CountyScore

Hardin County

Texas · TX

#118 in Texas
63.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Hardin County, Texas

Hardin County Leads National Livability

Hardin County's composite score of 68.1 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 36%, placing it firmly in the nation's upper echelon. The county combines respectable tax rates with the highest median household income among these eight Texas peers.

Outperforms Texas Average Statewide

With a score of 68.1 compared to Texas's average of 66.8, Hardin County ranks among the state's stronger performers. Its edge comes from income strength rather than housing affordability alone.

Higher Incomes and Low Tax Rates

Hardin County leads this group with a median household income of $72,532 and an income score of 30.7, indicating meaningful earning potential. An effective tax rate of 1.155% and tax score of 69.8 provide tax relief that protects wealth.

Housing Costs Higher Than Counterparts

The cost score of 76.1 reflects higher median rents ($1,011/month) and home values ($188,200) compared to most rural neighbors. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unavailable.

Suited for Professionals and Growing Families

Hardin County attracts professionals and working families with above-average incomes who value tax efficiency and are willing to pay more for housing. It works best for those earning solid wages who want to balance growth with livability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax69.8Cost76.1SafetyComing SoonHealth60.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.7Risk30.4WaterComing Soon
🏛69.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠76.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤60.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡30.4
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 Hardin County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Weld County
Colorado
63.1
Median income: $93,287
Indian River County
Florida
63.1
Median income: $71,049
Newton County
Georgia
63.1
Median income: $73,732
Clinton County
Illinois
63.1
Median income: $82,314
Scott County
Kansas
63.1
Median income: $67,788

Deep Dives

Hardin County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Hardin County

via TaxByCounty

Hardin's taxes fall well below national average

Hardin County's effective tax rate of 1.155% is among the lowest in the nation, significantly below the national median of 1.80%. The median property tax of $2,174 remains nearly 19% below the national median of $2,690, despite homes valued 33% below the national norm.

Modestly below Texas's statewide average

Hardin County's 1.155% effective rate edges slightly below the Texas average of 1.276%, positioning it among the state's more tax-friendly counties. This below-average rate helps offset the county's relatively higher median home values for a rural Texas area.

Lower taxes than most peers in east Texas

Hardin's 1.155% rate undercuts Harrison County's 1.016%... actually, Harrison County is slightly lower. Hardin still beats most other nearby counties and offers competitive rates for the eastern Texas region.

Annual bill of $2,174 for median properties

A median Hardin County home worth $188,200 carries an annual property tax of $2,174. With mortgage considerations, the effective cost rises to $2,662, remaining below both the state median of $2,193 and national median of $2,690.

Verify your home's assessed value today

Hardin County homeowners should request their property's appraisal and compare it to recent sales of similar homes in the area. If your assessed value appears inflated, filing a formal protest with the appraisal district is free and straightforward.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Hardin County

via CostByCounty

Hardin County stays below the danger zone

Hardin County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.7% falls below the Texas state average of 18.1% and well below the national average of roughly 30%. This Southeast Texas county maintains healthy housing affordability despite above-average home values.

Upper-middle tier affordability in Texas

Hardin County ranks solidly in the middle-to-upper range of Texas counties for affordability, with a 16.7% rent-to-income ratio. While not the cheapest, it balances reasonable housing costs with stronger home values and incomes.

Premium pricing for Southeast Texas

Hardin County's $1,011 median rent and $188,200 home values are higher than inland counties but typical for Southeast Texas near Houston's influence. This reflects the region's stronger economy and property values.

Higher income supports higher housing

With a median household income of $72,532, Hardin County residents spend 16.7% on rent or roughly 15.2% on mortgage payments. The higher incomes here support the elevated housing costs while maintaining affordability.

