countyscore
40
County Score
Disaster Risk 94.3Cost of Living 88.3Schools 48.5

County Report Card

About Edwards County, Texas

Trailing the National Median

Edwards County earns a composite score of 40.0, sitting 10 points behind the national median of 50.0. Its remote nature impacts several of its key livability metrics.

On Par with Texas

The county’s score of 40.0 is just below the Texas state average of 41.9. It represents a typical rural profile found in the state’s high plains and hill country.

Safety from Natural Risk

An exceptional risk score of 94.3 makes this one of the safest places in the state regarding natural disasters. Affordability is also high, with a median home value of just $78,300.

Extreme Infrastructure Scarcity

With a water score of 0.1 and a health score of 1.0, the county lacks modern service access. Median household incomes are also quite low, sitting at $38,500.

Ideal for Off-Grid Living

Edwards is the perfect destination for individuals seeking total isolation and protection from natural risks. It suits those who value cheap land and a self-sufficient, rugged lifestyle.

2040608010034.488.324.4148.52.294.30.132.9Tax34.4Cost88.3Safety24.4Health1Schools48.5Income2.2Risk94.3Water0.1Weather32.940/100
This county
National avg
2 above average6 below average

Edwards County DNA

Foverall

How Edwards County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Edwards County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (94.3/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (0.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
34.4-17.6
Cost
88.3+40.3
Safety
24.4-30.6
Health
1-49
Schools
48.5
Income
2.2-48.8
Risk
94.3+47.3
Water
0.1-57.9
Weather
32.9-23.1
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Many homeowners in Edwards County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$78,300

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$714/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$78,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$28,560/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $38,500/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

143.7

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Deep Dives

Edwards County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Edwards County

via TaxByCounty

Edwards ranks among America's lowest

Edwards County's effective tax rate of 1.051% represents the lowest in Texas and ranks exceptionally low nationally, with a median property tax of just $823—roughly 31% of the national median of $2,690. Few Americans enjoy a lighter property tax burden than Edwards County residents.

Lowest-taxing county in Texas

Edwards County claims the title of Texas's lowest effective tax rate at 1.051%, significantly undercutting the state average of 1.276%. With a median property tax of $823, Edwards residents pay less than 38% of the statewide median.

Southwest Texas tax champion

Edwards County's 1.051% rate beats every neighboring county in the Southwest Texas region, with only Duval County (1.077%) coming close statewide. This exceptional advantage reflects smaller school districts and a lean government structure.

Lowest annual bill in the state

On a median home value of $78,300, typical Edwards County homeowners pay just $823 per year in property taxes. Limited mortgage-tax data is available for Edwards, but the base tax bill represents extraordinary savings compared to statewide norms.

Even Edwards homeowners should verify values

Even in Texas's lowest-tax county, appraisal errors can inflate your bill needlessly. Contact Edwards County's appraisal district to confirm your property valuation aligns with current market conditions and file a protest if it appears overstated.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Edwards County

via CostByCounty

Edwards County faces affordability crisis

Renters in Edwards County spend 22.3% of their income on housing—one of the highest burdens in this analysis—while earning just $38,500 against the national median of $74,755. This represents one of the most strained housing situations among Texas rural counties.

Toughest housing burden in state

Edwards County's 22.3% rent-to-income ratio significantly exceeds Texas's 18.1% state average, making it among the least affordable counties statewide. The combination of low incomes and fixed housing costs creates a genuine affordability crisis.

Lowest income, high burden

Edwards County's $38,500 median income is the lowest in this comparison, while its 22.3% housing burden is among the highest. Neighboring Duval ($50,081) and Donley ($56,648) counties offer significantly better income stability.

Rents consume critical income share

Renters pay $714/month and homeowners pay $517/month against just $38,500 annual income, consuming 22% of household earnings on housing alone. This leaves limited resources for food, healthcare, and transportation.

Consider relocation for better prospects

Edwards County offers genuinely cheap housing ($714 rent, $78,300 home values), but residents should explore whether relocating to higher-wage counties might improve overall financial security. This county works best for retirees with fixed incomes or remote workers earning outside the local economy.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Edwards County

via IncomeByCounty

Edwards faces severe national income gap

Edwards County's median household income of $38,500 ranks among America's lowest, trailing the U.S. median of $74,755 by nearly $36,300—a staggering 49% gap. This deep shortfall reflects Edwards's rural isolation and very limited economic infrastructure.

Lowest-income county in Texas grouping

Edwards County's $38,500 median household income is the weakest among all eight Texas counties analyzed, falling $26,237 short of the state average of $64,737. Per capita income of $25,240 also ranks last, indicating minimal earning capacity across the population.

