Haskell County

Texas · TX

#56 in Texas
66.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Haskell County, Texas

Haskell Ranks Among America's Best

Haskell County's composite score of 70.9 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 42%, placing it in the nation's top tier for livability. The county achieves this ranking through exceptional affordability and tax efficiency despite modest incomes.

Well Above Texas Average Performance

Haskell County scores 70.9 versus Texas's average of 66.8, ranking among the state's strongest performers. Its success demonstrates that livability rankings reward affordability and tax management as much as earning potential.

Lowest Costs and Most Tax-Friendly

Haskell County boasts a cost score of 84.1 with the nation's lowest housing costs in this group: median home value of just $92,000 and rent of $824/month. Its tax score of 70.8 reflects an effective rate of 1.117%, nearly the best in the state.

Lowest Incomes and Limited Data

The income score of 18.7 reflects a median household income of $54,044, the lowest among these eight counties, limiting wealth accumulation. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality are not yet available.

Premium Choice for Frugal Retirees

Haskell County is excellent for retirees, remote workers, and budget-conscious families seeking maximum purchasing power and minimal tax drag. It's ideal for those whose incomes are stable or declining and who prioritize stretching every dollar.

Score breakdown

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

Tax70.8Cost84.1SafetyComing SoonHealth48.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.7Risk88.3WaterComing Soon
🏛70.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠84.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼18.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
48.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
88.3
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Haskell County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Haskell County

via TaxByCounty

Haskell offers steep discounts below national norms

Haskell County's effective tax rate of 1.117% sits well below the national median of 1.80%, placing it in the lowest quartile of American counties. The median property tax of just $1,028 is 62% below the national median of $2,690, making it exceptionally affordable.

Among Texas's lowest-taxing counties

Haskell County's 1.117% effective rate runs 12% below the Texas state average of 1.276%, putting it among the most tax-friendly regions in the state. This low burden reflects both modest home values and conservative local tax rates.

Second-cheapest in this eight-county group

Haskell County's 1.117% rate ranks second-lowest, trailing only Harrison County's 1.016% and beating Hardeman County's 1.183%. For rural homeowners seeking minimal tax exposure, Haskell is an excellent choice in west Texas.

Lowest tax bill among all eight counties

The median Haskell County home valued at $92,000 carries just $1,028 in annual property taxes—the absolute lowest in this group. Even with mortgage considerations, the cost rises only to $1,780, making Haskell unbeatable for tax-conscious buyers.

Still worth checking your property's value

Low overall rates don't guarantee accurate individual assessments—some Haskell homes may still be overvalued relative to market comps. Request your appraisal and compare to recent similar sales; if your assessment seems high, a protest costs nothing.

Cost of Living in Haskell County

via CostByCounty

Haskell County: rural affordability champion

Haskell County's 18.3% rent-to-income ratio sits just above the Texas state average of 18.1% and dramatically better than the national average of roughly 30%. This West Texas county delivers genuine rental affordability with rock-bottom median rent of $824.

Excellent value among Texas counties

Haskell County ranks in the top affordability tier of Texas's 254 counties, with a 18.3% rent-to-income ratio and the second-lowest median rent in our comparison group. This reflects authentic rural West Texas pricing.

Cheapest rents, lowest home prices

Haskell County's $824 median rent undercuts most comparison counties, with only Hardeman at $688 cheaper. Median home values of just $92,000 rank among the absolute lowest, making ownership accessible for any family.

Tiny housing slice of income

With a median household income of $54,044, Haskell County residents spend just 18.3% on rent or roughly 13.8% on mortgage payments. This leaves the vast majority of income for other essentials and savings.

Haskell County: extreme affordability

For families seeking maximum affordability in a genuine West Texas community, Haskell County delivers—median rent at $824, homes under $92,000, and minimal housing burden. This county works for those prioritizing financial breathing room over urban amenities.

Income & Jobs in Haskell County

via IncomeByCounty

Haskell lags well below national income

Haskell County's median household income of $54,044 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by $20,711, placing it among the lowest-earning counties nationally. Per capita income of $37,896 exceeds Texas's state average of $33,197, despite modest household earnings.

Lowest earner in Texas sample

Haskell County's $54,044 median household income falls nearly $10,700 below Texas's state average of $64,737, ranking it in the lowest tier of Texas counties. The county faces significant economic challenges relative to state norms.

Struggles compared to region

Haskell County's median income of $54,044 ranks lowest among all eight counties in this group, trailing Hamilton County ($55,339) and significantly lagging Hardeman ($61,179) and all higher-earning neighbors. The county faces the starkest economic headwinds.

Affordable housing is a lifeline

Haskell County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.3% and median home value of $92,000 provide critical affordability for residents earning the lowest median income in this cluster. Housing costs remain manageable, preventing deeper financial strain.

Start small, save consistently

Haskell County residents facing below-average income should prioritize building emergency reserves before investing, targeting 3-6 months of expenses. Even modest monthly contributions to savings accounts or employer 401(k)s—starting at $50-100—can build wealth over decades through consistent discipline.

Health in Haskell County

via HealthByCounty

Haskell faces significant health challenges

At 74.1 years, Haskell County residents live about 5.7 years less than the U.S. average of 79.8 years and just below Texas's 74.3-year average. Notably, 25.1% report poor or fair health—the highest rate among all eight counties—signaling above-average chronic disease burden and health struggles.

Below average on lifespan, above on uninsured

Haskell County's 74.1-year life expectancy falls slightly below Texas's 74.3-year average, and at 23.6% uninsured, it exceeds the state average of 19.8%. The combination of shorter lifespan and higher uninsurance suggests compounded barriers to health maintenance and treatment.

Strong provider access amid high health burden

Haskell County offers solid provider access with 92 primary care providers and 130 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—comparable to or exceeding many neighbors. Despite these resources, the county's 25.1% poor/fair health rate suggests social determinants and chronic disease burden outpace clinical supply.

Worst health perceptions despite decent access

One in four Haskell County residents (25.1%) report poor or fair health—the worst in this group—and 23.6% lack insurance. The county has 92 primary care and 130 mental health providers per 100,000, yet these resources appear insufficient to address the population's disease burden and preventive care gaps.

Get insured and stay healthy

Haskell County's 23.6% uninsured rate compounds its health challenges; securing coverage is a critical first step. Visit healthcare.gov or call your local health department to enroll and connect with primary care providers who can address preventive and chronic disease needs.

Disaster Risk in Haskell County

via RiskByCounty

Haskell County ranks among safest areas

Haskell County's composite risk score of 11.70 places it in the safest tier nationally, with a Very Low disaster rating across all major hazard categories. This West Texas county experiences minimal exposure to floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and severe storm damage.

Texas's lowest-risk counties

Haskell County ranks among Texas's safest jurisdictions with a composite score of 11.70—76% below the state average of 49.00. Few Texas counties match its exceptional resilience across all natural disaster hazards.

Safest county in the region

Haskell County's disaster profile significantly outperforms neighboring West Texas and Rolling Plains counties, offering superior natural disaster resilience. Its geographic isolation and semi-arid terrain minimize exposure across multiple hazard types.

Wildfire and tornado risks remain minor

Haskell County's primary hazards are wildfire at 79.64 and tornado risk at 32.16, both well below state averages. Earthquake and hurricane risks are negligible, making the county exceptionally stable for property protection planning.

Basic coverage meets regional needs

Haskell County's low disaster risk means standard homeowner's insurance with wildfire and wind provisions offers adequate protection. Leverage your favorable risk profile to secure competitive insurance rates and maintain routine property maintenance.

ByCounty Network

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