Hardin offers Southeast Texas access

If you're seeking proximity to Houston's job market without downtown prices, Hardin County delivers—median rent at $1,011 and homes around $188,000 with strong local incomes. Compare to Harris County to see the savings from moving further from the urban core.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Hardin County

via IncomeByCounty

Hardin nears national household income

Hardin County's median household income of $72,532 sits just $2,223 below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it firmly in the upper-middle range nationally. Per capita income of $36,761 also exceeds Texas's state average of $33,197.

Above-average earner in Texas

Hardin County's $72,532 median household income surpasses Texas's state average of $64,737 by nearly $7,800, ranking it in the upper third of Texas counties. This reflects stronger-than-average employment and wage opportunities.

Strong performer regionally

Hardin County's median income of $72,532 exceeds most neighbors, trailing only Hartley County ($82,122) and matching Harris County ($73,104). The county outearns Hamilton, Hardeman, Harrison, and Haskell counties by significant margins.

Balanced income and housing costs

Hardin County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.7% is reasonable, though slightly elevated compared to neighbors like Hansford (13.5%) and Hardeman (13.5%). With a median home value of $188,200 and strong household income, residents maintain solid financial stability.

Invest for long-term prosperity

Hardin County's above-average income and manageable housing costs position residents well for wealth accumulation. Focus on maximizing retirement contributions, diversifying investments beyond real estate, and exploring employer stock purchase plans to accelerate financial growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Hardin County

via HealthByCounty

Hardin lives shorter than national average

At 73.7 years, Hardin County residents live about 6.1 years less than the U.S. average of 79.8 years and slightly below Texas's 74.3-year average. On a positive note, only 18.6% report poor or fair health—the best rate among these eight counties—suggesting some residents enjoy good wellness despite shorter overall lifespan.

Below-average lifespan, good insurance coverage

Hardin County's 73.7-year life expectancy sits just under Texas's 74.3-year average, but the county excels on coverage: at 16.6% uninsured, it's well below the state average of 19.8%. This suggests that insurance availability alone doesn't explain the lifespan gap.

Critically short on primary care doctors

Hardin County has only 18 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—far below peers like Hardeman (113 per 100K) and Hansford (58 per 100K). With 55 mental health providers per 100,000, the county faces acute primary care shortages that likely delay diagnosis and treatment of preventable conditions.

Insurance coverage strong, doctor access weak

Hardin County boasts the second-lowest uninsured rate at 16.6%, yet has the lowest primary care provider density at just 18 per 100,000 residents. Residents with insurance may still struggle to find a primary care physician, delaying necessary preventive and chronic disease management.

Secure your coverage and find a provider

Hardin County's strong insurance coverage (16.6% uninsured) is a solid foundation, but ensure you're enrolled and connected to a provider. Visit healthcare.gov or your county health department to confirm coverage and locate available primary care physicians.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Hardin County

via RiskByCounty

Hardin County faces significant disaster risk

Hardin County's composite risk score of 69.56 exceeds the national average by 40%, earning a Relatively Low rating that masks serious exposure to multiple hazards. The Southeast Texas county experiences critical vulnerability to hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding.

High-risk county in Texas

Hardin County ranks well above the Texas state average of 49.00 with a composite score of 69.56, placing it among the state's higher-risk counties. Its proximity to the Gulf Coast and riverine environments create overlapping disaster exposure.

Riskier than most Southeast Texas peers

Hardin County's disaster profile exceeds that of several neighboring Southeast Texas counties, with particularly acute hurricane and tornado exposure. Its combined flood and storm risk is among the region's highest.

Hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods converge

Hardin County faces a triple threat: hurricane risk of 87.15, tornado risk of 85.05, and flood risk of 66.67—all critically high. The county's location on the Texas Gulf Coast and within major waterway systems creates compound disaster risk that demands serious preparation.

Comprehensive coverage is non-negotiable

Hardin County residents must carry robust hurricane, flood, and tornado coverage to protect against the county's converging hazards. Standard policies often exclude flood damage—purchase separate flood insurance now, as claims surge during active seasons.

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.