CountyScore

Jim Hogg County

Texas · TX

#192 in Texas
58.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Jim Hogg County, Texas

Jim Hogg exceeds national standards

Jim Hogg County's score of 65.3 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 31%, demonstrating above-average livability. This performance reflects particular strength in housing affordability despite modest income levels.

Just below Texas average

With a score of 65.3 against Texas's 66.8 average, Jim Hogg ranks slightly below the state median. Its livability profile mirrors many rural Texas counties balancing affordability with economic limitations.

Exceptional housing affordability

Jim Hogg boasts a Cost Score of 80.9 with median home values of just $125,600 and monthly rent around $820. These affordable costs make homeownership and stable housing accessible to lower and middle-income households.

Income growth remains limited

The Income Score of 11.0 reflects median household income of only $42,230, constraining household purchasing power and economic opportunity. Safety, health, schools, water quality, and risk assessments remain unavailable, obscuring important livability factors.

Best for those prioritizing affordability

Jim Hogg suits retirees on modest fixed incomes and families seeking maximum housing affordability with minimal cost burden. Those planning to build wealth or career advancement should explore counties with stronger income potential.

Score breakdown

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

Tax62.5Cost80.9SafetyComing SoonHealth41.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome11Risk54.6WaterComing Soon
🏛62.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼11
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤41.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡54.6
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 Jim Hogg County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Grundy County
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Lancaster County
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Deaf Smith County
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Median income: $54,114

Deep Dives

Jim Hogg County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jim Hogg County

via TaxByCounty

Jim Hogg taxes run above national norm

Jim Hogg County's effective tax rate of 1.413% sits above the national median of 1.264%, placing it in the higher-tax quartile nationwide. The typical American homeowner pays less as a percentage of home value than Jim Hogg residents do.

Elevated for Texas standards

At 1.413%, Jim Hogg County exceeds the Texas state average of 1.276%, ranking among the state's higher-tax counties. Most Texas homeowners pay a smaller percentage of home value in annual property taxes than Jim Hogg's rate reflects.

Notably higher than nearby counties

Jim Hogg's 1.413% rate surpasses Jasper County (1.036%), Karnes County (0.982%), and Jeff Davis County (0.547%), though it runs lower than Jefferson County (1.575%). For South Texas residents, Jim Hogg represents a mid-to-high tax burden regionally.

Mortgage payments may include $2,452

Jim Hogg County's median home value is $125,600, and at 1.413%, homeowners pay approximately $1,775 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage escrow, total annual costs can approach $2,452—above what many neighboring county residents pay.

Assessment appeals can add up here

In Jim Hogg County, many homeowners have never questioned their property valuations despite potential overassessments. A formal appeal on an overpriced assessment could return hundreds of dollars annually—an especially meaningful savings in a higher-tax county.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Jim Hogg County

via CostByCounty

Jim Hogg sits just above national average

Jim Hogg County renters spend 23.3% of income on housing, about five percentage points above the national comfort level of 18.1%. The county's median household income of $42,230 ranks it among the lower-earning areas, though a modest rent of $820 keeps the overall burden manageable.

Moderately affordable by Texas standards

Jim Hogg's 23.3% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Texas's 18.1% state average by 5.2 points, placing it in the state's less affordable tier. At $820 monthly, the median rent runs 15% below the state average, partially offsetting the county's income disadvantage.

Moderately priced in its region

Jim Hogg's $820 rent falls between Jasper County ($790) and Jim Wells County ($885), positioning it as a middle option among neighboring counties. The county's 23.3% burden exceeds all neighbors except Jeff Davis County's critical 48.3%.

Renters and owners pay similar amounts

Renters contribute $820 monthly while homeowners pay $838—nearly identical costs that suggest relative market balance. With a median home value of $125,600 and median income of $42,230, neither housing option presents a clear advantage.

Reasonable housing costs for rural Texas

Jim Hogg County offers decent affordability within its rural context, with rents and incomes roughly proportional to the broader region. If you're relocating to South Texas, Jim Hogg presents a viable option with housing burdens comparable to nearby Jim Wells County.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jim Hogg County

via IncomeByCounty

Jim Hogg faces profound income gap

At $42,230, Jim Hogg County's median household income falls 43% short of the $74,755 national median, placing it among America's most economically challenged rural counties. This South Texas county reflects systemic barriers to income growth in agricultural and border regions.

