CountyScore

Jackson County

Texas · TX

#135 in Texas
62.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Jackson County, Texas

Jackson County beats national median clearly

Jackson County scores 69.1, well above the national median of 50.0 and placing it in the 38th percentile nationally. This above-average performance reflects solid livability conditions relative to American counties broadly.

Modestly above Texas state average

With a score of 69.1, Jackson County edges above the Texas state average of 66.8, establishing it as a competitive choice among Texas counties. This positioning indicates middle-to-upper tier livability within the state landscape.

Tax efficiency and moderate affordability

Jackson County scores 72.7 on Tax with an effective rate of just 1.052%, one of the lowest in this group, while its Cost Score of 77.8 offers median home values of $175,500. These dual strengths create favorable economic conditions for tax-conscious households.

Moderate incomes and incomplete picture

The Income Score of 23.7 reflects median household income of $61,752, which is adequate but below several peers and indicates limited high-wage employment. Missing data on safety, health, schools, and water quality prevents a complete livability assessment of this rural county.

Suits budget-minded families and professionals

Jackson County appeals to families and professionals who value low taxes and reasonable housing costs over maximum income potential. Its profile suggests a practical, financially efficient rural community ideal for those with stable external income or modest economic needs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax72.7Cost77.8SafetyComing SoonHealth55.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.7Risk28.3WaterComing Soon
🏛72.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠77.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤55.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡28.3
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 Jackson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Bay County
Florida
62.2
Median income: $70,188
Douglas County
Georgia
62.2
Median income: $80,764
Muscogee County
Georgia
62.2
Median income: $56,622
Sumter County
Georgia
62.2
Median income: $41,877
Douglas County
Illinois
62.2
Median income: $74,186

Deep Dives

Jackson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jackson County

via TaxByCounty

Jackson County taxes modestly below national median

At 1.052%, Jackson County's effective tax rate sits just below the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the lower-middle tier nationally. The median property tax of $1,847 remains about 31% below the national median of $2,690.

Jackson County ranks below Texas state average

Jackson County's 1.052% effective rate falls notably below the state average of 1.276%, ranking it among lower-tax counties statewide. Homeowners pay $1,847 annually versus the state average of $2,193.

Jackson County offers moderate regional taxation

Jackson County's 1.052% rate falls between Houston County (0.921%) and Howard County (1.093%), offering middle-ground taxation for the region. At $1,847 in median taxes, Jackson County sits comfortably below Hunt and Jack counties but above the lowest-taxing peers.

What Jackson County homeowners actually pay

The median Jackson County home valued at $175,500 generates an estimated $1,847 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, expect $2,683; without, around $1,346.

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 lower your annual tax bill—a worthwhile option for Jackson County homeowners.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Jackson County

via CostByCounty

Jackson County's modest affordability gap

Jackson County's 19.6% rent-to-income ratio sits just above the national baseline, indicating moderate housing pressure that remains within manageable range. With median household income of $61,752—17% below the national average—residents face tighter affordability than wealthier U.S. regions but enjoy relatively stable housing costs.

Near parity with Texas average

Jackson County's 19.6% rent-to-income ratio runs 1.5 points above Texas's 18.1% state average, putting it slightly above the state's typical housing burden. Median rent of $1,011 stands 5% above the state average of $963, reflecting modest pricing pressure in an otherwise typical market.

Upper-middle tier housing costs

Jackson County's 19.6% burden ranks above Hutchinson County (15.6%), Howard County (16.7%), and Jack County (17.7%), but below Hunt County (20.3%) and Irion County (21.2%). Its $1,011 median rent places it in the region's upper-moderate cost range.

Jackson County housing expenses

Renters pay $1,011 monthly and homeowners pay $809, moderate-to-elevated costs, against median income of $61,752 annually. Housing claims 19.6% of renter income—approaching the upper bound of comfort and requiring careful household budgeting to leave room for other priorities.

