countyscore
51.4
County Score
Safety 86.2Cost of Living 83.8Disaster Risk 64.1

County Report Card

About Dimmit County, Texas

Dimmit County stays above national median

Dimmit County holds a composite score of 51.3, slightly outperforming the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a mix of high safety and very low income.

Beating the Texas state livability average

The county's 51.3 score is nearly 10 points higher than the Texas average of 41.9. This makes it a standout for livability in the South Texas region.

Great safety and affordable living costs

Dimmit County features a strong safety score of 86.2 and a cost score of 83.8. With median home values at $80,300, it is one of the most affordable places to live in the state.

Struggling with income and health access

The income score is a very low 0.7, with a median household income of only $33,409. Health scores also trail at 5.5, indicating significant gaps in local medical care.

Best for those prioritizing peace and value

Dimmit County is a good match for residents who value safety and low monthly expenses over high-salary careers. It is ideal for those with outside income sources or remote work.

Score breakdown

Tax28.5Cost83.8Safety86.2Health5.5Schools54Income0.7Risk64.1Water36.5Weather15.9
🏛28.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼0.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡86.2
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤5.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓54
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡64.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧36.5
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤15.9
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱7.7
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

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43.8
La Salle County
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53.6
Maverick County
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32.5
Frio County
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Deep Dives

Dimmit County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Dimmit County

via TaxByCounty

Dimmit's rate runs 31% above national

Dimmit County's 1.14% effective tax rate is 31% above the national median of 0.87%, placing it in the middle range of U.S. counties by tax burden. The median property tax of $917 is 66% below the national median of $2,690, reflecting the county's modestly valued housing stock.

Lower-middle tier in Texas

Dimmit County ranks in the bottom third of Texas counties by effective tax rate at 1.14%, substantially below the state average of 1.28%. The median property tax of $917 is 58% below the statewide median of $2,193.

South Texas's second-lowest-tax county

Dimmit County at 1.14% undercuts Dickens (1.37%) and Deaf Smith (1.37%), trailing only DeWitt (0.86%) among nearby South Texas counties. This reflects Dimmit's rural character and agricultural economy.

Median home costs $917 annually

A Dimmit County home valued at $80,300—the county median—generates $917 in annual property taxes at the 1.14% rate. Combined with mortgage-related costs, total annual tax obligations reach $1,465.

Challenge assessments on ranch property

Dimmit County's ranching-based economy means agricultural land is often assessed incorrectly relative to comparable properties or current market use values. Filing a property tax appeal with Dimmit County's appraisal district could reveal overassessment and reduce your annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Dimmit County

via CostByCounty

Dimmit struggles despite low costs

Dimmit County's rent-to-income ratio of 27.1% represents one of Texas's worst affordability ratios, exceeding the national norm by 10 percentage points. Despite median rent of just $753, the county's low median income of $33,409—55% below the national average—creates severe housing stress.

Texas's affordability crisis county

Dimmit County ranks as Texas's least affordable with a 27.1% rent-to-income ratio, far exceeding the state average of 18.1%. The county's median income of $33,409 sits among Texas's lowest, leaving households with insufficient earnings to absorb even modest housing costs.

Extreme poverty and cost mismatch

Dimmit County's 27.1% affordability ratio dwarfs all peer counties in this analysis; even Dickens County at 17.9% with similar rents benefits from 50% higher incomes. South Texas border counties like Dimmit face systemic income challenges that render housing affordability ratios misleading—absolute costs matter less than income scarcity.

Low rents, lower incomes

Dimmit households spend $753 on rent or $518 on mortgages against a median income of just $33,409—one of Texas's lowest. Even at these rock-bottom housing costs, renters dedicate over 27% of income to rent, leaving minimal resources for food, healthcare, and transportation.

Dimmit: affordability with caution

Dimmit County offers the cheapest absolute housing costs in this analysis, but its 27.1% rent-to-income ratio signals deeper economic challenges. Only relocate if securing local employment at or above the $33,409 median income—otherwise, affordability statistics mask genuine hardship.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Dimmit County

via IncomeByCounty

Dimmit faces severe income poverty

Dimmit County's median household income of $33,409 plummets 55.3% below the national median of $74,755, representing one of America's most economically challenged counties. The per capita income of $20,919 ranks among the nation's lowest, indicating systemic barriers to earning.

Texas's lowest-earning county

Dimmit County's median household income of $33,409 falls 48.4% below the Texas state average of $64,737, ranking it as the lowest-earning county in this analysis and among the poorest in Texas. Its per capita income of $20,919 trails the state average of $33,197 by 37.0%.

South Texas poverty concentration

Dimmit County's income reflects the deep poverty endemic to South Texas border communities, where agricultural wages, limited employment diversity, and immigration dynamics depress household earnings. Neighboring Webb, Zapata, and Maverick counties face similar structural economic challenges.

