CountyScore

Erath County

Texas · TX

#174 in Texas
60.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Erath County, Texas

Erath Performs Solidly Above National Median

Erath County's composite score of 66.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 32%, demonstrating strong livability fundamentals. The county reflects balanced performance across multiple livability dimensions.

Essentially At Texas State Average

With a score of 66.2, Erath County nearly matches the Texas state average of 66.8, placing it squarely in the mainstream of Texas livability. This alignment suggests a representative Texas county experience.

Tax Efficiency and Reasonable Housing Costs

Erath County's tax score of 70.6 reflects an effective tax rate of 1.126% (matching Donley's efficiency), while a cost score of 72.9 indicates moderate housing affordability. These dual strengths provide solid financial footing for households.

Income Growth Opportunity Remains Limited

An income score of 26.0 corresponds to a median household income of $65,351, suggesting modest earning potential relative to state opportunities. Median home values of $251,900 and median rent of $1,134 reflect higher housing costs for the income level. Data on safety, health, schools, and environment remains unavailable.

Suits Middle-Income Families Seeking Balance

Erath County appeals to middle-income families valuing moderate housing costs and tax efficiency without premium price tags. If you seek a representative Texas county experience with reasonable affordability and balanced livability, Erath delivers solid fundamentals.

Score breakdown

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

Tax70.6Cost72.9SafetyComing SoonHealth57.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome26Risk25WaterComing Soon
🏛70.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠72.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤57.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡25
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 Erath County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Honolulu County
Hawaii
60.5
Median income: $104,264
Bureau County
Illinois
60.5
Median income: $65,894
Madison County
New York
60.5
Median income: $73,141
Summit County
Ohio
60.5
Median income: $71,016
Hood County
Texas
60.5
Median income: $86,802

Deep Dives

Erath County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Erath County

via TaxByCounty

Erath's rate mirrors national patterns

Erath County's effective tax rate of 1.126% sits modestly above the national median, with a median property tax of $2,836 exceeding the national median of $2,690 by just 5%. This reflects a county with moderately valued homes and moderate tax demands.

Erath runs below the Texas average

At 1.126%, Erath County's effective rate undercuts the Texas state average of 1.276%, placing it in the lower-middle ranks of the state's 254 counties. The median property tax of $2,836, however, runs 29% above the state median due to higher home values.

Balanced rate among North-Central peers

Erath County's 1.126% rate matches Donley County exactly and undercuts Ellis County's 1.460%, positioning it as a tax-moderate alternative in the region. Its $2,836 median tax reflects higher home values than smaller Panhandle counties but stays well below booming Ellis County.

Median annual bill around $2,836

With a median home value of $251,900, typical Erath County homeowners pay approximately $2,836 per year in property taxes. Those with mortgages typically see this rise to roughly $3,395 when school and local district taxes apply.

Contest overvalued properties regularly

Erath County homeowners benefit from a reasonable tax rate but shouldn't assume valuations are accurate every year. File an annual protest with the Erath County appraisal district if recent market conditions suggest your home's assessed value is too high—many successful appeals lower bills significantly.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Erath County

via CostByCounty

Erath housing costs stretch incomes

Renters in Erath County spend 20.8% of their income on housing while earning $65,351, roughly 13% below the national median of $74,755. This above-average rent burden strains incomes that are already below the national average.

Above Texas average affordability strain

Erath County's 20.8% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Texas's 18.1% state average, and its $1,134 monthly rent is 18% above the state median of $963. The county ranks among Texas's less affordable options despite rural location.

Highest rent in rural peer group

Erath County's $1,134 rent is the highest among rural neighbors, though its $251,900 median home value sits between lower-cost counties and Ellis County's premium. This suggests growing suburban pressure from nearby metro areas.

Owners bear steeper burden than renters

Renters spend $1,134/month while homeowners pay $973/month against the $65,351 income, consuming roughly 21% of household earnings. Renters face particular pressure in this county, while buyers achieve better proportional affordability.

Buyers outperform renters here

Erath County rewards homeownership with median values of $251,900—reasonable for the region—while rental costs strain most budgets. If you're considering this area, prioritize saving for a down payment to access the buyer's advantage.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Erath County

via IncomeByCounty

Erath approaches national income parity

Erath County's median household income of $65,351 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by about $9,404—a 13% gap. While below the national average, Erath performs better than most rural Texas counties, reflecting a mix of agriculture, small manufacturing, and education employment.

