CountyScore

Ector County

Texas · TX

#223 in Texas
55.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Ector County, Texas

Ector Outperforms National Average

With a composite score of 63.7, Ector County exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 27%, indicating above-average livability nationwide. However, it trails the Texas state average of 66.8, suggesting different challenges than peer counties.

Below Texas Average Despite Income Strength

Ector County scores 63.7, falling 3.1 points below the Texas state average of 66.8, placing it in the middle tier of Texas counties. This underperformance relative to state peers is notable given the county's income advantages.

Income Outpaces Regional and State Peers

Ector County's income score of 29.8 reflects a median household income of $71,031—significantly higher than comparable Texas counties. This income strength provides households with greater purchasing power and economic opportunity.

Housing Costs and Taxes Offset Income Gains

Despite strong income, the cost score of 70.3 reflects median home values of $190,500 and median rent of $1,284 per month, creating housing affordability challenges. An effective tax rate of 1.280% ranks higher than peer counties, reducing net financial advantage. Safety, health, school, and environmental data remain unavailable.

Suits Higher-Income, Cost-Tolerant Families

Ector County works best for households with above-average incomes who can absorb higher housing costs and taxes. If your family has solid earning power and values the income opportunities the county offers, livability remains competitive despite higher cost-of-living burdens.

Score breakdown

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

Tax66.3Cost70.3SafetyComing SoonHealth48SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.8Risk17.2WaterComing Soon
🏛66.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠70.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤48
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡17.2
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 Ector County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Napa County
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Naugatuck Valley Planning Region
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Median income: $86,365
Peoria County
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Median income: $64,938

Deep Dives

Ector County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Ector County

via TaxByCounty

Ector's rate slightly above the nation's

Ector County's effective tax rate of 1.280% mirrors the national median, with a median property tax of $2,438 running 91% of the national median of $2,690. On higher home values, this pushes Ector's absolute tax burden closer to national averages.

Ector slightly exceeds Texas average

At 1.280%, Ector County's rate runs marginally above Texas's 1.276% statewide average, placing it squarely in the middle band of the state's 254 counties. The median property tax of $2,438 falls slightly above the state average of $2,193.

Higher taxes reflect Midland Basin prosperity

Ector County's 1.280% rate and $2,438 median tax both exceed most West Texas peers, reflecting higher property values driven by oil-and-gas industry activity. The county's median home value of $190,500 supports more robust school and infrastructure funding than surrounding rural areas.

Expect to pay roughly $2,438 annually

On a median home value of $190,500, typical Ector County homeowners pay approximately $2,438 per year in property taxes. Those with mortgages typically see this climb to around $3,192 when school district taxes are included.

Review your assessment for accuracy

Ector County homeowners benefit from strong property markets but should verify their assessed values remain fair and current. Contact Ector County's appraisal district to request a free comparison analysis or file a protest if recent market activity suggests your home is overvalued.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Ector County

via CostByCounty

Ector's housing costs outpace income

Renters in Ector County spend 21.7% of their income on rent—well above the national median—despite a respectable $71,031 household income, nearly matching the national median of $74,755. High costs in this oil-boom county stretch even comfortable paychecks.

Among Texas's priciest housing markets

Ector County's 21.7% rent-to-income ratio ranks significantly above Texas's 18.1% state average, and its $1,284 monthly rent exceeds the state median of $963 by 33%. This county sits among the costlier places to live in Texas.

West Texas premium for proximity

Ector County's $1,284 rent dwarfs rural neighbors like Donley ($686) and Duval ($737), reflecting its Permian Basin location and energy-sector economy. Median home values of $190,500 are triple those of neighboring rural counties.

Significant housing expense for all

Renters spend $1,284/month and homeowners pay $961/month against the $71,031 income, consuming roughly 22% of earnings on housing. Both renters and buyers face substantial monthly obligations that limit savings elsewhere.

Best for oil-economy workers

Ector County's high costs align with oil and gas wages in the Permian Basin—move here if your industry-specific salary justifies the expense. Job seekers from lower-wage fields may find Texas's rural counties offer better overall value.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Ector County

via IncomeByCounty

Ector earns near the national average

Ector County's median household income of $71,031 sits just $3,724 below the U.S. median of $74,755, performing nearly on par with the nation overall. Strong oil industry presence fuels these above-average earnings in the Permian Basin.

