countyscore
30.3
County Score
Cost of Living 60.9Water Quality 53.1Weather & Climate 49.5

County Report Card

About Deaf Smith County, Texas

Deaf Smith County falls short of median

The county’s composite score of 30.6 is significantly lower than the national median of 50.0. This places Deaf Smith in a lower percentile for overall national livability.

Below-average ranking in the Lone Star State

Deaf Smith County ranks below the Texas average of 41.9 with its 30.6 score. It faces challenges in health and education that pull down its state-level standing.

Affordable housing and decent water infrastructure

The county features a strong cost score of 60.8, supported by median home values of $116,000. It also maintains a respectable water score of 53.1, outperforming many neighboring rural counties.

Difficulty in health and education scores

Deaf Smith struggles with a health score of 13.9 and a school score of 20.5. These low figures suggest a need for improved local services and educational investment.

Ideal for those seeking affordable rural living

This county is best for individuals who value low housing costs and reliable water access. However, the $54,114 median income and low school ratings may be a hurdle for growing families.

2040608010011.560.923.913.920.536.138.253.149.5Tax11.5Cost60.9Safety23.9Health13.9Schools20.5Income36.1Risk38.2Water53.1Weather49.530.3/100
This county
National avg
1 above average5 below average

Deaf Smith County DNA

Foverall

How Deaf Smith County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Deaf Smith County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Property Tax (11.5/100), though Cost of Living (60.9/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
11.5-40.5
Cost
60.9+12.899999999999999
Safety
23.9-31.1
Health
13.9-36.1
Schools
20.5-33.5
Income
36.1-14.899999999999999
Risk
38.2-8.799999999999997
Water
53.1
Weather
49.5
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$121,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$926/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$121,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$37,040/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $60,799/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

16.2

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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Cuyahoga County
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Hamilton County
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Nearby counties

Parmer County
Texas
43.9
Oldham County
Texas
56.8
Castro County
Texas
54.4
Curry County
New Mexico
31.4
Quay County
New Mexico
53.7
Randall County
Texas
44.6
Potter County
Texas
20.9
Hartley County
Texas
48.8

Deep Dives

Deaf Smith County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Deaf Smith County

via TaxByCounty

Deaf Smith taxes run 58% above national

Deaf Smith County's 1.37% effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 0.87% by 58%, placing it in the top 30% of U.S. counties. The typical property tax of $1,590 is below the national median of $2,690 only because homes here are significantly less valuable.

Middle-of-pack among Texas counties

Deaf Smith ranks 95th by effective tax rate among 254 Texas counties at 1.37%, modestly above the state average of 1.28%. The median tax bill of $1,590 reflects lower home values than the statewide median of $2,193.

Higher than most surrounding counties

Neighboring Dawson County at 1.73% is higher, but Dimmit (1.14%), Dickens (1.37%), and Randall counties tax property at similar or lower rates. Deaf Smith's position reflects its role as a regional hub in the Texas Panhandle.

Median home generates $1,590 tax

A Deaf Smith County home worth $116,000—the county median—results in $1,590 in annual property taxes at the 1.37% rate. With mortgage-related additions, total tax obligations reach $2,765.

Challenge your assessment if values rose

Property values in West Texas Panhandle counties can fluctuate with agricultural and energy markets, sometimes inflating assessments. Filing a tax protest with Deaf Smith County's appraisal district during the annual protest period could reveal overvaluation and lower your bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Deaf Smith County

via IncomeByCounty

Deaf Smith significantly underearns

Deaf Smith County's median household income of $54,114 trails the national median by 27.7%, placing it well below typical American household earnings. The county's per capita income of $24,087 reflects a regional economy centered on agriculture and lower-wage industries.

Ranks low among Texas counties

At $54,114, Deaf Smith County falls 16.5% below the Texas state average of $64,737, positioning it in the lower half of Texas counties by household income. Per capita earnings of $24,087 lag the state average of $33,197 by 27.4%.

Panhandle economic patterns

Deaf Smith County's income mirrors nearby Panhandle counties like Oldham and Parmer, all dependent on cattle ranching, grain production, and related agribusiness. The region's economies rise and fall with commodity prices and seasonal agricultural demand.

Housing costs remain manageable

The rent-to-income ratio of 20.4% sits just slightly above the healthy 20% threshold, meaning housing expenses consume a reasonable share of income. A median home value of $116,000 makes homeownership achievable for dual-income families despite lower overall earnings.

Agricultural workers can build wealth

Even in agricultural communities, establishing automatic transfers to savings accounts and exploring cooperative or farm-related investment opportunities can build equity over time. Those with land access may find wealth-building through agricultural enterprise or conservation programs.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Deaf Smith County

via CrimeByCounty

High Safety Scores in Deaf Smith

Deaf Smith County earns a safety score of 97.0, surpassing the national benchmark for security. Its total crime rate of 1,915.5 per 100,000 residents is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This data paints a picture of a community that is safer than many of its peers across the country.

Beating the Texas Average Crime Rate

The county’s total crime rate of 1,915.5 is more favorable than the Texas state average of 2,052.5. With a safety score of 97.0, Deaf Smith also edges out the state average safety score of 96.8. Three reporting agencies coordinate to keep incident rates lower than the regional norm.

