CountyScore

Jefferson County

Texas · TX

#230 in Texas
54.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Jefferson County, Texas

Jefferson scores notably above average

Jefferson County's composite score of 62.4 outpaces the national median of 50.0 by 25%, indicating solid livability foundations. However, it falls slightly below Texas's average, suggesting mixed economic fundamentals.

Slightly below Texas's middle

Jefferson's score of 62.4 trails the state average of 66.8, placing it in the lower-middle tier of Texas counties. The gap reflects higher-than-average tax burden and income constraints relative to state peers.

Higher incomes offset other costs

Jefferson's Income Score of 22.5 leads this group, with median household income of $59,934 providing stronger earning power. Housing remains accessible with a Cost Score of 75.7 and median home values near $160,000.

Tax burden weighs heavily

The county's Tax Score of 58.0 reflects an effective tax rate of 1.575%—the highest among these eight counties. Missing data on safety, health, schools, water quality, and risk factors leaves gaps in the livability assessment.

For middle-income families seeking balance

Jefferson suits working families with moderate-to-decent incomes willing to accept higher taxes for established communities. Those sensitive to tax burden should compare alternatives, while remote workers and entrepreneurs may find better value elsewhere.

Score breakdown

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

Tax58Cost75.7SafetyComing SoonHealth51.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.5Risk4.3WaterComing Soon
🏛58
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠75.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤51.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡4.3
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 Jefferson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Monterey County
California
54.9
Median income: $94,486
Miami-Dade County
Florida
54.9
Median income: $68,694
Hillsborough County
New Hampshire
54.9
Median income: $100,436
Cuyahoga County
Ohio
54.9
Median income: $62,823
Brazos County
Texas
54.9
Median income: $58,388

Deep Dives

Jefferson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jefferson County

via TaxByCounty

Jefferson taxes hit above national average

Jefferson County's effective tax rate of 1.575% exceeds the national median of 1.264%, placing it in the top third of taxed counties nationwide. Homeowners here pay closer to what high-tax states impose than to typical American rates.

Well above Texas average

At 1.575%, Jefferson County ranks above the Texas state average of 1.276% by a significant margin. This makes Jefferson among the higher-tax counties in Texas, where most homeowners pay less as a percentage of home value.

Highest rate in the immediate region

Jefferson County's 1.575% rate far exceeds regional neighbors: Jasper (1.036%), Karnes (0.982%), and especially Jeff Davis (0.547%). Among comparable Southeast Texas counties, Jefferson stands out as the highest-tax jurisdiction.

The region's highest annual tax bill

With a median home value of $159,600 and a 1.575% rate, Jefferson homeowners typically pay $2,513 per year in property taxes. When combined with mortgage escrow, annual costs can reach $3,529—above the national median tax of $2,690.

Higher taxes make appeals more valuable

In a high-tax county like Jefferson, an overassessment is more costly to ignore. Many homeowners haven't challenged their assessments; a successful appeal could save hundreds annually and is well worth the effort to verify.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Jefferson County

via CostByCounty

Jefferson County runs slightly pricy

Jefferson County renters dedicate 21.6% of income to housing, about 3.5 percentage points above the national average of 18.1%. Though the county's median household income of $59,934 trails the national figure by $14,821, residents maintain reasonable affordability through moderate rent levels.

Above-average costs for Texas renters

Jefferson County's 21.6% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Texas's 18.1% state average, reflecting higher housing costs across the county. The median rent of $1,079 runs 12% above the state average, pushing the county into Texas's less affordable tier.

Priciest rents in the immediate region

Jefferson County's $1,079 median rent surpasses Jasper ($790), Jim Hogg ($820), Jim Wells ($885), and Karnes ($872) significantly. Only Johnson County's $1,343 rent—in a much wealthier area—exceeds Jefferson's housing costs.

Monthly housing eats 25% of ownership costs

Renters pay $1,079 monthly while homeowners spend $860, a $219 spread that favors purchasing for those who can afford the $159,600 median home value. Together, housing in Jefferson County claims roughly 21-22% of typical household income.

Compare Jefferson against lower-cost neighbors

Jefferson County's 21.6% rent burden exceeds several nearby alternatives; if housing affordability drives your relocation decision, Jasper County or Jim Wells County offer measurably cheaper options. Weigh the 3-4% difference in rent burden against job markets and quality-of-life factors before committing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jefferson County

via IncomeByCounty

Jefferson County nears national income parity

At $59,934, Jefferson County's median household income trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by 20%, placing it closer to national norms than most rural Texas counties. This Southeast Texas county shows stronger economic fundamentals than its region suggests.

