CountyScore

Irion County

Texas · TX

#21 in Texas
70.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Irion County, Texas

Irion County scores well nationally

Irion County scores 70.3, significantly above the national median of 50.0 and placing it in the 41st percentile nationally. This above-average performance demonstrates solid livability conditions despite its small, rural West Texas location.

Above-average among Texas counties

With a score of 70.3, Irion County ranks above the Texas state average of 66.8, establishing it as a competitive livability choice among the state's counties. This strong standing reflects balanced conditions across measured dimensions.

Low taxes and balanced affordability

Irion County excels with a Tax Score of 75.4 and the second-lowest effective tax rate at 0.954%, plus a Cost Score of 78.7 and median home values of $152,600. These metrics combine to create favorable economic conditions for households seeking tax efficiency and reasonable housing costs.

Income levels lag behind peers

The Income Score of 21.3 reflects a median household income of $58,125, below several peers in this group and indicating limited local employment opportunities. Missing data on safety, health, schools, and water quality leaves important livability dimensions incomplete.

Ideal for tax-minimizing retirees

Irion County suits retirees and those with fixed or remote incomes who want to minimize tax burdens while maintaining affordable housing. The strong tax and cost scores compensate for limited local income opportunities, making it an efficient choice for income-flexible households.

Score breakdown

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

Tax75.4Cost78.7SafetyComing SoonHealth61SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.3Risk98.3WaterComing Soon
🏛75.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤61
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡98.3
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 Irion County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Petersburg Borough
Alaska
70.3
Median income: $77,026
Trinity County
California
70.3
Median income: $53,498
Johnson County
Georgia
70.3
Median income: $54,183
Pulaski County
Georgia
70.3
Median income: $47,688
Webster County
Georgia
70.3
Median income: $40,764

Deep Dives

Irion County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Irion County

via TaxByCounty

Irion County taxes modestly below national median

At 0.954%, Irion County's effective tax rate runs below the national median of 1.1%, positioning it in the lower-tax quartile nationally. The median property tax of $1,456 represents just 54% of the national median property tax of $2,690.

Irion County ranks low on Texas tax spectrum

Irion County's 0.954% effective rate falls well below the state average of 1.276%, ranking it among Texas's lowest-taxing counties. Homeowners pay $1,456 annually versus the statewide average of $2,193.

Irion County offers lighter taxes than most regional peers

Irion County's 0.954% rate beats Howard County (1.093%), Hunt County (1.297%), and Hutchinson County (1.482%), though it trails Houston County's 0.921%. At $1,456 in median taxes, Irion County remains competitive for affordability.

What Irion County homeowners actually pay

The median Irion County home valued at $152,600 generates an estimated $1,456 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, expect $1,744; without, around $1,334.

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. Filing a protest costs nothing and could reduce your annual tax bill—especially valuable in lower-income areas like Irion County.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Irion County

via CostByCounty

Irion County faces housing headwinds

Irion County's 21.2% rent-to-income ratio ranks as the highest burden among these eight counties and well above the national baseline. With median household income of $58,125—22% below the national average—residents struggle with both limited wages and elevated housing costs.

Tightest affordability in Texas comparison

Irion County's 21.2% rent-to-income ratio stands 3.1 points above Texas's 18.1% state average, marking it as the state's most housing-stressed option in this eight-county group. Median rent of $1,028 runs 7% above the state average, compounding the affordability challenge.

Highest burden, steep rent costs

Irion County's 21.2% burden exceeds all peers, and its $1,028 median rent ranks second only to Hunt County ($1,184) in the region. This combination of high rents and modest income ($58,125) creates the region's most constrained rental market.

Irion County's affordability crisis

Renters pay $1,028 monthly while homeowners pay $727, and against median income of just $58,125 annually, rents consume 21.2% of household income. This burden exceeds the comfortable 15-18% range and leaves limited flexibility for emergencies, savings, or other major expenses.

Irion County: weigh costs carefully

Only consider Irion County if relocating for a job that significantly boosts your income above the county median of $58,125, offsetting the region's elevated housing burden. If your current rent or mortgage payment already exceeds $1,028 monthly, Irion offers little advantage; if it's below, carefully compare your income against local wages.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Irion County

via IncomeByCounty

Irion County income below national median

Irion County's median household income of $58,125 falls $16,630 short of the national median of $74,755, reflecting limited economic opportunity in this rural region. This gap places Irion County in the lower half of U.S. counties by household income.

Below Texas average despite local strengths

At $58,125, Irion County trails the Texas state average of $64,737 by $6,612, though its per capita income of $32,883 nearly matches the state average of $33,197. This suggests a more balanced income distribution than the state overall.

Mid-range income in a varied region

Irion County's $58,125 income ranks in the middle tier of this county group, above Hudspeth ($39,336) and Houston ($54,563) but below Howard ($71,457). This positioning reflects modest economic challenges relative to stronger regional neighbors.

Housing costs create affordability concerns

A rent-to-income ratio of 21.2% exceeds the ideal affordability threshold of 20%, suggesting modest housing cost pressure on households. Combined with a median home value of $152,600, homeownership requires careful financial planning for many residents.

Focus on income growth and savings

Irion County residents earning $58,125 should prioritize building emergency reserves before pursuing aggressive investments. Skill development, career advancement, and conservative real estate strategies can gradually increase financial security and wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Irion County

via HealthByCounty

Limited data on Irion's health

Life expectancy data for Irion County is unavailable, limiting national comparison. However, the county's 18.7% poor/fair health rate is among the lowest in the region, suggesting baseline health strength despite data gaps.

Small county, incomplete picture

Irion County's life expectancy data are not published, reflecting its small population size. The county's 18.7% poor/fair health rate aligns with the healthier end of the Texas distribution, though comprehensive trend data remain limited.

Provider data unavailable

Healthcare provider information is not available for Irion County, typical of sparsely populated West Texas counties. This data absence itself signals limited healthcare infrastructure and may indicate residents travel to larger regional centers for specialized care.

Uninsured above state average

Irion County's uninsured rate of 20.5% exceeds Texas's 19.8% average despite the county's relatively strong self-reported health status. Limited published provider data suggests residents may face geographic barriers to care, especially for specialized services.

Bridge the coverage gap

Irion County's uninsured rate is above state average—if you're uninsured, enrollment assistance is available. Contact nearby health districts or visit healthcare.gov to explore coverage options and identify accessible providers in your region.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Irion County

via RiskByCounty

Irion County ranks among safest nationally

Irion County scores just 1.78 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the very low category and far below the national average. This exceptionally low score reflects one of the most benign natural hazard environments in the United States.

Lowest-risk county in West Texas

At 1.78, Irion County ranks dramatically below Texas's state average composite risk of 49.00, positioning it among the state's safest counties. The county's risk score represents roughly one-quarter of the state average, indicating minimal natural disaster exposure.

Exceptional safety in the region

Irion County's composite risk of 1.78 makes it substantially safer than all neighboring counties including Crockett, Sterling, and Tom Green counties. This West Texas desert location provides natural protection from major storm systems and seismic activity.

Wildfire represents modest concern

Wildfire at 83.08 ranks as the county's highest risk exposure, though it remains isolated from other hazard types. All other risks—earthquake, tornado, hurricane, and flood—individually score below 30, creating an exceptionally low-hazard environment overall.

Standard homeowners insurance suffices

Irion County homeowners benefit from minimal natural disaster exposure and typically need only standard homeowners insurance to meet lender requirements. The county's risk profile does not warrant specialized hazard coverage or elevated premium expectations.

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.