countyscore
37.7
County Score
Income & Jobs 70.7Schools 53.6Lawn Care 48.3

County Report Card

About Cooke County, Texas

Cooke County trails the national median

Cooke County earns a composite score of 37.1, placing it significantly below the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a lower overall ranking in livability compared to many other counties across the United States.

Falling behind the Texas average

The county's overall score of 37.1 is nearly five points lower than the Texas state average of 41.9. This puts Cooke County in a more challenging position relative to its neighbors in North Texas.

Strong earnings and solid school ratings

Cooke County shines in the income dimension with a score of 72.4, bolstered by a median household income of $72,472. Additionally, the local school score of 53.6 demonstrates a commitment to education that exceeds the state average.

Navigating high taxes and environmental risks

The county faces hurdles with an effective tax rate of 1.244%, leading to a low tax score of 23.7. Environmental risk factors also weigh down the score, with a risk rating of 26.7 that signals vulnerability to natural hazards.

Best for established working professionals

Cooke County is an ideal fit for professionals who can leverage its strong median income while managing the higher property tax burden. It suits those who prioritize local school quality and proximity to the DFW metroplex over ultra-low living costs.

2040608010023.729.434.94053.670.726.743.546.3Tax23.7Cost29.4Safety34.9Health40Schools53.6Income70.7Risk26.7Water43.5Weather46.337.7/100
This county
National avg
1 above average6 below average

Cooke County DNA

Foverall

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

Cooke County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Property Tax (23.7/100), though Income (70.7/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
23.7-28.3
Cost
29.4-18.6
Safety
34.9-20.1
Health
40-10
Schools
53.6
Income
70.7+19.700000000000003
Risk
26.7-20.3
Water
43.5-14.5
Weather
46.3-9.700000000000003
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Think property taxes are too high in Cooke County?

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

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$240,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,047/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$240,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$41,880/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $73,932/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

7.1

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

Kings County
California
Median income: $70,995
37.7
Hardee County
Florida
Median income: $60,489
37.7
Carson City
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Median income: $72,355
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Richland County
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Median income: $59,509
37.7
Le Flore County
Oklahoma
Median income: $51,565
37.7
Wilson County
Texas
Median income: $94,565
37.7
Danville city
Virginia
Median income: $44,423
37.7
Pinal County
Arizona
Median income: $80,266
37.8

Nearby counties

Love County
Oklahoma
43.7
Marshall County
Oklahoma
39.5
Grayson County
Texas
32.4
Montague County
Texas
40.5
Carter County
Oklahoma
30.7
Jefferson County
Oklahoma
48.8
Denton County
Texas
26.4
Wise County
Texas
36.7

Deep Dives

Cooke County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Cooke County

via TaxByCounty

Cooke's taxes run slightly low nationally

At 1.244%, Cooke County's effective tax rate sits just below the national median of 1.29%, placing it near the middle of American counties. The median property tax here is $2,794, slightly higher than the national median of $2,690, reflecting the county's solid median home value of $224,600.

Below average among Texas counties

Cooke County's effective rate of 1.244% runs slightly lower than Texas's state average of 1.276%, putting it in the lower half of the state's 254 counties. The median tax bill of $2,794 exceeds the state median of $2,193, primarily due to higher home values in the county.

Moderate rates in North Texas cluster

Cooke County's 1.244% rate sits between nearby Coryell County (1.414%) and Crane County (1.308%), making it the most tax-friendly of the three neighbors. All three counties collect similar median taxes, with Cooke at $2,794, suggesting comparable overall tax burdens despite modest rate differences.

Typical Cooke homeowner pays $2,794

A median-value home in Cooke County costs about $2,794 annually in property taxes based on the 1.244% rate and $224,600 median home value. If you're financing with a mortgage, lenders typically require $3,250 to be held in escrow annually.

Challenge your assessment if overstated

Many Cooke County homeowners discover their properties are assessed above fair market value, opening the door to successful tax appeals. Consider requesting a professional appraisal to compare against your county assessment—even a modest reduction saves hundreds annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cooke County

via IncomeByCounty

Cooke County stays near national income pace

At $72,472, Cooke County's median household income trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by just 3%, placing it solidly in the middle tier nationally. This slight gap reflects a county that earns close to what typical American families make, despite Texas's overall income ranking around 30th among states.

Above-average earners in Texas

Cooke County ranks in the upper third of Texas counties, earning 12% more than the state median of $64,737. The county's $38,518 per capita income also exceeds the state average of $33,197, signaling stronger individual earning power across the board.

Outearning surrounding rural counties

Cooke County's $72,472 median income ranks highest among nearby counties like Dallam ($72,332) and Coryell ($68,904). This advantage reflects Cooke's more diversified economy and stronger employment base in North Texas.

Housing costs are manageable here

With an 18.0% rent-to-income ratio, Cooke County families spend a healthy, sustainable share of earnings on housing—well below the concerning 30% threshold. Median home values of $224,600 remain accessible for households earning near the county average.

Build on solid earnings foundation

Above-average income and moderate housing costs create room for savings and investment in Cooke County. Consider working with a financial planner to maximize retirement contributions and build wealth through diversified investments while housing costs stay manageable.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Cooke County

via CrimeByCounty

Cooke County Outperforms National Safety Averages

Cooke County earns an impressive 97.6 safety score. Its total crime rate of 1,512.2 per 100,000 residents sits significantly below the national average of 2,385.5.

