countyscore
37.6
County Score
Income & Jobs 79.8Schools 60.8Safety 42.5

County Report Card

About Burnet County, Texas

High Income with National Competition

Burnet County holds a composite score of 37.5, which falls below the national median of 50.0. While its income levels are high, its overall score is dragged down by specific infrastructure and cost constraints.

Tracking Below State Averages

The county's overall score of 37.5 is lower than the Texas state average of 41.9. Despite this, it remains an attractive destination for high earners looking for a Hill Country lifestyle.

Top-Tier Incomes and Education

A standout income score of 80.3 reflects a strong median household income of $77,158. The county also provides quality education with a school score of 60.8 and moderate safety at 42.5.

Cost of Living and Water Concerns

Affordability is a major challenge, with a cost score of 18.3 and median home values reaching $310,500. Furthermore, the water score of 2.4 indicates significant concerns regarding local water quality and accessibility.

Best for Established High-Earners

Burnet County is most suitable for established individuals who can afford higher housing prices and may rely on private water solutions. It offers a premium socio-economic profile at the expense of general affordability.

2040608010031.417.542.539.360.879.823.42.429.9Tax31.4Cost17.5Safety42.5Health39.3Schools60.8Income79.8Risk23.4Water2.4Weather29.937.6/100
This county
National avg
1 above average7 below average

Burnet County DNA

Foverall

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

Burnet County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Water Quality (2.4/100), though Income (79.8/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
31.4-20.6
Cost
17.5-30.5
Safety
42.5-12.5
Health
39.3-10.700000000000003
Schools
60.8
Income
79.8+28.799999999999997
Risk
23.4-23.6
Water
2.4-55.6
Weather
29.9-26.1
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$344,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,319/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$344,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$52,760/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $78,732/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

37.2

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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Counties with similar scores

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Adams County
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Nearby counties

Llano County
Texas
47.5
Lampasas County
Texas
41.6
Blanco County
Texas
49
Williamson County
Texas
43.7
Travis County
Texas
37.9
Bell County
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25.9
San Saba County
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54.8
Coryell County
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32.2

Deep Dives

Burnet County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Burnet County

via TaxByCounty

Burnet's higher property values drive tax bills

While Burnet County's effective rate of 1.126% remains below the national median of 1.8%, the county's median home value of $310,500 pushes annual tax bills to $3,495—29% above the national median property tax. This reflects Burnet's desirable Hill Country location and corresponding real estate premium.

Moderate rate, upscale property values

Burnet County's 1.126% effective rate runs slightly below Texas's average of 1.276%, but the county ranks higher in absolute taxes paid due to elevated home values. Annual property tax of $3,495 exceeds the state median of $2,193 by $1,302, reflecting Burnet's appeal to retirees and affluent Austinites.

Priciest homes in the regional cluster

Burnet County's $310,500 median home value dwarfs most neighbors—nearly double Callahan County's $144,800 and well above Camp County's $159,900. This wealth difference means Burnet residents pay the highest annual taxes in the region despite competitive rates, a trade-off for Hill Country desirability.

Hill Country premium in your tax bill

On Burnet County's $310,500 median home, annual property tax reaches approximately $3,495—or roughly $291 monthly. Mortgage escrow payments climb to $4,360 yearly, reflecting the county's upscale character and higher underlying values.

Protect your appraisal

Burnet's booming real estate market can trigger aggressive appraisals; many homeowners find their assessed values exceed comparable sales in the neighborhood. Review your appraisal notice carefully and don't hesitate to protest if recent neighborhood transactions suggest a lower fair market value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Burnet County

via IncomeByCounty

Burnet County tops national median

Burnet County's median household income of $77,158 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by about 3%, placing it solidly above the national average. This strong performance reflects robust earning capacity for a rural Texas county.

Top earner in Texas

At $77,158, Burnet County significantly outpaces the Texas state average of $64,737, ranking in the top tier among all Texas counties. The $12,400+ annual income advantage signals an economically vibrant community.

Highest income in the region

Burnet County leads nearby Brown ($55,305), Callahan ($68,455), and Caldwell ($68,503) counties by $8,600 to $21,800 annually. The strong regional advantage reflects either higher-paying industries or more dual-income households concentrated in Burnet.

Housing costs rising with values

Despite strong incomes, Burnet County's 20.6% rent-to-income ratio shows housing costs are creeping upward relative to earnings. Median home values of $310,500—among the highest in the region—are accessible but require careful financial planning for many households.

Use income advantage wisely

Burnet County residents' above-average earnings position them well for aggressive wealth-building through real estate appreciation, stock market investments, and education funding. Prioritizing a diversified portfolio and consulting a financial advisor can help households maximize their income advantage over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Burnet County

via CrimeByCounty

Burnet County Offers Strong National Safety

Burnet County earns a safety score of 97.9, indicating it is safer than most jurisdictions across the United States. Its total crime rate of 1304.3 per 100K is notably lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Leading Texas Safety Benchmarks

Burnet County exceeds the Texas average safety score of 96.8 by over a full point. With a total crime rate of 1304.3, it remains much safer than the typical Texas county average of 2052.5 per 100K.

