DeWitt County

Texas · TX

#107 in Texas
63.7
County Score

County Report Card

About DeWitt County, Texas

DeWitt ranks among national leaders

DeWitt County's composite score of 72.6 places it in the 95th percentile nationally, well above the national median of 50.0. This South Texas county demonstrates exceptional livability performance.

Texas' strongest performer in cohort

At 72.6, DeWitt County ranks in the top 10 percent of Texas counties, exceeding the state average of 66.8. Among these eight counties, DeWitt achieves the highest composite score.

Lowest taxes and strong affordability

DeWitt County leads with a tax score of 78.1 and the second-lowest effective tax rate at 0.859%, combined with cost score of 80.3. Median home value of $167,200 and rent at $955/month offer excellent value.

Income opportunities remain modest

The income score of 25.2 reflects median household income of $64,014, limiting high-wage career paths. Safety, health, schools, and water quality data are not currently available for fuller assessment.

Best overall value in this group

DeWitt County represents the most balanced livability profile among these eight counties, combining exceptional tax benefits with genuine affordability. It suits retirees, remote workers, and families seeking rural Texas living without sacrificing reasonable community resources.

Score breakdown

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

Tax78.1Cost80.3SafetyComing SoonHealth55.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.2Risk16.1WaterComing Soon
🏛78.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠80.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼25.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
55.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
16.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

DeWitt County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in DeWitt County

via TaxByCounty

DeWitt ranks among nation's lowest-tax

DeWitt County's 0.86% effective tax rate is nearly identical to the national median of 0.87%, making it one of America's most tax-friendly counties. The median property tax of $1,437 is 47% below the national median of $2,690, despite homes worth a comparable amount.

Lowest-taxing county in Texas

DeWitt County holds the distinction of lowest effective tax rate in Texas at 0.86%, well below the state average of 1.28%. Homeowners pay just $1,437 in median property taxes—34% less than the statewide median of $2,193.

South Texas's most affordable tax home

DeWitt County's 0.86% rate significantly undercuts surrounding counties Dimmit (1.14%) and Dickens (1.37%), making it a rare low-tax oasis in South Texas. This efficiency reflects a tight municipal budget and primarily rural, agricultural character.

Median home costs $1,437 yearly

A DeWitt County home valued at $167,200 generates just $1,437 in annual property taxes at the 0.86% rate. Combined with mortgage-related assessments, total annual obligations reach $2,300.

Verify your assessment even in low-tax areas

Even in Texas's lowest-tax county, homes are sometimes overassessed relative to comparable properties or market conditions. DeWitt County homeowners should request a no-cost appraisal review to confirm their assessed value is accurate and fair.

Cost of Living in DeWitt County

via CostByCounty

DeWitt balances modest income and rent

DeWitt County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.9% falls below the national norm despite a median household income of $64,014—14% below the U.S. average. This Central Texas county offers solid affordability for households willing to trade big-city wages for reasonable living costs.

DeWitt near Texas affordability average

DeWitt County's 17.9% rent-to-income ratio sits just below the Texas state average of 18.1%, with a median rent of $955 comparing favorably to the state median of $963. The county ranks among Texas's moderately affordable options for working-class families.

Central Texas affordable middle ground

DeWitt County's $955 median rent and 17.9% affordability ratio position it between rural affordability leaders like Delta County ($857) and urban pressures like Dallas County ($1,469). The county's median home value of $167,200 offers accessible homeownership relative to its income level.

Modest costs on modest income

DeWitt households spend $955 monthly for rent or $708 for mortgages on a median income of $64,014. Homeownership here consumes just 13.3% of income compared to 17.9% for renters, creating strong incentive for owner-occupancy.

DeWitt for balanced living

Consider DeWitt County if you seek affordable rents ($955) with near-statewide affordability ratios and a rural Texas lifestyle. The county's 17.9% rent-to-income ratio makes it an accessible choice for relocating families with modest incomes.

Income & Jobs in DeWitt County

via IncomeByCounty

DeWitt falls below national median

DeWitt County's median household income of $64,014 lags the national median of $74,755 by 14.4%, reflecting lower earning potential in this South Texas region. The county's per capita income of $30,723 trails the national average, suggesting limited high-wage employment opportunities.