A Top-Tier Safety Rating in Texas

With a 97.6 safety score, Cooke outperforms the Texas state average of 96.8. Six local reporting agencies work together to maintain this secure profile among North Texas counties.

Quiet Living Compared to State Norms

The county's crime rate is lower than the state average of 2,052.5 per 100,000. It serves as a safer, quieter alternative to more urbanized neighbors in the region.

Property Concerns Outweigh Violent Crime

Property crimes account for 1,337.8 incidents per 100,000, while violent crime remains low at 174.4. Residents are over seven times more likely to experience a property-related issue than a violent one.

Securing Your Cooke County Property

While violent crime is rare, property incidents make up the bulk of local reports. Simple steps like outdoor lighting and smart locks provide essential peace of mind for homeowners.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Cooke County

via WeatherByCounty

Texas heat with a northern tilt

Cooke County’s 63.2°F average temperature is warm by national standards but cool for Texas. It receives a healthy 40.5 inches of rain, typical for the humid subtropical regions of the South.

One of the state's coolest spots

Cooke is over two degrees cooler than the Texas average and ranks among the state's more temperate counties. Despite the lower temps, it is wetter than the state average by nearly nine inches.

Colder and snowier than neighbors

Cooke is cooler than Collin County to the southeast and experiences nearly double the snowfall. It also sees far fewer extreme heat days than counties further south like Comanche.

Fewer heat days and actual snow

The county averages only 82 days of 90-degree heat, the lowest on this list. Winters are colder than most of Texas, with a January average of 42.2°F and 2.6 inches of snow.

Prepare for rain and light snow

Homeowners should prepare for 40.5 inches of rain with proper roof maintenance and drainage. While heat is still a factor, residents will use their heating systems more often than those in southern Texas.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Cooke County

via SoilByCounty

Moderately Alkaline Soils in Cooke County

Cooke County features an average pH of 7.17, which sits slightly higher than the Texas average of 7.09 and notably above the national median of 6.5. While taxonomic data is limited for this region, the slightly alkaline nature indicates a mineral-rich environment common across North Texas. This chemical profile generally supports a wide range of local vegetation without intensive lime treatments.

A Sandy Foundation with Balanced Clay

The soil composition is predominantly sandy at 52.6%, balanced by equal parts silt and clay at 23.7% each. This high sand content ensures the ground is easy to work and provides decent aeration for root systems. The significant clay fraction helps the soil hold its structure better than purely sandy coastal soils.

Reliable Water Storage Despite Lower Organic Matter

The organic matter content stands at 1.48%, which is below the state average of 1.66% and the national average of 2.0%. However, the available water capacity of 0.139 in/in exceeds the Texas average of 0.133 in/in. This means the soil is surprisingly efficient at storing moisture for crops during dry spells.

Challenging Drainage in Hydrologic Group D

Classified under hydrologic group D, these soils typically exhibit high runoff potential and very slow infiltration rates when thoroughly wet. This classification suggests that while the surface is sandy, deeper layers may restrict water movement significantly. Builders and farmers should plan for potential ponding during heavy North Texas rain events.

Thriving in Hardiness Zone 8a

With a USDA hardiness zone of 8a, Cooke County is ideal for heat-tolerant favorites like pecans, peaches, and blackberries. The sandy-mix soil provides a great home for native grasses and resilient ornamental shrubs. Grab your shovel and start a garden today to take advantage of this region's long growing season.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Cooke County

via LawnByCounty

A North Texas Lawn Success Story

Cooke County earns a lawn difficulty score of 48.3, nearly matching the national median of 50.0 and far exceeding the Texas state average of 31.7. In Hardiness Zone 8a, growers enjoy more favorable conditions than most of their state neighbors.

Ideal Rainfall Meets Summer Heat

The county receives 40.5 inches of annual precipitation, which falls perfectly within the ideal range for healthy turf. While residents face 82 extreme heat days over 90°F, the 5,701 growing degree days support a robust, active growing season.

Managing Sandy Alkaline Soils

Soil here is roughly 52.6% sand, which helps with water movement but may require more frequent nutrient monitoring. With a pH of 7.17, the ground is slightly more alkaline than the ideal 6.0-7.0 range, often benefiting from sulfur amendments to lower acidity.

Weathering Moderate Dry Spells

Cooke County spent 18 weeks in drought over the last year, and currently, the entire area is abnormally dry. Homeowners should focus on deep, infrequent watering to encourage deep root systems before the next severe dry spell hits.

Timing Your North Texas Turf

Bermudagrass and Zoysia thrive in this 8a zone once the threat of frost passes after March 19. Aim to establish new sod or seed in late spring to capitalize on the 5,701 growing degree days available before the first November frost.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cooke County's county score?
Cooke County, Texas has a composite county score of 37.7 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 Cooke County rank among counties in Texas?
Cooke County ranks #166 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 Cooke County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Cooke County is $2,864, with an effective tax rate of 1.19%. This earns Cooke County a tax score of 23.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Cooke County?
The median household income in Cooke County, Texas is $73,932 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Cooke County earns an income score of 70.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Cooke County, Texas a good place to live?
Cooke County scores 37.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #166 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Cooke 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 Cooke 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.