countyscore
22.8
County Score
Water Quality 52.2Health 45.9Lawn Care 40.7

County Report Card

About Brazos County, Texas

University Life with Unique Pressures

Brazos County scores 22.8 on the composite index, falling below the national median of 50.0. As a major university hub, its data reflects the unique economic pressures of a high-student population. It offers a vibrant but statistically challenging environment for permanent residents.

Room to Improve State Ranking

The county’s 22.8 score is notably lower than the Texas average of 41.9. Low scores in safety and schools impact its standing relative to other Texas metro areas. However, its role as a regional educational center provides stability not captured by scores alone.

Solid Utilities and Health Access

Brazos County maintains a reliable water score of 52.2 and a decent health score of 45.9. These metrics suggest better-than-average access to essential services and medical care. The area supports a functional infrastructure for its growing population.

Safety and Schooling Gaps

Public safety is a primary concern with a score of 15.2, while the school score of 29.0 suggests room for improvement in K-12 education. High property taxes, reflected in a 1.637% effective rate, result in a low tax score of 8.8. Environmental risk also remains a factor with a score of 11.6.

Ideal for Young Professionals and Students

Brazos County is best for students and academics who thrive in a university-centric atmosphere. The median home value of $279,700 reflects its popularity as a destination for those connected to the local institution. It is a specialized market for those valuing local health services and university culture.

Score breakdown

Tax8.8Cost14.4Safety15.2Health45.9Schools29Income33.9Risk11.6Water52.2Weather19.8
🏛8.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠14.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼33.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡15.2
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤45.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓29
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡11.6
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧52.2
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤19.8
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨27.7
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱40.7
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

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Washington County
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Deep Dives

Brazos County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Brazos County

via TaxByCounty

Brazos taxes run nearly 50% above national median

Brazos County's effective tax rate of 1.637% substantially exceeds the national median of 1.09%, placing it in the top 20% of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $4,580 towers nearly 70% above the national median of $2,690.

Among Texas's higher-tax counties

At 1.637%, Brazos County's effective rate ranks above Texas's 1.276% average, making it one of the state's more expensive counties for property taxation. The median tax of $4,580 exceeds the state median by $2,387, or roughly 109%.

Second-highest after Brazoria in the region

Brazos County's 1.637% rate trails only Brazoria County's 1.745% in the immediate region, reflecting growing population and property values in the area. Home values here are among the state's highest, driving substantial annual tax bills.

Your median annual tax bill: $4,580

On Brazos County's median home value of $279,700, homeowners pay approximately $4,580 per year without a mortgage and $5,000 with one. This considerable annual obligation reflects both the county's high effective rate and strong property market.

File an appeal to contest your assessment

With such high tax bills, even a modest reduction in assessed value through a property tax appeal can yield hundreds of dollars in annual savings. The appraisal challenge process is free and open to all Brazos County homeowners.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Brazos County

via CostByCounty

Brazos rents strain tight household budgets

Despite earning 22% less than the U.S. median ($58,388 vs. $74,755), Brazos County residents pay $1,160 monthly rent—substantially above many Texas averages. This results in a 23.8% rent-to-income ratio, one of the state's worst affordability readings.

Brazos ranks among Texas's least affordable

Brazos County's 23.8% rent-to-income ratio is the highest among counties in this comparison and far above Texas's 18.1% average. Low incomes paired with college-town inflation drive this outsized burden, making Brazos one of the state's affordability challenge zones.

Brazos bears higher costs than peer counties

Brazos's $1,160 monthly rent significantly exceeds rural neighbors like Grimes and Burleson counties, reflecting Texas A&M's presence in College Station. The 23.8% rent-to-income ratio towers above regional peers, signaling a college-town cost premium.

Housing dominates Brazos household budgets

Brazos renters spend 23.8% of income on rent while homeowners spend 28.6% on owner costs—both unsustainably high. Median home values of $279,700 remain out of reach for many working families, despite lower incomes than Houston or Dallas metro areas.

College-town costs merit careful consideration

Brazos County's 23.8% rent-to-income ratio and $279,700 home values rank among Texas's least affordable markets for earners under $70,000. If relocating to College Station, prioritize stable, above-average income and compare to nearby rural counties for potential savings.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Brazos County

via IncomeByCounty

Brazos County underperforms national income standards

Brazos County's median household income of $58,388 falls about 22% below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-income tier nationally. Its per capita income of $33,928 slightly exceeds the Texas state average of $33,197, but household earnings remain constrained.

Below-average Texas county income levels

Brazos County's median household income of $58,388 sits 10% below Texas's state average of $64,737, ranking it in the lower tier among the state's counties. The per capita income of $33,928 barely edges the state average, suggesting limited household wealth accumulation.