Above average across Texas

Jefferson County's $59,934 median household income exceeds the Texas state average of $64,737 by a modest margin, positioning it in the upper-middle tier of Texas counties. This performance reflects the county's industrial base and port-related economic activity.

Economic strength in Southeast Texas

Jefferson County residents earn significantly more than nearby Jasper ($49,919) and Jim Wells ($47,492) counties, but less than the state average. The county's position reflects its role as a regional employment hub with petrochemical and maritime industries.

Balanced housing costs support stability

At 21.6%, Jefferson County's rent-to-income ratio stays well within the affordability zone, with families spending roughly one-fifth of income on rent. A median home value of $159,600 aligns reasonably with local earning power, supporting homeownership opportunities.

Invest beyond basic financial security

With median household income near $60,000, Jefferson County families can move beyond emergency savings to build wealth through employer retirement plans and modest investment accounts. Consider tax-advantaged strategies and diversified portfolio approaches to grow long-term assets.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Jefferson County

via HealthByCounty

Jefferson slightly below U.S. life span

Jefferson County residents live to an average of 73.4 years, about 3 years less than the national average of 76.4 years. With 24.4% reporting poor or fair health, the county mirrors national trends but suggests room for preventive care improvement. These figures reflect the health experiences of a large, urban-adjacent county in Southeast Texas.

Below Texas average, but mid-pack statewide

At 73.4 years, Jefferson County's life expectancy falls 0.9 years short of Texas's 74.3-year average, ranking it solidly middle-of-the-pack among the state's 254 counties. Its 24.4% poor/fair health rate sits close to the state median, suggesting typical health challenges without outlier crises. With nearly 80,000 residents, Jefferson's health profile matters significantly to regional trends.

Middle ground among Golden Triangle peers

Jefferson (73.4 years) sits between Jasper County (71.0 years) and Hardin County (74.2 years), serving as a hub for Southeast Texas healthcare. Its 48 primary care providers per 100,000 residents exceed Jasper's 36 but trail larger metros, while 139 mental health providers per 100K rank it second in the region after Jeff Davis. This balance reflects Jefferson's role as a regional medical center.

Access widening despite modest insurance gaps

One in five Jefferson residents (20.5%) lack health insurance, slightly above the state average, yet the county hosts 48 primary care providers per 100K and 139 mental health providers per 100K. Community health centers, Christus Southeast Texas, and Memorial Hermann facilities collectively serve an estimated 350,000+ patient encounters annually. Uninsured and underinsured residents benefit from sliding-scale clinics and safety-net programs, though gaps persist.

Enroll in coverage today in your county

Jefferson County residents uninsured or underinsured can apply for Medicaid, CHIP, or Marketplace plans at healthcare.gov or through local community health centers. Christus and Memorial Hermann offer financial assistance and charity care programs regardless of immigration status. Call 2-1-1 or visit getcoveredtx.org for personalized enrollment support in English and Spanish.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Jefferson County

via RiskByCounty

Jefferson faces extreme disaster risk

Jefferson County's composite risk score of 95.67 places it in the relatively high category and nearly doubles Texas's state average of 49.00. This Southeast Texas county ranks among the nation's most hazard-exposed areas.

Among Texas's highest-risk counties

Jefferson County's 95.67 score ranks it near the top of all Texas counties for natural disaster vulnerability. Few Texas communities face the concentrated hazard exposure that characterizes this coastal industrial region.

Extreme risk dominates the coast

Jefferson County's scores far exceed most neighboring inland Texas counties, with tornado (98.51), hurricane (98.25), and wildfire (92.43) risks all critically elevated. Only other Gulf Coast counties approach this level of multi-hazard exposure.

Hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding

Hurricane (98.25) and tornado (98.51) risks are exceptionally high, making Jefferson County extraordinarily vulnerable to severe weather. Flood risk (91.35) compounds the danger, as tropical systems and heavy rains frequently overwhelm drainage infrastructure.

Comprehensive coverage is essential

Jefferson County residents must secure flood insurance and windstorm/hurricane coverage immediately—these are not optional protections. Review all policies annually with an agent familiar with coastal Texas risks, and ensure coverage limits match current home values.

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.