CountyScore

Culberson County

Texas · TX

#49 in Texas
67.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Culberson County, Texas

Strong National Performance

Culberson County's composite score of 73.2 beats the national median of 50.0 by 46%, placing it in the top 30% of U.S. counties. This strong showing is built on low taxes and affordable housing despite very modest incomes.

Above Average in Texas

At 73.2, Culberson County ranks noticeably above Texas's state average of 66.8, making it one of the state's better-performing counties. It's a clear winner within its region.

Low Taxes and Affordable Housing

Culberson County shines with a tax score of 78.1 (effective rate 0.859%) and a cost score of 85.0, offering median rents of $971/month and homes at $84,500. These dimensions make it highly accessible for cost-conscious households.

Income Is Severely Limited

The income score of just 11.3 with median household income of $42,672 is the lowest in this group—a serious constraint for families and a barrier to economic mobility. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data are not yet available, creating additional unknowns.

Best for Low-Income, Tax-Averse Residents

Culberson County suits retirees living on fixed incomes, remote workers earning elsewhere, or those with modest household earnings. The low tax and housing costs provide real relief, but local job opportunities are genuinely limited.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax78.1Cost85SafetyComing SoonHealth44.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome11.3Risk88.4WaterComing Soon
🏛78.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼11.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤44.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡88.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Culberson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Tuscaloosa County
Alabama
67.3
Median income: $63,947
Miller County
Arkansas
67.3
Median income: $49,983
Inyo County
California
67.3
Median income: $72,432
Cook County
Georgia
67.3
Median income: $50,133
Toombs County
Georgia
67.3
Median income: $54,130

Deep Dives

Culberson County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Culberson County

via TaxByCounty

Culberson sits below national tax median

Culberson County's effective rate of 0.859% ranks below the national median of 1.29%, placing it in the lower-tax tier of American counties. The median property tax of $726 on an $84,500 median home is notably below the national median tax of $2,690.

Well below Texas state averages

Culberson County's 0.859% effective rate falls well below Texas's state average of 1.276%, making it one of the state's more affordable counties. The median tax of $726 is only 33% of the state median of $2,193, offering exceptional savings.

Culberson offers moderate tax relief

Culberson County's 0.859% rate falls between the extremely low Crockett County (0.333%) and the moderate Cottle County (1.152%). Its $726 median tax is slightly higher than Crockett's $466 but substantially lower than regional averages.

Culberson median tax $726 annually

The typical $84,500 home in Culberson County carries approximately $726 in annual property taxes at the 0.859% rate. Limited mortgage escrow data suggests taxes contribute modestly to total housing costs in this county.

Verify your assessment for accuracy

Even at Culberson's low rate, confirming your property assessment is wise to ensure fair market valuation. A simple appeal process can correct any overvaluation and further reduce your already-modest tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Culberson County

via CostByCounty

Culberson struggles with affordability crisis

Culberson County's rent-to-income ratio of 27.3% is dramatically above the U.S. standard, with renters dedicating more than one-quarter of gross income to housing alone. This represents one of the nation's most severe housing affordability crises, driven by modest household incomes of $42,672 combined with moderate rents.

Texas's least affordable county ranks here

At 27.3%, Culberson County's rent-to-income ratio far exceeds Texas's state average of 18.1%, making it one of the least affordable counties in the entire state. The median rent of $971 is nearly equal to the state average, but household income of $42,672 is 43.0% below the state norm.

Rent burden worst in entire comparison

Culberson's rent-to-income ratio of 27.3% is nearly four times higher than Crockett County (8.6%) and more than three times Cottle County's (6.6%). The median rent of $971 combined with the lowest incomes in this analysis creates the region's worst affordability crisis.

Housing costs dominate household budgets

Culberson County's median household income of just $42,672 combined with median rent of $971 means renters allocate 27.3% of gross income to rent—nearly three times the healthy affordability threshold. Owner costs of $381 per month are lower, but household incomes remain the constraint.

