Eastland County

Texas · TX

#86 in Texas
64.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Eastland County, Texas

Eastland Outperforms National Baseline

Eastland County's composite score of 70.1 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 40%, demonstrating solid livability fundamentals. The county shows particular strength in housing cost efficiency and tax management.

Solid Performer Above Texas Average

Eastland County scores 70.1, surpassing Texas's state average of 66.8 and placing it in the upper range of Texas livability. This consistent outperformance reflects a well-balanced community profile.

Affordability Remains Core Strength

The county delivers strong housing value with a cost score of 84.4, median home values of $121,700, and median rent at $803 per month. A tax score of 68.7 and effective tax rate of 1.192% provide reasonable tax efficiency for residents.

Income Potential Leaves Room for Growth

An income score of 17.2 reflects a median household income of $51,741, suggesting limited high-wage employment opportunities. Safety, health, school quality, and environmental data remain unavailable, limiting a comprehensive livability assessment.

Matches Lower-Income, Cost-Conscious Families

Eastland County appeals to families and retirees seeking affordable housing and reasonable tax burdens in a Texas community. The county provides solid financial stability for those prioritizing housing affordability over maximum earning potential.

Score breakdown

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

Tax68.7Cost84.4SafetyComing SoonHealth52.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.2Risk58.9WaterComing Soon
🏛68.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠84.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼17.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
52.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
58.9
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

Eastland County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Eastland County

via TaxByCounty

Eastland's rate slightly above national norm

Eastland County's effective tax rate of 1.192% sits modestly above the national median, with a median property tax of $1,451—roughly 54% of the national median of $2,690. On smaller home values, this rate translates to a moderate overall burden for residents.

Mid-range tax burden for Texas

Eastland County's 1.192% effective rate slightly undercuts the Texas statewide average of 1.276%, placing it in the middle ranks of the state's 254 counties. Residents pay $1,451 in median property tax, roughly 66% of the state average.

Slightly higher than nearby Panhandle counties

Eastland's 1.192% rate exceeds both Donley County (1.126%) and Edwards County (1.051%), though remains competitive regionally. Its median tax of $1,451 reflects a larger median home value than some neighboring counties.

Median home tax runs $1,451 yearly

With a median home value of $121,700, typical Eastland County homeowners pay approximately $1,451 per year in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages may see this rise to around $2,137 when school and other local taxes apply.

Challenge overvalued assessments annually

Texas law allows homeowners to protest their property values each year—and studies show many appraisers overestimate values. File an appeal with Eastland County's appraisal district if you believe your home's assessed value exceeds its true market worth.

Cost of Living in Eastland County

via CostByCounty

Eastland housing costs strain incomes

Renters in Eastland County dedicate 18.6% of their income to housing—higher than the national median of roughly 28% relative to income—while earning $51,741 versus the nation's $74,755. This creates tighter housing affordability despite modest absolute rents.

Slightly above Texas average burden

At 18.6%, Eastland County's rent-to-income ratio edges above Texas's 18.1% state average, placing it in the middle-to-difficult range statewide. The $803 monthly rent exceeds the state median of $963, compressing affordability further.

Higher rents, higher home values

Eastland County's $803 rent sits between Duval ($737) and Erath ($1,134), while its median home value of $121,700 is notably higher than surrounding rural counties. This positions it as the costlier option in its immediate region.

Owner costs exceed rental burden

Renters spend $803/month while homeowners pay $632/month against the $51,741 median income, consuming roughly 19% of household earnings. Homeownership here requires a higher absolute investment but offers slightly better affordability than renting.

Buyers get better deals than renters

If you're eyeing rural Texas, Eastland County rewards home buyers with median values of $121,700—a strong entry point for wealth-building. Renters, however, may find more affordable options in neighboring Donley or Duval counties.

Income & Jobs in Eastland County

via IncomeByCounty

Eastland trails national income by 31%

Eastland County's median household income of $51,741 lags the U.S. median of $74,755 by roughly $23,000. This 31% gap places Eastland in the lower-income bracket nationally, though the county benefits from relatively affordable housing.