Housing strains budgets severely

At 27.1%, Dimmit County's rent-to-income ratio far exceeds the 20% affordability threshold, meaning renters spend over a quarter of limited income on housing. A median home value of $80,300 remains unaffordable for most households without significant assistance or multi-generational support.

Access financial assistance programs

Dimmit County residents should explore available federal and state programs—EITC, SNAP, housing assistance, workforce training—that directly boost household resources and long-term opportunity. Building financial literacy and accessing credit-building programs creates pathways toward economic stability and generational wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Dimmit County

via CrimeByCounty

Exceptional Safety Levels in Dimmit County

Dimmit County is incredibly secure, boasting a total crime rate of just 311.3 per 100,000 residents. This is a fraction of the national average of 2,385.5, earning the county a near-perfect safety score of 99.5. Residents live in one of the safer environments in the United States.

Outperforming Texas Security Norms

With a safety score of 99.5, Dimmit County significantly outperforms the Texas state average of 96.8. Its total crime rate of 311.3 is much lower than the statewide average of 2,052.5. The county's three reporting agencies manage an exceptionally low volume of incidents.

The Safest Option Among Peers

Dimmit County is significantly safer than Dallas County, which has a crime rate over four times higher at 1,314.8. It also easily beats Deaf Smith County’s rate of 1,915.5. For those looking for the lowest possible crime frequency in the area, Dimmit is a clear leader.

Very Low Violent and Property Crime

Violent crime in Dimmit is remarkably low at 80.7 per 100,000, compared to the national 369.8. Property crime is also minimal at 230.6, which is far below the national average of 2,015.7. These rates indicate that both physical safety and property security are very high.

Keep Your Community Secure

Though crime is rare, practicing basic security awareness helps maintain Dimmit’s excellent safety standing. Simple measures like outdoor lighting and secure fencing are enough to deter the rare opportunistic thief. Your proactive habits help sustain this county's status as a Texas safety leader.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Dimmit County

via HealthByCounty

Dimmit faces severe health crisis

Dimmit County residents live just 71.0 years—3.3 years less than the U.S. average of 74.3 years—while 40.4% report poor or fair health, the highest among all eight counties. This South Texas county represents a health emergency where one in two residents lives with illness or disability, demanding urgent intervention.

Texas's most health-burdened county here

Dimmit County's 71.0-year life expectancy falls 3.3 years below Texas's 74.3-year average, but the 40.4% poor/fair health rate—double the state norm—signals an extraordinary health crisis. The county's 19.4% uninsured rate marginally exceeds the Texas average, contributing to the struggle to manage endemic disease.

Worst health outcomes in this county group

Dimmit County's 71.0-year life expectancy and 40.4% poor/fair health rate rank worst among all eight counties, far exceeding the challenges seen in Dawson, Deaf Smith, and Delta. With 35 primary care and 36 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, Dimmit's provider shortage cannot address the population's immense health burden.

Provider shortage amid disease crisis

Dimmit County's 35 primary care providers and 36 mental health providers per 100,000 residents are inadequate for a population where four in ten live with poor health. The 19.4% uninsured rate means thousands forgo care entirely, allowing treatable conditions—hypertension, diabetes, depression—to worsen into life-shortening crises.

Coverage is lifesaving in Dimmit

Dimmit County's 40.4% poor/fair health rate demands that every resident access healthcare; those without coverage should enroll immediately at healthcare.gov or through Medicaid. Insurance opens doors to Dimmit's limited but critical providers, enabling management of chronic disease that can extend life by years.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Dimmit County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Unified District in Carrizo Springs

Dimmit County’s education is managed by a single district, Carrizo Springs CISD, which serves 1,903 students. The infrastructure consists of four specialized campuses: one elementary, two middle schools, and one high school.

Strong Graduation Success

The county maintains a 92% graduation rate, slightly exceeding the Texas state average of 91.6%. Educational spending is $7,102 per pupil, which is efficient relative to the county's 54.8 composite school score.

One District, Four Campuses

Carrizo Springs CISD operates all public education in the county with no charter school competition. The district serves a unified student body, with Carrizo Springs Elementary being the largest campus at 598 students.

Town-Centered Schooling

All four schools are located in town settings, making the school system the central hub of community life. With an average school size of 476 students, the system offers a cohesive experience as students progress through the grades together.

Connecting with Carrizo Springs

Living in Dimmit County means joining a single, focused school community with strong graduation outcomes. Home buyers often look for properties within the town of Carrizo Springs to be near all four district campuses.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Dimmit County

via RiskByCounty

Dimmit County experiences low risk

Dimmit County's composite risk score of 35.88 places it in the "Very Low" category, well below the national average. This South Texas county sits at the intersection of multiple hazard zones but experiences relatively minimal combined exposure.

Below Texas average, relatively safe

At 35.88, Dimmit County scores below the Texas state average of 49.00, ranking among the state's lower-risk counties. The county's inland location and semi-arid climate buffer it against many major hazard types.

