47.7
County Score
Safety 91.9Income & Jobs 85.9Disaster Risk 66.9

County Report Card

About Hartley County, Texas

Competitive with the National Median

Hartley County's score of 47.7 is just shy of the 50.0 national median. It offers a balanced profile that rivals many rural counties across the United States.

Exceeding the Average Texas Score

At 47.7, Hartley County performs better than the Texas state average of 41.9. Its high marks in safety and income make it a standout choice for the region.

Elite Safety and High Earnings

The county boasts a near-perfect safety score of 91.9 and an excellent income score of 85.9. Median household incomes are high at $82,122, far exceeding many neighboring areas.

Concerns in Schools and Water

Educational performance scores lower at 25.6, and the water score of 17.7 points to resource challenges. Housing affordability is also moderate, with a cost score of 27.7.

A Haven for High-Income Professionals

Hartley County is ideal for high-earning individuals who prioritize personal safety and quiet living. It is a strong fit for those who may consider private schooling or have no children in the house.

2040608010024.727.791.948.525.685.966.917.747.5Tax24.7Cost27.7Safety91.9Health48.5Schools25.6Income85.9Risk66.9Water17.7Weather47.547.7/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Hartley County DNA

Foverall

How Hartley County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Hartley County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (91.9/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (17.7/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
24.7-27.3
Cost
27.7-20.3
Safety
91.9+36.900000000000006
Health
48.5
Schools
25.6-28.4
Income
85.9+34.900000000000006
Risk
66.9+19.900000000000006
Water
17.7-40.3
Weather
47.5-8.5
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Hartley County?

Many homeowners in Hartley County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$213,200

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$1,023/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$213,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$40,920/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $82,122/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Hartley County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Hartley County

via TaxByCounty

Hartley's taxes sit slightly below national median

Hartley County's effective tax rate of 1.221% runs below the national median of 1.80%, positioning it in the lower-tax half of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $2,604 is 3% below the national median of $2,690, despite home values comparable to the national average.

Modest premium over Texas average

Hartley County's 1.221% effective rate runs 4% above the Texas state average of 1.276%... actually, that's slightly below. Hartley sits nearly at the state average, making it perfectly representative of typical Texas property tax burdens.

Mid-range rates for this county sample

Hartley County's 1.221% falls between Hardeman (1.183%) and Hamilton (1.537%), positioning it squarely in the middle of this eight-county group. Higher home values here ($213,200 median) offset the moderate tax rate.

Annual tax bill near $2,600 for median homes

The median Hartley County home valued at $213,200 generates a $2,604 annual property tax bill. This amount nearly matches the national median, reflecting how Hartley's combination of moderate rates and above-average home values creates predictable, nationwide-comparable costs.

Review assessments on higher-value properties

Hartley County homeowners with properties valued above $200,000 should especially scrutinize their assessments, as small valuation errors create larger tax differences. Requesting a formal appraisal review takes minimal time and could yield meaningful savings on higher-value homes.

Cost of Living in Hartley County

via CostByCounty

Hartley County punches above income level

Hartley County's 14.9% rent-to-income ratio beats the Texas state average of 18.1% and the national average of roughly 30%, despite having the highest median household income in our comparison at $82,122. Renters here enjoy strong affordability with robust earning power.

Top affordability with top income

Hartley County ranks in the most affordable tier of Texas counties while simultaneously offering one of the strongest median household incomes statewide at $82,122. This is a rare combination of high earnings and low housing burden.

Premium income, moderate housing

Hartley County's $82,122 median income is significantly higher than comparison counties, while its $1,023 median rent and $213,200 home values remain reasonable. The strong income-to-housing ratio gives residents maximum financial flexibility.

Best income-to-housing ratio

Hartley County residents earn $82,122 median income while spending just 14.9% on rent or 14.9% on mortgage payments. This leaves roughly 70% of income available for taxes, savings, healthcare, and quality of life investments.

Hartley: prosperity meets affordability

Hartley County offers a unique combination—the highest incomes among our counties with among the lowest housing burden rates. If you're relocating for a strong job or have flexible income, Hartley delivers real wealth-building potential.

Income & Jobs in Hartley County

via IncomeByCounty

Hartley leads with strong income

Hartley County's median household income of $82,122 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by $7,367, ranking it well above national norms. Per capita income of $30,181, however, trails Texas's state average of $33,197, suggesting unequal distribution.

Top earner among Texas counties

Hartley County's $82,122 median household income significantly surpasses Texas's state average of $64,737 by $17,385, placing it in the upper tier of Texas counties. The county ranks among the highest-earning counties in the state.

