Falls County

Texas · TX

#83 in Texas
65
County Score

County Report Card

About Falls County, Texas

Falls County Outpaces National Average

Falls County scores 68.3 on the composite livability index, well above the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the upper half nationally, showing it offers better-than-average living conditions on measured dimensions like housing affordability and taxes.

Above Average Among Texas Counties

Falls County ranks slightly above the Texas state average composite score of 66.8. Among all Texas counties evaluated, Falls positions itself as a solid mid-tier performer in overall livability.

Housing Affordability Is the Real Draw

Falls County excels in cost-of-living affordability with a score of 86.0, featuring median home values of just $97,300 and monthly rent around $747. The county also maintains a reasonable tax burden at 1.469% effective rate, making it attractive for budget-conscious households.

Income Levels Present Headwind

Falls County's income score of 19.5 reflects a median household income of $55,372, notably below state and national benchmarks. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remains unavailable, leaving gaps in the livability picture.

Best for Retirees and Budget Seekers

Falls County suits individuals and families prioritizing affordability and low taxes over earning potential or advanced services. It appeals most to retirees, remote workers, and those seeking to stretch their income in a low-cost rural setting.

Score breakdown

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

Tax61Cost86SafetyComing SoonHealth53.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.5Risk73.8WaterComing Soon
🏛61
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠86
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼19.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
53.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
73.8
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

Falls County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Falls County

via TaxByCounty

Falls County taxes: Below the national norm

Falls County's effective tax rate of 1.469% sits above the national median of 1.026%, putting it in the higher half of U.S. counties. However, the median property tax of $1,429 is roughly half the national median of $2,690, reflecting the county's lower median home value of $97,300 compared to the national $281,900.

Above average for Texas, but not extreme

Falls County's 1.469% effective rate exceeds Texas's 1.276% average, ranking it in the upper third of Texas counties. The median property tax of $1,429 is significantly lower than Texas's state average of $2,193, driven by more modest home values in the county.

Falls stands out in regional comparison

Among nearby counties, Falls County's 1.469% rate is notably higher than Fayette County's 1.008% and Franklin County's 0.912%, but comparable to regional averages. The county's tax burden on modest homes reflects its position between the affordable rural counties and pricier suburban areas.

Annual tax on typical home: $1,429

A homeowner with the median home value of $97,300 in Falls County pays approximately $1,429 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, taxes may increase to around $1,822; without one, they drop to about $1,155.

You might be overassessed

Many Falls County homeowners are unaware that property assessments can be challenged. If your home's assessed value seems high relative to recent sales in your area, filing an appeal with the county appraisal district could reduce your tax burden.

Cost of Living in Falls County

via CostByCounty

Falls County rents hit below national norms

At 16.2%, Falls County's rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the national benchmark, meaning renters spend less of their paycheck on housing than typical Americans. The median rent of $747 per month is 22% cheaper than Texas's state average of $963, offering genuine affordability in a tightening market.

A housing bargain in Texas rankings

Falls County ranks among the most affordable counties in Texas when measuring housing burden against income. With rents that pull 1.9 percentage points below the state average rent-to-income ratio, this county offers relief for renters statewide.

Cheaper than most Texas neighbors

Falls County's $747 median rent undercuts Fannin County ($994) by 25% and Fayette County ($909) by 18%, making it a compelling choice for budget-conscious renters in Central Texas. Home ownership is similarly affordable: median values sit at $97,300, roughly one-third the price of Fayette County homes.

Low housing costs, stable incomes

Falls County renters allocate just $747 monthly from a median household income of $55,372, while homeowners pay $592 monthly with median home values at $97,300. Housing consumes roughly 16% of household income for renters—leaving more money for food, healthcare, and savings.

Consider Falls County for affordability

If housing costs are squeezing your budget, Falls County delivers sub-state-average rents and deeply affordable home purchases. Compare your current rent-to-income ratio against Falls County's 16.2% to see how much you could save by relocating to Central Texas.

Income & Jobs in Falls County

via IncomeByCounty

Falls County trails national income averages

Falls County's median household income of $55,372 sits 26% below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-income tier nationally. Residents here earn roughly $19,400 less than the typical American household, a gap that compounds across years and generations.

Below Texas average, but not alone

At $55,372, Falls County's median household income trails the Texas state average of $64,737 by $9,365 per household. Still, the county outperforms its per capita income of $29,535 against the state's $33,197, suggesting wealth is somewhat concentrated among fewer earners.

Mixed fortunes in the F-counties cluster

Falls County earns slightly more than Floyd County ($55,461) but significantly less than Fannin County ($68,377) and Fayette County ($76,541) nearby. Within this regional group, Falls sits in the middle-lower range, suggesting economic variation across central Texas.

Housing costs remain manageable here

Falls County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.2% indicates housing is reasonably affordable, well below the 30% threshold that signals affordability stress. At a median home value of $97,300, homeownership remains accessible for many families earning the county median.

Building wealth despite income gaps

Falls County residents can leverage affordable housing to build equity—the median home value of $97,300 represents just 1.76 years of median household income, creating real opportunity for wealth accumulation. Starting an emergency fund and exploring first-time homebuyer programs can help close the income-to-opportunity gap.

Health in Falls County

via HealthByCounty

Falls County lags on life expectancy

At 73.9 years, Falls County residents live nearly 6 years less than the U.S. average of 79 years. The county's 25.7% poor or fair health rate also exceeds the national average of 19%, signaling persistent health challenges across the population.

Below Texas average in life expectancy

Falls County's 73.9-year life expectancy trails Texas' 74.3-year average, placing it in the lower half of the state's counties. This gap persists despite Texas' own life expectancy running below the national norm.

Primary care access is limited here

Falls County has just 6 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—less than a third the state benchmark—making it a care desert compared to neighboring Fayette County's 32 per 100K. Mental health support at 17 per 100K also lags regional peers.

Healthcare barriers hit daily

Nearly 1 in 5 Falls County residents (18.3%) lack health insurance, close to the state rate but concentrated in a smaller, more rural population. The severe shortage of primary care doctors means residents often travel far for routine care or rely on emergency services.

Explore coverage options today

If you're uninsured or underinsured in Falls County, visit Healthcare.gov or contact your local health department to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, and community health resources. Taking this step now can prevent costly emergency visits and improve long-term health outcomes.

Disaster Risk in Falls County

via RiskByCounty

Falls County faces very low disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 26.24, Falls County ranks well below the national average and sits in the very low risk category. This means residents face significantly fewer natural disaster threats than most Americans, though localized hazards still warrant attention.

Among Texas's safest counties

Falls County's composite score of 26.24 places it well below Texas's state average of 49.00, making it one of the state's lower-risk areas. This favorable standing reflects the county's relative protection from the extreme weather events that challenge other Texas communities.

Safer than most central Texas peers

Falls County's risk score of 26.24 compares favorably to neighboring Fayette County (57.98) and Franklin County (24.81), though it faces similar tornado and hurricane exposure. The county enjoys notably lower flood and earthquake risks than its immediate neighbors.

Tornadoes and hurricanes dominate here

Tornado risk (69.88) and hurricane risk (68.04) are Falls County's primary hazards, though both remain below state average intensities. Wildfire risk scores 54.48, moderate for the region, while flood and earthquake threats stay minimal at 24.08 and 21.63 respectively.

Secure your home against severe weather

Falls County residents should prioritize wind and tornado coverage in their homeowners policies, given the county's elevated tornado and hurricane scores. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers wind damage, but reviewing your policy limits and considering additional protection for high-wind events remains prudent.

ByCounty Network

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