countyscore
53.8
County Score
Cost of Living 98.7Safety 86.2Schools 67.3

County Report Card

About Brooks County, Texas

Exceeding National Livability Standards

Brooks County achieves a composite score of 53.8, placing it above the national median of 50.0. This score highlights a strong performance in key livability dimensions. It serves as a resilient community in South Texas.

A South Texas Leader

At 53.8, Brooks County ranks well above the Texas state average of 41.9. It outperforms many of its regional neighbors in terms of security and affordability. The county provides a high value-to-cost ratio for its residents.

Unmatched Affordability and High Safety

The county features an elite cost score of 98.7, supported by median gross rents of just $487. Safety is another major strength with a score of 86.2. These metrics make it one of the most secure and affordable places to live in the state.

Significant Income and Health Gaps

The income score is near the bottom at 0.3, with a median household income of only $31,310. Health outcomes also lag with a score of 5.2. These low scores indicate a need for better local economic development and medical infrastructure.

Maximum Value for Budget-Minded Residents

Brooks County is ideal for those who prioritize low living costs and personal safety above high earnings. It offers incredible value, with home prices averaging just $82,700. It is a strong choice for residents who value a quiet, safe community with ultra-low overhead.

2040608010022.898.786.25.267.30.339.218.312.3Tax22.8Cost98.7Safety86.2Health5.2Schools67.3Income0.3Risk39.2Water18.3Weather12.353.8/100
This county
National avg
3 above average5 below average

Brooks County DNA

Foverall

How Brooks County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Brooks County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (98.7/100) but notably weak in Income (0.3/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
22.8-29.2
Cost
98.7+50.7
Safety
86.2+31.200000000000003
Health
5.2-44.8
Schools
67.3+13.299999999999997
Income
0.3-50.7
Risk
39.2
Water
18.3-39.7
Weather
12.3-43.7
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$82,700

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$487/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$82,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$19,480/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $31,310/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

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Nearby counties

Jim Hogg County
Texas
38.4
Kenedy County
Texas
33.7
Duval County
Texas
43.3
Kleberg County
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19.2
Jim Wells County
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Starr County
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Hidalgo County
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Willacy County
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Deep Dives

Brooks County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Brooks County

via TaxByCounty

Brooks taxes sit near the national average

Brooks County's effective tax rate of 1.260% slightly exceeds the national median of 1.09%, placing it in the upper-middle tier of U.S. counties. However, the median property tax of just $1,042 falls well below the national median of $2,690, reflecting South Texas's lower home values.

Nearly at Texas statewide average

At 1.260%, Brooks County's effective rate sits just below Texas's 1.276% average, making it a typical Texas county on the tax scale. The median tax of $1,042 is roughly 48% of the state median of $2,193, driven by the county's modest property market.

Lightly taxed for South Texas region

Brooks County's 1.260% rate exceeds only Briscoe County (1.084%) among the eight-county comparison, positioning it as a relatively affordable South Texas jurisdiction. Lower property values keep annual tax obligations modest despite the rate.

Your median annual tax bill: $1,042

On Brooks County's median home value of $82,700, homeowners pay approximately $1,042 per year without a mortgage and $1,321 with one. These modest obligations reflect both the county's reasonable tax rate and South Texas's lower property valuations.

Contest your property valuation today

Brooks County homeowners can file a free property tax appeal with the local appraisal district if they believe their home is overvalued. Challenging inflated assessments is a straightforward way to potentially reduce your annual tax bill further.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Brooks County

via CostByCounty

Brooks faces nation's toughest income squeeze

Brooks County's $31,310 median household income—58% below the U.S. average—ranks among Texas's lowest, yet the 18.7% rent-to-income ratio stays near the national norm. At just $487 monthly rent, residents access housing that's nearly invisible in cost relative to deeper national affordability challenges.

Brooks County struggles with poverty economics

Brooks County's 18.7% rent-to-income ratio slightly exceeds Texas's 18.1% average despite catastrophically low incomes, placing it among the state's most economically stressed counties. The $487 monthly rent is among Texas's lowest, yet the income constraint means real hardship persists.

Brooks leads South Texas affordability race

Brooks County's $487 monthly rent is the lowest in South Texas, with only Zapata and Kenedy counties offering comparable rates. At $82,700 median home value, Brooks rivals Briscoe as the state's most affordable housing market, though incomes are similarly constrained.

Every dollar counts in Brooks County

Brooks residents spend 18.7% of income on rent and roughly 17.2% on owner costs, both manageable percentages undermined by subsistence-level incomes. With a $31,310 median household income, even affordable rents leave little room for other necessities.

Brooks County suits only specialized relocators

Brooks County's $487 monthly rent and $82,700 median home values are Texas's lowest, but the $31,310 median income signals severe economic hardship. Only those with independent income sources or strong job prospects in agriculture, energy, or border trade should consider relocation here.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Brooks County

via IncomeByCounty

Brooks County faces severe national income crisis

Brooks County's median household income of $31,310 is 58% below the national median of $74,755, placing it among the lowest-income counties in America. Its per capita income of $25,010 also trails the Texas state average of $33,197 by 25%, signaling widespread economic hardship.