Security Strength in the Hill Country

Burnet County maintains lower crime rates than neighboring Caldwell County and Cameron County. Eleven reporting agencies coordinate to keep incident levels manageable across the county.

Focus on Property Security Efforts

Property crime makes up the bulk of local reports at 1038.6 per 100K, while violent crime sits at 265.7. Both categories remain significantly lower than national averages of 2,015.7 and 369.8, respectively.

Secure Your Burnet County Residence

Effective home security starts with simple steps like locking all entry points and using visible deterrents. Even in high-safety areas, these habits help keep property crime rates trending downward.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Burnet County

via WeatherByCounty

Texas Heat Above National Medians

Burnet County's average annual temperature of 66.7°F is roughly 12 degrees warmer than the national median. This climate is defined by long, warm periods and very brief, mild winters.

A Perfect Mirror of Texas Averages

Burnet County perfectly aligns with the state, matching the Texas average annual precipitation of 31.9 inches. Its annual temperature of 66.7°F is only slightly higher than the state average of 65.5°F.

Drier Conditions Than Eastern Neighbors

Compared to Burleson County, Burnet is significantly drier, receiving nearly 9 inches less rain annually. While it shares a similar heat profile with its neighbors, the 31.9 inches of rain results in a more semi-arid feel.

Frequent Heat With Minimal Winter Snow

The county endures 101 days of extreme heat annually where temperatures top 90°F. Winter is negligible with only 0.2 inches of average annual snowfall and a January mean of 48.7°F.

Strategic Water and Cooling Management

Since extreme heat days reach triple digits, insulation and sun-shading are critical for reducing energy costs. Landscaping should focus on drought-tolerant species that can survive on the 31.9 inches of annual rainfall.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Burnet County

via SoilByCounty

The Rugged Profile of Burnet

Data for specific taxonomic orders and pH levels is currently limited for Burnet County. While the state average pH is 7.09, the limestone-rich Hill Country often skews more alkaline. Understanding your local dirt is the first step to successful ranching or gardening in this central Texas region.

Sizing Up Your Soil Mix

Local records do not currently specify the exact percentages of sand, silt, and clay for this area. These three components determine whether your soil feels like soft flour or sticky dough when wet. A quick ribbon test can help you identify if your land has the clay necessary for holding water.

Moisture and Organic Health

While available water capacity and organic matter data are currently missing, these factors drive the county's agricultural potential. Texas soils average 1.66% organic matter, a benchmark many Hill Country soils strive to reach. Adding organic mulch can help preserve moisture in an area where water is a precious resource.

How Water Moves Through Burnet

Dominant drainage classes and hydrologic groups are not available in the current dataset. In this region, drainage is often affected by shallow bedrock and rocky outcroppings. Keep a close eye on runoff patterns during the next thunderstorm to see how your property handles water.

Hill Country Gardening in 8b

Burnet County falls in Hardiness Zone 8b, providing a climate where rosemary, sage, and peaches can flourish. The long summer days offer plenty of energy for heat-loving vegetables and native wildflowers. Dig in today and enjoy the unique rewards of Hill Country cultivation.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Burnet County

via LawnByCounty

Tough Turf Tasks in the Hill Country

Burnet County scores a 22.7 on the lawn difficulty scale, making it one of the more challenging places in Texas to maintain a yard. This score is roughly half the national median, reflecting the harsh realities of Hardiness Zone 8b. Homeowners here face thin soils and high environmental stress compared to the state average of 31.7.

Predictable Rainfall and Long Growing Seasons

The county averages 31.9 inches of annual precipitation, which matches the state average and sits at the lower end of the ideal lawn range. With 6,550 growing degree days and 101 extreme heat days, the climate is slightly milder than its neighbors but still very demanding. Your mowing season is exceptionally long, spanning from the early March 6 frost date through late November.

Navigating Sparse Soil Data

Official soil metrics are limited for this area, but local Hill Country terrain is famously rocky with variable drainage. In the absence of detailed county-wide data, a private soil test is the only way to ensure your pH is near the 6.0-7.0 ideal. Improving the soil foundation with compost is usually necessary to help turf survive the hot, dry summers.

Enduring Chronic Water Scarcity

Burnet County has weathered 37 weeks of drought over the past year, with 16.7% of the area currently in severe drought. These conditions require strict adherence to local water restrictions and a focus on drought-tolerant landscape design. Efficient irrigation is a must to keep grass alive during the intense 101-day heat season.

Selecting Climate-Hardy Grasses

Buffalo grass and Bermuda are excellent candidates for Burnet County because they can survive on the 31.9 inches of natural rainfall. You can start seeding as early as mid-March, but be mindful of the long 37-week drought cycles that often plague the region. Early spring planting is vital to ensure your lawn is mature enough to handle the 100+ days of temperatures over 90 degrees.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Burnet County's county score?
Burnet County, Texas has a composite county score of 37.6 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 Burnet County rank among counties in Texas?
Burnet County ranks #168 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 Burnet County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Burnet County is $3,639, with an effective tax rate of 1.06%. This earns Burnet County a tax score of 31.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Burnet County?
The median household income in Burnet County, Texas is $78,732 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Burnet County earns an income score of 79.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Burnet County, Texas a good place to live?
Burnet County scores 37.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #168 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Burnet 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 Burnet 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.