CountyScore

Harrison County

Texas · TX

#116 in Texas
63.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Harrison County, Texas

Harrison County Ranks in Top 40% Nationally

Harrison County's composite score of 70.0 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the nation's upper third for livability. This 40% advantage reflects exceptional tax efficiency and balanced cost-of-living factors.

Outperforms Texas by Solid Margin

With a score of 70.0 against Texas's average of 66.8, Harrison County ranks among the state's top performers. It demonstrates that strong livability is achievable in smaller, established communities.

Best-in-Class Tax Rates Statewide

Harrison County leads with the lowest effective tax rate in this entire group at just 1.016%, earning a tax score of 73.7. Its cost score of 78.0 offers reasonable housing with a median home value of $178,200 and rent of $977/month.

Moderate Income and Data Limitations

The income score of 26.5 reflects a median household income of $66,040, solid but not exceptional compared to peers. Safety, health, school, and environmental dimensions lack available data, which may limit decision-making for some families.

Ideal for Tax-Conscious Middle-Income Families

Harrison County appeals to middle-income families and retirees seeking low tax burdens, reasonable housing costs, and stable communities. It's perfect for those who want to live below their means and keep more of what they earn.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73.7Cost78SafetyComing SoonHealth58.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome26.5Risk22.3WaterComing Soon
🏛73.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤58.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡22.3
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 Harrison County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Floyd County
Georgia
63.2
Median income: $62,540
Henry County
Illinois
63.2
Median income: $69,912
Barton County
Kansas
63.2
Median income: $56,733
Fayette County
Kentucky
63.2
Median income: $67,631
Nantucket County
Massachusetts
63.2
Median income: $119,750

Deep Dives

Harrison County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Harrison County

via TaxByCounty

Harrison County offers among lowest taxes nationwide

Harrison County's effective tax rate of 1.016% ranks among the lowest in America, more than 40% below the national median of 1.80%. The median property tax of $1,811 is 33% below the national median of $2,690, delivering exceptional value for homeowners.

Texas's most tax-friendly county examined

At 1.016%, Harrison County has the lowest effective tax rate among these eight Texas counties, sitting 20% below the state average of 1.276%. This makes it one of Texas's most affordable regions for property taxation.

Cheapest option in east Texas and beyond

Harrison County's 1.016% rate beats all seven other counties in this comparison, undercutting the second-lowest (Hardeman's 1.183%) by nearly 14%. For homeowners seeking minimal tax burden, Harrison is the clear winner.

Just $1,811 per year on median homes

The median Harrison County home valued at $178,200 carries only $1,811 in annual property taxes—the lowest absolute amount among these eight counties. Even accounting for mortgage deductions, the bill reaches just $2,498, substantially below both state and national norms.

Even low-tax counties have overassessed homes

Don't assume Harrison County's low rates mean your specific property is fairly valued—assessments vary widely within any county. Request your property appraisal and compare it to recent arm's-length sales; if it's too high, file a formal protest with no cost or penalty.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Harrison County

via CostByCounty

Harrison County near Texas average

Harrison County's 17.8% rent-to-income ratio sits just below the Texas state average of 18.1% and significantly better than the national average of roughly 30%. This East Texas county offers stable, sustainable housing affordability.

Solid middle ground in Texas

Harrison County ranks in the affordable-to-moderate range among Texas counties, with its 17.8% rent-to-income ratio performing nearly at the state average. The median rent of $977 runs just above the state average, reflecting moderate East Texas pricing.

Between rural and urban values

Harrison County's $977 rent and $178,200 median home values position it between cheaper rural counties like Hardeman ($688 rent) and pricier Harris County ($1,349 rent). This balance reflects its position as a mid-sized East Texas hub.

Balanced income and housing costs

With a median household income of $66,040, Harrison County residents spend 17.8% on rent or roughly 15.1% on mortgage payments. This leaves healthy income available for savings and other household priorities.

