CountyScore

Hutchinson County

Texas · TX

#138 in Texas
62.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Hutchinson County, Texas

Hutchinson County exceeds national median

Hutchinson County scores 67.4, well above the national median of 50.0 and placing it in the 35th percentile nationally. This above-average performance reflects reasonably strong livability conditions for a rural Texas county.

Just above Texas state performance

With a score of 67.4, Hutchinson County narrowly exceeds the Texas state average of 66.8, positioning it as a solid choice among Texas counties. This near-parity with the state average indicates middle-tier livability within the state landscape.

Affordable housing leads the way

Hutchinson County scores 82.9 on Cost, with median gross rents of just $852/month and median home values of $102,200. This exceptional affordability makes it one of the most accessible counties in this group for renters and homebuyers alike.

Higher tax burden and modest incomes

The Tax Score of 60.6 reflects the county's effective tax rate of 1.482%, the highest among these eight counties and a notable burden on household budgets. The Income Score of 26.1 with median household income of $65,470 is moderate but doesn't fully offset tax constraints.

Best for tax-conscious renters and buyers

Hutchinson County suits cost-conscious families and individuals who prioritize low housing expenses over other livability factors. The combination of exceptional rent and home affordability makes it attractive despite the higher tax rate, particularly for those with stable external income sources.

Score breakdown

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

Tax60.6Cost82.9SafetyComing SoonHealth58SchoolsComing SoonIncome26.1Risk32.3WaterComing Soon
🏛60.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤58
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡32.3
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 Hutchinson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Butte County
California
62.1
Median income: $68,574
Yuba County
California
62.1
Median income: $73,313
Paulding County
Georgia
62.1
Median income: $94,557
Genesee County
Michigan
62.1
Median income: $60,673
Linn County
Oregon
62.1
Median income: $73,396

Deep Dives

Hutchinson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Hutchinson County

via TaxByCounty

Hutchinson County taxes well above national median

At 1.482%, Hutchinson County's effective tax rate ranks among the highest in the nation, well above the national median of 1.1%. The median property tax of $1,515 remains below the national median of $2,690, primarily due to lower median home values of $102,200.

Hutchinson County ranks among Texas's highest-tax counties

Hutchinson County's 1.482% effective rate significantly exceeds the state average of 1.276%, placing it in the top tier of Texas counties by tax burden. While the median tax of $1,515 sits below the state average of $2,193, the rate itself is notably high.

Hutchinson County carries the region's steepest rates

Hutchinson County's 1.482% rate dramatically exceeds all regional peers—Houston County (0.921%), Irion County (0.954%), Howard County (1.093%), and even Hunt County (1.297%). Homeowners shoulder a proportionally heavier tax burden despite modest home values.

What Hutchinson County homeowners actually pay

The median Hutchinson County home valued at $102,200 generates an estimated $1,515 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, expect $2,042; without, around $1,284.

Your property tax assessment may be inflated

Many Texas homeowners discover their homes are assessed above fair market value, making them eligible to challenge their appraisals. In a high-tax county like Hutchinson, filing a protest is especially worthwhile and costs nothing.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Hutchinson County

via CostByCounty

Hutchinson County: Texas affordability champion

Hutchinson County's 15.6% rent-to-income ratio is the best in this eight-county group and beats the national norm, delivering genuine housing relief to residents. With median household income of $65,470—just 12% below the national average—residents enjoy above-average affordability compared to the broader U.S.

Well below Texas average burden

Hutchinson County's 15.6% rent-to-income ratio runs 2.5 points below Texas's 18.1% state average, placing it among the state's most affordable housing markets. Median rent of $852 undercuts the state average of $963 by 11%, creating genuine savings for renters.

Second-best affordability in the region

Only Howard County (16.7%) matches Hutchinson County's rental affordability, while all other peer counties rank notably higher in housing burden. At $852 median rent, Hutchinson undercuts Hunt County ($1,184) and Irion County ($1,028) by significant margins.

Hutchinson County's balanced housing

Renters pay $852 monthly and homeowners pay $668, among the region's lowest costs in both categories, against median income of $65,470 annually. Housing claims just 15.6% of renter income—well within the sustainable 30% threshold—leaving ample room for savings and other necessities.

