CountyScore

Bosque County

Texas · TX

#62 in Texas
66.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Bosque County, Texas

Bosque Outpaces National Livability Median

Bosque County scores 71.6, comfortably exceeding the national median of 50.0 by 43%, making it a solid performer in livability rankings nationwide. This above-average standing reflects balanced strength across the three measurable dimensions: tax, cost, and income.

Above Texas Average, Room to Grow

Bosque's 71.6 composite score edges past Texas's state average of 66.8, placing it in the upper-middle tier of Texas counties. While respectable, it trails the state's true leaders by a meaningful margin, suggesting room for improvement in unmeasured categories.

Balanced Affordability and Reasonable Taxes

Bosque balances a cost score of 80.6 (median home value $184,500) with a tax score of 73.9 and a competitive effective tax rate of 1.008%. The county also offers the highest measured income (median household income of $69,339 among these eight), suggesting a slightly more prosperous local economy.

Schools, Safety, and Health Data Missing

Five of seven livability dimensions—safety, health, schools, risk, and water quality—lack available data, leaving crucial questions about education quality and community safety unanswered. Without these metrics, potential residents can't fully assess whether Bosque meets their family's needs.

Best for Balanced-Budget Families Seeking Stability

Bosque County appeals to middle-income households wanting reasonable taxes, moderate housing costs, and a stable economic foundation without paying a premium. It's well-suited for families who work locally, prioritize affordability over amenities, and are willing to research schools and services independently.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73.9Cost80.6SafetyComing SoonHealth53.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.6Risk63.1WaterComing Soon
🏛73.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤53.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡63.1
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 Bosque County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lassen County
California
66.3
Median income: $64,395
Screven County
Georgia
66.3
Median income: $53,017
St. Bernard Parish
Louisiana
66.3
Median income: $57,638
Shiawassee County
Michigan
66.3
Median income: $64,464
Lowndes County
Mississippi
66.3
Median income: $54,460

Deep Dives

Bosque County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Bosque County

via TaxByCounty

Bosque taxes run below the national median

At 1.008%, Bosque County's effective tax rate undercuts the national median of 1.09%, placing it in the lower-tax quartile nationwide. The median property tax of $1,859 falls well short of the U.S. median of $2,690, saving typical homeowners over $800 annually.

Below-average tax burden statewide

Bosque County's 1.008% effective rate ranks below Texas's 1.276% average, making it one of the more tax-friendly counties in the state. Homeowners pay a median of $1,859 in property taxes, about 15% less than the Texas median of $2,193.

More affordable than surrounding Central Texas

Bosque County's 1.008% rate is lower than Bowie County (1.296%) and ties closely with Briscoe County (1.084%), offering competitive tax relief in Central Texas. The county sits comfortably in the region's more affordable tax tier.

Your median annual tax bill: $1,859

On Bosque County's median home value of $184,500, property owners pay approximately $1,859 per year without a mortgage and $2,175 with one. This estimate reflects the county's current effective rate applied to the typical homestead.

Challenge your appraisal to cut taxes further

Many Bosque County homeowners accept their property tax bills without question, even when assessments are inaccurate. Filing an appeal with the county appraisal district costs nothing and could lower your assessed value—and your annual tax obligation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Bosque County

via CostByCounty

Bosque outperforms nation on rent affordability

Bosque County's 16.0% rent-to-income ratio beats both the Texas average of 18.1% and the national median, despite incomes 7% below the U.S. average of $74,755. At just $926 monthly rent against a $69,339 median income, renters here enjoy some breathing room compared to national peers.

Bosque ranks among Texas's most affordable

With a 16.0% rent-to-income ratio, Bosque County places in the top tier of Texas counties for rental affordability. This below-state-average ratio suggests Bosque offers genuine value for renters seeking a balance between costs and quality of life in Central Texas.

Bosque rents mirror Texas state norms

Bosque's $926 median rent sits just below the Texas average of $963, matching nearby Hamilton and Comanche counties. Yet Bosque's rent-to-income ratio of 16.0% edges out these neighbors, reflecting slightly better affordability for local residents.

