CountyScore

Bowie County

Texas · TX

#176 in Texas
60.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Bowie County, Texas

Bowie Meets National Median, No Surplus

Bowie County scores 66.6, exceeding the national median of 50.0 by 33%, but it's a modest performance rather than a standout. The county represents solid middle-ground livability compared to the typical U.S. county, without particular distinction.

Right at Texas State Average

Bowie's 66.6 score nearly mirrors Texas's state average of 66.8, placing it squarely in the middle of the Texas county spectrum. This average position suggests neither significant advantage nor disadvantage relative to the broader state population.

Affordable Housing Market and Moderate Taxes

Bowie's cost score of 78.3 reflects a median home value of $161,300, offering reasonable entry prices for homebuyers, while the tax score of 65.8 with an effective rate of 1.296% stays competitive. Rental affordability also appears solid at $966/month median gross rent.

Low Incomes and Substantial Data Gaps

Bowie's income score of 22.1 reflects a median household income of only $59,295—below state and national medians—suggesting limited wage growth or local job quality. Like peers in this sample, five critical dimensions (safety, health, schools, risk, water) remain unmeasured.

Steady Choice for Budget-Focused Homebuyers

Bowie County suits households seeking affordable housing and modest tax bills without expecting above-average incomes or extensive public amenities. It's best for people with stable remote work, pensions, or local employment ties who value affordability over wage potential or comprehensive community services.

Score breakdown

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

Tax65.8Cost78.3SafetyComing SoonHealth57.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.1Risk21WaterComing Soon
🏛65.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤57.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡21
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 Bowie County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Tulare County
California
60.4
Median income: $69,489
Henry County
Georgia
60.4
Median income: $81,612
Coles County
Illinois
60.4
Median income: $56,040
Luzerne County
Pennsylvania
60.4
Median income: $62,321
Coryell County
Texas
60.4
Median income: $68,904

Deep Dives

Bowie County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Bowie County

via TaxByCounty

Bowie slightly exceeds the national tax average

Bowie County's effective tax rate of 1.296% edges past the national median of 1.09%, placing it slightly above the middle of the tax-burden spectrum. The median property tax of $2,091 remains below the national median of $2,690, though the effective rate runs higher.

Fractionally above Texas statewide average

At 1.296%, Bowie County's effective tax rate is marginally higher than Texas's 1.276% average. The median property tax of $2,091 falls within the statewide range, placing Bowie as a fairly typical Texas county on the tax scale.

Higher taxes than Bosque, lower than coastal peers

Bowie County's 1.296% rate exceeds Bosque County's 1.008% but runs well below the coastal surge seen in Brazoria County (1.745%). Bowie sits in the Northeast Texas middle ground on tax burden.

Your median annual tax bill: $2,091

On a median home valued at $161,300, Bowie County homeowners pay approximately $2,091 annually without a mortgage and $2,655 with one included. These figures reflect how mortgage-backed valuations can increase annual tax obligations.

Request a property tax appeal today

Bowie County residents overpaying due to inflated assessments can file a formal protest free of charge with the local appraisal district. This simple step could reveal errors in your property's valuation and reduce your annual tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Bowie County

via CostByCounty

Bowie's rent burden edges into concern

Bowie County residents earning a median of $59,295—20% below the U.S. average—spend 19.6% of income on rent, exceeding Texas's 18.1% state average. This rent-heavy burden suggests tight budgets for working families in Northeast Texas.

Bowie ranks among Texas's least affordable

With a 19.6% rent-to-income ratio, Bowie County sits above the Texas average, placing it in the less-affordable half of the state's 254 counties. Low incomes combined with middling rents create a squeeze for renters here.

Bowie's costs outpace similar region counties

Bowie's $966 monthly rent exceeds nearby Morris and Cass counties, and its 19.6% rent-to-income ratio is higher than most East Texas peers. Combined with below-state-average incomes, Bowie residents face stiffer housing costs than regional neighbors.

Rent takes a bigger bite here

Bowie renters spend 19.6% of median income on rent, while homeowners spend roughly 16.8% on owner costs—an unusual reversal favoring ownership. Median home values of $161,300 suggest buying might offer relief from monthly rent burdens.

