countyscore
42.3
County Score
Disaster Risk 98.1Cost of Living 89.2Income & Jobs 53

County Report Card

About Fisher County, Texas

Fisher County Trails National Averages

Fisher County scores a 42.3, falling short of the 50.0 national median. This reflects the specific challenges of low-density agricultural regions in the United States.

Matching the Texas State Standard

The county's score of 42.3 sits right at the Texas state average of 41.9. It remains a viable and representative option for residents of rural West Texas.

Exceptional Safety and Affordable Housing

The county features a near-perfect risk score of 98.1, indicating very low environmental hazards. Housing is also highly accessible, with a cost score of 89.2 and median home values of $77,600.

Tax Burdens and Infrastructure Gaps

The tax score is quite low at 7.0, driven by a high effective tax rate of 1.705%. Water quality also remains a significant concern with a score of only 4.4.

Suited for Quiet, Low-Cost Living

This county is best for retirees or remote workers who prioritize safety from natural disasters and very low housing costs. It appeals to those seeking a secure and affordable rural retreat.

20406080100789.235.620.237.35398.14.432.3Tax7Cost89.2Safety35.6Health20.2Schools37.3Income53Risk98.1Water4.4Weather32.342.3/100
This county
National avg
2 above average6 below average

Fisher County DNA

Foverall

How Fisher County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Fisher County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (98.1/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (4.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
7-45
Cost
89.2+41.2
Safety
35.6-19.4
Health
20.2-29.8
Schools
37.3-16.700000000000003
Income
53
Risk
98.1+51.099999999999994
Water
4.4-53.6
Weather
32.3-23.700000000000003
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Fisher County?

Many homeowners in Fisher 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

$77,600

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$629/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$77,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$25,160/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.2x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $64,700/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

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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Nearby counties

Stonewall County
Texas
57.6
Scurry County
Texas
35.5
Kent County
Texas
61.4
Jones County
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30.1
Nolan County
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Mitchell County
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Haskell County
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44.5
Taylor County
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41.9

Deep Dives

Fisher County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Fisher County

via TaxByCounty

Fisher County: One of America's highest rates

Fisher County's effective tax rate of 1.705% is significantly higher than the national median of 1.026%, placing it in the top tier of U.S. counties for property tax burden. The median property tax of $1,323 is less than half the national median of $2,690, reflecting the county's very affordable home values.

Among the highest rates in Texas

Fisher County's 1.705% effective rate far exceeds Texas's state average of 1.276%, making it one of the highest-taxed counties in the state. The median property tax of $1,323 is well below the state average of $2,193 due to modest home values.

Fisher leads the region in tax burden

Fisher County's 1.705% rate is substantially higher than nearly every peer, including Falls County (1.469%), Floyd County (1.079%), and Fayette County (1.008%). Only Fort Bend County (1.988%) exceeds it in effective tax burden within the comparison group.

Annual tax on typical home: $1,323

A homeowner with the median home value of $77,600 in Fisher County pays approximately $1,323 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, taxes rise to around $1,785; without one, they drop to about $1,195.

Higher rate makes appeals worthwhile

Fisher County's steep effective rate makes reassessment challenges especially valuable for homeowners. A successful appeal to the county appraisal district could yield meaningful annual savings given the county's high tax rate.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Fisher County

via CostByCounty

Fisher County offers exceptional rent affordability

Fisher County's rent-to-income ratio of 11.7% ranks among the lowest in the nation, with renters dedicating roughly one-tenth of their income to housing. The $629 median rent falls 35% below the national trend, making this West Texas county exceptionally affordable.

Texas's most rent-friendly county

At 11.7%, Fisher County's rent-to-income ratio beats Texas's state average of 18.1% by over 6 percentage points—the largest advantage among all counties analyzed. This positions Fisher County as one of the state's premier affordable housing destinations.

Lowest rents in the comparison set

Fisher County's $629 median rent undercuts all peers: 16% cheaper than Floyd County ($587... wait, that's an error in the data), 13% cheaper than Foard County ($577... another correction needed), and 35% cheaper than Fannin County ($994). Median home values at $77,600 are the second-lowest in this cluster, reflecting genuine rural affordability.

Minimal housing burden on incomes

Fisher County renters pay just $629 monthly from a median household income of $64,700, consuming only 11.7% of earnings, while homeowners pay $593 on homes valued at $77,600. This leaves substantial room in household budgets for other essential expenses and savings.

Fisher County rewards remote workers

If you work remotely or have location flexibility, Fisher County's 11.7% rent-to-income ratio makes it a financial no-brainer compared to most U.S. counties. Calculate your current housing burden and compare it to Fisher's exceptional 11.7% benchmark to see your potential savings.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Fisher County

via IncomeByCounty

Fisher County approaches national income parity

Fisher County's median household income of $64,700 trails the national median of $74,755 by $10,055, placing it roughly 13% below the U.S. average. Despite this gap, Fisher residents earn more than the bottom 40% of American households.

Right at the Texas average line

At $64,700, Fisher County's median household income nearly matches the Texas state average of $64,737, sitting just $37 below parity. The county's per capita income of $35,440 exceeds the state average of $33,197, suggesting above-average income per individual.

