countyscore
30.8
County Score
Income & Jobs 94.6Water Quality 64.2Schools 49.9

County Report Card

About Ellis County, Texas

Competing with National Averages

Ellis County records a composite score of 30.8, which is lower than the 50.0 national median. High costs of living are the primary reason for this national discrepancy.

Below the Texas Average

Despite its high wealth, the county sits below the state average of 41.9. It is a more expensive and higher-tax alternative compared to the rest of Texas.

Elite Incomes and Utilities

The income score is a stellar 94.2, backed by a median household income of $95,898. Water infrastructure is also a strength, earning a score of 64.2.

Very High Cost of Entry

A cost score of 7.3 highlights the area's high prices, with median home values reaching $306,400. The tax score of 14.9 also reflects a significant property tax burden.

Tailored for High-Earning Professionals

Ellis is perfect for affluent professionals working in the DFW area who want a high-income community. It suits those who prioritize household wealth over general affordability.

2040608010016.7624.14349.994.618.464.233.2Tax16.7Cost6Safety24.1Health43Schools49.9Income94.6Risk18.4Water64.2Weather33.230.8/100
This county
National avg
1 above average5 below average

Ellis County DNA

Foverall

How Ellis County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Ellis County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Cost of Living (6/100), though Income (94.6/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
16.7-35.3
Cost
6-42
Safety
24.1-30.9
Health
43
Schools
49.9
Income
94.6+43.599999999999994
Risk
18.4-28.6
Water
64.2
Weather
33.2-22.799999999999997
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Ellis County

Whether buying or refinancing in Ellis County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

See Today's Rates

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$348,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,594/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$348,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$63,760/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $99,595/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

18.1

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
Compare Ellis County with DeSoto County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

DeSoto County
Florida
Median income: $54,417
30.9
Kalamazoo County
Michigan
Median income: $72,532
30.9
Muskogee County
Oklahoma
Median income: $53,619
30.9
Carter County
Oklahoma
Median income: $60,723
30.7
Peoria County
Illinois
Median income: $65,108
30.6
Genesee County
Michigan
Median income: $62,281
31
Halifax County
North Carolina
Median income: $45,590
31
Lane County
Oregon
Median income: $71,544
31

Nearby counties

Kaufman County
Texas
29.1
Dallas County
Texas
26.3
Navarro County
Texas
31.3
Johnson County
Texas
32.5
Tarrant County
Texas
31.7
Hill County
Texas
38.7
Rockwall County
Texas
41.5
Henderson County
Texas
37.6

Deep Dives

Ellis County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Ellis County

via TaxByCounty

Ellis taxes rank above national average

Ellis County's effective tax rate of 1.460% sits well above the national median, with a median property tax of $4,472 exceeding the national median of $2,690 by 66%. The county's higher home values and robust suburban school systems drive this premium tax burden.

Among Texas's highest-taxing counties

Ellis County's 1.460% effective rate significantly outpaces the Texas state average of 1.276%, placing it in the top tier of the state's 254 counties. The median property tax of $4,472 runs more than double the state median of $2,193.

Steepest taxes in North-Central Texas

Ellis County's 1.460% rate and $4,472 median tax substantially exceed surrounding counties, reflecting its position as a Dallas-Fort Worth suburb with excellent schools. Erath County, its closest neighbor, averages 1.126% and $2,836 in median tax.

Expect $4,472 annually on median home

With a median home value of $306,400—the highest among these eight counties—typical Ellis County homeowners pay approximately $4,472 per year in property taxes. Those with mortgages often pay around $5,264 when combining school, county, and municipal levies.

Protect yourself with annual valuations

Ellis County's booming real-estate market creates risk of inflated assessments; appraisers sometimes lag market reality. File a property tax protest annually with the Ellis County appraisal district, supported by recent comparable sales, to ensure your bill stays aligned with true market value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Ellis County

via IncomeByCounty

Ellis ranks well above national income

Ellis County's median household income of $95,898 significantly exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by roughly $21,100—a 28% advantage. This places Ellis among the nation's stronger-earning counties, driven by Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan proximity and growing professional employment.

Texas's highest earner in this group

Ellis County's $95,898 median household income towers over Texas's state average of $64,737, by approximately $31,161. The county's per capita income of $39,646 also far exceeds the state average of $33,197, reflecting a prosperous suburban-exurban economy.

Clear income leader among all peers

Ellis County's $95,898 median income ranks 35% to 59% higher than all seven other counties analyzed—Erath County ($65,351) is the closest competitor. The county's growth as a Dallas-Fort Worth bedroom community has attracted higher-income households and corporate relocation.

Incomes support higher home values

Ellis's rent-to-income ratio of 18.1% remains reasonable even as median home values have surged to $306,400. The county's strong incomes allow residents to afford rising housing costs, though property appreciation has outpaced wage growth in recent years.