Slightly above Texas state average

Erath County's $65,351 median household income edges above Texas's state average of $64,737 by roughly $614. The county's per capita income of $33,116 remains just below the state average of $33,197, suggesting incomes are moderate but relatively well-distributed.

Upper-middle performer in central Texas

Erath County ranks second-highest among the eight counties analyzed, trailing only Ellis County's $95,898. The county's $65,351 income represents a solid position—exceeding struggling rural peers while remaining below the Dallas-area prosperity of neighboring Ellis.

Home values rising faster than wages

Erath's rent-to-income ratio of 20.8% reflects elevated housing costs relative to incomes; median home values of $251,900 have appreciated significantly. The county faces housing affordability pressures as property values climb, driven partly by proximity to Fort Worth and regional growth.

Build equity before housing appreciates further

Erath County residents should prioritize homeownership now before property values appreciate even further, locking in current prices while building home equity. Combine real estate holdings with diversified retirement and investment accounts to create a balanced wealth portfolio as the county continues to develop.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Erath County

via HealthByCounty

Erath leads nation in longevity

Erath County residents live to 76.8 years on average, nearly 1.5 years above the U.S. average of 75.4 years. Only 21.2% report poor or fair health, slightly above the national average of 19.5%.

Top performer in Texas health

Erath County's 76.8-year life expectancy exceeds Texas's state average of 74.3 years by more than 2.5 years and ties Ellis County for the highest in this group. At 20.6% uninsured, it remains close to Texas's 19.8% average.

Exceptional outcomes among rural peers

Erath County's 76.8-year life expectancy ties Ellis County and far exceeds Duval County (70.3 years) and Eastland County (72.0 years). Its 21.2% poor/fair health rate outperforms Duval (32.7%) and Edwards (31.1%), demonstrating clear health advantages.

Robust provider network, strong outcomes

Erath County offers 58 primary care providers and 131 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, providing excellent access for a rural area. The 20.6% uninsured rate means most residents can access this strong provider network regularly.

Coverage completes your health picture

Erath County's strong health outcomes reflect excellent provider availability and good insurance coverage, but 20.6% uninsured residents should enroll to access these resources. Texas Health Insurance Marketplace plans offer affordable pathways to connect with the county's exceptional primary care and mental health providers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Erath County

via RiskByCounty

Erath County's Elevated Risk Profile

Erath County scores 75.00 on the national composite risk scale, earning a Relatively Low rating but placing it well above the U.S. average. This substantial elevation reflects the county's exposure to wildfire, tornado, and flood hazards that collectively drive its composite score. Residents face natural disaster exposure roughly 50% higher than typical American counties.

Above Texas Average, High Regional Risk

At 75.00, Erath County exceeds Texas's state average of 49.00 by 53%, placing it in the upper tier of statewide natural disaster vulnerability. The county ranks among the state's higher-risk areas, surpassed only by Ector (82.82), Ellis (81.62), and El Paso (95.45). This position reflects Erath's North-Central Texas location and exposure to severe spring storm systems.

Riskier Than Eastland, Similar to Ellis

Erath County's 75.00 substantially exceeds nearby Eastland County (41.16), making it the riskier community for residents in this North-Central Texas region. It ranks nearly identically to Ellis County (81.62), making both counties statistical peers in hazard exposure. Both exceed Donley County (26.62) and the exceptionally safe Edwards County (5.73).

Wildfire and Tornado Lead Hazards

Wildfire risk dominates Erath County at 95.48—among the highest in Texas—while tornado risk at 82.82 and hurricane risk at 56.40 add substantial secondary concerns. Flood risk at 72.07 rounds out a multi-hazard profile, making Erath exposed across four major disaster categories. This convergence makes Erath one of Texas's most hazard-diverse counties.

Wildfire and Tornado Coverage Critical

Erath County residents must prioritize wildfire insurance given the county's exceptional 95.48 score—among Texas's highest—and ensure standard homeowners policies exclude wildfire coverage. Add tornado and hail riders immediately, as the county's 82.82 tornado risk is exceptionally high. Review all coverage limits with your agent annually and maintain a home inventory for disaster recovery.

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.