Dickens County's composite score of 69.7 places it in the 89th percentile nationally, significantly above the national median of 50.0. This Texas Panhandle county demonstrates strong livability across measured dimensions.
2 / 5
Strong performer in Texas ranking
At 69.7, Dickens County exceeds the Texas state average of 66.8, positioning it in the upper tier of Texas counties. Despite sparse population, it outperforms many larger urban and suburban peers.
3 / 5
Extraordinary housing affordability wins
Dickens County boasts the highest cost score at 87.4 among these eight counties, offering the nation's lowest housing costs: median home at just $65,000 and rent at $753/month. The tax score of 63.8 adds reasonable fiscal burden.
4 / 5
Very limited income opportunities
The income score of 16.3 reflects median household income of just $50,417, the lowest among this group. Data on safety, health, schools, and water quality remain unavailable, preventing complete livability assessment.
5 / 5
Extreme affordability for budget families
Dickens County appeals to those with very limited budgets, remote income sources, or retirees living on small pensions who need maximum affordability. Those seeking career advancement, diverse employment, or modern urban services should look toward more developed counties.
Dickens County's composite score of 69.7 places it in the 89th percentile nationally, significantly above the national median of 50.0. This Texas Panhandle county demonstrates strong livability across measured dimensions.
Strong performer in Texas ranking
At 69.7, Dickens County exceeds the Texas state average of 66.8, positioning it in the upper tier of Texas counties. Despite sparse population, it outperforms many larger urban and suburban peers.
Extraordinary housing affordability wins
Dickens County boasts the highest cost score at 87.4 among these eight counties, offering the nation's lowest housing costs: median home at just $65,000 and rent at $753/month. The tax score of 63.8 adds reasonable fiscal burden.
Very limited income opportunities
The income score of 16.3 reflects median household income of just $50,417, the lowest among this group. Data on safety, health, schools, and water quality remain unavailable, preventing complete livability assessment.
Extreme affordability for budget families
Dickens County appeals to those with very limited budgets, remote income sources, or retirees living on small pensions who need maximum affordability. Those seeking career advancement, diverse employment, or modern urban services should look toward more developed counties.
Score breakdown
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🏛63.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Dickens County's 1.37% effective tax rate is 57% above the national median of 0.87%, placing it in the top 30% of U.S. counties by tax burden. However, the median property tax of $888 remains modest because homes are significantly less valuable than the national median of $281,900.
Middle tier among Texas counties
Dickens County 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 $888 is far below the statewide median of $2,193 due to low home values in this rural West Texas county.
Highest tax rate in West Texas region
Dickens County's 1.37% rate exceeds neighboring Dimmit (1.14%), Deaf Smith (1.37%), and Dawson (1.73%) in a mixed comparison across the region. This reflects Dickens's role as a small rural hub serving ranching and agricultural communities.
Modest homes, modest tax bills
The typical Dickens County home valued at $65,000 generates $888 in annual property taxes at the 1.37% rate. With mortgage-related costs factored in, total annual obligations reach $1,700.
Rural properties warrant fair appraisals
Rural county assessments sometimes undervalue comparable ranch and farm properties or fail to account for specific land conditions, creating appeal opportunities. Dickens County homeowners should request an appraisal review if their property's assessed value seems inconsistent with neighboring similar properties.
Dickens County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.9% beats the national norm significantly, achieved through ultra-low rents of $753 on a median income of $50,417. This High Plains county represents rare affordability: renters spend roughly one-fifth of income on housing.
Texas's most affordable living
Dickens County ranks among Texas's most affordable with a 17.9% rent-to-income ratio matching DeWitt County and edging below the state average of 18.1%. Its median rent of $753 represents some of the lowest in the state, paired with correspondingly low incomes of $50,417.
High Plains affordability extreme
Dickens County's $753 median rent and $50,417 median income place it among the state's most economical, comparable to Dimmit County ($753 rent) but with higher relative incomes. The county's median home value of just $65,000 creates genuine pathways to ownership for rural Texans.