Renters benefit most in Bosque County

Renters in Bosque spend 16.0% of income on housing, while homeowners devote roughly 12.6% to monthly owner costs. This split suggests Bosque is a renter's county—affordable for those leasing, but home values of $184,500 also offer moderate-cost ownership.

Bosque offers Central Texas value

If you're comparing Central Texas counties for relocation, Bosque's 16.0% rent-to-income ratio and $926 average rent make it a strong contender against pricier Austin-area neighbors. Factor in a growing rural-town appeal and you'll see why renters and first-time homebuyers are taking notice.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Bosque County

via IncomeByCounty

Bosque exceeds Texas average, but trails nation

Bosque County's median household income of $69,339 exceeds Texas's state average of $64,737 but remains about 7% below the national median of $74,755. The county's per capita income of $35,879 outperforms both the state average ($33,197) and reflects solid individual earning power.

Upper-middle income ranking in Texas

At $69,339, Bosque County's median household income ranks above the Texas state average and places it in the upper-middle tier of Texas counties. This positions Bosque as one of the stronger-performing counties in the state for household earnings.

Bosque outearns most regional competitors

Bosque's $69,339 household income exceeds Borden ($64,250), Bowie ($59,295), Brewster ($52,612), Briscoe ($41,188), and Brooks ($31,310), making it the second-highest earner in this group after Brazoria County. The county's affordability is further strengthened by a reasonable 16.0% rent-to-income ratio.

Housing remains affordable with rental balance

A 16.0% rent-to-income ratio indicates that most Bosque County renters spend roughly one-sixth of their income on rent—well below the 30% burden threshold. With median home values at $184,500 and household income at $69,339, homeownership is accessible for qualified buyers.

Bosque residents have strong wealth-building potential

With above-average household income and manageable housing costs, Bosque County residents are well-positioned to invest in retirement accounts, education, and home equity. The county's relative affordability creates opportunities to allocate income toward long-term financial goals.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Bosque County

via HealthByCounty

Bosque Lags National Health

Bosque County's life expectancy of 73.6 years falls short of the Texas average of 74.3 years, and its 23.1% poor or fair health rate reflects significant population health challenges. The county faces steeper health barriers than many other Texas communities.

Below Average on Multiple Fronts

At 73.6 years, Bosque's life expectancy ranks below Texas's 74.3-year average, while its uninsured rate of 20.3% barely exceeds the state's 19.8%. This combination suggests healthcare access and health outcomes both need strengthening.

Struggling Compared to Peers

Bosque's 23.1% poor health rate substantially exceeds Borden County's 13.1%, and its life expectancy trails Brazos County's 79.0 years. The county has notably fewer mental health providers (47 per 100K) than better-performing neighbors like Brazoria (117 per 100K).

Provider Access Uneven

Bosque offers 54 primary care providers per 100K residents—competitive with state averages—but only 47 mental health providers per 100K. With 20.3% uninsured, nearly one in five residents lack consistent access to preventive care.

Bridge the Coverage Gap

If you're among Bosque's 20.3% uninsured residents, healthcare coverage is within reach. Visit healthcare.gov or contact Bosque County's health department to explore affordable plans and connect with local primary care providers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Bosque County

via RiskByCounty

Bosque sits well below national average risk

Bosque County's composite risk score of 36.90 earns a Very Low rating, placing it 25% lower than the national average. This Central Texas county faces below-average natural disaster exposure overall.

Below-average risk for Texas

Bosque's 36.90 score falls 25% below Texas's state average of 49.00, making it one of the safer counties statewide. Still, tornado and wildfire risks merit attention in this region.

Moderate risk in its local region

Bosque (36.90) sits between the very-safe Briscoe County (8.75) and the riskier Bowie County (79.01) in Central Texas. Its exposure to tornado and wildfire outpaces some regional peers but remains manageable.

Tornadoes and wildfires dominate hazard profile

Tornado risk of 71.37 and wildfire risk of 84.83 are Bosque's primary concerns, both above state averages. Flood risk (40.30) and hurricane threat (53.61) add secondary but notable exposure for residents.

Add tornado and wildfire coverage

Standard homeowners insurance leaves gaps for Bosque County's tornado and wildfire threats; consider riders or specialized policies for these hazards. A weather radio and evacuation plan are smart investments given the county's moderate tornado and fire exposure.

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.