countyscore
27.1
County Score
Income & Jobs 97.9Water Quality 67.8Health 67.2

County Report Card

About Fort Bend County, Texas

High Costs Impact National Ranking

Fort Bend County scores a 27.1, significantly trailing the national median of 50.0. This score reflects the high-pressure environment common in rapidly growing, high-cost metropolitan suburbs.

Trailing the Texas State Average

Despite its status as an economic powerhouse, the county falls below the Texas average of 41.9. Its composite score is heavily penalized by extreme costs and safety metrics.

Wealth, Health, and Great Schools

The income score is an elite 97.9, with a high median household income of $113,409. The county also excels in health and water quality, both scoring in the high 60s.

Safety Concerns and High Costs

Safety and risk scores are critically low at 0.3 and 2.5, respectively. Additionally, housing is expensive, with a cost score of 3.0 and a property tax rate of nearly 2%.

The Choice for High-Earning Families

This county is tailored for affluent professionals who want top-tier schools and medical services. It is the quintessential high-reward, high-expense suburban destination.

Score breakdown

Tax3.3Cost3Safety0.3Health67.2Schools55.3Income97.9Risk2.5Water67.8Weather17.3
🏛3.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼97.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡0.3
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤67.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓55.3
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡2.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧67.8
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤17.3
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨51.4
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱40.4
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Compare Fort Bend County with Finney County →Share on X

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Nearby counties

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Brazoria County
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Harris County
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Waller County
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Austin County
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Montgomery County
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Matagorda County
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Deep Dives

Fort Bend County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Fort Bend County

via TaxByCounty

Fort Bend County: Highest-tax county nationally

Fort Bend County's effective tax rate of 1.988% is nearly double the national median of 1.026%, making it one of the most expensive counties for property taxes in America. The median property tax of $6,965 is more than 2.5 times the national median of $2,690, reflecting the county's high median home value of $350,300.

Texas's highest-taxed county in analysis

Fort Bend County's 1.988% effective rate far exceeds Texas's state average of 1.276%, making it by far the most heavily taxed county among those examined. The median property tax of $6,965 is more than three times the state average of $2,193, reflecting rapid growth and premium home values near Houston.

Fort Bend stands alone in tax burden

Fort Bend County's 1.988% rate dramatically exceeds every peer in this analysis, including Fisher County (1.705%) and Falls County (1.469%). The disparity reflects Fort Bend's status as a fast-growing suburban Houston county with substantially higher home values.

Annual tax on typical home: $6,965

A homeowner with the median home value of $350,300 in Fort Bend County pays approximately $6,965 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, taxes rise to around $7,553; without one, they drop to about $5,934.

High taxes make appeals critical

Fort Bend County homeowners face among America's highest property tax bills, making appraisal challenges particularly valuable. A successful appeal reducing your assessed value could save thousands annually, making the effort to document comparable sales and file a challenge highly worthwhile.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Fort Bend County

via CostByCounty

Fort Bend County exceeds national affordability limits

Fort Bend County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.7% sits above the national average, indicating substantial housing pressure on renters despite the county's exceptional median household income of $113,409. Higher incomes don't fully offset rents averaging $1,770 monthly, among the state's priciest.

Affluent but pricey suburban market

Fort Bend County's 18.7% rent-to-income ratio slightly exceeds Texas's state average of 18.1%, unusual given that the county's median household income ($113,409) far surpasses the state's. This reflects rapid suburbanization and rising housing costs in this Houston-adjacent county.

Premium pricing for affluent suburb

Fort Bend County's $1,770 median rent dwarfs all peers—83% higher than Fannin County ($994) and 95% higher than Floyd County ($587). Median home values of $350,300 are the highest in the comparison set, nearly triple Fisher County's $77,600, reflecting Houston metropolitan demand.

High incomes absorbed by premium housing

Fort Bend County renters allocate $1,770 monthly from a median household income of $113,409, while homeowners pay $1,953 on properties valued at $350,300. Even with six-figure incomes, housing still consumes 18.7% of earnings—the highest burden despite the county's affluence.

Fort Bend requires substantial six-figure income

Fort Bend County suits high-earning households seeking Houston-area proximity and excellent schools, but at a premium price: expect $1,770+ rents or $350,000+ home purchases. If your income approaches $113,000, Fort Bend's robust housing market may justify the cost; otherwise, consider more affordable Texas alternatives.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Fort Bend County

via IncomeByCounty

Fort Bend County earns well above U.S. average

Fort Bend County's median household income of $113,409 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by $38,654—a 52% premium that places the county in the top tier nationally. Fort Bend residents earn substantially more than roughly 85% of American households.

Texas's wealthiest county in this group

At $113,409, Fort Bend County's median household income towers over the Texas state average of $64,737 by $48,672, nearly doubling the statewide median. The per capita income of $46,693 is 41% above the state average of $33,197, reflecting a highly prosperous county.

