CountyScore

Fayette County

Texas · TX

#55 in Texas
66.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Fayette County, Texas

Fayette County Ranks Well Nationally

Fayette County's composite score of 72.0 places it substantially above the national median of 50.0. The county ranks in the upper quartile nationally for measured livability factors.

Texas Leader in Overall Livability

Fayette County scores 72.0, well above the Texas state average of 66.8, making it one of the stronger-performing counties in the state. Among the eight counties profiled here, Fayette ranks as a top performer.

Triple Strength: Taxes, Costs, and Income

Fayette County leads across three critical dimensions with a tax score of 73.9 (1.008% effective rate), cost score of 80.3 (median home value $271,100), and income score of 33.3 (median household income $76,541). This balanced strength makes it among the most livable counties in the region.

Limited Data on Schools and Safety

While Fayette excels in financial metrics, scores for safety, health, schools, and environmental risk remain unavailable. These gaps prevent a complete assessment of daily life quality for families with school-age children.

Best for Balanced, Middle-Class Stability

Fayette County suits families seeking financial stability, reasonable living costs, and moderate income levels in a cohesive community. It appeals most to those wanting solid fundamentals without the premium price tags of affluent suburban counties.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73.9Cost80.3SafetyComing SoonHealth61SchoolsComing SoonIncome33.3Risk42WaterComing Soon
🏛73.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼33.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤61
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡42
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 Fayette County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Cochise County
Arizona
66.8
Median income: $58,970
Chattooga County
Georgia
66.8
Median income: $47,785
Clay County
Illinois
66.8
Median income: $57,266
Piatt County
Illinois
66.8
Median income: $87,516
Hamilton County
Kansas
66.8
Median income: $61,929

Deep Dives

Fayette County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Fayette County

via TaxByCounty

Fayette County offers exceptional tax relief

Fayette County's effective tax rate of 1.008% is essentially at the national median of 1.026%, making it one of the most tax-competitive counties in America. The median property tax of $2,734 slightly exceeds the national median of $2,690, but on a lower effective rate due to the county's reasonable home valuations.

Texas's lowest-tax county in this analysis

Fayette County's 1.008% effective rate is the lowest among Texas counties examined here and well below the state average of 1.276%, placing it in Texas's most tax-friendly tier. Homeowners here enjoy one of the best tax-to-value ratios in the state.

Clear winner in regional tax competition

Fayette County's 1.008% rate significantly undercuts Falls County (1.469%) and Fisher County (1.705%), and even beats Franklin County (0.912%) slightly on effective burden. It's the standout for homeowners seeking lower property taxes in Central Texas.

Annual tax on typical home: $2,734

A homeowner with the median home value of $271,100 in Fayette County pays approximately $2,734 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, taxes may reach $2,997; without one, they drop to about $2,525.

Don't assume your assessment is fair

Even in tax-friendly Fayette County, some homeowners face inflated assessments. Filing an appeal with the county appraisal district costs nothing and could reduce your tax liability if comparable sales data supports a lower valuation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Fayette County

via CostByCounty

Fayette County delivers above-average affordability

Fayette County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.3% ranks among the best in the nation, meaning renters keep more of their paychecks than average Americans. With a median household income of $76,541—above the national average—this county combines strong earning power with manageable housing costs.

Most affordable in this Texas cluster

At 14.3%, Fayette County's rent-to-income ratio beats Texas's state average of 18.1% by nearly 4 percentage points, ranking it among the state's most housing-affordable counties. This performance reflects a rare combination of higher incomes and moderate rents.

Best rent-to-income ratio in the region

Fayette County's $909 median rent paired with $76,541 median income produces the lowest housing burden (14.3%) among its peers—better than Falls County (16.2%), Fannin County (17.4%), and Franklin County (17.0%). Yet home values at $271,100 remain accessible compared to Fort Bend County ($350,300).

Strong incomes absorb higher home prices

Fayette County renters pay $909 monthly and homeowners pay $769 from a median household income of $76,541, dedicating just 14.3% to rent. Median home values of $271,100 reflect a stable market where higher incomes support sustainable housing costs.

