Jasper County

Texas · TX

#109 in Texas
63.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Jasper County, Texas

Jasper scores well above the nation

Jasper County's composite score of 72.0 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper half of U.S. counties. This 44% advantage over the national average reflects strong fundamentals in tax burden and housing affordability that appeal to cost-conscious families.

A top performer in Texas

Jasper ranks above Texas's 66.8 state average with a score of 72.0, positioning it among the state's stronger counties for livability. This performance reflects competitive tax rates and particularly robust housing affordability relative to peer Texas counties.

Affordability and low taxes shine

Jasper excels in housing costs with a Cost Score of 85.1, supported by a median home value of just $125,900 and rent averaging $790/month. The county also maintains competitive taxes with an effective rate of 1.036%, giving it strong appeal for budget-minded residents.

Income growth lags significantly

The county's Income Score of 16.0 reveals a substantial constraint, with median household income at $49,919 well below state and national benchmarks. Safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unmeasured, limiting a complete livability picture.

Ideal for retirees and budget families

Jasper suits cost-conscious households and retirees seeking low taxes and affordable housing without high income demands. Those prioritizing economic stability over job growth will find it attractive, though families seeking higher earning potential should look elsewhere.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73.1Cost85.1SafetyComing SoonHealth49.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome16Risk38.9WaterComing Soon
🏛73.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠85.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼16
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
49.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
38.9
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

Jasper County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jasper County

via TaxByCounty

Jasper's tax rate beats the nation

Jasper County homeowners pay an effective tax rate of 1.036%, well below the national median of 1.264%. This puts Jasper in the bottom half of tax burdens nationally—a genuine advantage for property owners in this region.

Below average for Texas

At 1.036%, Jasper's effective rate ranks below Texas's state average of 1.276%, placing it in the lower-tax counties statewide. Most Texas homeowners pay more of their home's value in annual property taxes than Jasper residents do.

Jasper compares favorably locally

Jasper's 1.036% rate is lower than nearby Jefferson County (1.575%) and Jim Hogg County (1.413%), though it's slightly higher than Jeff Davis County's notably low 0.547%. Among its regional peers, Jasper sits in the middle-to-favorable range.

Expect $1,304 annual property tax

With a median home value of $125,900 and a 1.036% effective rate, Jasper homeowners typically pay $1,304 per year in property taxes—less than half the national median tax of $2,690. Owners with mortgages may pay around $1,835 annually when factoring in escrow.

You might be overpaying

Many homeowners in Jasper County are assessed above fair market value and don't realize they can appeal. A quick review of your property assessment could identify savings—especially if your home's value has dropped or improvements weren't properly credited.

Cost of Living in Jasper County

via CostByCounty

Jasper's rent stays near national norms

Renters in Jasper County spend 19.0% of income on housing, slightly above the national average of 18.1% but well within the affordable range. At a median household income of $49,919, Jasper households earn about two-thirds of the national median, yet their rent burden remains manageable compared to many U.S. counties.

Middle of the pack in Texas affordability

Jasper's 19.0% rent-to-income ratio ranks it modestly above the Texas state average of 18.1%, placing it in the affordable middle tier among Texas counties. The county's median gross rent of $790 runs $173 below the state average, offsetting its below-average income levels.

Cheaper rents than nearby counties

Jasper's median rent of $790 undercuts neighboring Jefferson County ($1,079) and Jim Hogg County ($820) substantially. For renters prioritizing low monthly payments, Jasper offers the region's most accessible entry point.

Renting costs less than owning here

Renters pay $790 monthly while homeowners spend $598—the county's only area where renting actually exceeds ownership costs in dollar terms. With a median home value of $125,900, Jasper offers affordable housing across both markets.

Budget-conscious renters should look here

If you're relocating to Texas and prioritize low rent costs, Jasper County delivers one of the region's gentlest monthly payments. Compare Jasper's $790 rent and 19% income burden against higher-cost neighbors before deciding where to settle.

Income & Jobs in Jasper County

via IncomeByCounty

Jasper's income gap from national average

At $49,919, Jasper County's median household income sits 33% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing the county well behind most American communities. This gap reflects broader economic challenges in Southeast Texas, where wages have not kept pace with national growth trends.