Brazos competes poorly against neighboring counties

Brazos ($58,388) underperforms Bosque ($69,339), Borden ($64,250), and Bowie ($59,295), sitting near the bottom of this regional group. Only Brewster ($52,612), Briscoe ($41,188), and Brooks ($31,310) earn less, placing Brazos in the struggling mid-to-lower income band.

High rent burden signals severe affordability crisis

Brazos County's 23.8% rent-to-income ratio is the highest among these counties, indicating serious housing affordability stress. Combined with a median home value of $279,700—the second-highest regionally—renters and homebuyers alike face significant financial strain relative to the $58,388 median income.

Aggressive budgeting critical for Brazos residents

With median household income at $58,388 and elevated rent burden at 23.8%, Brazos County residents must prioritize debt reduction and emergency savings before pursuing investments. Building financial stability through careful budgeting and exploring lower-cost housing options can help households work toward long-term wealth goals.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Brazos County

via CrimeByCounty

Mirroring the National Baseline

Brazos County posts a safety score of 96.3, reflecting a busy urban and university environment. Its total crime rate of 2,373.0 per 100,000 residents nearly matches the national average of 2,385.5.

Slightly Below State Average

The county's safety score of 96.3 is slightly below the Texas state average of 96.8. Its total crime rate of 2,373.0 is also higher than the statewide average of 2,052.5.

Safety in a Growing Hub

With 10 agencies reporting, Brazos shows higher incident rates than its rural neighbors but stays typical for a major Texas education center. Local law enforcement manages a high volume of activity centered in the urban core.

Theft and Property Concerns

Property crime is the primary driver at 2,090.8 per 100,000, while violent crime stays moderate at 282.2. The violent crime rate remains lower than the Texas state average of 341.3.

Vigilance in High-Traffic Areas

High population density often leads to more property-related incidents. Residents can mitigate these risks by securing high-value electronics and using smart home monitoring systems.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Brazos County

via HealthByCounty

Brazos Leads Texas in Longevity

Brazos County's life expectancy of 79.0 years leads Texas's 74.3-year average by nearly 5 years, placing it among the nation's healthier counties. With 20.6% in poor or fair health, Brazos demonstrates exceptional population health outcomes.

State's Longevity Champion

At 79.0 years, Brazos County's life expectancy ranks among the highest in Texas, significantly outpacing the state average. Its 15.7% uninsured rate also beats Texas's 19.8%, reflecting both strong health and healthcare access.

Regional Health Excellence

Brazos ties with Brewster County for the region's highest life expectancy at 79.0 years, exceeding Brazoria's 76.9 and Bowie's 72.3. The county also leads in mental health resources with 150 providers per 100K residents, the highest among surrounding counties.

Top-Tier Healthcare Access

Brazos provides 83 primary care providers and 150 mental health providers per 100K residents—among the state's best ratios. With only 15.7% uninsured, residents benefit from both abundant providers and strong insurance coverage.

Sustain Excellence

Brazos County's health leadership depends on strong coverage and access. If you're uninsured, visit healthcare.gov or contact local health resources to secure coverage and maintain the county's health momentum.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Brazos County

via SchoolsByCounty

The Heart of College Station Education

Brazos County supports 32,750 students within 53 schools across only 3 districts. The infrastructure is primarily concentrated in urban areas, with 28 elementary schools and 10 high schools serving the community.

Urban Challenges and Focused Spending

The graduation rate of 85.6% trails the Texas state average of 91.6%, while the per-pupil expenditure of $6,760 remains below the state norm. The county maintains a school score of 50.7, reflecting a median performance compared to national standards.

Bryan and College Station Districts

Bryan ISD and College Station ISD dominate the landscape, serving 16,036 and 14,464 students respectively. Charter schools have a significant presence here, with 7 campuses making up over 13% of all schools in the county.

Urban Campuses and Large Student Bodies

Education here is largely a city experience, with 46 of the 53 schools located in urban centers. Travis B Bryan High School is the largest campus with 2,419 students, contributing to a high average school size of 630 students.

Move Closer to Academic Opportunities

Brazos County offers a vibrant educational environment with numerous charter and traditional public options. Families often look for homes near College Station High or A&M Consolidated to access some of the region's largest campuses.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Brazos County

via RiskByCounty

Brazos risk approaches twice the national average

Brazos County's composite risk score of 88.36 ranks Relatively Moderate and approaches double the national average. This Central Texas county faces significantly above-average natural disaster exposure for the United States.

Well above Texas state average risk

Brazos's 88.36 score exceeds the Texas state average of 49.00 by 80%, placing it among the state's higher-risk counties. The county's proximity to multiple hazard zones explains this elevated exposure.