Fayette scores high on housing metrics

If you earn near $76,000 and seek strong housing affordability, Fayette County ranks among Texas's best bets with a 14.3% rent-to-income ratio. Compare your current burden against Fayette's benchmark to measure potential savings and quality-of-life improvements.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Fayette County

via IncomeByCounty

Fayette County outearns the national average

Fayette County's median household income of $76,541 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by $1,786, placing county residents in the upper-middle-income bracket. This positions Fayette in roughly the top 40% of U.S. counties by household earnings.

Tops Texas average by meaningful margin

At $76,541, Fayette County's median household income surpasses the Texas state average of $64,737 by nearly $12,000 per year. The county's per capita income of $41,964 also exceeds the state average of $33,197 by 26%, reflecting a prosperous community.

Clear economic leader in the region

Fayette County's $76,541 income outpaces all nearby F-counties, including Fannin ($68,377), Franklin ($66,800), Fisher ($64,700), Falls ($55,372), and Floyd ($55,461). As the regional income leader, Fayette demonstrates sustained economic strength.

Strong income-to-housing ratio

Fayette County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.3% is the lowest in the F-county group, indicating housing costs are well-controlled despite the median home value of $271,100. The ratio suggests 3.5 years of median income buys a median home—a healthy multiple for long-term equity building.

Opportunity to diversify wealth sources

With above-average income and manageable housing costs, Fayette County households should pursue diversified wealth strategies: maxing out retirement accounts, building investment portfolios, and considering real estate beyond primary residence. The county's strong income base creates an ideal foundation for compound wealth growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Fayette County

via HealthByCounty

Fayette County outpaces national health

At 76.4 years, Fayette County's life expectancy exceeds both the U.S. average of 79 years and most Texas peers. Its 18.4% poor or fair health rate also beats the national average of 19%.

Fayette leads Texas on longevity

Fayette County's 76.4-year life expectancy ranks among the highest in Texas, 2.1 years above the state average. This places it in the top tier of Texas counties for life expectancy.

Best primary care in the region

Fayette County leads its peers with 32 primary care providers per 100K residents, more than five times Falls County's 6 per 100K. Combined with 51 mental health providers per 100K, Fayette offers strong healthcare infrastructure.

Well-insured, well-served population

Fayette County's 19.0% uninsured rate is at the state average, and abundant providers mean most residents can access timely care. The combination of strong provider supply and moderate insurance gaps creates a stable healthcare environment.

Maintain your coverage advantage

Fayette County's healthcare strength depends on keeping residents insured; visit Healthcare.gov if you lack coverage or want to explore better options. Your county's provider network is robust—make sure you're positioned to use it.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Fayette County

via RiskByCounty

Fayette County sits near national average

With a composite risk score of 57.98, Fayette County ranks slightly above the national average, classified as relatively low risk overall. Residents face moderate disaster exposure—higher than many Americans but manageable with proper planning and insurance.

Mid-range risk for Texas

Fayette County's score of 57.98 exceeds Texas's state average of 49.00, placing it in the upper-middle tier of the state's risk distribution. This reflects the county's particular vulnerability to hurricane and tornado events affecting the region.

More exposed than Falls County to the north

Fayette County's risk score of 57.98 significantly exceeds Falls County (26.24) but remains lower than Fort Bend County (97.46) to its southeast. Its hurricane risk (80.56) stands out as notably higher than neighboring counties, reflecting coastal proximity.

Hurricanes and tornadoes create dual threat

Hurricane risk (80.56) and tornado risk (70.80) dominate Fayette County's hazard landscape, while flood risk (64.82) also merits attention. Earthquake (22.14) and wildfire (49.71) risks remain secondary concerns for residents.

Prepare for wind, water, and storms

Fayette County residents should verify comprehensive wind and hail coverage in homeowners policies, given dual tornado and hurricane exposure. Flood insurance deserves particular attention given the county's 64.82 flood score; standard policies typically exclude flood damage, requiring separate NFIP coverage.

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.