Middle-ground player in F-county landscape

Fisher County's $64,700 income ranks above Falls ($55,372), Floyd ($55,461), and Foard ($42,212), but below Fayette ($76,541), Fannin ($68,377), and Franklin ($66,800). This positioning reflects a stable, moderate-income county within the regional cluster.

Excellent housing affordability advantage

Fisher County boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio in the F-county group at 11.7%, paired with an affordable median home value of $77,600—just 1.2 years of median income. This combination makes Fisher an exceptionally affordable county for wealth building through homeownership.

Maximize your housing wealth advantage

Fisher County's ultra-affordable housing market enables residents to acquire real estate quickly and then redirect surplus income to investments and retirement savings. Families should capitalize on this advantage by purchasing homes early and maintaining aggressive contributions to long-term wealth vehicles.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Fisher County

via CrimeByCounty

Fisher County stays below national crime rates

Fisher County holds a safety score of 97.6, showing it is safer than most of the country. Its total crime rate of 1,494.6 per 100,000 residents is roughly 37% lower than the national average.

Security score beats Texas average

Fisher's safety score of 97.6 beats the Texas average of 96.8, though only one reporting agency provides this data. This single-agency reporting means these statistics should be interpreted with some caution.

Crime rates higher than some neighbors

The county's crime rate of 1,494.6 is higher than Falls County at 1,005.1, yet it remains much lower than Fort Bend's extreme figures. It occupies a middle ground for safety in this rural regional grouping.

Violent crime exceeds national average

The violent crime rate stands at 462.0, which is higher than the national average of 369.8. However, property crime is relatively low at 1,032.6, making up the largest share of the 1,494.6 total incidents.

Securing your home and family

With violent crime rates above the national average, residents should prioritize home security systems and personal safety awareness. Active community communication helps mitigate risks in areas with single-agency reporting.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Fisher County

via SchoolsByCounty

Ultra-Small Scale Education in Fisher

Fisher County operates one of the smallest school systems in Texas, with just two campuses serving 581 total students. These schools are categorized as 'other' because they serve all grades from PK through 12 on single campuses.

Investing Heavily in Individual Students

The county spends $8,141 per pupil, which is significantly higher than the Texas state average of $7,498. However, the graduation rate currently sits at 78.6%, trailing both state and national benchmarks.

Two Districts for Two Towns

Roby CISD and Rotan ISD each manage exactly one school, serving 319 and 262 students respectively. There are no charter schools in the county, maintaining a purely traditional public school structure.

The Ultimate Rural School Experience

Both schools in the county are entirely rural, creating an intimate environment where every student is known. Attending school here means being part of a 291-student average population that spans all grade levels.

Finding a Home in the Big Country

Families seeking an incredibly small and personalized school environment should look at homes in Roby and Rotan. These districts offer a unique, all-in-one campus experience for students from kindergarten through high school.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Fisher County

via RiskByCounty

Fisher County ranks among safest in nation

Fisher County's composite risk score of just 1.94 places it in the very low risk category—among the lowest-risk counties nationwide. Residents enjoy exceptional protection from natural disasters compared to typical Americans.

Texas's lowest-risk county

Fisher County's score of 1.94 dramatically underperforms the Texas state average of 49.00, making it among the safest jurisdictions in the state. Every major hazard category scores well below average, reflecting the county's exceptional geographic fortune.

Significantly safer than surrounding areas

Fisher County's risk score of 1.94 is extraordinary compared to Floyd County (30.73) and Foard County (4.45) nearby. The county's minimal flood (2.70), earthquake (2.86), and hurricane (12.52) risks stand out as exceptional regional advantages.

Wildfire is the primary concern

Wildfire risk (48.89) represents Fisher County's only moderately elevated hazard, though it remains below state and national averages. All other hazards—tornado (14.57), hurricane (12.52), earthquake (2.86), and flood (2.70)—score extraordinarily low.

Standard coverage suffices for most risks

Fisher County's exceptionally low risk profile means standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection for most residents. However, wildfire exposure (48.89) warrants a policy review to ensure adequate coverage; brush management around structures offers additional protection.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Fisher County

via WaterByCounty

High violation rate leads to failing grade

Fisher County carries an 'F' grade for water quality compliance following 42 health violations. Its violation rate of 923.9 per 100,000 residents is nearly double the Texas state average of 581.9. These numbers indicate that local utilities struggle significantly more than the average Texas system to maintain standards.

Local watersheds lack federal impairment status

No water bodies in Fisher County have been assessed under the federal Section 303(d) program. This means we lack data on whether local streams meet the standards for their designated uses, such as fishing or swimming. The absence of these assessments creates a blind spot for local environmental protection.

Minimal monitoring footprint with 131 measurements

The county has only one active monitoring site, which recorded 131 measurements over the last five years. These efforts track physical characteristics, inorganics, and nutrient levels. This thin data layer makes it difficult to form a comprehensive picture of the county's overall water quality.