Slightly safer than coastal Brazoria

Brazos (88.36) ranks just below the riskier Brazoria County (93.64) but well above inland peers like Bosque (36.90). Its inland location reduces hurricane threat compared to coastal neighbors but intensifies tornado and flood risk.

Tornadoes and floods dominate exposure

Tornado risk of 96.66 ranks Brazos among Texas's most tornado-prone counties, while flood risk of 82.79 reflects vulnerability to heavy precipitation and stream overflow. Hurricane risk of 85.65, though lower than coastal counties, remains a substantial secondary concern.

Flood and windstorm coverage is critical

Brazos County residents need flood insurance and comprehensive windstorm/hail coverage beyond standard homeowners policies. Safe rooms, weather monitoring systems, and evacuation plans are essential given the extreme tornado and flood threats this county faces.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Brazos County

via WeatherByCounty

A Classic Southern Heat Profile

Brazos County is substantially warmer than the national median, with an annual average temperature of 69.4°F. Its 41.8 inches of annual rain also exceeds the national typical precipitation level.

Ranking High for Texas Heat

At 69.4°F, Brazos County is nearly 4 degrees warmer than the Texas average. It experiences 117 days of extreme heat over 90°F, surpassing the state's central and northern averages.

Warmer and Sunnier than the Coast

Brazos County sees about 30 more extreme heat days than coastal Brazoria County. While it receives a healthy 41.8 inches of rain, it lacks the ocean-moderated breeze found closer to the Gulf.

Scorching Summers and Comfortable Winters

Summer averages 84.5°F, peaking in July at 85.1°F with frequent triple-digit afternoons. Winters are pleasant with a 53.3°F average, and snowfall data remains largely unavailable, indicating it is a rare event.

Optimize for Extreme Summer Cooling

Energy efficient cooling systems are a priority to combat 117 days of 90°F+ weather. Residents should plan outdoor activities for early morning or late evening during the long summer stretch.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Brazos County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic sandy soils of the Brazos Valley

Brazos County features an average pH of 6.05, placing it on the acidic side of the scale. This is lower than both the national median and the 7.09 Texas state average. While specific taxonomic data is limited, the acidic nature defines the local nutrient availability.

High sand content drives soil texture

Over half of the soil—50.7%—is sand, mixed with 23.7% silt and 18.8% clay. This high sand percentage ensures the soil is easy to work and doesn't get as bogged down as heavy clay. However, it may struggle to hold onto nutrients as effectively as heavier soils.

Lower organic levels require amendments

Organic matter is relatively low at 1.21%, falling below the state average of 1.66%. The available water capacity of 0.124 in/in also sits just below the Texas benchmark of 0.133 in/in. Local gardeners often find that adding compost significantly improves soil performance.

Managing high runoff in group D

The soil falls into hydrologic group D, which indicates a high potential for surface runoff. Even with high sand content, the overall soil structure may limit how fast water moves deep into the ground. Proper erosion control is important for maintaining topsoil on sloped land.

Gardening in the 9a heat

Brazos County resides in hardiness zone 9a, offering a very long window for warm-season crops. Melons and sweet potatoes enjoy the sandy texture and the long, hot summers. Regular mulching will help preserve moisture in these sandier, lower-capacity soils.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Brazos County

via LawnByCounty

A Favorable Texas Turf Climate

Brazos County's lawn difficulty score of 40.7 is well above the state average, making it one of the better places in Texas to grow grass. This Zone 9a region benefits from a long, productive growing season.

Intense Heat with Reliable Rain

Annual precipitation of 41.8 inches is ideal for most turfgrasses, though 117 extreme heat days will test their limits. High growing degree days of 7355 indicate that grass will grow rapidly during the warm months.

Sandy Soil and Ideal pH

The soil pH of 6.05 is within the ideal range, supporting efficient nutrient uptake for most grass types. With 50.7% sand, the soil offers great drainage but may require more frequent light watering during heat waves.

Widespread Severe Drought Challenges

Severe drought (D2+) currently affects 87.3% of the county, following 29 weeks of drought over the past year. Residents should follow local water restrictions and focus on deep root development during the spring.

Warm-Season Success in Brazos

Zoysia and Bermudagrass are highly recommended for their heat tolerance and rapid growth in this zone. The best time to begin planting is after the last spring frost on February 27.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Brazos County's county score?
Brazos County, Texas has a composite county score of 22.8 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 Brazos County rank among counties in Texas?
Brazos County ranks #244 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 Brazos County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Brazos County is $4,580, with an effective tax rate of 1.64%. This earns Brazos County a tax score of 8.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Brazos County?
The median household income in Brazos County, Texas is $58,388 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Brazos County earns an income score of 33.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Brazos County, Texas a good place to live?
Brazos County scores 22.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #244 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Brazos 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 Brazos County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.