Highest earnings in regional group

Hartley County's median income of $82,122 substantially outearns all neighboring counties in this cluster, exceeding Harris County ($73,104) by $9,018 and Hardin County ($72,532) by $9,590. The county's economic performance stands apart regionally.

Strong income supports high home values

Hartley County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.9% remains healthy despite median home values of $213,200, the second-highest in this group. Strong median household income of $82,122 comfortably supports housing costs while maintaining financial flexibility.

Maximize wealth with top-tier income

Hartley County's above-average income combined with reasonable housing costs creates exceptional wealth-building potential. Residents should maximize 401(k) and IRA contributions, explore investment properties, and consider diversifying into stocks or bonds to capitalize on their income advantage.

Safety in Hartley County

via CrimeByCounty

Exceptional Safety Levels in Hartley County

Hartley County is one of the safest jurisdictions in the country with a score of 99.8 out of 100. Its total crime rate of 130.4 per 100,000 is over 18 times lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Surpassing State Safety Benchmarks

Hartley County significantly outperforms the Texas state average safety score of 96.8. Please note that data is provided by a single reporting agency, which reflects an exceptionally secure local environment.

A Panhandle Leader in Safety

Hartley’s crime rate of 130.4 is even lower than neighboring Hansford County’s 227.7. Both counties set a very high bar for public safety within the Texas Panhandle region.

Minimal Violent and Property Crime

The county reports a tiny violent crime rate of 37.3 and a property crime rate of 93.1 per 100,000. These figures are almost negligible compared to national averages of 369.8 and 2,015.7, respectively.

Maintaining a Secure Environment

In a county this safe, basic vigilance remains the best tool. Residents should continue standard practices like locking vehicles and being observant of unusual activity to maintain these elite safety scores.

Schools in Hartley County

via SchoolsByCounty

Small Districts in the High Plains

Hartley County operates five public schools serving a total of 1,776 students. These campuses are managed by three local districts and include a mix of elementary, middle, and K-12 other-level schools.

Graduation Rates Below State Targets

The county's graduation rate is 75.0%, trailing both the state average and the national 87% benchmark. Spending per pupil is $7,300, which is nearly equal to the state average but has not yet translated to a high school score.

Dalhart ISD Leads the Area

Dalhart ISD is the primary educational provider, serving 1,770 students across four different schools. The county currently has no charter school options, relying entirely on traditional local districts.

Rural Roots and Moderate Sizes

Four out of five schools are in rural settings, with an average enrollment of 355 students. Dalhart Elementary is the largest campus with 544 students, while Channing School offers a smaller PK-12 experience with 161 students.

Finding Your Place in Dalhart

Most educational activity is centered in the Dalhart area, making it a key focus for families moving to the county. Review local school performance data carefully while exploring rural housing opportunities.

Disaster Risk in Hartley County

via RiskByCounty

Hartley County enjoys low disaster risk

Hartley County's composite risk score of 33.11 sits well below national averages, with a Very Low rating reflecting minimal exposure to major natural disasters. The Texas Panhandle county benefits from geographic protection against hurricanes and significant flooding.

Below-average risk across Texas

Hartley County's composite score of 33.11 sits 33% below the Texas state average of 49.00, ranking it among the state's safer jurisdictions. Its high plains location shields it from coastal and subtropical hazards that drive risk elsewhere.

Safest county in the Texas Panhandle

Hartley County's disaster profile significantly outperforms surrounding Panhandle and West Texas counties, offering exceptional resilience. Its geographic position in the high plains minimizes overlap between major hazard types.

Wildfire is primary hazard concern

Hartley County's wildfire risk of 71.12 dominates its hazard profile, reflecting the Panhandle's grassland environment and seasonal fire conditions. Limited data on hurricane exposure does not significantly affect the county's overall very low risk rating.

Focus on wildfire preparedness

Hartley County residents should prioritize wildfire coverage and defensible space maintenance given the county's fire exposure. Standard homeowner's insurance with wildfire provisions provides adequate protection in this low-risk region.

Water Quality in Hartley County

via WaterByCounty

Hartley County Records F Compliance Grade

Despite having only one health violation, Hartley County earns an F grade based on its violation rate of 156.3 per 100,000 people. This rate is much lower than the Texas state average of 581.9. This single violation significantly impacts the score for this sparsely populated county.

Watershed Assessments Not Yet Performed

No water bodies in Hartley County have been assessed under federal §303(d) standards for the current cycle. Acknowledge that impairment data is N/A as federal reporting has not yet covered this region. This lack of data is typical for many rural counties in the High Plains.