Comparison with Regional Neighboring Counties

Deaf Smith County is notably safer than Dawson County, which reports a much higher crime rate of 2,438.8. While Deaf Smith's property crime rate is 1,635.7, it remains lower than Dawson's 2,082.3. This relative safety makes the county a regional standout for lower crime frequency.

A Clear Look at Crime Types

Violent crime in Deaf Smith occurs at a rate of 279.8 per 100,000, well below the national rate of 369.8. Property crimes constitute the majority of police activity, with 1,635.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. Most local interactions with law enforcement involve theft or burglary rather than violent offenses.

Maintain Security for Local Property

Residents should focus on securing property to mitigate the 1,635.7 annual property crime rate. Ensuring all entry points are locked and using smart home monitoring can further improve your personal safety score. Simple precautions help Deaf Smith County maintain its position as a safe place to live.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Deaf Smith County

via WeatherByCounty

High Plains Living With Moderate Temperatures

Deaf Smith County averages 57.4°F annually, hovering just above the national median temperature. Its climate is characterized by low humidity and a modest 19.3 inches of annual precipitation.

One of the Coolest Spots in Texas

At 57.4°F, this county is significantly cooler than the Texas state average of 65.5°F. It also receives about 12 inches less rain than the state average, defining it as a semi-arid High Plains environment.

A True Panhandle Climate Profile

Deaf Smith experiences more snowfall than its neighbors to the south, recording 14.3 inches annually. It shares the windy, dry characteristics common to the Amarillo region but avoids the extreme humidity of East Texas.

Snowy Winters and Manageable Summer Heat

The county sees 77 days of temperatures over 90°F, which is lower than most of the state. Winter brings a significant 14.3 inches of snow and a chilly January average of 36.8°F.

Winterize Your Home and Vehicle

Given the 14.3 inches of snow, residents need reliable heaters and snow removal equipment. Summer requires sun protection, but the 77.0°F summer average makes outdoor activities more bearable than in Southern Texas.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Deaf Smith County

via SoilByCounty

Strongly alkaline Panhandle soils

Deaf Smith County features an average pH of 7.83, making it significantly more alkaline than the national median of 6.5 and the state average of 7.09. This chemical profile is typical for the high plains, where calcium carbonate often influences the soil chemistry.

Balanced textures for regional agriculture

The soil contains 42.6% sand, 31.5% silt, and 25.9% clay. This mix provides enough clay to retain nutrients while the sand content ensures the soil doesn't become overly compacted.

Rich organic matter and water storage

This county outperforms the state with 1.86% organic matter, compared to the Texas average of 1.66%. It also boasts a high available water capacity of 0.149 in/in, which is superior to the state average of 0.133 in/in.

High runoff potential in group D

The soil belongs to hydrologic group D, indicating it has low infiltration rates and a high potential for runoff. Farmers and builders must account for this slow drainage when planning irrigation or site drainage systems.

Cooler winters and productive Zone 7a

The Zone 7a climate supports wheat and sorghum, which benefit from the high water-holding capacity of the soil. Gardeners should choose plants that tolerate high pH levels, such as lavender or certain varieties of beans and squash.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Deaf Smith County

via LawnByCounty

Navigating High Plains Lawn Care

Deaf Smith County has a lawn difficulty score of 41.1, which is better than the Texas state average of 31.7 but below the national benchmark of 50.0. Located in hardiness zone 7a, it offers a different set of challenges compared to the warmer central parts of the state. Success here requires a specific focus on water management and soil health.

Dry Air and Moderate Heat

Annual precipitation is low at 19.3 inches, necessitating significant irrigation to reach the 30-50 inch ideal range. The county sees 77 extreme heat days, which is less than the state average of 105, offering some relief to cool-season grasses. However, the 4,264 growing degree days indicate a shorter, more concentrated growing season.

Correcting Alkaline Sandy Mixes

The soil in this area is fairly sandy at 42.6%, providing a base that drains relatively quickly. The pH level of 7.83 is significantly above the ideal 7.0 threshold, meaning your lawn may struggle to absorb iron and other nutrients. Targeted fertilization and soil amendments are often necessary to maintain a vibrant green color.

Maintaining Stability During Dry Spells

Deaf Smith has faced 5 weeks of drought over the past year, a relatively stable record compared to its neighbors. While 100% of the area is currently classified as abnormally dry, none of the county is in severe D2+ drought levels. Use mulching mowers to return clippings to the soil, which helps retain precious moisture during dry periods.

Early Frost Planning for Zone 7a

With the last spring frost occurring on April 17th and the first fall frost on October 25th, the growing window is narrower than in many other Texas counties. Cool-season grasses like Fescue can thrive here with irrigation, though Bermuda remains a durable warm-season option. Aim to establish new sod or seed in late spring once the soil warms up.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Deaf Smith County's county score?
Deaf Smith County, Texas has a composite county score of 30.3 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 Deaf Smith County rank among counties in Texas?
Deaf Smith County ranks #212 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 Deaf Smith County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Deaf Smith County is $1,801, with an effective tax rate of 1.48%. This earns Deaf Smith County a tax score of 11.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Deaf Smith County?
The median household income in Deaf Smith County, Texas is $60,799 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Deaf Smith County earns an income score of 36.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Deaf Smith County, Texas a good place to live?
Deaf Smith County scores 30.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #212 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Deaf Smith 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 Deaf Smith 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.