countyscore
56.9
County Score
Safety 97.5Disaster Risk 88.4Schools 63.8

County Report Card

About Culberson County, Texas

Culberson County exceeds national averages

With a composite score of 57.6, Culberson County sits comfortably above the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a strong overall performance in safety and resilience.

Well above the Texas baseline

Culberson's score of 57.6 is over 15 points higher than the Texas state average of 41.9. It ranks highly within the state for its safe environment and reasonable cost of living.

Elite safety and natural resilience

Safety is a hallmark of the county, earning a top-tier score of 97.5. It also boasts a risk score of 88.4, indicating it is well-protected against the financial impacts of natural disasters.

Low wages and health limitations

The county's biggest struggle is its income score of 4.9, reflecting a median household income of $42,672. Health access is also quite limited, as evidenced by a low dimension score of 10.7.

A haven for safety and security

Culberson County is best for those who value personal safety and a secure environment above high earning potential. It is a quiet, low-risk community that offers great peace of mind for its residents.

2040608010038.46397.510.763.830.288.434.759Tax38.4Cost63Safety97.5Health10.7Schools63.8Income30.2Risk88.4Water34.7Weather5956.9/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Culberson County DNA

Foverall

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

Culberson County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (97.5/100) but notably weak in Health (10.7/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
38.4-13.600000000000001
Cost
63+15
Safety
97.5+42.5
Health
10.7-39.3
Schools
63.8+9.799999999999997
Income
30.2-20.8
Risk
88.4+41.400000000000006
Water
34.7-23.299999999999997
Weather
59
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Culberson County?

Many homeowners in Culberson 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

$79,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,043/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$79,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$41,720/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $58,777/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

45.9

per 100K

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

Deep Dives

Culberson County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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.

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.

Safety in Culberson County

via CrimeByCounty

Culberson County Reports Minimal Activity

Culberson County reports a 100.0 safety score with a zero crime rate per 100,000. While only one agency reports data, this figure is dramatically lower than the 2,385.5 national average.

One of the Quietest Texas Counties

The county's perfect safety score places it above the Texas state average of 96.8. It stands out as one of the quietest jurisdictions in the entire state for 2022.

Exceptional Safety Compared to Average

Culberson reports no crimes, while the Texas state average sits at 2,052.5 per 100,000. This indicates an exceptionally calm local landscape compared to regional norms.

Zero Reported Incidents This Year

Both violent and property crime rates are recorded as 0.0 per 100,000. Residents should remember that single-agency data provides a snapshot that may not capture every minor incident.

Maintaining Your Home's Security

Even with no reported crimes, protecting your property remains a smart habit. Visible security measures like signage and cameras can help keep these numbers at zero.

Weather & Climate in Culberson County

via WeatherByCounty

High Altitude and Low Humidity

Culberson County averages 61.4°F annually, staying well above the national median but cooler than most of Texas. The high-altitude desert climate creates unique weather patterns.

One of Texas' Cooler Counties

At 61.4°F, it is roughly 4 degrees cooler than the Texas state average of 65.5°F. It ranks as one of the cooler counties in the western part of the state.

The Driest Pocket of the Region

With only 12.0 inches of annual precipitation, it is one of the driest counties in the region. It experiences only 61 days of extreme heat, far fewer than the 126 days in nearby Crane.

Mild Summers and Snowy Peaks

Summers are relatively moderate for Texas, with a July average of 77.9°F and only 61 days over 90°F. Winters are cool and dry, featuring a 44.8°F average and 3.0 inches of snow.

Manage Low Humidity and Dust

Focus on managing dry conditions and moderate winter cold rather than extreme summer heat. Heavy-duty moisturizers and dust protection are more important here than in humid Dallas.

Soil Quality in Culberson County

via SoilByCounty

Exploring the Rugged Trans-Pecos Soils

Culberson County lacks detailed survey data for pH and taxonomic orders in this dataset, but its mountain and basin geography is legendary. Typically, these West Texas soils are highly alkaline and mineral-rich due to the presence of limestone and gypsum. Local testing is the only way to confirm the specific chemistry of your desert acreage.

A Landscape of Salt Flats and Scree

Official sand, silt, and clay percentages are not recorded for this county, reflecting the vast and varied terrain from Guadalupe Peak to the salt flats. You will likely encounter anything from fine desert sands to rocky, skeletal soils. These diverse textures mean that water drainage and workability change drastically as you move across the county.

The Fertility of an Arid Frontier

With no data on organic matter or water capacity, Culberson County remains a frontier for data-driven gardening. Most soils in this arid region have organic matter well below the 1.66% state average and require significant amendments. Successful growth here depends more on specialized irrigation than on natural soil moisture.

High-Desert Drainage Dynamics

There is no assigned drainage class or hydrologic group for this county in the current record. In such a dry climate, the primary concern is managing the occasional flash flood rather than chronic saturation. Observation of local arroyos can provide clues about how water moves across your specific piece of land.

Hardy Growth in Zone 8a

Culberson County’s hardiness zone 8a allows for a stunning array of xeric plants like Sotol, Ocotillo, and Prickly Pear. If you have access to water, the high-desert sun can produce incredible tomatoes and peppers. Now is the perfect time to explore the unique beauty of high-altitude gardening in West Texas.

Lawn Care in Culberson County

via LawnByCounty

Extreme Aridity in Far West Texas

Culberson County's lawn difficulty score of 18.5 highlights the struggle of growing turf in a desert environment. Though located in Zone 8a, the lack of water makes it nearly three times harder to maintain a lawn than the national average.

Minimum Rain and Moderate Heat

The county receives just 12.0 inches of rain annually, which is far below the requirements of even the hardiest grasses. Surprisingly, it only sees 61 days of extreme heat, as the high elevation keeps July averages around 77.9°F.

Testing is Essential for Success

Specific soil data is unavailable for this county, but regional trends suggest highly alkaline, rocky ground. Residents should prioritize soil testing to determine if the local earth can even support non-native turf species.

Facing Permanent Drought Conditions

The county has spent every single week of the past year in drought, and 15.3% is currently in severe drought. In such conditions, lawn maintenance should focus exclusively on water-wise landscaping and native plant preservation.

Native Species for the Desert

If you choose to plant, the window opens after the March 31 frost to take advantage of 4,943 growing degree days. Focus on desert-hardy groundcovers that can survive on just 12 inches of annual rain without constant intervention.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Culberson County's county score?
Culberson County, Texas has a composite county score of 56.9 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 Culberson County rank among counties in Texas?
Culberson County ranks #24 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 Culberson County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Culberson County is $769, with an effective tax rate of 0.97%. This earns Culberson County a tax score of 38.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Culberson County?
The median household income in Culberson County, Texas is $58,777 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Culberson County earns an income score of 30.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Culberson County, Texas a good place to live?
Culberson County scores 56.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #24 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Culberson 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 Culberson County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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