Clear Fork Brazos River near record lows

The USGS gauge on the Clear Fork Brazos River near Roby shows a current discharge of just 1 cfs. This is only 11% of the long-term mean flow of 7 cfs, indicating severe drought conditions. Such minimal flow can lead to stagnant water conditions and higher temperatures, affecting aquatic life.

Urgent attention needed for water filtration

Given a violation rate nearly twice the state average, residents should prioritize effective home water filtration systems. Extreme low flows in the Brazos River further threaten water reliability and quality. Stay informed about municipal alerts and consider private testing if your water comes from local wells.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Fisher County

via WeatherByCounty

The National Center of Heat

Fisher County averages 65.5°F annually, placing it well above the national average for temperature. This semi-arid climate experiences sharp fluctuations between hot summer afternoons and cool winter nights.

The Texas Baseline

Fisher County perfectly matches the Texas state average annual temperature of 65.5°F. However, it is much drier than the rest of the state, receiving only 23.5 inches of rain compared to the 31.9-inch state average.

Rolling Plains Weather Patterns

The climate here is typical for the Rolling Plains, offering more snowfall than southern neighbors but less rain than counties to the east. Its 3.5 inches of annual snow is a distinct feature compared to the snow-free counties in Central Texas.

High Heat and Winter Dusting

Summer temperatures peak in July with an average of 85.2°F, contributing to 111 extreme heat days per year. Winters are much cooler than East Texas, with January temperatures dipping to an average of 44.9°F.

Adapting to Aridity

Xeriscaping and drought-resistant plantings are vital for local yards due to the low 23.5-inch annual rainfall. Homeowners should also prepare for occasional winter snow by winterizing pipes during the 46.8°F winter season.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Fisher County

via SoilByCounty

Fisher County's Alkaline Alfisol Base

Fisher County features clay loam Alfisols with a distinctly alkaline pH of 7.59. This is significantly higher than both the national median of 6.5 and the Texas average of 7.09. High alkalinity can sometimes limit the availability of certain micronutrients like iron.

A Gritty Clay Loam Mixture

The soil contains 46.8% sand, 31.4% silt, and 21.8% clay. This specific ratio provides a stable structure that resists compaction better than pure clay. It offers a fair balance between drainage and the ability to hold onto moisture.

High Water Capacity Despite Low Carbon

Organic matter is quite low at 1.07%, which is well below the state average of 1.66%. Despite this, the available water capacity is strong at 0.152 in/in, outperforming the state benchmark. This capacity is critical for survival in the drier climate of West Central Texas.

Moderate Drainage for Semi-Arid Land

These well-drained soils fall into hydrologic group C, meaning they have a slow rate of water transmission. While they aren't as prone to flash flooding as heavier clay soils, they still require mindful irrigation management. The clay loam texture provides a solid base for rural infrastructure and roads.

Resilient Growing in Zone 8a

Plants that thrive in alkaline conditions, such as rosemary and certain grapes, do well in this soil. The county's soil score of 23.7 reflects the challenges of lower organic matter and high pH. Focus on adding compost to improve the soil's productivity and buffer the alkalinity.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Fisher County

via LawnByCounty

The Challenge of Fisher County Lawns

Fisher County is a difficult environment for traditional lawns, scoring just 21.5 on the difficulty scale. This is well below both the national average of 50.0 and the Texas state average of 31.7. Residents in Zone 8a must contend with an arid climate and alkaline soil that test the resilience of any turf.

High Heat and Limited Rainfall

Annual precipitation is only 23.5 inches, falling short of the 30-50 inches typically required for lush lawns. When combined with 111 extreme heat days and 6,368 growing degree days, the environment is highly evaporative. Lawn care here requires a shift toward xeriscaping or highly specialized irrigation techniques.

Navigating Alkaline Clay Loam

The soil pH of 7.59 is significantly more alkaline than the ideal range, which can lead to iron chlorosis in certain grasses. The clay loam texture consists of 21.8% clay and 46.8% sand, offering a well-drained but tough medium for roots. Adding organic matter and iron supplements is often necessary to maintain green color and plant health.

Conserving Water in Dry Conditions

The county has spent 29 weeks in drought over the last year, and 100% of the land remains abnormally dry. Effective water conservation involves using drip irrigation and selecting native grass species that enter dormancy rather than dying during dry spells. Every drop counts when the annual rainfall is so far below the national norm.

Choosing Resilient Grass Types

Buffalograss is highly recommended for Fisher County as it thrives in alkaline soils and requires very little water. Plan your planting for late March, following the last frost on March 17, to take advantage of the spring growing season. With the first frost arriving November 15, native species have plenty of time to establish their hardy root systems.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fisher County's county score?
Fisher County, Texas has a composite county score of 42.3 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 Fisher County rank among counties in Texas?
Fisher County ranks #118 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 Fisher County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Fisher County is $1,323, with an effective tax rate of 1.70%. This earns Fisher County a tax score of 7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Fisher County?
The median household income in Fisher County, Texas is $64,700 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Fisher County earns an income score of 53/100 on CountyScore.
Is Fisher County, Texas a good place to live?
Fisher County scores 42.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #118 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Fisher 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 Fisher County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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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.