Safest in South Texas peer group

Dimmit's 35.88 score edges out nearby Gulf Coast counties like DeWitt (83.91), whose 48-point gap reflects coastal hurricane and flood exposure. Compared to Panhandle neighbors like Deaf Smith (61.80), Dimmit benefits from lower tornado and wildfire risk.

Hurricane risk and wildfire matter most

Hurricane risk of 61.79 is Dimmit's highest hazard score, reflecting South Texas geography; wildfire risk (54.55) ranks second. Tornado (28.24), flood (19.37), and earthquake (8.75) risks remain relatively modest.

Hurricane preparedness plus wildfire awareness

Standard homeowners insurance covers wind damage but not flood; given the 61.79 hurricane score, verify policy limits for wind coverage. Maintain defensible space around structures, clear gutters, and develop a hurricane evacuation plan for storm season.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Dimmit County

via WeatherByCounty

Intense Heat in the Rio Grande Plain

Dimmit County is exceptionally hot compared to the national median, with an annual average temperature of 70.6°F. It is a dry region, receiving only 19.6 inches of precipitation annually.

Far Hotter and Drier Than Texas Averages

Dimmit sits 5.1 degrees above the Texas average temperature and receives about 12 inches less rain than the state norm. This makes it one of the more extreme environments in the state for heat and aridity.

A Core Piece of the Winter Garden Region

Similar to its neighbor Webb County, Dimmit faces grueling summer heat. It is notably drier than counties to its east, relying more on irrigation for its famous agricultural output.

Five Months of Extreme Summer Heat

The county experiences a staggering 153 days of temperatures at or above 90°F annually. Winters are very brief and mild, with a January average of 52.0°F and practically no snowfall.

Invest in High-Performance Summer Gear

With 153 days of extreme heat, residents must prioritize heavy-duty HVAC maintenance and sun protection. Water storage and efficient irrigation are vital given the low 19.6-inch annual rainfall.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Dimmit County

via SoilByCounty

The 'Winter Garden' soil legacy

Dimmit County is part of Texas's famous Winter Garden Region, though specific pH and taxonomic data are missing from this record. Historically, the area is known for deep, fertile soils that supported massive vegetable production.

Rich textures waiting to be mapped

Quantitative data for sand, silt, and clay are currently unavailable for Dimmit County. Despite the lack of recent digital data, the region is legendary for its ability to produce high-quality onions and spinach.

A history of agricultural abundance

Current data for organic matter and water capacity are not provided in this dataset. However, the county's reputation for agricultural productivity suggests a soil profile that can sustain intensive farming with proper irrigation.

Water management is key to success

Hydrologic group and drainage class data are not currently available for this county. In this semi-arid climate, successful land use traditionally depends on managing the flow of the Nueces River and local aquifers.

Year-round potential in Zone 9a

With a USDA Hardiness Zone of 9a, Dimmit County offers an incredibly long growing season for winter vegetables and citrus. Start your own garden legacy by testing your soil and tapping into the region's rich farming history.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Dimmit County

via LawnByCounty

Texas's Toughest Lawn Terrain

Dimmit County holds an exceptionally low lawn difficulty score of 7.7, making it one of the hardest places in America to grow grass. This is far below the state average of 31.7 and the national benchmark of 50.0. Located in hardiness zone 9a, the environmental pressures here are relentless for traditional landscaping.

Unrelenting Heat and Minimal Rain

The county faces a staggering 153 extreme heat days per year, nearly five full months of temperatures at or above 90°F. Combined with a low annual precipitation of 19.6 inches, grass is under constant threat of dehydration. The 7,759 growing degree days indicate a climate where plants never truly stop needing water.

Navigating Limited Soil Data

While detailed soil composition for Dimmit is currently unavailable, the surrounding Brush Country often features rocky or heavy clay soils. Local gardeners should prioritize soil testing to find out exactly what their ground needs to support plant life. Adding a thick layer of mulch or organic material is standard practice to combat the intense surface evaporation.

A Year of Perpetual Drought

Dimmit County has endured drought for 53 weeks over the past year—a full year without reprieve. 100% of the county is currently under severe D2+ drought conditions, making traditional lawns almost impossible to sustain. In this environment, native desert plants and crushed stone are much more sustainable than water-thirsty turf.

Choose Resilience Over Tradition

If you do plant, do so after the March 5th spring frost, but be prepared for a long season of intense heat. Highly drought-tolerant species like Bermuda are the only lawn grasses likely to survive the 153 heat days. The growing season remains active until late November, but survival depends entirely on your water management strategy.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dimmit County's county score?
Dimmit County, Texas has a composite county score of 51.4 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 Dimmit County rank among counties in Texas?
Dimmit County ranks #53 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 Dimmit County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Dimmit County is $917, with an effective tax rate of 1.14%. This earns Dimmit County a tax score of 28.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Dimmit County?
The median household income in Dimmit County, Texas is $33,409 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Dimmit County earns an income score of 0.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Dimmit County, Texas a good place to live?
Dimmit County scores 51.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #53 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Dimmit 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 Dimmit County with other counties side by side.

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🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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