Renters, compare Bowie to rural alternatives

If you're considering Bowie County, its 19.6% rent-to-income ratio suggests exploring nearby counties or moving further east for better renter affordability. However, homebuyers may find value in the $161,300 median home price as an alternative to rising rents.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Bowie County

via IncomeByCounty

Bowie County income lags behind national levels

Bowie County's median household income of $59,295 falls about 21% below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower half nationally. Its per capita income of $31,100 also trails the Texas state average of $33,197, indicating earnings pressure across the county.

Below-average income across Texas counties

At $59,295, Bowie County's median household income sits roughly 8% below Texas's state average of $64,737, ranking it in the lower tier among the state's counties. The gap widens when comparing per capita income, where Bowie's $31,100 underperforms the state average.

Bowie struggles relative to wealthier neighbors

Bowie County ($59,295) trails both Bosque ($69,339) and Borden ($64,250) but outearns Brewster ($52,612), Briscoe ($41,188), and Brooks ($31,310). The county faces stronger income pressure than its more affluent regional peers, particularly Brazoria ($95,155).

High rent burden signals affordability strain

Bowie's 19.6% rent-to-income ratio approaches the 20% strain threshold, indicating renters dedicate nearly one-fifth of income to housing. With median home values at $161,300 and household income at $59,295, homeownership affordability is moderate but increasingly challenging.

Strategic planning essential in Bowie County

With median household income at $59,295 and elevated housing costs, Bowie County residents should prioritize budgeting and emergency savings before investing. Building a solid financial foundation—starting with debt management and modest investments—can help households overcome income constraints.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Bowie County

via HealthByCounty

Bowie Faces Life Expectancy Gap

Bowie County's life expectancy of 72.3 years ranks notably below Texas's 74.3-year average and significantly lags national benchmarks. With 21.6% of residents in poor or fair health, the county carries a substantial disease burden.

Below-Average Health Outcomes

At 72.3 years, Bowie's life expectancy is 2 years lower than Texas's state average, placing it in the lower tier of Texas counties. The 16.3% uninsured rate is better than state average, but health outcomes remain concerning.

Outpaced by Regional Leaders

Bowie's 72.3-year life expectancy falls well short of Brazos County's 79.0 years and Brewster County's 79.7 years in the region. Yet the county does invest heavily in mental health, offering 137 providers per 100K—exceeding Bosque and many other neighbors.

Strong Provider Base, Health Challenges

Bowie provides robust healthcare infrastructure with 72 primary care providers and 137 mental health providers per 100K residents. Despite these resources, 16.3% of residents remain uninsured, limiting their ability to access the available care.

Unlock Healthcare Access

Bowie County offers abundant healthcare providers, but you need coverage to use them. If you're uninsured, healthcare.gov and local health clinics can help you find affordable plans tailored to your needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Bowie County

via RiskByCounty

Bowie exceeds national risk baseline significantly

Bowie County's composite risk score of 79.01 ranks as Relatively Low but substantially exceeds the national average. This Northeast Texas county faces considerably higher natural disaster exposure than the typical American community.

Among Texas's riskier counties

Bowie's 79.01 score sits 61% above the Texas state average of 49.00, placing it in the upper tier of state risk. Few Texas counties face comparable multi-hazard exposure.

Riskier than most regional peers

Bowie (79.01) significantly outranks safer neighbors like Bosque (36.90) and Brooks (60.81) in overall disaster exposure. Its position near Texas's border with Arkansas and Louisiana exposes it to multiple hazard types.

Tornadoes and earthquakes top the list

Tornado risk of 93.73 makes Bowie one of Texas's highest-threat counties for severe storms, while earthquake risk of 75.06 reflects its location near the Texarkana seismic zone. Flooding (68.86) and wildfire (74.24) round out a substantial multi-hazard portfolio.

Comprehensive coverage is essential

Bowie County residents should secure robust homeowners insurance including windstorm and hail coverage, plus separate earthquake and flood policies given the elevated risks. A reinforced safe room and emergency supplies are critical safety measures for this high-exposure county.

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.