CountyScore

Donley County

Texas · TX

#37 in Texas
68.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Donley County, Texas

Donley Scores Well Above National Median

With a composite score of 73.2, Donley County significantly outpaces the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top tier of American counties for overall livability. This 46% advantage over the national baseline reflects strong fundamentals in affordability and tax burden across the county.

Top Performer Among Texas Counties

Donley County ranks above the Texas state average composite score of 66.8, making it one of the stronger counties in Texas for livability. Its performance is particularly notable given the competitive landscape of livable Texas communities.

Affordability Drives Donley's Appeal

The county excels at keeping housing costs manageable, with a cost score of 88.4 and median home values of just $90,500—far below national and state averages. Combined with a tax score of 70.6 and effective tax rate of 1.126%, Donley offers real financial breathing room for budget-conscious households.

Income Levels Lag Behind Peers

An income score of just 20.4 reflects a median household income of $56,648, which trails broader state economic opportunities. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remains limited, leaving a fuller picture of livability still to be defined.

Ideal for Cost-Conscious Families

Donley County suits families and retirees prioritizing affordability and low taxes over maximum earning potential. If you value financial stability, manageable housing costs, and a lighter tax load, this county delivers strong livability despite modest income levels.

Score breakdown

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

Tax70.6Cost88.4SafetyComing SoonHealth53.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.4Risk73.4WaterComing Soon
🏛70.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠88.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤53.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡73.4
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 Donley County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Morgan County
Alabama
68.4
Median income: $64,858
Mesa County
Colorado
68.4
Median income: $71,485
Levy County
Florida
68.4
Median income: $53,805
Atkinson County
Georgia
68.4
Median income: $38,438
Irwin County
Georgia
68.4
Median income: $53,915

Deep Dives

Donley County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Donley County

via TaxByCounty

Donley's taxes rank well below national average

At 1.126%, Donley County's effective tax rate sits well below the national median of roughly 0.88%, putting homeowners in a favorable position nationally. The median property tax here is $1,019—less than 38% of the national median of $2,690—reflecting both lower home values and a moderate tax burden.

Among the lowest-taxing counties in Texas

Donley County's effective rate of 1.126% runs below Texas's statewide average of 1.276%, ranking it in the lower half of the state's 254 counties. Residents pay $1,019 in median property tax versus the state average of $2,193, a significant advantage.

Competitive with surrounding Panhandle counties

Donley's 1.126% rate matches Erath County exactly and undercuts Eastland County's 1.192%, placing it solidly in the Panhandle's tax-friendly range. Among its regional peers, only Edwards County (1.051%) and Duval County (1.077%) offer lower rates.

Median home costs about $1,019 annually

With a median home value of $90,500, typical Donley County homeowners pay roughly $1,019 per year in property taxes. This figure assumes a home at the county median without mortgage interest deductions; those with mortgages may pay slightly higher when school taxes apply.

Check if your home's value is accurate

Many Texas homeowners are overassessed by county appraisers, meaning you may be paying taxes on inflated valuations. It's worth requesting a property tax exemption review or filing a protest with your appraisal district to ensure you're only paying on what your home is actually worth.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Donley County

via CostByCounty

Donley rents cheap compared to nation

Renters in Donley County spend just 14.5% of their income on housing—well below the national median of roughly 28%. That affordability advantage reflects both modest rents ($686/month) and a cost of living that lags the nation's $74,755 median household income.

Texas's most affordable rent burden

At 14.5%, Donley County has one of Texas's lowest rent-to-income ratios, compared to the state average of 18.1%. This puts the county in an enviable position for renters seeking affordable housing in a pricey state.

Cheaper than surrounding Panhandle

Donley County's $686 monthly rent undercuts neighboring Eastland County ($803) and Erath County ($1,134), making it the most affordable option in its region. Median home values here ($90,500) are also among the lowest in the comparison area.

Rent and mortgage both modest

Renters spend $686/month while homeowners pay $512/month, both reasonable against the $56,648 median household income. Together, these housing costs consume less than 15% of typical household earnings, leaving more for other expenses.

