53.5
County Score
Disaster Risk 98.9Safety 84.3Schools 74.5

County Report Card

About Crane County, Texas

Crane County beats the national baseline

Crane County earns a composite score of 53.5, placing it slightly above the national median of 50.0. This score indicates a balanced livability profile that remains competitive on a national stage.

Leading the Texas state average

The county's score of 53.5 comfortably exceeds the Texas state average of 41.9. This performance makes it a standout among West Texas counties for its combination of safety and education.

Elite safety and disaster resilience

Crane County is exceptionally safe with a safety score of 84.3 and a near-perfect risk score of 98.9 for natural disasters. It also supports local families with a strong school score of 74.5.

Improving health access and tax efficiency

Healthcare is the primary area for improvement, with a low score of 13.8. The county also carries a 1.308% effective tax rate, which contributes to a relatively low tax score of 20.6.

Ideal for security-minded families

Crane County is a fantastic choice for families who prioritize safety and high-quality local schools. Its low exposure to natural risks and stable community environment provide significant peace of mind for long-term residents.

Score breakdown

Tax20.6Cost61.8Safety84.3Health13.8Schools74.5Income38.7Risk98.9Water40.4Weather28.6
🏛20.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠61.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼38.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡84.3
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty
13.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓74.5
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty
98.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧40.4
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty
🌤28.6
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty
🪨
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty
🌱8.1
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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Deep Dives

Crane County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Crane County

via TaxByCounty

Crane's rate slightly above national median

Crane County's effective tax rate of 1.308% edges above the national median of 1.29%, placing it in the higher-taxed half of American counties. The median property tax of $1,568 on a $119,900 home runs well below the national median tax of $2,690, reflecting the county's smaller median home value.

Above Texas average but moderate burden

Crane County's 1.308% effective rate exceeds Texas's state average of 1.276%, though the difference is modest. The median tax of $1,568 falls notably below the state median of $2,193, offering a moderate tax burden despite the above-average rate.

Crane sits middle ground regionally

Crane County's 1.308% rate falls between Cooke County (1.244%) and Coryell County (1.414%), placing it in the moderate range for the region. Its $1,568 median tax is lowest among the three neighbors, reflecting its smaller median home value.

Crane homeowners pay $1,568 annually

A typical $119,900 home in Crane County generates approximately $1,568 in annual property taxes at the 1.308% rate. Mortgage escrow typically adds $1,625 to annual housing costs for this tax burden.

Appeal options available to Crane owners

Crane County homeowners should verify their assessments against recent market sales, as overvaluations do occur even in smaller counties. A successful appeal could reduce your annual tax liability and is worth exploring if you suspect your assessment is high.

Cost of Living in Crane County

via CostByCounty

Crane offers competitive national affordability

Crane County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.7% aligns closely with U.S. housing affordability patterns relative to the national median household income of $74,755. Renters here maintain moderate affordability similar to typical American households.

Slightly below Texas average affordability

At 17.7%, Crane County's rent-to-income ratio performs slightly better than Texas's state average of 18.1%, placing it in the more affordable half of Texas counties. The median rent of $883 is 8.3% below the state average, supporting stronger affordability despite slightly lower median household income.

Mid-range rents in the comparison

Crane's median rent of $883 sits between affordable rural counties like Cottle ($323) and moderately expensive ones like Cooke ($1,088) and Coryell ($1,120). This positions Crane as a balanced option for renters seeking rural character without extreme affordability tradeoffs.

Owner costs balance with rents here

Crane County's median household income of $59,915 supports a median monthly rent of $883 and owner costs of $630—creating a roughly balanced housing market. Renters spend 17.7% of gross income on housing, while owner costs consume about 12.5% of typical household income.

Crane balances cost and rural living

Relocating to Crane County offers reasonable housing affordability with a median home value of $119,900 and rents well below state averages. This West Texas community works well for households seeking a rural lifestyle without sacrificing housing cost stability.

Income & Jobs in Crane County

via IncomeByCounty

Crane County trails national income benchmark

Crane County's median household income of $59,915 falls 20% short of the U.S. median of $74,755, reflecting struggles typical of small rural oil and gas-dependent economies. Regional economic volatility affects wage stability and household earnings capacity.

Below Texas median in rural West Texas

At $59,915, Crane County earns 7% less than the Texas state median of $64,737, ranking among the state's lower-income counties. Its per capita income of $30,862 lags the state average of $33,197, indicating limited individual earning power.

Struggling with West Texas rural peers

Crane County's $59,915 median income ranks slightly above Cottle ($58,819) but well below Crockett ($81,739) and Cooke ($72,472). Dependence on volatile oil and gas markets limits income growth compared to more diversified neighboring counties.