Below average for Texas households

Jasper County ranks below the Texas state average of $64,737, earning roughly $15,000 less per household than typical Texans. This places the county in the lower third of Texas counties by median household income.

Comparing to surrounding Southeast Texas

Jasper households earn more than Jim Hogg County ($42,230) and Jim Wells County ($47,492), but less than Jefferson County ($59,934) just to the south. The variation reflects different industry bases across the region, with energy and manufacturing playing larger roles in some neighboring areas.

Rent consumes stable share of earnings

With a rent-to-income ratio of 19%, Jasper County residents spend less than one-fifth of household income on rent, aligning with federal housing affordability guidelines. Combined with a median home value of $125,900—well below state averages—housing remains accessible for most families here.

Build financial security in Jasper County

At under $50,000 median household income, every dollar counts—prioritize an emergency fund covering 3–6 months of expenses before investing. With affordable housing, focus extra income on retirement accounts and debt reduction to strengthen long-term financial resilience.

Health in Jasper County

via HealthByCounty

Jasper's life expectancy lags nationally

At 71.0 years, Jasper County residents live about 6 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Nearly 1 in 4 residents (24.9%) report poor or fair health, slightly above the national poor/fair health rate of 21.0%. These gaps suggest systemic health challenges that demand local attention.

Among Texas's lower-performing counties

Jasper's 71.0-year life expectancy ranks it well below Texas's state average of 74.3 years—a gap of 3.3 years. The county's 24.9% poor/fair health rate also exceeds the state figure, placing Jasper in the lower quartile of Texas health outcomes. These disparities reflect both healthcare access and underlying community health factors.

Compared to nearby Southeast Texas

Jasper underperforms its neighbors: Jefferson County (73.4 years) and Johnson County (75.4 years) both live 2+ years longer. Jasper's 36 primary care providers per 100,000 residents is modest compared to Jefferson's 48 and Jeff Davis's 51. Mental health support in Jasper (55 per 100K) also trails Jefferson (139 per 100K) and Jeff Davis (216 per 100K).

Healthcare access remains a daily barrier

One in five Jasper residents (20.2%) lack health insurance, slightly above Texas's 19.8% uninsured rate. With only 36 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, finding an available appointment often means traveling or waiting weeks. Mental health coverage (55 providers per 100K) is similarly stretched thin for a county wrestling with higher-than-average poor health reports.

Explore your health coverage options

If you're uninsured or underinsured, Texas offers multiple pathways: Medicaid, the Marketplace, or community health center sliding scales. Jasper County Health Department and local FQHCs can help you enroll and connect to primary and mental health care. Starting today at healthcare.gov or 1-800-318-2596 takes less than 15 minutes.

Disaster Risk in Jasper County

via RiskByCounty

Jasper faces above-average disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 61.13, Jasper County ranks in the relatively low category nationally, but sits well above the Texas state average of 49.00. This means residents here face meaningfully higher exposure to natural hazards than most Texans.

High-risk county among Texas peers

Jasper County's risk profile places it in the upper tier of Texas counties, driven largely by hurricane and wildfire exposure. Among the state's 254 counties, this ranking reflects genuine vulnerability that requires preparation.

Riskier than surrounding counties

Jasper's composite score of 61.13 exceeds most neighboring counties in Southeast Texas, particularly in hurricane risk (88.69) where it faces significantly higher exposure than inland peers. Only coastal and near-coastal neighbors approach this level of hurricane vulnerability.

Hurricanes and wildfires dominate

Hurricane risk scores highest at 88.69, making Jasper vulnerable to storm surge, wind, and rainfall flooding during tropical systems. Wildfire risk (83.05) and tornado risk (68.32) round out the serious hazards, creating a triple threat that demands year-round preparedness.

Ensure comprehensive coverage now

Standard homeowners insurance typically excludes hurricane and flood damage—critical gaps in Jasper County. Secure separate hurricane and flood policies before the next storm season, and review coverage annually as risks evolve.

ByCounty Network

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