Hartley County

Texas · TX

#58 in Texas
66.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Hartley County, Texas

Hartley Ranks Well Above National Median

Hartley County's composite score of 67.2 outperforms the national median of 50.0 by 34%, placing it firmly in the nation's upper-middle tier. The county balances reasonable taxes with moderate housing costs and the highest median income in this eight-county group.

Holds Texas Average with Income Edge

Hartley County scores 67.2 compared to Texas's average of 66.8, performing at state level while maintaining notably higher incomes. It represents a strong profile for those seeking above-average earning potential.

Strongest Incomes Plus Reasonable Taxes

Hartley County's income score of 37.0 is exceptional, with a median household income of $82,122—the highest among these eight counties. Its tax score of 67.9 reflects an effective rate of 1.221%, providing meaningful tax relief to higher earners.

Higher Housing Costs and Data Gaps

The cost score of 74.3 reflects higher median rents ($1,023/month) and home values ($213,200) compared to most rural counterparts. Safety, health, school, and environmental data remain unavailable for complete livability assessment.

Best for Higher-Income Rural Professionals

Hartley County is ideal for professionals, entrepreneurs, and families with strong incomes who want small-town living without sacrificing earnings potential. It suits those seeking rural charm with urban-level salaries and tax advantages.

Score breakdown

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

Tax67.9Cost74.3SafetyComing SoonHealth64.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome37Risk66.9WaterComing Soon
🏛67.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠74.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼37
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
64.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
66.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Hartley County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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.

Health in Hartley County

via HealthByCounty

Hartley residents live longest

At 77.9 years, Hartley County residents enjoy the longest life expectancy among all eight counties and exceed the national average of 79.8 years. Only 18.1% report poor or fair health—among the lowest rates in this group—indicating strong baseline wellness in this rural panhandle community.

Best health outcomes in Texas sample

Hartley County's 77.9-year life expectancy is the highest among these counties and exceeds Texas's 74.3-year average by 3.6 years. At 16.7% uninsured—better than the state average of 19.8%—Hartley combines strong longevity with solid insurance coverage.

Mental health access limited, primary care data sparse

Hartley County reports only 19 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—the lowest in this group. Primary care provider data is not available, but the county's excellent life expectancy suggests either strong regional partnerships for care or a population with lower healthcare needs.

Sparse data, excellent health outcomes

Hartley County's 77.9-year life expectancy and 18.1% poor/fair health rate are the best in this group, despite having the fewest mental health providers (19 per 100,000) and limited primary care data. The county's success suggests strong community health foundations and preventive practices.

Stay covered in Hartley County

With 16.7% uninsured, Hartley County has low coverage gaps, but make sure your insurance is active and up to date. Visit healthcare.gov or contact your local health department to verify coverage and maintain your access to care.

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.

ByCounty Network

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