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.

204060801009.614.915.245.92929.411.652.219.8Tax9.6Cost14.9Safety15.2Health45.9Schools29Income29.4Risk11.6Water52.2Weather19.822.8/100
This county
National avg
7 below average

Brazos County DNA

Foverall

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

Brazos County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Property Tax (9.6/100), though Health (45.9/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
9.6-42.4
Cost
14.9-33.1
Safety
15.2-39.8
Health
45.9
Schools
29-25
Income
29.4-21.6
Risk
11.6-35.4
Water
52.2
Weather
19.8-36.2
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Think property taxes are too high in Brazos County?

Many homeowners in Brazos 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

$296,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,193/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$296,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$47,720/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum5.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $58,553/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

8.0

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
Compare Brazos County with Hays County →Share on X

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Nearby counties

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37
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Washington County
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Robertson County
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Madison County
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Waller County
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Deep Dives

Brazos County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

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 $4,568, with an effective tax rate of 1.54%. This earns Brazos County a tax score of 9.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Brazos County?
The median household income in Brazos County, Texas is $58,553 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Brazos County earns an income score of 29.4/100 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.
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.