CountyScore

Denton County

Texas · TX

#242 in Texas
52.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Denton County, Texas

Denton scores near national benchmark

Denton County's composite score of 49.9 sits just at the national median of 50.0, placing it at the 50th percentile nationally. As a fast-growing Dallas-Fort Worth suburb, Denton represents typical American livability conditions.

Notably below Texas average

At 49.9, Denton County ranks significantly below the Texas state average of 66.8, positioning it in the lower half of Texas counties. This reflects the typical trade-offs of booming suburban counties: growth and higher incomes come with rising housing costs.

Strong incomes offset higher costs

Denton County's income score of 54.0 stands out among these eight counties, with median household income of $108,185—substantially above regional and state averages. This higher earning power reflects the county's appeal to well-compensated professionals.

Housing costs squeeze affordability

The cost score of 45.8 reflects housing prices among the highest in this group: median home value of $403,400 and rent at $1,642/month. Data on safety, health, schools, and water quality remain unavailable.

For high-earning suburban professionals

Denton County suits affluent families and dual-income households with strong earning potential who want DFW job market access. Those on fixed incomes, first-time homebuyers, or those seeking affordable communities should explore other Texas counties.

Score breakdown

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

Tax53.9Cost45.8SafetyComing SoonHealth75.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome54Risk3.1WaterComing Soon
🏛53.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠45.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼54
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡3.1
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 Denton County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Western Connecticut Planning Region
Connecticut
52.4
Median income: $124,553
Morris County
New Jersey
52.3
Median income: $134,929
Monroe County
New York
52.5
Median income: $74,409
Collin County
Texas
52.3
Median income: $117,588
Monmouth County
New Jersey
52.2
Median income: $122,727

Deep Dives

Denton County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Denton County

via TaxByCounty

Denton's rate rivals Dallas's tax burden

Denton County's 1.72% effective tax rate nearly doubles the national median of 0.87%, placing it in the top 25% of U.S. counties by tax burden. Homeowners pay $6,943 annually on a median home value of $403,400—far exceeding the national median tax of $2,690.

Second-highest rate in Texas

Only Dallas County (1.68%) comes close to Denton's 1.72% effective tax rate among 254 Texas counties. The median property tax of $6,943 is more than triple the statewide average of $2,193, reflecting both high home values and high rates.

Dallas-Fort Worth's twin tax burden

Denton County mirrors Dallas County's aggressive tax stance at 1.72% versus 1.68%, while surrounding rural counties like Delta (0.98%) and DeWitt (0.86%) tax far more lightly. This reflects Denton's rapid suburban growth and corresponding school funding demands.

High-value homes face hefty bills

The typical Denton County home worth $403,400 generates $6,943 in annual property taxes at the 1.72% rate. With mortgage-related costs included, total tax obligations reach $7,326—making Denton among the highest-tax counties nationally in absolute dollars.

High-value homes often overassessed

Rapidly appreciating suburbs like Denton frequently see inflated property assessments that outpace actual market values, particularly in competitive real estate markets. Homeowners should request a formal appraisal challenge with Denton County's appraisal district to ensure their assessed value reflects current fair market conditions.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Denton County

via CostByCounty

Denton's prosperity commands housing premium

Denton County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.2% sits just above the national norm, but its $108,185 median household income—45% higher than the national average—tells the full story. Residents here earn enough to absorb housing costs that would strain typical American households.

Denton: Texas's wealth and growth engine

Denton County's 18.2% rent-to-income ratio matches the Texas state average of 18.1%, a feat accomplished through significantly above-average incomes of $108,185. The county's median rent of $1,642 reflects its status as one of Texas's fastest-growing, highest-earning regions.

Premium pricing for premium incomes

Denton County's median rent of $1,642 and home value of $403,400 far exceed neighboring Dallas County ($1,469 rent, $277,900 homes), reflecting its wealthier demographic. Yet the county's 18.2% affordability ratio rivals more affordable rural counties because Denton incomes scale upward.

High earners, high housing costs

Denton households allocate $1,642 monthly for rent or $2,128 for mortgages on a median income of $108,185. Despite steep absolute housing costs, the county's 18.2% rent-to-income ratio proves sustainable for its higher-earning workforce.