Below Texas average but stronger per capita

Eastland's $51,741 median household income falls short of Texas's state average of $64,737 by about $12,996. However, the county's per capita income of $31,650 ranks above the state average of $33,197, suggesting more even income distribution across residents.

Mid-range income in central Texas cluster

Eastland County positions itself between lower-income Duval ($50,081) and higher-earning Erath County ($65,351) in its region. The county's peer group shows diverse economic profiles, with oil, ranching, and small manufacturing supporting variable household earnings.

Housing costs elevated for income level

Eastland's rent-to-income ratio of 18.6% indicates housing consumes a notable share of household earnings, more than in stronger-income counties. Median home values of $121,700 are higher than incomes might typically support, reflecting limited inventory and regional demand.

Leverage land and local assets wisely

Eastland County's strong per capita income suggests concentrated wealth among some households; diversify your investments beyond real estate and local business. Consider tax-advantaged retirement accounts and index funds to build generational wealth alongside traditional ranching or property holdings.

Health in Eastland County

via HealthByCounty

Eastland trails national life expectancy

Eastland County residents live to 72.0 years on average, about 3.4 years below the U.S. average of 75.4 years. One in five residents (22.1%) report poor or fair health, slightly above the national average of 19.5%.

Below Texas average but improving

At 72.0 years, Eastland's life expectancy falls 2.3 years below Texas's 74.3-year average, though its uninsured rate of 20.2% is close to the state's 19.8%. The county sits in the lower-middle range of this group of eight counties.

Mixed outcomes among similar counties

Eastland's 72.0-year life expectancy is lower than neighboring Erath County (76.8 years) but higher than Duval County (70.3 years). Its 22.1% poor/fair health rate resembles Donley County (20.8%) but exceeds Ellis County (18.8%).

Solid provider access in rural area

Eastland County offers 22 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 55 mental health providers per 100,000, giving it moderate healthcare infrastructure for a rural county. The 20.2% uninsured rate means one in five residents still lacks regular access to preventive care.

Strengthening coverage strengthens health

With providers available locally, uninsured Eastland County residents should prioritize enrolling in coverage to maximize these existing resources. Texas Health Insurance Marketplace plans and community health center sliding-scale fees can make preventive care affordable for uninsured families.

Disaster Risk in Eastland County

via RiskByCounty

Eastland County: Below-Average Risk

Eastland County scores 41.16 on the national composite risk scale, placing it in the Very Low category and below the typical U.S. county average. Despite moderately elevated exposure to wildfire and tornado hazards, the county remains safer than most American communities when all hazard types are weighted together. This favorable standing reflects the county's distance from major seismic, hurricane, and flood-prone zones.

Below Texas Average, Moderate Hazards

Eastland County's 41.16 score falls 16% below Texas's state average of 49.00, placing it in the safer half of Texas counties. Despite this favorable overall ranking, the county experiences notably elevated wildfire (88.07) and tornado (65.27) risks that demand local preparedness attention. The county's composite score masks these significant regional hazards behind lower earthquake and flood exposure.

Safer Than Nearby Erath County

Eastland County's 41.16 is meaningfully lower than neighboring Erath County's 75.00, making it substantially less risky for residents in this North Central Texas region. It ranks higher than the extremely safe Edwards County (5.73) and well below the heavily exposed Ector County (82.82). This variation reflects Erath's elevation of wildfire and tornado risk to dangerous levels.

Wildfire and Tornado Dominance

Wildfire risk tops Eastland County at 88.07, making it one of the county's most critical hazards despite overall low composite scores. Tornado risk follows closely at 65.27, reflecting the county's exposure to severe spring and early summer storms. Flood risk at 43.16 adds a tertiary concern during heavy rainfall events.

Wildfire and Tornado Coverage Priority

Eastland County residents should prioritize wildfire insurance as a first line of defense, as standard homeowners policies typically exclude or severely limit brush fire coverage. Tornado and hail riders are equally essential given the county's 65% tornado risk score. Work with your insurance agent to ensure your policy covers both wind damage and wildfires specific to Texas grassland and brush environments.

ByCounty Network

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