Budget living in rural Texas
Dickens County renters pay $753 monthly while homeowners spend $495, both among Texas's lowest absolute costs. On a median income of $50,417, housing consumes 17.9% for renters and just 11.8% for owners—exceptional ratios reflecting genuine affordability.
Dickens County: maximum affordability
Move to Dickens County for the state's lowest housing costs—rent under $800 and homeownership near $500 monthly. You'll trade urban job markets and services for unmatched affordability and a median home value of just $65,000.
Dickens County's median household income of $50,417 falls 32.5% below the national median of $74,755, placing it among America's lowest-earning counties. Despite a per capita income of $31,451 that nearly matches the national per capita, household earnings lag significantly.
Ranks lowest in this analysis
At $50,417, Dickens County falls 22.1% below the Texas state average of $64,737, ranking as the lowest-earning county in this eight-county analysis. Its per capita income of $31,451 exceeds the state average of $33,197—a rare case where per capita income doesn't track household earnings.
Panhandle economic struggle
Dickens County's low household income reflects the challenges facing rural Panhandle counties dependent on ranching and agriculture during economic downturns. The county's isolation and small population limit employer diversity and wage competition.
Housing costs remain minimal
Dickens County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.9% ranks among the healthiest in the analysis, with a median home value of just $65,000 making homeownership extremely affordable. Low housing costs provide crucial breathing room for financially stretched households.
Every dollar saved matters
In Dickens County, building wealth requires disciplined savings habits—even small automatic transfers to savings accounts accumulate meaningfully over decades. Exploring workforce development programs, trade certifications, or remote work opportunities can unlock higher earning potential.
At 73.3 years, Dickens County residents live 1.0 year less than the U.S. average of 74.3 years—a modest gap that reflects broader rural health challenges. The 22.9% poor/fair health rate exceeds national norms, and the 18.9% uninsured rate mirrors regional patterns where rural communities struggle with coverage gaps.
Below Texas average but stable uninsured rate
Dickens County's 73.3-year life expectancy trails Texas's 74.3-year average, yet its 22.9% poor/fair health rate and 18.9% uninsured rate essentially match state averages. The county's provider numbers—58 primary care and 58 mental health per 100,000—suggest a small, underserved rural economy.
Mid-range among rural West Texas peers
Dickens County's 73.3-year life expectancy sits between Dimmit (71.0 years) and DeWitt (74.6 years), reflecting typical rural health outcomes. The county's balanced 58 primary care and 58 mental health providers per 100,000 suggest more equitable healthcare distribution than counties with sharp provider imbalances.
Balanced but lean provider infrastructure
Dickens County's 58 primary care providers and 58 mental health providers per 100,000 residents represent a rare rural balance, yet both figures fall below state norms. The 18.9% uninsured rate means roughly one in five residents lack coverage, potentially avoiding both primary care and mental health services due to cost.
Insurance enables Dickens care access
With 18.9% of Dickens County uninsured and provider capacity already stretched thin, health insurance is crucial for accessing preventive and mental health care. Visit healthcare.gov or call 211 Texas to find coverage that ensures you can use Dickens's limited but balanced provider network.
Dickens County's composite risk score of 13.61 ranks as "Very Low," placing it among the safest counties nationwide. This rural Panhandle county experiences minimal overall exposure to natural disasters.
Well below Texas average risk
At 13.61, Dickens County scores substantially lower than the Texas state average of 49.00, making it one of the state's safest jurisdictions. Low population density and geographic isolation contribute to minimal hazard impact.
Safer than most region peers
Dickens (13.61) edges out Delta County (8.91) as the next-safest option and significantly outpaces Deaf Smith (61.80) and Dimmit (35.88). The Panhandle's sparse settlement patterns reduce disaster exposure across this tier of counties.
Wildfire is the sole notable hazard
Wildfire risk of 76.40 stands out as Dickens's primary concern, though all other hazards score below 50. Tornado (18.00), flood (1.88), earthquake (4.52), and hurricane (12.64) risks are negligible.
Wildfire defense is primary focus
While overall risk is exceptionally low, the 76.40 wildfire score warrants attention to defensible space and roofing maintenance. Standard homeowners insurance covers wildfire; maintain coverage and keep brush cleared within 30 feet of structures.