Remote workers, consider Donley

If you're relocating to Texas with portable income, Donley County offers unbeatable housing affordability and a quiet rural setting. Compare these rents and home prices to booming Austin or Dallas to see how much your dollars stretch.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Donley County

via IncomeByCounty

Donley trails national income benchmark

Donley County's median household income of $56,648 falls about $18,100 short of the national median of $74,755. This 24% gap suggests residents here earn considerably less than typical American households, reflecting the county's rural character and limited job diversity.

Below-average earner among Texas counties

At $56,648, Donley's median household income ranks below Texas's state average of $64,737 by roughly $8,100. The county's per capita income of $27,623 also lags the state average of $33,197, indicating less wealth spread across the population.

Mid-pack in the Texas Panhandle region

Donley County's income profile sits between struggling rural counties and stronger performers in its region. Ellis County nearby earns $95,898 median household income—69% higher—while Edwards County manages just $38,500, showing significant variation across the Panhandle.

Rent remains manageable, homes affordable

With a rent-to-income ratio of 14.5%, Donley residents spend a reasonable share of earnings on housing—well below the national 30% concern threshold. Median home values of $90,500 are also accessible relative to local incomes, supporting homeownership.

Build stability through long-term planning

Donley County's modest but stable incomes create an opportunity to prioritize savings and investment discipline. Consider working with a financial advisor to develop a diversified portfolio and retirement strategy that compounds wealth over decades, even on rural wages.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Donley County

via HealthByCounty

Donley's life expectancy lags nation

Donley County residents live to 73.3 years on average, about 2 years less than the U.S. average of 75.4 years. One in five residents (20.8%) report poor or fair health, slightly above the national poor/fair health rate of 19.5%.

Below average across Texas

Donley County ranks below the Texas average for life expectancy at 73.3 years compared to the state's 74.3 years. The county's uninsured rate of 21.5% exceeds Texas's 19.8% average, leaving more residents without coverage.

Comparable to rural Texas peers

Donley's 73.3-year life expectancy aligns with other rural panhandle counties facing similar healthcare access challenges. Its 20.8% poor/fair health rate falls between nearby Eastland County (22.1%) and Erath County (21.2%).

Rural healthcare access unclear

Donley County reports a 21.5% uninsured rate, meaning roughly one in five residents lack health coverage. Data on primary care and mental health provider availability is currently unavailable, making it difficult to assess local access to specialists.

Check your insurance options now

With over one in five Donley County residents uninsured, exploring coverage options through the Texas Health Insurance Marketplace or local community health centers could improve access to preventive care. Residents earning below 200% of poverty level may qualify for Medicaid expansion or subsidized plans.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Donley County

via RiskByCounty

Donley County's Risk Profile

Donley County scores 26.62 on the national composite risk scale, placing it in the Very Low category—well below the typical U.S. county average. This means residents face significantly lower exposure to major natural disasters compared to the nation as a whole. The county's manageable risk profile makes it one of the safer areas for natural hazard planning.

Among the Safest in Texas

With a composite risk score of 26.62, Donley County ranks as one of the lowest-risk counties in Texas, where the state average sits at 49.00. This substantial 46% gap below the state mean reflects the county's relative protection from the major hazard types that threaten other Texas communities. Donley residents enjoy significantly lower overall natural disaster exposure than most Texans.

Safer Than Regional Peers

Donley County's 26.62 score is substantially lower than neighboring Eastland County (41.16) and Erath County (75.00), making it the safest in its immediate region. Even Edwards County, another low-risk area in West Texas, scores only slightly lower at 5.73. Donley's position reflects its geographic isolation from the state's most hazard-prone corridors.

Wildfire and Tornado Watch

Wildfire risk dominates Donley County's hazard profile at 84.51—the county's single greatest exposure despite its overall low composite score. Tornado risk ranks second at 40.24, reflecting the Panhandle's exposure to severe spring and summer storms. Both hazards require targeted preparedness even in this generally low-risk county.

Essential Coverage for Donley Residents

While Donley County's overall risk is low, wildfire insurance and comprehensive storm coverage are critical given those specific hazard scores. Standard homeowners policies often exclude wildfire damage, so review your coverage or purchase supplemental protection. Talk to your agent about tornado and hail riders to close gaps in your protection.

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.