Lowest-income county in Texas sample

At $31,310, Brooks County's median household income is 52% below the Texas state average of $64,737, ranking it as the lowest-income county in this group and among the poorest in the state. The severe income deficit reflects profound economic challenges and limited job opportunities.

Brooks significantly trails all comparable counties

Brooks's $31,310 household income falls dramatically below every other county in this comparison, trailing Briscoe ($41,188) by nearly $10,000 and Brazoria ($95,155) by $63,845. The county faces exceptional economic hardship relative to its regional peers.

Low incomes strain even affordable housing

While Brooks County's median home value of $82,700 is the lowest in the group, the 18.7% rent-to-income ratio combined with median household income of just $31,310 creates acute affordability stress. Housing costs consume nearly one-fifth of already-limited household resources.

Brooks residents need urgent economic support

With median household income at $31,310, Brooks County residents face extreme economic challenges requiring immediate focus on income stability and emergency resilience. Accessing job training, seeking higher-wage employment, and leveraging community resources are critical first steps before wealth-building can become realistic.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Brooks County

via CrimeByCounty

Near-Perfect Safety Score

Brooks County is one of the safest regions in the U.S. with a safety score of 99.5. Its total crime rate of 311.7 per 100,000 is among the lowest recorded nationwide.

Surpassing State Safety Norms

Brooks significantly outperforms the Texas state average safety score of 96.8. Its total crime rate of 311.7 is less than a sixth of the Texas average of 2,052.5.

Regional Safety Leader

Data from two reporting agencies confirms that Brooks is an exceptionally low-crime area compared to South Texas neighbors. These numbers indicate a high degree of public safety relative to the region.

Consistently Low Incidents

Violent crime sits at 170.0 per 100,000, while property crime is even lower at 141.7. Both metrics are vastly lower than the national and state averages for these categories.

Maintain Your Safe Community

In a county with such low crime rates, basic precautions like locking doors are highly effective. Residents can further enhance safety by staying connected and reporting unusual activity to local authorities.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Brooks County

via SchoolsByCounty

One District Serving Brooks County

Brooks County ISD manages the entirety of the county's public education, serving 1,285 students across 5 schools. The system includes 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school, all under a single administration.

Outperforming State Averages

The county maintains a solid 92.0% graduation rate, which beats the Texas state average of 91.6%. With a per-pupil expenditure of $8,213, Brooks County invests more per student than the state average of $7,498, earning a school score of 57.2.

Centralized Learning in Falfurrias

Brooks County ISD is the sole district, meaning all 1,285 students fall under the same local leadership. There are no charter schools in the area, ensuring a unified traditional school experience for all families.

Town-Based Schools with Moderate Sizes

Four out of five schools are located in town settings, with an average school size of 257 students. Falfurrias High School is the largest campus with 401 students, while Lasater Elementary is the smallest with 168.

Community-Driven Education

Families looking for a single-district community with high graduation rates will find Brooks County appealing. Homes in the Falfurrias area provide the most direct access to the county's centralized campus network.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Brooks County

via RiskByCounty

Brooks risk moderately exceeds national average

Brooks County's composite risk score of 60.81 ranks Relatively Low but sits 24% above the national average. This South Texas county faces above-average but manageable natural disaster exposure.

Above-average risk for Texas

Brooks's 60.81 score exceeds the Texas state average of 49.00 by 24%, placing it in the upper-middle tier of state risk. Hurricane threat drives much of this elevated exposure.

Moderate risk in South Texas context

Brooks (60.81) sits between safer inland counties like Briscoe (8.75) and riskier coastal neighbors like Brazoria (93.64). Its position near the Gulf puts it at elevated hurricane risk compared to central Texas peers.

Hurricanes dominate the hazard profile

Hurricane risk of 81.60 makes Brooks one of Texas's highest-threat counties for tropical systems, reflecting its South Texas Gulf proximity. Wildfire risk (60.08) presents a secondary concern; tornado, flood, and earthquake risks remain below state averages.

Hurricane and windstorm coverage essential

Brooks County residents should carry comprehensive windstorm/hail insurance and consider flood coverage despite lower flood risk scores. Storm shutters, reinforced roofing, and a family hurricane plan are critical investments for this hurricane-exposed county.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Brooks County

via WaterByCounty

Brooks County Records Failing Compliance Grade

Brooks County receives a Grade F for drinking water compliance, with 7 health violations reported over five years. Its violation rate of 149.0 per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the Texas state average of 581.9. Despite this better-than-average rate, the violations were severe enough to warrant a failing grade.

Official Watershed Health Data Currently Missing

Water bodies in Brooks County are not yet assessed in the federal §303(d) database for the current reporting cycle. There is no official record of impairment percentages or specific pollutant causes for this area. This reflects a gap in federal Clean Water Act coverage for the county's waterways.