Tracking Organics and Metals in Groundwater

Six monitoring sites in Hartley County have recorded 524 measurements over the past five years. Monitoring efforts focus on organics, metals, and inorganics. This data is vital for tracking the long-term health of the Ogallala Aquifer and other local sources.

No USGS Streamflow Gauges in Hartley

There is currently no representative USGS streamgage providing live data for Hartley County. In the absence of streamflow data, residents should prioritize the monitoring of drinking water compliance records. The reliance on groundwater makes compliance signals even more critical.

Protecting Your Panhandle Water Source

Since streamflow data is unavailable and the compliance grade is low, residents should prioritize well testing. If you are on a public system, review the specific reasons for the recent health violation. Ensuring your filtration matches the localized risks of organics and metals is a smart precaution.

Weather & Climate in Hartley County

via WeatherByCounty

Cooler High Plains Climate

At 55.8°F, Hartley County aligns closely with the national median temperature. It is a semi-arid region with only 16.9 inches of annual precipitation.

Among the Coolest in Texas

The county is nearly 10 degrees cooler than the state average of 65.5°F. It also receives only about half the rainfall of the average Texas county.

A Snowy Panhandle Outlier

Hartley is much colder and drier than central counties like Hays. It records 17.4 inches of snow, which is significantly higher than most of its Texas peers.

Modest Summers and Snowy Winters

Summers are mild for Texas, averaging 75.7°F with only 65 days of extreme heat. Winters are cold at 36.3°F, bringing the state's highest snow totals.

Winter Ready in the Panhandle

Residents need heavy winter gear and snow removal equipment for the 17.4-inch annual snowfall. Home insulation is a priority for the 36.3°F winter average.

Soil Quality in Hartley County

via SoilByCounty

High Alkalinity on the Panhandle Plains

Hartley County has very alkaline soil with a pH of 7.77, which is much higher than the national 6.5 median. This high pH level can influence nutrient availability, particularly for iron and phosphorus.

Sandy Foundations and Light Textures

The soil is predominantly sandy at 56.8%, balanced by 23.4% silt and 19.5% clay. This grit-heavy composition allows for excellent aeration but means the soil can dry out quickly under the Texas sun.

Low Organic Matter with Reliable Water Storage

Organic matter is quite low at 1.09%, falling well below the state average of 1.66%. However, the available water capacity of 0.138 in/in is slightly better than the Texas average, providing a good reservoir for plants.

High Runoff Potential in Group D

Belonging to hydrologic group D, the soil has high runoff potential and slow infiltration. This makes water management a priority for farmers and developers to ensure moisture reaches deep root zones.

Cold-Hardy Crops in Zone 7a

Hardiness zone 7a is perfect for pumpkins, squash, and hardy grains. Despite a lower soil score of 15.4, the decent water capacity offers a strong foundation for starting a successful High Plains garden.

Lawn Care in Hartley County

via LawnByCounty

The Most Manageable Climate in the Set

Hartley County boasts a lawn difficulty score of 45.8, the highest among this group and well above the Texas average. Its 7a hardiness zone provides a cooler environment that is much friendlier to grass than the state's hotter regions.

Dry Air and Moderate Heat

With only 65 extreme heat days, this county stays much cooler than the Texas average of 105 days. However, the very low annual precipitation of 16.9 inches makes a dedicated irrigation plan essential for survival.

Highly Alkaline and Sandy Soils

The soil pH of 7.77 is quite high, which can limit the availability of nutrients like phosphorus and iron. A high sand content of 56.8% ensures excellent drainage but requires frequent, light watering to keep roots hydrated.

Strong Resistance to Prolonged Drought

Hartley County has seen only 3 weeks of drought over the past year, though the area is currently classified as abnormally dry. This relative stability makes it easier to maintain a consistent lawn health program compared to neighbors.

Cooler Seasons for Hardy Turf

The shorter growing season and colder winters favor hardy grasses like Bluegrass or Buffalograss. Wait until the final frost on April 22 to start your spring lawn work, and expect dormancy by late October.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hartley County's county score?
Hartley County, Texas has a composite county score of 47.7 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 Hartley County rank among counties in Texas?
Hartley County ranks #81 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 Hartley County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Hartley County is $2,604, with an effective tax rate of 1.22%. This earns Hartley County a tax score of 24.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Hartley County?
The median household income in Hartley County, Texas is $82,122 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Hartley County earns an income score of 85.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Hartley County, Texas a good place to live?
Hartley County scores 47.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #81 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Hartley 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 Hartley County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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