Housing affordability offers stability

At 17.7% of income spent on rent, Crane County maintains healthy housing affordability, below the problematic 30% threshold. Median home values of $119,900 remain within reach for median-income households, providing financial breathing room.

Build resilience through diversified savings

With manageable housing costs, Crane County households can allocate savings toward financial stability during boom-bust energy cycles. Consider building robust emergency funds and exploring retirement accounts to weather regional economic volatility and build long-term wealth.

Safety in Crane County

via CrimeByCounty

Crane County Boasts Exceptional Safety

Crane County earns a 99.4 safety score, reflecting extremely low criminal activity. Its total crime rate of 366.7 per 100,000 is a small fraction of the 2,385.5 national average.

A High Rank in Texas Safety

The county significantly outshines the Texas average safety score of 96.8. Two local agencies manage law enforcement for this highly secure and peaceful community.

Setting the Standard for the Region

Crane's crime rate of 366.7 is nearly six times lower than the Texas state average of 2,052.5. It stands out as a regional leader in overall public safety.

Low Risk for All Crime Types

Violent crime is minimal at 86.3 per 100,000, while property crime sits at 280.4. These figures suggest that crime is an exceptionally rare occurrence for local residents.

Deterrence Strategies for Safe Living

With such low property crime rates, simple deterrents are usually sufficient. Secure your perimeter and stay connected with local law enforcement to maintain this high safety level.

Health in Crane County

via HealthByCounty

Crane County life expectancy lags nationally

At 73.5 years, Crane County residents live 1.2 years shorter than the U.S. average of 74.7 years. More than a quarter—26.4%—report poor or fair health, indicating widespread chronic disease and limited wellness resources.

Below-average health for Texas

Crane County's 73.5-year life expectancy falls below Texas's state average of 74.3 years, placing it among the lower-ranked counties statewide. The 26.4% poor/fair health rate suggests residents face significant barriers to preventive care and disease management.

Among the sickest counties in West Texas

Crane County's 73.5-year life expectancy ranks lower than Coryell and Cooke counties but is comparable to other rural West Texas areas like Culberson County (73.1 years). The 26.4% poor/fair health rate and 23.2% uninsured rate compound healthcare access challenges.

High uninsured rate, good primary care access

Crane County's 23.2% uninsured rate exceeds the state average by 3.4 percentage points, leaving nearly 1 in 4 residents without coverage. Primary care providers are relatively abundant at 43 per 100,000, yet mental health provider data remains unavailable, suggesting gaps in behavioral health support.

Cover the gap with insurance

Nearly 1 in 4 Crane County residents lack health coverage, contributing to the high rates of poor health outcomes. Check your Medicaid eligibility or explore Health Insurance Marketplace options at Healthcare.gov to secure coverage and access preventive care.

Schools in Crane County

via SchoolsByCounty

Streamlined Town-Based Schooling

Crane County operates a focused educational system consisting of three public schools under a single district. The infrastructure includes one elementary, one middle, and one high school, serving a total of 1,179 students. This straightforward layout simplifies the educational path for local families.

Above-Average Quality and Targeted Spending

Crane County excels with a school score of 59.8, easily surpassing the state average of 55.3. The 92.0% graduation rate also beats the state average, supported by a healthy $9,396 per-pupil expenditure. This investment is nearly $2,000 more than the Texas average, showing a strong commitment to local student success.

Crane ISD Serves Every Student

Crane ISD is the county's only school district, providing a unified curriculum for all 1,179 enrolled students. There are no charter schools present, which keeps the focus entirely on the local public school system. This centralized management ensures consistent quality across all grade levels.

The Classic Town School Experience

All three schools in the county are located in a town setting, offering a consistent community feel with an average school size of 393 students. Crane Elementary is the largest campus with 590 students, while Crane Middle School is the smallest with 258. The centralized location makes schools the primary hub of activity in the county.

Investment in Education and Community

Families looking for high-quality education without the complexity of multiple districts should consider Crane County. The strong per-pupil funding and high school scores make it a standout choice for those prioritizing academics. Search for homes within the Crane ISD boundaries to join this high-performing district.

Disaster Risk in Crane County

via RiskByCounty

Crane County enjoys exceptionally low disaster risk

Crane County's composite risk score of just 1.15 represents one of the lowest natural disaster exposures in the United States. This "Very Low" rating means residents face minimal threat from most major hazard types.

Texas's safest or near-safest county

Crane County's score of 1.15 is 98% below Texas's state average of 49.00, making it among the state's most protected areas. This exceptional standing provides residents with genuine peace of mind regarding natural disasters.

Exceptional safety compared to peer counties

Crane County (1.15) is far safer than Crockett County (5.82), Cottle County (12.47), and virtually all other surveyed Texas counties. Only a handful of U.S. counties match Crane's near-zero composite risk profile.

