countyscore
30.1
County Score
Schools 63.3Disaster Risk 62.1Income & Jobs 49.5

County Report Card

About Jones County, Texas

Lagging Behind National Medians

Jones County’s composite score of 30.1 is 20 points below the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a significant need for improvement in public safety and infrastructure.

Trailing the Texas Average Score

At 30.1, the county sits well below the Texas average of 41.9. While some areas like education are competitive, they are overshadowed by extremely low safety rankings.

Education and Environmental Stability

The county excels in education with a school score of 63.3 and environmental resilience with a risk score of 62.1. These provide a solid foundation for long-term community development.

Severe Public Safety Issues

The safety score is a critical low at 0.3, indicating extreme challenges in crime or emergency response. Poor water quality and a high 1.537% tax rate further complicate the livability picture.

Best for Home-Based Educators

Jones County may appeal to those who value the $92,700 median home price and strong school systems. However, anyone moving here must be deeply aware of the local safety and water quality data.

Score breakdown

Tax11.3Cost49.3Safety0.3Health17Schools63.3Income49.5Risk62.1Water10.7Weather38.2
🏛11.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠49.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼49.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡0.3
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤17
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓63.3
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡62.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧10.7
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤38.2
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨26
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱32.1
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

Taylor County
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41.9
Shackelford County
Texas
52.8
Haskell County
Texas
44.5
Fisher County
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Callahan County
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Throckmorton County
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Deep Dives

Jones County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Jones County

via TaxByCounty

Jones County taxes run above national average

Jones County's effective tax rate of 1.537% sits well above the national median of 1.264%, placing it in the top quarter of taxed counties across America. Property owners here pay a noticeably higher percentage than the typical U.S. homeowner.

Among Texas's higher-tax counties

At 1.537%, Jones County exceeds the Texas state average of 1.276%, ranking in the upper tier of Texas property tax rates. Most Texas homeowners pay a smaller percentage of their home's value than Jones County residents do.

Second-highest rate in the region

Jones County's 1.537% rate trails only Jefferson County (1.575%) among regional peers, significantly exceeding Jasper (1.036%), Karnes (0.982%), and Jeff Davis (0.547%). It's among the pricier tax jurisdictions in West-Central Texas.

High rate on modest home values

Jones County's median home value of $92,700 is the lowest in this group, yet its 1.537% rate produces a median property tax of $1,425 annually. This unusual combination—lowest home values, second-highest tax rate—creates a disproportionate burden.

Overassessments hit harder here

In Jones County, where a high tax rate applies to already-modest property values, an overassessment has outsized impact. Even a 5% valuation error costs $46+ per year; challenging inflated assessments is especially worthwhile in high-rate, low-value markets.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Jones County

via CostByCounty

Jones County achieves best-in-class affordability

Jones County renters spend just 17.7% of income on housing, the lowest burden among these eight counties and nearly a full point better than the national average of 18.1%. The county's median household income of $63,472 and moderate rent of $938 combine to create truly accessible housing.

Outperforms Texas average affordability

Jones County's 17.7% rent-to-income ratio beats the Texas state average of 18.1%, placing it among the state's most affordable counties. The median rent of $938 sits just below the state average of $963, delivering genuine accessibility.

Best affordability in the entire comparison

Jones County's 17.7% burden outperforms all seven peers, including even Jasper County (19.0%) and Karnes County (17.7% tie). The $938 median rent provides excellent value against higher-cost neighbors like Jefferson ($1,079) and Jeff Davis ($1,314).

Lower ownership costs, moderate rents

Renters pay $938 monthly while homeowners spend $746—an $192 advantage for purchasing that makes the county's $92,700 median home value an exceptional value. Together, housing claims roughly 18% of typical household income regardless of tenure type.

Texas's smartest housing bargain

Jones County delivers the best housing affordability in this analysis—lowest rent-to-income burden, competitive incomes, and among the lowest home values. If you're relocating to Texas and prioritize genuine affordability without sacrificing income potential, Jones County deserves your serious consideration.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jones County

via IncomeByCounty

Jones County approaches national income levels

At $63,472, Jones County's median household income falls short of the U.S. median of $74,755 by about 15%, positioning it as a moderately prosperous rural Texas county. This West Texas community demonstrates stronger economic performance than most rural peers.

