countyscore
34.5
County Score
Water Quality 61.5Schools 61.4Weather & Climate 44.1

County Report Card

About Bowie County, Texas

Affordable Living Below National Medians

Bowie County earns a composite score of 34.4, placing it below the national median of 50.0. While it faces some challenges, it remains a notable hub in the northeastern corner of Texas. It offers a distinct profile focused on affordability and education.

Trailing the Texas State Average

The county’s composite score of 34.4 trails the Texas state average of 41.9. This suggests that while it is an established area, it lags behind the state's faster-growing regions in overall livability metrics. Improving local safety and economic outcomes remains a priority.

Strong Schools and Reliable Water

Education is a bright spot with a school score of 61.4, indicating quality local learning opportunities. The county also features a reliable water score of 61.5. These assets provide a functional foundation for residents and families.

Tax Burdens and Safety Concerns

A low tax score of 21.0 reflects an effective tax rate of 1.296%, which is higher than many neighbors. Safety and health scores are also low, coming in at 23.3 and 21.4 respectively. Environmental risk is another area of concern with a score of 21.0.

Strategic Value for Education Seekers

Bowie County is best suited for individuals who prioritize school quality and lower housing costs, with homes averaging $161,300. It appeals to those who value water reliability and localized services. Residents should be prepared for higher tax rates in exchange for these benefits.

2040608010024.440.523.321.461.433.22161.544.1Tax24.4Cost40.5Safety23.3Health21.4Schools61.4Income33.2Risk21Water61.5Weather44.134.5/100
This county
National avg
6 below average

Bowie County DNA

Foverall

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

Bowie County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Safety (23.3/100), though Schools (61.4/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
24.4-27.6
Cost
40.5
Safety
23.3-31.7
Health
21.4-28.6
Schools
61.4
Income
33.2-17.799999999999997
Risk
21-26
Water
61.5
Weather
44.1-11.899999999999999
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Think property taxes are too high in Bowie County?

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$173,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$988/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$173,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$39,520/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $59,803/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

22.7

per 100K

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

Little River County
Arkansas
55
Cass County
Texas
48.9
Morris County
Texas
47.6
Miller County
Arkansas
34.7
Sevier County
Arkansas
50.4
Titus County
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38.1
Red River County
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47.9
McCurtain County
Oklahoma
41.8

Deep Dives

Bowie County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in Bowie County

via CrimeByCounty

Competitive Safety in Northeast Texas

Bowie County earns a safety score of 96.9, placing it slightly ahead of national security trends. Its total crime rate of 1,948.3 per 100,000 is lower than the U.S. average of 2,385.5.

Matching the Texas Benchmark

The county's safety score of 96.9 sits just above the Texas state average of 96.8. Local law enforcement reports 1,948.3 crimes per 100,000 people, which is better than the statewide average of 2,052.5.

Transparent and Reliable Reporting

With 22 agencies reporting data, Bowie offers a comprehensive look at public safety across the county. This robust reporting demonstrates that Bowie is a stable and relatively secure hub compared to similar regions.

Property Concerns Lead Reports

Property crime drives local statistics at 1,685.2 per 100,000 residents, while violent crime sits at 263.1. Both metrics remain lower than their respective national averages, indicating a stable environment.

Prioritize Property Protection

Residents should focus on deterrents like smart doorbells and secure entry points to combat property crime. These simple steps can further reduce the primary type of criminal activity in the area.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Bowie County

via WeatherByCounty

High Rainfall in the Piney Woods

Bowie County averages 63.5°F annually, placing it well above the national median temperature. With 52.7 inches of annual precipitation, it is significantly wetter than most U.S. counties, which often average closer to 30 inches.

Cooler and Wetter than the Texas Average

At 63.5°F, Bowie County is two degrees cooler than the Texas state average of 65.5°F. It stands out sharply for its moisture, receiving over 20 inches more annual precipitation than the state average.

The Wettest Corner of the Region

Bowie's 52.7 inches of rain far exceeds the totals found in central counties like Bosque. While it shares the regional warmth, it sees only 85 extreme heat days, which is fewer than many of its southern and western neighbors.

Humid Summers and Occasional Winter Dustings

Summer temperatures average 81.1°F from June to August, but the humidity from 52.7 inches of rain makes it feel much hotter. Winters are temperate at 45.5°F, though the county sees 2.0 inches of snow, more than most of its Texas peers.

Invest in Drainage and Dehumidification

Homeowners should prioritize high-capacity drainage systems to handle the heavy annual rainfall. Indoor air quality benefits greatly from dehumidifiers during the long, moist summer months.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Bowie County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic soils of East Texas

Bowie County features a distinctively acidic soil profile with an average pH of 5.74. This is much lower than the national 6.5 median and the Texas average of 7.09. Local taxonomic data is limited, but the acidity defines the gardening landscape here.

A silty mix with low clay

The soil composition is 42.7% sand and 30.2% silt, creating a medium-textured base. With only 23.0% clay, these soils are relatively easy to till compared to heavy clay regions. The high silt content helps with nutrient retention despite the lower clay percentage.

High water capacity despite low organic matter

Organic matter levels reach 1.52%, trailing the state average of 1.66%. Even so, the available water capacity is strong at 0.141 in/in, which is higher than the Texas average. This helps plants survive during the humid but hot summers.

Runoff risks in hydrologic group D

Classified in hydrologic group D, these soils have a high runoff potential when thoroughly wet. While specific drainage class data is missing, this group typically indicates restricted water movement through the soil profile. Proper site grading is essential for any building or farming project.

Blueberries and azaleas love zone 8b

The acidic pH makes Bowie County a paradise for acid-loving plants like blueberries and azaleas. Zone 8b allows for a long growing season that supports everything from pine timber to summer squash. Grab a trowel and take advantage of the high water capacity in your backyard.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Bowie County

via LawnByCounty

Moderate Challenges in East Texas

Bowie County's lawn difficulty score of 35.9 is slightly higher than the state average but remains below the national median of 50.0. This Zone 8b county offers a humid environment that can support thick turf with proper care.

Abundant Rainfall for Thirsty Turf

With 52.7 inches of annual precipitation, this county exceeds the typical 30-50 inch ideal range, which can lead to drainage issues. Lawns here face 85 extreme heat days, which is lower than the state average of 105.

Acidic Soil Needs Careful Balancing

The soil pH of 5.74 is acidic and falls below the ideal 6.0-7.0 window, often requiring lime applications. While specific drainage data is limited, the 23.0% clay content suggests moderate moisture retention capabilities.

Severe Drought Despite High Rain

Despite high annual rainfall, 100% of the county is currently in Severe Drought (D2+). After 17 weeks of drought last year, it is vital to maintain organic mulch layers to protect soil moisture.

Planting for Acidic Environments

Centipedegrass and Carpetgrass are excellent choices for the acidic soils of Bowie County. The best time to start is after the last spring frost on March 26 to ensure warm soil temperatures.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bowie County's county score?
Bowie County, Texas has a composite county score of 34.5 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 Bowie County rank among counties in Texas?
Bowie County ranks #185 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 Bowie County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Bowie County is $2,037, with an effective tax rate of 1.18%. This earns Bowie County a tax score of 24.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Bowie County?
The median household income in Bowie County, Texas is $59,803 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Bowie County earns an income score of 33.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Bowie County, Texas a good place to live?
Bowie County scores 34.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #185 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Bowie 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 Bowie 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.