Top earner in Texas comparison group

At $71,031, Ector County's median household income exceeds the Texas state average of $64,737 by approximately $6,294. The county's per capita income of $34,459 also surpasses the state average of $33,197, reflecting robust oil and gas employment.

Clear income leader in West Texas

Ector County significantly outearns most peers in its region; El Paso County reaches $58,859 and Donley County $56,648—both well below Ector's $71,031. The county's oil economy creates a clear income advantage relative to agricultural and smaller manufacturing neighbors.

Housing costs rise with booming incomes

Ector's rent-to-income ratio of 21.7% is the highest in this peer group, reflecting surging home values tied to oil wealth; median homes cost $190,500. The elevated ratio signals housing supply constraints and rapidly rising costs outpacing even above-average salaries.

Protect wealth from commodity volatility

Ector County residents enjoy strong incomes from oil and gas, but commodity cycles create boom-and-bust risk; prioritize diversified investment and emergency savings. Build wealth beyond energy sector exposure through real estate, equities, and retirement accounts to cushion against future price downturns.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Ector County

via HealthByCounty

Ector below national health benchmarks

Ector County's life expectancy of 71.5 years is nearly 4 years below the U.S. average of 75.4 years. One in four residents (25.5%) report poor or fair health, exceeding the national average of 19.5%.

Middle-range health outcomes in Texas

Ector County's 71.5-year life expectancy falls 2.8 years below the state average of 74.3 years, while its 21.8% uninsured rate exceeds Texas's 19.8% average. The county ranks lower-middle among these eight Texas counties.

Strongest provider network in comparison

Ector County offers 57 primary care providers and 57 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, matching or exceeding most rural peers in this analysis. Despite robust provider availability, outcomes remain below neighboring Erath County (76.8 years) and Ellis County (76.8 years).

Access exists but coverage gaps remain

Ector County provides strong healthcare infrastructure with 57 per 100K primary care providers and equal mental health capacity, yet 21.8% of residents lack insurance coverage. This gap suggests barriers beyond provider availability—affordability, transportation, or awareness—may limit care utilization.

Local providers await your coverage

Ector County residents have excellent local provider networks ready to serve, but only if insured; 21.8% without coverage are missing out on preventive care. Explore Texas Health Insurance Marketplace options, Medicaid eligibility, or employer plans to connect with these available providers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Ector County

via RiskByCounty

Ector County's Elevated Risk Profile

Ector County scores 82.82 on the national composite risk scale, earning a Relatively Moderate rating and placing it well above the U.S. average. This substantial elevation reflects Ector's multi-hazard exposure across flooding, wildfire, tornado, and earthquake risks. Residents face significantly greater natural disaster exposure than most American counties and must prepare accordingly.

Among Texas's Highest-Risk Counties

At 82.82, Ector County exceeds Texas's state average of 49.00 by 69%, ranking among the state's most hazard-exposed counties. Only a handful of Texas counties surpass Ector's composite risk score, placing residents in the upper tier of statewide natural disaster vulnerability. This exceptional elevation demands robust insurance and emergency preparedness investments.

Far Riskier Than West Texas Peers

Ector County's 82.82 dramatically exceeds Edwards County (5.73) and Donley County (26.62), making it exponentially more risky than neighboring West Texas communities. Even Ellis County (81.62), another high-risk area, scores nearly identically to Ector. This concentration of hazard exposure makes Ector one of Texas's most multi-hazard-vulnerable regions.

Flood, Wildfire, and Tornado Convergence

Ector County faces an exceptional convergence of hazards, with flood risk at 81.71, wildfire risk at 88.33, and tornado risk at 82.41 all in the high range. Earthquake risk at 41.03 adds significant seismic exposure relative to most Texas counties. This multi-hazard profile demands comprehensive insurance coverage across all major disaster types.

Comprehensive Multi-Hazard Coverage Required

Ector County residents must secure separate coverage for flood (standard policies exclude it) and wildfire, as these exposures are exceptionally high and cannot be ignored. Add tornado/hail riders and consider earthquake insurance given the county's substantial seismic exposure at 41.03. Review coverage annually with an insurance professional familiar with Ector's specific multi-hazard environment.

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.