CountyScore

Jeff Davis County

Texas · TX

#27 in Texas
69.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Jeff Davis County, Texas

Jeff Davis beats national averages

Jeff Davis County scores 71.8, nearly 44% above the national median of 50.0, marking it as a genuinely livable American county. This standing reflects exceptional tax efficiency and moderate housing costs that benefit most household budgets.

Among Texas's best performers

With a score of 71.8 against Texas's 66.8 average, Jeff Davis ranks solidly above the state median. Its tax advantages prove particularly notable in a state already known for favorable tax climates.

Unbeatable tax efficiency

Jeff Davis features the lowest effective tax rate among these eight counties at just 0.547%, earning a Tax Score of 86.9. Housing also remains affordable with a Cost Score of 77.3, median rent at $1,314/month, and median home values of $234,400.

Incomes significantly underperform

The county's Income Score of 4.7 is the weakest among these eight counties, with median household income just $32,625. Critical data gaps on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality further limit understanding of overall livability.

Perfect for tax-focused retirees

Jeff Davis attracts retirees and early-retirement seekers prioritizing minimal tax burden above all else. Those with fixed incomes or passive revenue streams will thrive here, but working families seeking career growth should evaluate other options.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.9Cost77.3SafetyComing SoonHealth55.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome4.7Risk97.1WaterComing Soon
🏛86.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠77.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼4.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤55.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡97.1
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 Jeff Davis County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Cullman County
Alabama
69.9
Median income: $60,916
Union County
Arkansas
69.9
Median income: $50,221
Fannin County
Georgia
69.9
Median income: $58,073
Cheyenne County
Kansas
69.9
Median income: $55,765
Jackson County
Kansas
69.9
Median income: $72,703

Deep Dives

Jeff Davis County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jeff Davis County

via TaxByCounty

Jeff Davis has one of the lowest rates

Jeff Davis County's effective tax rate of 0.547% ranks in the bottom 5% nationally—among the most tax-friendly counties in America. The national median effective rate is 1.264%, making Jeff Davis less than half the typical burden.

Texas's tax bargain

Jeff Davis County's 0.547% rate is the lowest among comparable Texas counties, falling well below the state average of 1.276%. This exceptional rate makes Jeff Davis a true outlier in property tax affordability statewide.

Significantly lower than regional peers

Jeff Davis's 0.547% rate dramatically undercuts neighbors like Karnes County (0.982%), Jasper County (1.036%), and especially Jefferson County (1.575%). For homeowners choosing where to buy in West Texas, Jeff Davis offers unmatched tax savings.

Only $1,283 on a $234,400 home

The median home value in Jeff Davis County is $234,400, and at 0.547%, homeowners pay just $1,283 annually in property taxes. This is a stark contrast to the national median tax of $2,690 and ranks among the lowest actual tax bills in Texas.

Still worth checking your assessment

Even in low-tax counties like Jeff Davis, some homeowners are overassessed relative to comparable properties. A free assessment review could confirm you're paying fairly—or uncover additional savings on an already favorable bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Jeff Davis County

via CostByCounty

Jeff Davis rents devour nearly half income

Renters in Jeff Davis County face the most severe affordability crisis among these eight counties, spending 48.3% of income on housing—nearly three times the national comfort threshold of 30%. With a median household income of just $32,625, the lowest in this group, Jeff Davis households struggle under a crushing rent burden of $1,314 monthly.

Texas's toughest county for renters

Jeff Davis County ranks as one of Texas's least affordable counties, with a 48.3% rent-to-income ratio that towers over the state average of 18.1%. The county's median rent of $1,314 exceeds the state average by 36%, creating an affordability emergency.

Dramatically pricier than surrounding areas

Jeff Davis's $1,314 median rent soars above every neighbor in this analysis, including Jefferson County ($1,079) and Johnson County ($1,343 in a much wealthier area). For renters, Jeff Davis represents the region's most punishing housing market.

Rent consumes nearly half of all income

At $1,314 monthly, gross rent claims 48.3% of the median household income—leaving renters with barely half their earnings for food, transportation, and utilities. Homeowners fare better at $459 monthly, but the county's median home value of $234,400 remains out of reach for most households.