Stark contrast to regional income peers

Edwards County's $38,500 median income represents a dramatic 50% shortfall compared to higher-earning neighbors like Ector County ($71,031). Even struggling Duval County ($50,081) earns $11,600 more, highlighting Edwards's position as one of Texas's most economically disadvantaged rural counties.

Housing costs consume unusual income share

Edwards's rent-to-income ratio of 22.3% is the highest in this county group, meaning housing costs squeeze household budgets heavily relative to earnings. Although median home values of $78,300 appear affordable, the combination of very low incomes and high housing burden creates acute financial stress.

Seek training and regional opportunity

Edwards County residents face structural economic challenges requiring focused strategies to increase earnings; explore federal and state workforce development programs targeting rural poverty. Even modest skills training in high-demand fields can significantly boost income potential and create pathways to financial stability.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Edwards County

via CrimeByCounty

Edwards County Below National Crime Trends

The county reports 1,884.0 crimes per 100K, which is lower than the national figure of 2,385.5. This translates to a safety score of 97.0 out of 100.

Local Safety Outshines the Texas Average

A safety score of 97.0 puts Edwards County ahead of the state average of 96.8. Data from two reporting agencies suggests a manageable law enforcement environment for residents.

Regional Comparisons Reveal a Safer Profile

Edwards County's crime rate of 1,884.0 per 100K is lower than Ector County's rate of 2,040.7. It offers a quieter alternative to the busier neighboring regions.

Property Crime Constitutes the Bulk of Activity

Property crime stands at 1,521.7 per 100K, compared to 362.3 for violent crime. The violent crime rate is slightly lower than the national average of 369.8.

Stay Proactive About Your Home Security

Because property crimes are the main concern, residents should audit their home's vulnerabilities. Simple locks and visible security signs are effective local deterrents.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Edwards County

via SchoolsByCounty

Essential Education in the Hill Country

Edwards County maintains a minimal but vital school presence with only two public schools serving 341 students. These facilities are managed by a single district, focusing on a unified K-12 experience.

High Investment in Student Success

The county spends $8,730 per pupil, which is more than $1,200 above the Texas state average. However, the graduation rate of 84.3% currently sits just below the national average of 87.0%.

Rocksprings ISD Anchor

Rocksprings ISD is the sole district based in the county, managing the Rocksprings K-12 campus which houses 237 students. The county also sees students attending Nueces Canyon JH/HS, which serves 104 students.

The Ultimate Rural School Experience

Both schools are classified as rural, reflecting the county's sparse population and expansive landscape. With an average school size of 171, students here benefit from familiar faces throughout their entire academic career.

Quiet Living in Rocksprings

For those seeking a remote lifestyle with high per-pupil investment, Edwards County offers a unique alternative to urban schooling. Homes in the Rocksprings area provide immediate access to the county's centralized campus.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Edwards County

via RiskByCounty

Edwards County: Texas's Safest

Edwards County scores just 5.73 on the national composite risk scale, placing it in the Very Low category and among the safest counties in America. This exceptionally low exposure reflects Edwards's isolation from major seismic zones, flood plains, tornado corridors, and coastal hazards. Residents enjoy natural disaster risk levels that are roughly 90% below the national average.

Texas's Lowest-Risk County

At 5.73, Edwards County ranks as the safest county in Texas, sitting 88% below the state average of 49.00. No other Texas county comes close to matching Edwards's exceptionally low composite risk score across all natural disaster categories. This makes Edwards a statistical outlier in terms of overall hazard exposure.

Dramatically Safer Than Regional Peers

Edwards County's 5.73 is a fraction of every nearby county's score: Duval (54.42), Ector (82.82), and Erath (75.00) all carry exponentially higher risk. Even the relatively safe Donley County (26.62) scores nearly five times higher than Edwards. This dramatic difference reflects Edwards's protected location in remote South-Central Texas.

Wildfire and Hurricane Concerns

While Edwards County's overall risk is extraordinarily low, wildfire risk at 74.49 and hurricane risk at 45.22 represent the county's only elevated individual hazard scores. Flood risk (17.84) and tornado risk (13.68) remain manageable, while earthquake exposure (5.03) is negligible. Even these "higher" scores reflect relative values within an exceptionally safe county.

Minimal But Smart Precautions

Edwards County residents face such low overall risk that standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection for most scenarios. However, adding wildfire coverage is prudent given that hazard's 74.49 score, particularly during dry season months. Annual policy review remains a best practice even in Texas's safest county.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Edwards County

via WaterByCounty

Extreme Violation Rates in Edwards

Edwards County receives a Grade F with a staggering 7,818.4 health violations per 100,000 residents. This rate is over 13 times higher than the Texas state average of 581.9.

