverage if your property sits near grassland, but catastrophic loss from natural disasters is uncommon here.

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.