Harrison offers East Texas balance

If you're considering East Texas, Harrison County delivers moderate costs with regional amenities—rents around $977 and homes under $180,000 with reasonable incomes. It's a solid middle-ground option between rural affordability and urban opportunity.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Harrison County

via IncomeByCounty

Harrison trails national income median

Harrison County's median household income of $66,040 falls $8,715 short of the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-middle range nationally. Per capita income of $31,547 also trails Texas's state average of $33,197.

Below Texas but respectable

Harrison County's $66,040 median household income sits $1,697 above Texas's state average of $64,737, placing it just at or slightly above the state median. The county ranks in the middle tier of Texas counties.

Mid-range earnings regionally

Harrison County's median income of $66,040 positions it in the middle of this regional cluster, exceeding Hamilton ($55,339), Hardeman ($61,179), and Haskell ($54,044), but trailing Hansford ($68,299), Hardin ($72,532), Harris ($73,104), and Hartley ($82,122).

Manageable housing with median costs

Harrison County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.8% is moderate and reasonable, with median home values of $178,200 supported by median income of $66,040. Residents allocate roughly one-fifth of income to housing, leaving adequate room for other expenses and savings.

Build stability through consistent saving

Harrison County's moderate income and reasonable housing costs create opportunity for disciplined wealth building. Establish automatic transfers to savings accounts, contribute to 401(k)s, and explore passive investment strategies like index funds to compound growth over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Harrison County

via HealthByCounty

Harrison's life expectancy slightly above average

At 74.5 years, Harrison County residents live slightly longer than Texas's 74.3-year average but about 5.3 years less than the U.S. average of 79.8 years. With 20.7% reporting poor or fair health—below the national rate of 21.7%—residents reflect moderate health challenges typical of East Texas communities.

Slightly above state average on longevity

Harrison County's 74.5-year life expectancy edges above Texas's 74.3-year average, placing it just ahead of the state baseline. Its uninsured rate of 17.4% is notably better than the state average of 19.8%, suggesting stronger insurance coverage than most Texas counties.

Limited primary care, moderate mental health access

Harrison County has only 30 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—less than one-quarter of Hardeman's 113 per 100K. At 55 mental health providers per 100,000, the county offers mid-range behavioral health resources but remains stretched for routine preventive care.

Good insurance coverage, weak doctor access

Harrison County's uninsured rate of 17.4% is among the best in this eight-county group, yet only 30 primary care providers per 100,000 serve the population. Residents with insurance may still wait weeks for appointments or travel significant distances for preventive care.

Confirm coverage and find care

Harrison County's low uninsured rate (17.4%) is an asset, but ensure you're enrolled and have a primary care provider identified. Visit healthcare.gov or your local county health department to verify coverage and locate doctors currently accepting new patients.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Harrison County

via RiskByCounty

Harrison County faces above-average disaster risk

Harrison County's composite risk score of 77.70 exceeds the national average by 55%, earning a Relatively Low rating that understates serious exposure to storms and tornadoes. The Northeast Texas county's position along major waterways and tornado alley creates substantial compound risk.

Above-average risk for Texas

Harrison County's composite score of 77.70 exceeds the Texas state average of 49.00 by 58%, placing it among the state's higher-risk counties. Its inland location and regional climate create consistent exposure to tornadoes, heavy rain, and wind events.

Riskier than most East Texas peers

Harrison County's disaster profile outpaces neighboring counties in the region, with particularly acute tornado exposure at 93.51—among the highest statewide. Its risk level approaches that of Houston-area counties despite being geographically distant.

Tornadoes pose greatest immediate threat

Harrison County's tornado risk of 93.51 is its defining hazard—among Texas's highest—making severe thunderstorms and rotation a constant seasonal concern. Flooding at 63.49 and wildfire exposure at 77.04 round out the county's substantial hazard profile.

Tornado and flood coverage are critical

Harrison County residents must prioritize comprehensive wind and hail coverage given the county's extreme tornado risk, and secure separate flood insurance for the region's waterways. Invest in a safe room or reinforced shelter, maintain accurate property documentation, and review your policy coverage annually.

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.