Surface Water Assessments Pending

Watersheds in Edwards County have not yet been assessed under the federal Clean Water Act. No impairment data exists for local water bodies in the current reporting cycle.

Minimal Monitoring Footprint Detected

The county has only 1 active monitoring site with just 20 measurements recorded in the last five years. Most of these few readings track physical properties and nutrients.

Nueces River Flows Above Average

The Nueces River near Barksdale currently flows at 64 cfs, which is 174% of its long-term mean. This significantly higher-than-typical flow indicates robust surface water movement.

Urgent Need for Water Testing

The exceptionally high violation rate makes professional water testing essential for residents. High streamflow can also increase turbidity, so ensure filtration systems are functioning correctly.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Edwards County

via WeatherByCounty

A warm Plateau climate

Edwards County averages 66.0°F annually, placing it among the warmer regions in the United States. Its annual precipitation of 26.5 inches is lower than the national average, creating a relatively dry landscape.

Warmer than the Texas average

The county’s average temperature of 66.0°F is slightly warmer than the Texas state average of 65.5°F. It remains drier than the state as a whole, receiving 26.5 inches of rain compared to the statewide average of 31.9 inches.

Hotter and drier than Eastland

Edwards County is notably warmer than Eastland County, with an annual average of 66.0°F compared to 63.8°F. It also sees less rain, recording 26.5 inches annually against Eastland’s 30.2 inches.

Intense heat and negligible snow

Summer heat is persistent with 95 days reaching 90°F or higher and a July average of 81.9°F. Winter is very mild with a January average of 48.0°F and an almost non-existent 0.3 inches of annual snow.

Focus on summer cooling

With 95 days of extreme heat and a high winter average of 48.0°F, residents can prioritize cooling over heating infrastructure. The minimal 0.3 inches of snow means winter road equipment is rarely a necessity.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Edwards County

via SoilByCounty

Rugged Terrain of the Edwards Plateau

Edwards County features rocky, rugged terrain where official soil taxonomic data is currently limited. The region serves as a transition zone between the Edwards Plateau and the Rio Grande Plain.

Rocky Structure Influences Land Use

No specific data exists for the sand, silt, or clay percentages in this county. The limestone-heavy nature of the terrain often dictates the workability and placement of the land.

Fertility Management in Thin Soils

Organic matter and water capacity figures are unavailable compared to the state average of 1.66%. Improving thin soils with compost and mulch is a common and necessary practice for local growers.

Observing Natural Water Flow

Drainage and hydrologic group classifications are not officially recorded for this county. Landowners should carefully observe local runoff patterns, especially given the steep and hilly topography.

Native Beauty in Zone 8b

Situated in hardiness zone 8b, the area is well-suited for drought-resistant native plants and some fruit trees. Courageous gardeners find success by working with the natural limestone landscape.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Edwards County

via LawnByCounty

Challenging Conditions in Edwards

Edwards County sits at a 14.5 lawn difficulty score, making it significantly tougher than the state average of 31.7. This Zone 8b environment demands resilient grass species that can survive long periods of moisture stress.

High Evaporation and Heat

Annual precipitation of 26.5 inches falls short of the ideal range, especially with 95 days exceeding 90°F. The 6,296 growing degree days indicate a long, warm season where water management becomes a daily priority.

Preparing Your Soil Foundation

Local soil data is currently limited, so homeowners should prioritize a local soil test to determine pH and nutrient needs. Without specific clay or sand metrics, observing how your yard drains after a heavy rain is the best way to gauge soil health.

A Full Year of Drought

The county has endured 53 weeks of drought over the last year, with nearly 100% of the area currently abnormally dry. To save water, mow at higher settings to shade the soil and reduce moisture loss from the root zone.

Seizing the Growing Season

Warm-season grasses like Bermudagrass are best suited for the 95 days of heat found in Zone 8b. With the last frost typically occurring by March 8, you have a wide window to establish a lawn before the summer peak.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Edwards County's county score?
Edwards County, Texas has a composite county score of 40 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 Edwards County rank among counties in Texas?
Edwards County ranks #142 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 Edwards County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Edwards County is $823, with an effective tax rate of 1.05%. This earns Edwards County a tax score of 34.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Edwards County?
The median household income in Edwards County, Texas is $38,500 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Edwards County earns an income score of 2.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Edwards County, Texas a good place to live?
Edwards County scores 40/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #142 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Edwards 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 Edwards County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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