Nearly matches Texas average

DeWitt County's median household income of $64,014 nearly aligns with the Texas state average of $64,737, placing it squarely in the middle tier of Texas counties. Its per capita income of $30,723 sits below the state average of $33,197 by 7.5%.

Moderate South Texas earnings

DeWitt County's income ranks above poorer South Texas counties like Dimmit and Jim Wells, but below more prosperous neighbors like Goliad and Lavaca. The county's economy balances agriculture, ranching, and light manufacturing typical of the region.

Housing costs stay reasonable

At 17.9%, DeWitt County's rent-to-income ratio remains safely below the 20% affordability threshold, keeping housing costs manageable for median earners. A median home value of $167,200 makes homeownership accessible without forcing families into financial hardship.

Steady savings compound growth

DeWitt County's moderate housing costs leave room for savings that, invested consistently over decades, can build substantial wealth despite modest incomes. Contributing to employer retirement plans and exploring low-cost index funds provides accessible paths to long-term financial security.

Health in DeWitt County

via HealthByCounty

DeWitt near national averages on lifespan

DeWitt County's 74.6-year life expectancy essentially matches the U.S. average of 74.3 years, though 22.8% of residents report poor or fair health—above national norms. The county's 18.9% uninsured rate trails Texas's 19.8%, suggesting moderate health insurance access in this South Texas community.

Slightly above Texas on life expectancy

DeWitt County's 74.6-year life expectancy edges slightly above Texas's 74.3-year average, placing it in the middle tier of Texas counties for longevity. The 22.8% poor/fair health rate and 18.9% uninsured rate both slightly exceed state averages, indicating room for improvement in health outcomes and coverage.

Comparable to Dickens, ahead of rural peers

DeWitt County's 74.6-year life expectancy matches Dickens County (73.3 years) closely but exceeds health-challenged Dimmit (71.0 years) and Dawson (70.7 years). With 60 primary care providers per 100,000 and 30 mental health providers per 100,000, DeWitt offers better-than-average rural healthcare infrastructure.

Solid primary care, modest mental health

DeWitt County's 60 primary care providers per 100,000 residents provide decent access to routine care, though the 30 mental health providers per 100,000 lag state needs. The 18.9% uninsured rate means roughly one in five residents navigate healthcare without coverage, delaying preventive visits and managing chronic illness in crisis mode.

Expand coverage in South Texas

DeWitt County's 18.9% uninsured rate leaves thousands vulnerable to medical debt and delayed care; those without coverage should explore Medicaid or ACA marketplace plans at healthcare.gov. Insurance unlocks access to DeWitt's primary care network and enables the preventive care that keeps life expectancy rising.

Disaster Risk in DeWitt County

via RiskByCounty

DeWitt County faces substantial disaster risk

DeWitt County's composite risk score of 83.91 places it in the "Relatively Moderate" category, well above the national average. This South Texas Gulf Coast region experiences concentrated exposure to weather and water hazards.

Mid-range risk for Texas

At 83.91, DeWitt County scores significantly above the Texas state average of 49.00, ranking it among the higher-risk counties statewide. The county's proximity to the Gulf Coast and inland waterways creates distinct vulnerability patterns.

Gulf proximity drives regional risk

DeWitt's 83.91 score exceeds nearby inland counties but reflects the shared hurricane exposure of South Texas coastal zones. Counties farther inland like Dimmit (35.88) demonstrate how Gulf proximity dramatically elevates composite risk.

Hurricanes and floods reign supreme

Hurricane risk of 90.28 and flood risk of 89.22 are DeWitt's primary concerns, reflecting its Gulf Coast and river-bottom geography. Tornado risk (70.74) and wildfire risk (67.59) round out a formidable hazard portfolio.

Flood and hurricane coverage essential

Flood insurance is non-negotiable given the 89.22 flood and 90.28 hurricane scores; standard homeowners policies exclude both. Ensure your policy explicitly covers hurricane/wind damage, maintain year-round property maintenance, and establish a family evacuation plan for storm season.

ByCounty Network

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