Jackson County: consider if income stable

Jackson County works well if you're relocating with stable, above-county-median income that makes its $1,011 rent comfortable, or if you're purchasing at the $175,500 median home value. Check whether your current housing payment falls below Jackson's costs; if not, you may find better affordability in Howard, Hutchinson, or Jack counties.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jackson County

via IncomeByCounty

Jackson County income below U.S. average

Jackson County's median household income of $61,752 trails the national median of $74,755 by $13,003, reflecting economic challenges relative to national norms. This gap places Jackson County in the lower-middle range of U.S. counties by household income.

Below Texas statewide average

At $61,752, Jackson County falls short of Texas's state average of $64,737 by $2,985, ranking it among the lower-earning counties statewide. Per capita income of $32,146 also slightly trails the state average of $33,197.

Lower earnings compared to nearby counties

Jackson County's $61,752 income ranks in the lower tier of this region, behind Hutchinson ($65,470), Jack County ($65,693), and Hunt County ($70,112). Only Houston County ($54,563) and Hudspeth County ($39,336) earn notably less.

Housing costs strain moderate incomes

A rent-to-income ratio of 19.6% is above the ideal but manageable threshold, suggesting notable housing cost pressure. A median home value of $175,500 is substantial relative to the median household income, requiring careful mortgage planning.

Invest strategically despite income constraints

Jackson County residents earning $61,752 should focus on maximizing employer retirement benefits and building emergency savings before investing. As financial stability improves, consider low-cost index funds and homeownership as pathways to long-term wealth building.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Jackson County

via HealthByCounty

Jackson County leads on longevity

Jackson County's life expectancy of 76.3 years exceeds the U.S. average of 78.9 years... wait, that's incorrect. At 76.3 years, Jackson trails the U.S. by 2.6 years but ranks among the highest in the region. The county's 23.9% poor/fair health rate is moderate for rural Texas.

Highest life expectancy in study

Jackson County's 76.3-year life expectancy tops all eight counties and exceeds Texas's 74.3-year average by 2 years. The county demonstrates strong population health outcomes compared to statewide peers.

Limited primary care, moderate access

Jackson County has just 13 primary care providers per 100K—the lowest in the region and well below Hunt County (27 per 100K) and Jack County (34 per 100K). Mental health provider availability at 33 per 100K is moderate, suggesting residents may face delays accessing routine medical care despite the county's strong longevity profile.

Insurance and provider access strong

Jackson County's uninsured rate of 19.8% matches the state average exactly, and strong health outcomes suggest effective healthcare access. Despite lower primary care provider density, the county achieves exceptional longevity, possibly reflecting strong community health initiatives or healthier baseline population characteristics.

Maintain Jackson County's health gains

Jackson County's top-tier longevity reflects effective health management—if uninsured, enrollment maintains this trajectory. Visit healthcare.gov or local health departments to find affordable coverage and continue regular preventive care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Jackson County

via RiskByCounty

Jackson County faces substantial coastal risk

Jackson County scores 71.69 on the composite risk scale, exceeding the national average and reflecting a relatively low overall rating despite significant hurricane exposure. The score places the county in the upper-middle risk band nationally, concentrated in coastal hazards.

Elevated risk for Gulf Coast Texas

At 71.69, Jackson County ranks above Texas's state average composite risk of 49.00, placing it in the elevated-risk tier among the state's counties. The exposure is driven predominantly by its position in the active hurricane zone.

Hurricane hotspot on Gulf Coast

Jackson County's composite risk of 71.69 exceeds neighboring Matagorda and Wharton counties, primarily due to its exceptional hurricane risk score of 94.03. The county's coastal location creates unmatched tropical system exposure in the immediate region.

Hurricanes dominate threat landscape

Hurricane risk reaches 94.03, positioning Jackson County as one of Texas's most hurricane-vulnerable areas and a direct target for tropical systems. Flood risk at 55.31 and wildfire risk at 63.90 create secondary hazards, compounding the coastal exposure.

Hurricane-specific coverage non-negotiable

Jackson County homeowners must prioritize comprehensive wind and hail coverage to address the extreme hurricane threat, plus mandatory separate flood insurance given coastal vulnerability. Hurricane-resistant home improvements—reinforced roof attachment, impact-resistant windows—should be considered as long-term investments.

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.