Dramatically outpaces all F-county peers

Fort Bend County's $113,409 income more than doubles that of Fayette ($76,541), nearly doubles Fannin ($68,377) and Franklin ($66,800), and dwarfs all other counties in the cluster. Fort Bend stands as an economic powerhouse by regional and state comparison.

High incomes support premium housing

Fort Bend County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.7% is the highest in the F-county group, reflecting the median home value of $350,300—a premium market. However, this $3.1-year income-to-home multiple remains well within sustainable range for wealthy households.

Build sophisticated multi-asset strategy

With household incomes exceeding $113,000, Fort Bend County residents should maximize retirement contributions (401k, backdoor Roth), invest in diverse assets (equities, bonds, REITs), and consider wealth-planning strategies like estate planning and tax optimization. Higher incomes create capacity for substantial compound growth over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Fort Bend County

via CrimeByCounty

High crime activity in Fort Bend

Fort Bend County has a safety score of 72.5, which is notably lower than the national average. Its total crime rate of 17,400.6 per 100,000 residents is more than seven times the national benchmark.

Well below the Texas safety average

The county's safety score trails the Texas average of 96.8 by a significant margin. Across 20 reporting agencies, the total crime rate of 17,400.6 far exceeds the state average of 2,052.5.

Significant disparity among regional peers

Fort Bend's crime rate is massive compared to rural counties like Franklin, which sits at 2,029.7. This high level of activity reflects the county's rapid urbanization and high population density.

Extreme property and violent crime rates

Property crime is the major factor at 14,045.8 per 100,000, while violent crime reaches 3,354.8. These violent crime figures are nearly ten times the national average of 369.8, indicating high risk.

Prioritizing advanced home security

Residents in this high-crime area should invest in professional monitoring and robust alarm systems. Staying alert and connected to local law enforcement is critical for personal and property protection.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Fort Bend County

via HealthByCounty

Fort Bend County's health shines

At 81.0 years, Fort Bend County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 79 years by 2 years—among the best in the nation. Its 15.9% poor or fair health rate also beats the national average of 19%.

Fort Bend County leads Texas

Fort Bend County's 81.0-year life expectancy is 6.7 years above the Texas average, making it the top-performing county in this survey. This exceptional longevity reflects strong health systems and healthy population characteristics.

Unmatched healthcare infrastructure

Fort Bend County boasts 85 primary care providers and 119 mental health providers per 100K residents—the highest in the region. This robust provider network enables comprehensive, accessible care.

Well-insured, well-served population

At 12.4%, Fort Bend County's uninsured rate is significantly below the state average of 19.8%, and abundant providers ensure rapid access to care. The combination of high insurance and high provider density creates an ideal healthcare environment.

Sustain Fort Bend's health success

Fort Bend's exceptional health outcomes depend on maintaining universal or near-universal coverage; if uninsured, visit Healthcare.gov immediately. Your county's strong provider network and health-conscious population are assets worth protecting.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Fort Bend County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Massive Suburban Education Hub

Fort Bend County operates a staggering 186 public schools serving 185,368 students across six districts. The infrastructure is primarily elementary-focused, with 114 primary schools supporting the county's rapid growth.

High Standards in a Growing Region

The county maintains an impressive 94.2% graduation rate, far exceeding the national average. Remarkably, this is achieved with a per-pupil expenditure of $6,585, demonstrating significant economies of scale compared to state averages.

Fort Bend and Katy ISD Powerhouses

Fort Bend ISD is one of the state's largest, with 85 schools and nearly 80,000 students. Katy ISD also has a massive presence here, including Cinco Ranch High School which alone enrolls 3,656 students.

Large-Scale Suburban Learning

Most students attend large suburban campuses, with an average school size of 1,030 students. The environment is diverse, ranging from city-based schools in Sugar Land to vast suburban campuses like Seven Lakes High.

Invest Near Top-Tier Schools

Fort Bend County is a national leader in suburban education quality, making it a prime destination for families. Look for homes near Katy or Fort Bend ISD to access some of the highest-rated schools in the state.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Fort Bend County

via RiskByCounty

Fort Bend County faces relatively high risk

Fort Bend County's composite risk score of 97.46 places it well above the national average in the relatively high risk category. Residents face substantially more natural disaster threats than most Americans, demanding comprehensive preparedness and insurance strategies.

Among Texas's highest-risk counties

At 97.46, Fort Bend County's composite score nearly doubles Texas's state average of 49.00, marking it as one of the state's most disaster-prone areas. The county ranks among Texas's riskiest jurisdictions across multiple hazard categories simultaneously.

Far more threatened than surrounding areas

Fort Bend County's risk score of 97.46 dramatically exceeds all nearby counties, including Fayette County (57.98). The county faces exceptionally elevated tornado (99.20), flood (97.61), and hurricane (97.58) risks compared to regional peers.

Triple threat: tornadoes, floods, hurricanes

Fort Bend County residents face extraordinary exposure to tornadoes (99.20), floods (97.61), and hurricanes (97.58)—among the highest scores for any Texas county. Wildfire risk (80.06) and earthquake risk (61.77) also substantially exceed state averages.