No Federal Monitoring Records for Brooks County

There are currently no water quality monitoring records for Brooks County in the federal EPA Water Quality Portal. This absence of data means that recent measurements for physical or chemical characteristic groups are not available. Local water quality assessment depends entirely on state or private data sources.

Los Olmos Creek Records Zero Flow

The primary USGS gauge on Los Olmos Creek near Falfurrias currently shows a discharge of 0 cfs. This is a total loss of flow compared to the long-term mean of 5 cfs, placing the creek at 0% of its typical volume. The 480-square-mile drainage area is currently experiencing dry conditions.

Stay Vigilant Amid Lack of Local Data

With zero flow in Los Olmos Creek and no federal monitoring records, residents face a significant data gap. It is wise to maintain home filtration systems to mitigate the risk from the county's recorded health violations. Local health department updates are the best source for information on current groundwater conditions.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Brooks County

via WeatherByCounty

Tropical Temperatures in South Texas

Brooks County's 72.2°F annual average is among the highest in the country, sitting far above the national median. Precipitation is relatively low at 27.4 inches, making for a semi-arid, hot environment.

One of the Hottest in Texas

At 72.2°F, Brooks County is nearly 7 degrees warmer than the state average. It endures 160 days of extreme heat per year, placing it in the top tier of the state's hottest regions.

More Heat than the Coastal Plains

Brooks County faces 160 days of heat over 90°F, nearly double the 88 days seen in coastal Brazoria. It is significantly drier and hotter than its neighbors to the east and north.

Year-Round Warmth and Zero Snow

July is punishing with an 85.4°F average, while winters remain balmy at 58.3°F. Snow is non-existent, and the county averages 160 days of extreme heat annually.

Maximum Cooling and Sun Safety

High-efficiency air conditioning is a necessity rather than a luxury for the nearly 5 months of triple-digit potential. Professional-grade window tinting can help reduce the intense solar gain from 160 extreme heat days.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Brooks County

via SoilByCounty

Sandy South Texas plains

Brooks County features an average pH of 6.80, which is very close to the national median of 6.5. This nearly neutral soil is slightly more acidic than the Texas average of 7.09. It provides a balanced chemical baseline for many agricultural uses.

Dominant sand defines the county

The soil is extremely sandy, containing 78.9% sand and only 9.7% clay. This creates a very loose, coarse texture that is easy to till but drains very rapidly. The low silt content (11.5%) means there is little to bind the sand particles together.

Low organic matter and water storage

The soil's organic matter is quite low at 0.93%, well below the state average of 1.66%. Similarly, the available water capacity is only 0.095 in/in. Frequent irrigation and heavy organic amendments are necessary for productive gardening in this sandy environment.

Surface runoff challenges in group D

Despite the high sand content, the soil is placed in hydrologic group D, suggesting limited deep infiltration. This often happens in areas with shallow restrictive layers or high water tables. Managing water at the surface is critical to prevent erosion of the loose, sandy topsoil.

Subtropical gardening in zone 9b

Brooks County's 9b hardiness zone allows for year-round growing of many crops. Citrus trees and heat-tolerant legumes are well-suited for these sandy plains. Focus on building up your soil's organic matter to help your garden hold onto every drop of water.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Brooks County

via LawnByCounty

High Heat Challenges in South Texas

A lawn difficulty score of 28.0 reflects the intense environmental pressure found in Brooks County. This Zone 9b area requires specialized care to handle the extreme temperatures and sandy conditions.

The Land of Eternal Summer

Brooks County endures 160 extreme heat days per year, nearly double the national average. With only 27.4 inches of rain, lawns rely heavily on irrigation to survive the massive 8244 growing degree days.

Extremely Sandy, Fast-Draining Soil

The soil is a staggering 78.9% sand, meaning water and nutrients wash away almost instantly. While the pH of 6.80 is perfect, the lack of clay (9.7%) makes consistent feeding and watering a necessity.

Total Coverage in Severe Drought

Severe drought (D2+) currently covers 100% of the county after 39 weeks of drought conditions in the past year. Grass here must be managed for survival using drought-tolerant species and automated irrigation.

Focus on Heat-Resistant Species

Bermudagrass and Seashore Paspalum are the best bets for handling the 160 days of heat and sandy soil. You can begin planting early, as the last spring frost typically occurs by February 25.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Brooks County's county score?
Brooks County, Texas has a composite county score of 53.8 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 Brooks County rank among counties in Texas?
Brooks County ranks #41 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 Brooks County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Brooks County is $1,042, with an effective tax rate of 1.26%. This earns Brooks County a tax score of 22.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Brooks County?
The median household income in Brooks County, Texas is $31,310 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Brooks County earns an income score of 0.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Brooks County, Texas a good place to live?
Brooks County scores 53.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #41 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Brooks 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 Brooks County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.