Far below Texas average earnings

Jim Hogg County ranks in the lowest tier of Texas counties, earning just 65% of the state median of $64,737. The $22,500 gap per household underscores the economic disparity between rural South Texas and more developed state regions.

Struggling alongside similar border communities

Jim Hogg County's $42,230 median edges above Jeff Davis County ($32,625) but remains well below Jim Wells County ($47,492) and Karnes County ($59,103). The variation reflects different economic bases, with agriculture and limited manufacturing characterizing Jim Hogg's economy.

Low rents help stretch limited incomes

Jim Hogg County's 23.3% rent-to-income ratio falls within acceptable ranges, with housing costs remaining manageable relative to earnings. The median home value of $125,600 also remains accessible, providing stable housing foundations despite income constraints.

Build wealth through disciplined planning

At $42,230 median household income, establish a strict budget prioritizing essential expenses and building a small emergency fund before any investing. Maximize employer benefits and explore tax credits; small consistent savings compound significantly over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Jim Hogg County

via HealthByCounty

Jim Hogg faces serious health challenges

At 72.5 years, Jim Hogg County residents live 3.9 years below the national average of 76.4 years, representing one of Texas's lowest life expectancies. A striking 34.0% of residents report poor or fair health—13 percentage points above the national rate of 21.0%—signaling widespread disease burden and health inequity. This deeply rural South Texas county faces compounded barriers to health and wellbeing.

Texas's bottom tier on health outcomes

Jim Hogg's 72.5-year life expectancy ranks it 1.8 years below Texas's state average of 74.3 years, placing it among the state's lowest performers. Its 34.0% poor/fair health rate is catastrophically high—nearly 10 percentage points above the state average—indicating systemic health crises spanning poverty, chronic disease, and healthcare access. These figures demand urgent, sustained intervention.

The worst health in its region

Jim Hogg (72.5 years, 34.0% poor/fair health) trails Zapata County (73.1 years) and starves for providers compared to Jim Wells County (31 per 100K primary care) and Karnes County (27 per 100K). With just 21 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and no reported mental health providers, Jim Hogg's healthcare infrastructure is among the state's sparsest. Residents routinely drive 45+ minutes to specialist care.

A healthcare desert with compounding barriers

One in five Jim Hogg residents (21.4%) lack health insurance, exacerbating a scarcity of providers: only 21 primary care doctors per 100,000 residents and no mental health specialists reported. Many residents speak Spanish as a primary language, complicating care coordination in an area with minimal telehealth infrastructure. Agricultural work, poverty (median household income ~$25,000), and chronic disease create a perfect storm.

Get covered—resources in your community

Jim Hogg County residents qualify for Medicaid at household income as low as $20,000/year; visit yourtexasbenefits.com or call 2-1-1 for application help in Spanish. Community health workers at Hidalgo County's South Texas Health Center serve Jim Hogg patients and can navigate enrollment, translation, and transportation. Taking the first step to coverage unlocks preventive care and medication access.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Jim Hogg County

via RiskByCounty

Jim Hogg holds relatively low risk

With a composite risk score of 45.45, Jim Hogg County ranks in the relatively low category and sits slightly below Texas's state average of 49.00. This South Texas county enjoys moderate protection from most major hazard types.

Below-average risk for Texas

Jim Hogg County's 45.45 score places it in the safer half of Texas's 254 counties, reflecting its inland location and lower population density. While not risk-free, the county faces fewer compounded hazard exposures than urban or coastal peers.

Safer than coastal South Texas

Jim Hogg County's risk profile sits well below neighboring coastal counties like Jim Wells, with significantly lower flood (23.16) and hurricane (65.50) scores. Its interior location provides meaningful protection unavailable in the Gulf Coast region.

Hurricane and wildfire exposure

Hurricane risk (65.50) represents Jim Hogg County's primary concern, though it remains lower than coastal peers due to inland position. Wildfire risk (51.40) and tornado risk (14.28) complete the hazard profile, both manageable relative to statewide benchmarks.

Standard coverage with flood option

Jim Hogg County residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance, with flood coverage strongly recommended given South Texas rainfall patterns. Hurricane coverage is optional but worth evaluating, particularly for mobile home owners or those in flood-prone areas.

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.