Maximize wealth through strategic investing

Ellis County's above-average incomes create opportunity to aggressively fund retirement accounts, college savings, and diversified portfolios. Consider working with a wealth advisor to optimize tax strategy, real estate holdings, and investment allocation as property values and incomes continue to appreciate.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Ellis County

via CrimeByCounty

Ellis County Stays Safer Than National Averages

The total crime rate of 1,907.8 per 100K is well below the national mark of 2,385.5. The county maintains a solid safety score of 97.0.

Safety Levels Surpass the Texas State Average

Ellis County’s score of 97.0 is higher than the state average of 96.8. Nineteen agencies report data here, ensuring one of the most transparent safety profiles in the region.

Crime Rates Competitive With Regional Neighbors

The total rate of 1,907.8 is lower than the Texas average of 2,052.5. However, it is higher than Erath County’s lower rate of 1,018.9 per 100K.

Violent Crime is Notably Low in Ellis

The violent crime rate of 201.5 per 100K is nearly half the national average of 369.8. Property crime is more frequent at 1,706.3 per 100K, reflecting suburban trends.

Secure Your Property to Stay Safe

With property crime being the primary focus, residents should ensure garages and sheds are locked. Automated lighting can help reduce the risk of nighttime theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Ellis County

via WeatherByCounty

Subtropical heat and high humidity

Ellis County averages 65.7°F annually, which is significantly warmer than the national median. With 40.5 inches of annual rainfall, it is much wetter than the national average, creating a humid subtropical environment.

Wetter and warmer than average

The county is slightly warmer than the Texas average of 65.5°F and significantly wetter than the state average of 31.9 inches. This 40.5-inch annual rainfall makes it one of the more lush regions in the state.

Wetter than nearby Falls County

Ellis County receives 40.5 inches of rain, outpacing Falls County’s 39.1 inches and the state average of 31.9. It also runs warmer than Erath County, with an annual average of 65.7°F versus 64.4°F.

Steamy summers and rare frost

July averages a hot 84.4°F, and the county endures 102 days of extreme heat annually. Snow is almost non-existent at 0.1 inches, while January remains mild with an average of 45.9°F.

Managing humidity and heat

With 102 days of 90°F+ weather and 40.5 inches of rain, dehumidification and powerful AC are essential. Residents should also plan for heavy spring rains that contribute to the county's high annual precipitation.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Ellis County

via SoilByCounty

Alkaline Grounds of North Texas

Ellis County maintains a pH of 7.42, which is notably alkaline compared to the national median of 6.5. This pH level influences nutrient availability and plant selection for local growers.

Heavy Clay for Nutrient Retention

The soil is heavy on clay at 37.2%, with 25.2% sand and 31.5% silt. While this high clay content provides excellent nutrient retention, it can be difficult to work when excessively wet.

Exceeding State Averages for Productivity

With 1.79% organic matter, Ellis County exceeds the state average of 1.66%. The available water capacity of 0.143 in/in also beats the state benchmark, ensuring superior moisture storage.

Managing High Runoff Potential

The soil falls into hydrologic group D, indicating high runoff potential and slow infiltration. This makes proper drainage planning crucial for both agricultural success and suburban construction.

Abundant Harvests in Zone 8b

Falling in hardiness zone 8b, the county is an excellent spot for cotton, corn, and robust summer vegetables. The nutrient-rich clay supports a productive garden with proper moisture control.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Ellis County

via LawnByCounty

Ellis County Leads in Ease

With a lawn difficulty score of 46.0, Ellis County offers some of the best growing conditions in Texas. It approaches the national average of 50.0, providing a much friendlier environment than the typical Texas county.

Generous Rainfall for Texas Lawns

The county receives an impressive 40.5 inches of annual rain, placing it squarely in the ideal 30-50 inch range. While there are 102 days of extreme heat, the consistent precipitation helps maintain growth through the 6,301 growing degree days.

Heavy Clay Retention Power

The soil contains 37.2% clay, which is excellent for holding moisture and nutrients but can become compacted. The slightly alkaline pH of 7.42 may require occasional acidification to help the grass fully absorb iron and nitrogen.

Resilient Against Recent Dryness

Ellis County only faced 13 weeks of drought over the past year, the lowest in this group. While 100% of the county is currently abnormally dry, the high clay content helps the soil act as a reservoir during short rainless stretches.

Thriving in Zone 8b

Both Zoysia and Bermuda grasses perform exceptionally well here thanks to the ample rainfall and long season. The spring planting window opens wide after the last frost on March 12, allowing for early establishment.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ellis County's county score?
Ellis County, Texas has a composite county score of 30.8 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 Ellis County rank among counties in Texas?
Ellis County ranks #209 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 Ellis County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Ellis County is $4,697, with an effective tax rate of 1.35%. This earns Ellis County a tax score of 16.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Ellis County?
The median household income in Ellis County, Texas is $99,595 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Ellis County earns an income score of 94.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Ellis County, Texas a good place to live?
Ellis County scores 30.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #209 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Ellis 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 Ellis County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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.