Comprehensive protection is essential

Fort Bend County residents should prioritize flood insurance immediately—standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage, yet the county's 97.61 flood score indicates extreme vulnerability. Additionally, verify robust wind/hail coverage for tornadoes and hurricanes, and consider a safe room investment given the 99.20 tornado risk.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Fort Bend County

via WeatherByCounty

Subtropical Coastal Heat

Fort Bend County is remarkably warm with an average annual temperature of 70.4°F, far exceeding the national median. This climate is defined by high humidity and heavy rainfall, common for the Gulf Coast region.

Wetter and Warmer than Texas

The county is significantly wetter than the Texas average, receiving 51.1 inches of rain compared to the state's 31.9-inch benchmark. Its average temperature of 70.4°F is also nearly 5 degrees warmer than the state average.

Sharing the Houston Humidity

Fort Bend mirrors the climate of neighboring Harris and Brazoria counties, characterized by lush vegetation and frequent rain. It is slightly more prone to heavy rain events than counties further inland to the west.

Intense Summers and Tropical Rains

The county endures 117 days per year where temperatures hit at least 90°F, often paired with high humidity. Snow is non-existent, and winters remain very mild with an average temperature of 55.8°F.

Focus on Moisture and Heat

Dehumidifiers and powerful cooling systems are essential for managing the 117 days of extreme heat and coastal humidity. High-quality rain gutters and drainage systems are necessary to handle the heavy 51.1-inch annual rainfall.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Fort Bend County

via SoilByCounty

Fort Bend's Ideal Acidic Balance

Fort Bend County boasts an average pH of 6.41, which is nearly identical to the national median of 6.5. This makes it significantly more acidic than the Texas average of 7.09, offering an ideal environment for many common garden plants. The soil texture varies across the county's diverse river-delta landscape.

A Complex Silt and Clay Matrix

The soil contains 33.1% silt and 26.0% clay, alongside 36.4% sand. This balanced composition provides a versatile foundation that works well for both large-scale farming and residential landscaping. It retains nutrients effectively while allowing for decent root growth.

Peak Organic Matter for Texas

Organic matter hits the 2.0% national average, far outperforming the Texas state average of 1.66%. Combined with an available water capacity of 0.144 in/in, these soils are some of the most fertile in the state. This high productivity is reflected in the county's impressive soil score of 51.4.

Well Drained with Hydrologic Limitations

While the soil is generally well drained, it belongs to hydrologic group D, indicating slow infiltration when fully wet. This is common in the Gulf Coast region where heavy rains can quickly saturate the ground. Urban planning must account for this runoff potential to prevent local flooding.

Abundance in Hardiness Zone 9b

The combination of high organic matter and a near-neutral pH makes this a gardener's paradise. Zone 9b allows for citrus trees and year-round vegetable production with very little frost risk. At double the state average soil score, your backyard is likely ready for a thriving garden.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Fort Bend County

via LawnByCounty

Lawn Care in Subtropical Fort Bend

Fort Bend County has a lawn difficulty score of 40.4, making it more manageable than the average Texas county but tougher than the national median. Situated in Zone 9b, this region features very mild winters and long, humid summers. The primary challenge here is balancing high rainfall with extreme heat stress.

Abundant Rain and Long Heat Waves

The county receives a generous 51.1 inches of rain annually, which is at the very top of the ideal range for lawns. However, 117 extreme heat days and a high July average of 84.6°F can lead to fungal issues if lawns aren't properly drained. The massive 7,623 growing degree days mean your grass will grow rapidly for most of the year.

Ideal pH for Southern Turf

The soil pH is 6.41, which falls perfectly within the ideal 6.0 to 7.0 range for healthy grass. While textures vary across the county, the soil is generally well-drained with a 26.0% clay content. This balance provides an excellent foundation for nutrient uptake and root respiration.

Managing Drought Amidst Plenty

Despite high annual rainfall, 96.7% of the county is currently in severe drought after 22 weeks of dry conditions this year. Residents should use moisture sensors and avoid watering during the hottest part of the day to ensure every drop is used efficiently. Maintaining a healthy soil structure will help your lawn survive these erratic weather shifts.

Fort Bend Planting Guide

St. Augustine grass thrives in this humid 9b environment, especially with the local pH levels. With the last frost occurring as early as February 9, you can start your lawn projects much sooner than the rest of the country. The growing season is exceptionally long, lasting until the first frost on December 11.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fort Bend County's county score?
Fort Bend County, Texas has a composite county score of 27.1 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 Fort Bend County rank among counties in Texas?
Fort Bend County ranks #229 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 Fort Bend County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Fort Bend County is $6,965, with an effective tax rate of 1.99%. This earns Fort Bend County a tax score of 3.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Fort Bend County?
The median household income in Fort Bend County, Texas is $113,409 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Fort Bend County earns an income score of 97.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Fort Bend County, Texas a good place to live?
Fort Bend County scores 27.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #229 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Fort Bend 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 Fort Bend County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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