Hutchinson: affordability meets stability

If you value balanced housing costs without sacrificing income potential, Hutchinson County ranks among Texas's smartest relocation choices, with $102,200 median home values and sub-16% rent burdens. Check whether your current housing costs exceed $852 rent or $668 ownership; if so, you could redirect thousands annually toward building wealth.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Hutchinson County

via IncomeByCounty

Hutchinson County moderately below national income

Hutchinson County's median household income of $65,470 trails the national median of $74,755 by $9,285, placing it slightly below the national average. This positions Hutchinson as a middle-income county with moderate economic stability.

Slightly above Texas statewide average

At $65,470, Hutchinson County slightly exceeds the Texas state median of $64,737, gaining a $733 advantage over the state baseline. This modest edge reflects stable, competitive employment relative to other Texas counties.

Mid-range earnings among surrounding counties

Hutchinson County's $65,470 income places it in the middle tier of this region, above Houston ($54,563) but below Howard ($71,457) and Hunt ($70,112). This positioning reflects moderate economic opportunity within a diverse regional landscape.

Excellent housing affordability

A rent-to-income ratio of just 15.6% is among the best in this county group, well below the 28% affordability threshold and indicating comfortable housing costs. A median home value of only $102,200 makes homeownership genuinely accessible for most households.

Leverage affordable housing to invest

With strong housing affordability and stable income of $65,470, Hutchinson County residents can afford homeownership while maintaining investment capacity. Focus on equity building through mortgages combined with diversified retirement accounts for durable wealth growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Hutchinson County

via HealthByCounty

Hutchinson County falls short on longevity

At 71 years, Hutchinson County's life expectancy ranks among the lowest in the region and trails the U.S. average of 78.9 years by nearly 8 years. However, its 19.4% poor/fair health rate is the lowest among the eight counties, suggesting some population health strength despite shorter lifespan.

Lowest life expectancy in study

Hutchinson County's 71-year life expectancy falls 3.3 years below Texas's 74.3-year average, ranking among the state's most challenged counties. This longevity gap signals underlying health risks—potentially cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory illness, or injury—that demand urgent intervention.

Moderate provider availability

Hutchinson County has 24 primary care providers per 100K and 45 mental health providers per 100K—moderate resources compared to well-served Hunt County (27 primary, 86 mental) and Jack County (34 primary, 23 mental). The imbalance suggests adequate routine care access but limited behavioral health support.

Insured but facing provider gaps

Hutchinson County's uninsured rate of 16.4% is the lowest across all eight counties and 3.4 points below the state average. Despite strong insurance coverage, the county's historically low life expectancy suggests that coverage alone doesn't ensure healthy outcomes—quality and accessibility of care matter equally.

Use your insurance proactively

With strong insurance penetration, Hutchinson County residents should prioritize preventive care to address the county's longevity gap. Schedule annual checkups with your primary care provider and ask about screenings for heart disease and chronic illness.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Hutchinson County

via RiskByCounty

Hutchinson County shows elevated risk profile

Hutchinson County scores 67.68 on the composite risk scale, notably above the national average and reflecting a relatively low overall rating despite concentrated wildfire and tornado exposure. The score positions the county in the upper-middle risk band nationally.

Above-average risk for the Panhandle

At 67.68, Hutchinson County runs significantly above Texas's state average composite risk of 49.00, placing it in the elevated-risk tier among the state's 254 counties. The elevation stems almost entirely from extreme wildfire and tornado threats.

Panhandle hotspot for multiple hazards

Hutchinson County's composite risk substantially exceeds neighboring Potter, Carson, and Ochiltree counties, driven by wildfire risk of 94.94 and tornado risk of 78.34. These paired threats create a more hazardous environment than the typical Panhandle county.

Wildfires and tornadoes define exposure

Wildfire risk reaches 94.94, representing one of the state's highest exposures and reflecting the Panhandle's dry grasslands and fire season intensity. Tornado risk at 78.34 creates substantial spring and fall vulnerability, while flood risk remains relatively low at 21.37.

Wildfire and wind coverage are critical

Hutchinson County homeowners must ensure their policies include comprehensive wildfire coverage and strong wind/hail protection given the dual tornado-wildfire threat environment. Defensible space maintenance—clearing dead vegetation and managing tree canopy—provides essential supplementary protection.

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.