Culberson demands careful consideration

Before relocating to Culberson County, carefully analyze household income stability, as the 27.3% rent burden leaves limited financial flexibility for emergencies or savings. Consider neighboring Crane County ($883 rent, 17.7% ratio) or Crockett County ($585 rent, 8.6% ratio) for significantly better affordability options in West Texas.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Culberson County

via IncomeByCounty

Culberson County faces severe income challenge

Culberson County's median household income of $42,672 falls 43% below the U.S. median of $74,755, the lowest in this entire group. This income gap reflects persistent economic disadvantage in this remote West Texas border county.

Among Texas's lowest-income counties

At $42,672, Culberson County ranks 34% below the Texas state median of $64,737, placing it at the bottom tier of state income distribution. Per capita income of $22,621 substantially trails the state average of $33,197, signaling severe individual earning constraints.

Economically isolated from region

Culberson County's $42,672 median income ranks far below all comparable counties, trailing Cottle ($58,819), Crane ($59,915), and Crockett ($81,739) by 28–48%. Geographic isolation and limited employment diversity have created a significant economic gap.

Housing affordability critical amid income stress

At 27.3% of income spent on rent, Culberson County approaches the problematic 30% affordability threshold, straining already-tight household budgets. Median home values of $84,500 are accessible, but income constraints remain the defining financial challenge.

Prioritize income stability and growth

Culberson County residents face the most urgent need for income growth and economic opportunity development in this group. Explore workforce training programs, remote work opportunities, and regional economic development initiatives to improve household earning capacity and financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Culberson County

via HealthByCounty

Culberson County trails national health benchmarks

At 73.1 years, Culberson County residents live 1.6 years shorter than the U.S. average of 74.7 years. Nearly 3 in 10 residents (29.5%) report poor or fair health—the second-highest rate in this analysis—signaling widespread chronic disease and preventive care gaps.

Serious health challenges in West Texas

Culberson County's 73.1-year life expectancy falls 1.2 years below Texas's state average of 74.3 years, while its 29.5% poor/fair health rate ranks among the worst statewide. The county ranks among the lowest-health counties in the state.

Second-worst health outcomes in region

Culberson County's 73.1-year life expectancy ranks above only Crosby County (69.3 years) and Dallam County (70.4 years) in this analysis. At 29.5% poor/fair health, Culberson has the second-highest illness rate among the eight counties examined.

High uninsured rate, moderate provider access

Culberson County's 23.2% uninsured rate exceeds the state average, leaving nearly 1 in 4 residents without coverage in a county with serious health needs. Primary care and mental health providers are both available at 46 per 100,000, yet many residents lack insurance to access care.

Insurance opens door to better health

More than 1 in 5 Culberson County residents lack health insurance despite high rates of poor health outcomes (29.5%). Apply for Medicaid or explore Marketplace options at Healthcare.gov to connect with primary care and manage chronic diseases before they become life-threatening.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Culberson County

via RiskByCounty

Culberson County enjoys exceptionally low risk

Culberson County's composite risk score of 11.64 places it firmly in the "Very Low" category, well below the national average. This protected status reflects its remote West Texas location and limited exposure to most hazard types.

Among Texas's safest counties overall

Culberson County's score of 11.64 is 76% lower than Texas's state average of 49.00, making it one of the state's least threatened regions. This exceptional standing provides residents genuine peace of mind.

Substantially safer than most surveyed peers

Culberson County (11.64) ranks safer than Cottle County (12.47), Crosby County (23.73), and all counties surveyed except Crane (1.15). Its isolation contributes to remarkable natural disaster resilience.

Wildfire the only moderate concern present

Wildfire risk at 67.24 is Culberson County's primary hazard; earthquake risk is secondary at 26.94, while tornado (5.73), flood (6.58), and hurricane (11.43) risks remain negligible. This narrow risk profile simplifies preparedness.

Wildfire awareness plus standard insurance

Standard homeowners insurance is typically adequate in Culberson County, though wildfire-specific coverage should be considered given the 67.24 risk score. Vegetation clearance and defensible space represent practical, cost-effective protections.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.