Denton for career growth seekers

Relocate to Denton County if your job offer or career prospects justify premium housing costs—rent at $1,642 remains manageable at 18.2% of typical incomes here. The county's median income of $108,185 positions it as Texas's wealth center, ideal for professionals commanding top salaries.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Denton County

via IncomeByCounty

Denton County far exceeds nation

Denton County's median household income of $108,185 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by 44.8%, placing it among the most prosperous counties nationally. The county's per capita income of $52,909 towers 59.4% above the national average, reflecting a highly educated, high-earning population.

Texas's wealthiest county tier

At $108,185, Denton County ranks among Texas's top earners, outpacing the state average of $64,737 by 67.0%. Its per capita income of $52,909 exceeds the state average of $33,197 by 59.5%, positioning it as an economic powerhouse within the state.

Denton leads the Dallas metroplex

Denton County substantially outearns neighboring Dallas County ($74,149) and Collin County, driven by high-wage suburbs like Frisco, Plano, and Denton proper that attract tech companies and corporate relocations. The county's growth trajectory continues as major employers expand northward.

Housing costs remain proportional

Despite a median home value of $403,400—the highest among the eight counties—Denton's rent-to-income ratio of 18.2% remains well below the 20% health threshold. High incomes allow residents to afford premium housing without financial strain.

Diversify beyond real estate

Denton County's high incomes enable aggressive retirement savings, investment portfolio diversification, and wealth building beyond homeownership. Working with a financial advisor to optimize tax strategies, build stock portfolios, and plan generational wealth transfer becomes increasingly valuable at higher income levels.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Denton County

via HealthByCounty

Denton County leads on life expectancy

Denton County residents live 80.7 years on average—6.4 years longer than the U.S. average of 74.3 years—making it one of America's longest-living counties. Just 13.7% report poor or fair health, and the 11.6% uninsured rate is the lowest among all eight counties, reflecting a prosperous, health-conscious community.

Texas's healthiest county profile

Denton County's 80.7-year life expectancy towers 6.4 years above Texas's 74.3-year average, ranking it among the state's healthiest counties by a wide margin. The 13.7% poor/fair health rate and 11.6% uninsured rate both best the state averages, signaling a county where health outcomes are a community strength.

North Texas's health leader by far

Denton County's 80.7 years of life expectancy vastly exceeds every neighboring county in this analysis—nearly 10 years more than Dawson and Dimmit, and 4 years more than Dallas. The county's 181 mental health providers per 100,000 residents and 54 primary care providers per 100,000 create an enviable healthcare infrastructure.

Access and coverage work together

Denton County's success rests on both abundant providers—54 primary care and 181 mental health per 100,000—and low uninsured rates at 11.6%, meaning residents can actually use available care. This combination enables preventive medicine, mental health support, and chronic disease management that extends life and improves quality.

Denton's model: stay covered

Even Denton County's 11.6% uninsured rate reminds us that coverage gaps persist even in healthy communities; if you're uninsured, visit healthcare.gov to maintain or enroll in coverage. Staying connected to Denton's robust provider network means catching health problems early and living your longest, healthiest life.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Denton County

via RiskByCounty

Denton County faces elevated disaster risk

Denton County's composite risk score of 96.91 places it in the "Relatively High" category, significantly exceeding the national average. This rapidly growing North Texas county sits atop multiple overlapping hazard zones.

Second-highest risk in Texas

At 96.91, Denton County ranks near the top of Texas's riskiest counties, just behind Dallas (99.65) and well above the state average of 49.00. The county's boom in population and development has intensified vulnerability.

Paired with Dallas in regional risk

Denton (96.91) and Dallas (99.65) form a high-risk corridor, while surrounding counties like Collin and Wise experience lower exposure. The Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex concentration amplifies disaster impacts across this zone.

Tornadoes and floods top the list

Tornado risk of 99.81 and flood risk of 95.71 dominate Denton's hazard profile, with wildfire (92.97) and earthquake (73.98) adding substantial additional concern. These converging hazards create year-round preparedness demands.

Multi-layer insurance is critical

Flood insurance is essential given the 95.71 flood score and is not covered by standard policies; earthquake coverage should also be considered given 73.98 risk. Building or accessing a reinforced safe room and signing up for county weather alerts are vital tornado 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.