No significant disaster threats identified

All risks in Crane County remain negligible: wildfire (54.10), tornado (13.96), flood (3.53), earthquake (7.35), and hurricane (11.10). This balanced, low-risk profile across all hazard types is exceptionally rare.

Standard insurance provides adequate protection

Crane County residents benefit from minimal disaster risk, making basic homeowners insurance typically sufficient. Standard policies address the few low-probability hazards present without need for specialized wildfire or flood coverage.

Weather & Climate in Crane County

via WeatherByCounty

Hot High-Desert Living

Crane County reaches an annual average of 66.3°F, placing it well above the U.S. median temperature. This arid environment experiences much higher heat levels than most of the country.

Warmer than the Texas Baseline

Its 66.3°F annual average is warmer than the Texas state average of 65.5°F. It stands out as one of the hotter and drier pockets in the Permian Basin region.

Extreme Aridity in the Basin

Crane is exceptionally dry with only 12.1 inches of rain, which is less than half of what Cottle County receives. It shares a similar 2.0-inch snowfall pattern with its high-desert neighbors.

Over Four Months of Extreme Heat

The county endures a staggering 126 days per year over 90°F, among the highest in the state. July is intense with an 84.2°F average, while winters remain mild at 47.6°F.

Heavy HVAC Usage and Water Conservation

HVAC systems must be rated for extreme desert heat to manage over four months of 90°F weather. Water conservation is essential given the meager 12.1 inches of annual precipitation.

Soil Quality in Crane County

via SoilByCounty

The Hidden Soils of Crane County

While specific pH and taxonomic data are currently unavailable for Crane County, the region is characterized by the rugged Permian Basin landscape. Most surrounding West Texas counties feature alkaline soils that mirror the arid, mineral-heavy climate. Local land management often requires site-specific testing due to this data gap.

Navigating Uncertain Soil Textures

Detailed percentages for sand, silt, and clay are not currently documented in the primary dataset for this county. Local observations suggest a mix of wind-blown sands and stony plateaus common to the Trans-Pecos transition. Understanding your specific plot's workability will require a manual ribbon test or a professional lab analysis.

Fertility Potential in the Desert

Official organic matter and water capacity benchmarks are missing, but typical West Texas soils often fall below the state organic matter average of 1.66%. Growers in this region usually focus on drought-tolerant strategies rather than relying on natural moisture retention. Adding compost is a standard practice to boost the productivity of these mysterious desert soils.

Drainage Dynamics in a Dry Climate

Without a formal drainage class or hydrologic group designation, water behavior in Crane County remains a local variable. The region's low rainfall often makes drainage less of a concern than moisture conservation. If you are building or planting, observe how the ground reacts after a rare heavy downpour to understand your site's hydrology.

Gardening in the Zone 8a Sun

Crane County sits in hardiness zone 8a, offering plenty of sunshine for desert-adapted plants like agave, yucca, and honey mesquite. Even with limited data, the long growing season allows for successful harvests of heat-loving vegetables with proper irrigation. Embrace the challenge and transform your local patch of West Texas into a hardy landscape.

Lawn Care in Crane County

via LawnByCounty

Maximum Difficulty in West Texas

With a lawn difficulty score of just 8.1, Crane County is one of the toughest places in the nation to maintain grass. Hardiness Zone 8a provides warmth, but the lack of natural moisture creates a harsh environment for traditional turf.

Arid Climate and Scorching Summers

The county receives a meager 12.1 inches of rain annually, less than half of what a healthy lawn typically requires. A staggering 126 days of extreme heat over 90°F means constant thermal stress for any vegetation.

Adapting to Unknown Soil Profiles

Specific soil data for Crane County is limited, but the arid environment typically suggests rocky or sandy compositions. Local growers should conduct a private soil test to determine pH levels and organic matter needs before planting.

A Year of Constant Drought

Crane County suffered through 38 weeks of drought in the past year, with the entire county currently classified as abnormally dry. Water conservation isn't just a tip here; it is a necessity for maintaining any green space.

Go Native for Best Results

Forget traditional thirstier grasses; look toward desert-adapted species or xeriscaping to survive the 126 days of heat. If you must seed, do so after March 16 to utilize the warm 6,499 growing degree days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Crane County's county score?
Crane County, Texas has a composite county score of 53.5 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 Crane County rank among counties in Texas?
Crane County ranks #44 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 Crane County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Crane County is $1,568, with an effective tax rate of 1.31%. This earns Crane County a tax score of 20.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Crane County?
The median household income in Crane County, Texas is $59,915 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Crane County earns an income score of 38.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Crane County, Texas a good place to live?
Crane County scores 53.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #44 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Crane 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 Crane County with other counties side by side.