Renters should look elsewhere in Texas

Jeff Davis County's brutal rent-to-income ratio makes it a cautionary case for job seekers considering relocation. Compare this county's 48.3% burden against any other Texas option—you'll find substantially better affordability almost everywhere else.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jeff Davis County

via IncomeByCounty

Jeff Davis faces steepest income challenge

At just $32,625, Jeff Davis County's median household income ranks among the lowest in Texas—56% below the national median of $74,755. This West Texas county confronts significant economic headwinds requiring focused investment and economic development.

Texas's lowest household incomes

Jeff Davis County ranks at the bottom of Texas counties, earning barely half the state median of $64,737. The gap of over $32,000 per household underscores the economic divide between rural West Texas and more developed regions.

Isolated in far West Texas economy

Jeff Davis County's $32,625 median income is significantly lower than every other county profiled here, reflecting its remote location and limited economic diversification. The nearest peer, Jim Hogg County, earns $42,230—still 30% more than Jeff Davis households.

Housing costs strain tight budgets

A 48.3% rent-to-income ratio means Jeff Davis households spend nearly half their income on rent—far exceeding the 30% affordability threshold and creating genuine hardship. The median home value of $234,400 compounds the challenge, remaining out of reach for many local earners.

Strategic savings despite income constraints

With median household income under $33,000, focus first on cutting housing costs and building a small emergency fund of $1,000–$2,000. Explore employer retirement plans, tax credits, and local nonprofit financial counseling to maximize every resource available.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Jeff Davis County

via HealthByCounty

Jeff Davis exceeds U.S. life expectancy

At 79.7 years, Jeff Davis County residents live nearly 3.3 years longer than the national average of 76.4 years, placing it among the healthiest small counties in Texas. Only 23.9% report poor or fair health, below both the national (21.0%) and state (around 24%) averages. This rural county defies expectations, demonstrating that remote location does not preclude good health outcomes.

A Texas health outlier—in the best way

Jeff Davis's 79.7-year life expectancy ranks it 5.4 years above Texas's state average of 74.3 years, placing it among the state's top performers. Its 23.9% poor/fair health rate is notably low, suggesting strong preventive care practices and community health. For a county of fewer than 2,500 residents, these metrics reflect exceptional health stewardship.

Outpacing larger, more resourced neighbors

Jeff Davis residents outlive those in Brewster County (72.8 years) and Presidio County (71.5 years) by 7+ years despite serving a smaller population. Its mental health provider density (216 per 100K) is unmatched in Far West Texas, nearly 4 times higher than Jim Hogg County and Karnes County combined. This small county punches well above its weight in healthcare infrastructure.

High uninsured rate despite strong health

Paradoxically, 22.2% of Jeff Davis residents lack health insurance, the highest rate among its peers—0.4 percentage points above the state average. With 51 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, access is solid, and 216 mental health providers per 100K suggests proactive mental health integration. The disconnect between insurance status and health outcomes hints at strong community networks and preventive care culture.

Close the coverage gap in your county

Jeff Davis residents without insurance can enroll in Medicaid, CHIP, or Marketplace plans year-round; many qualify for zero-premium coverage. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-844-211-7899 to explore free or low-cost options tailored to your income. Bridging the insurance gap strengthens your long-term health security.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Jeff Davis County

via RiskByCounty

Jeff Davis enjoys lowest-risk status

With a composite risk score of just 2.93, Jeff Davis County ranks in the very low category—one of Texas's safest counties nationally. This score sits dramatically below the state average of 49.00, reflecting exceptional geographic protection.

Among Texas's safest counties

Jeff Davis County's 2.93 score places it near the bottom of the risk spectrum across Texas's 254 counties. This isolated location in West Texas provides natural advantages that few Texas counties can match.

Safest in sparsely-settled region

Jeff Davis County's risk profile stands well below other West Texas counties, with particularly low flood (7.86), tornado (6.46), and hurricane (8.97) scores. Its remote location and elevation provide natural protection unavailable in more populated areas.

Wildfire remains the primary concern

While Jeff Davis County enjoys remarkably low overall risk, wildfire represents the one significant hazard at 88.49—the county's only high-scoring risk category. All other hazards score well below statewide averages, creating an unusually stable disaster risk environment.

Wildfire protection is prudent

Jeff Davis County's low overall risk means most residents can rely on standard homeowners policies without special flood or hurricane coverage. However, wildfire insurance or wildfire-resistant property upgrades remain worth considering given the local landscape.

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.