Close to Texas state average

Jones County's $63,472 median household income nearly matches the Texas state average of $64,737, placing it solidly in the middle tier of Texas counties. This performance reflects economic stability in this West Texas region.

Mid-tier income in statewide context

Jones County earns more than Jasper ($49,919), Jim Hogg ($42,230), and Jim Wells ($47,492) counties, but less than Johnson County ($81,826) and Jefferson County ($59,934). The ranking reflects Jones County's position as a stable rural economy without major metropolitan influence.

Excellent housing affordability in Jones

At 17.7%, Jones County's rent-to-income ratio ranks among the best profiled, with families spending less than one-fifth of income on housing. The median home value of $92,700—the lowest in this group—enables homeownership for nearly all working households.

Leverage affordable housing for wealth building

With median household income near $63,500 and exceptionally affordable housing, Jones County families can redirect savings toward retirement accounts, modest investment portfolios, and long-term wealth accumulation. The combination of decent income and low housing costs creates genuine opportunity for generational wealth building.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Jones County

via CrimeByCounty

Extreme Crime Rates Reported in Jones County

Jones County reports an unusually high total crime rate of 16,226.3 per 100,000, resulting in a safety score of 74.4. This rate is nearly seven times higher than the national average of 2,385.5.

Safety Metrics Diverge from State Norms

The county's safety score of 74.4 is significantly lower than the Texas average of 96.8. Residents should note that the reported crime rate of 16,226.3 is vastly higher than the state average of 2,052.5.

Understanding the Data with Five Agencies

Five agencies report data for Jones County, which helps verify these striking figures. Such high numbers can sometimes be skewed by specific institutional facilities or small resident populations, requiring careful local context.

Unprecedented Violent and Property Crime Totals

Violent crime is reported at a staggering 3,117.7 per 100,000 residents. Property crime is even more prevalent, with a rate of 13,108.6 per 100,000, requiring significant local attention.

Prioritize Comprehensive Home Security

Given these elevated statistics, high-quality security systems and surveillance are essential for homeowners. Staying active in local safety meetings is a vital way to address these significant community challenges.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Jones County

via HealthByCounty

Jones County health slightly below U.S.

At 73.6 years, Jones County residents live 2.8 years shorter than the national average of 76.4 years, indicating modest but meaningful health disparities. With 25.9% reporting poor or fair health—nearly 5 percentage points above the national rate—the county faces above-average chronic disease burden. These gaps, while not extreme, reflect rural economic stress and limited specialist access.

Below state average, rural Texas pattern

At 73.6 years, Jones County falls 0.7 years short of Texas's state average of 74.3 years, placing it just below the median of Texas health outcomes. Its 25.9% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state average, suggesting higher diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease prevalence. Like many rural West Texas counties, Jones faces classic rural health challenges: aging population, economic decline, and provider shortages.

Compared to Abilene region peers

Jones (73.6 years) sits between Fisher County (72.0 years) and Callahan County (74.5 years), with the fewest primary care providers in its region: just 10 per 100,000 residents versus 41 in Johnson County and 51 in Jeff Davis County. Mental health coverage (25 per 100K) trails all neighbors except rural Jim Hogg County. Rural residents in Jones often drive to Abilene (30 miles) for specialists.

A rural provider shortage in action

While 17.9% of Jones residents lack insurance—below the state average—the county's critical provider shortage (10 primary care providers per 100K) means appointments are scarce even for insured patients. Many residents travel to Abilene or Lubbock for routine care, and mental health services (25 per 100K) are nearly unavailable locally. Rural clinics struggle to attract and retain physicians in a declining population.

Enroll in coverage and use telemedicine

Jones County residents can explore Marketplace and Medicaid plans at healthcare.gov; those over 65 should review Medicare options including rural hospital benefits. Telehealth platforms like Teladoc and Doctor on Demand can bridge the specialist gap for mental health, chronic disease management, and urgent care. Abilene-based West Texas Rural Health Network offers mobile clinics and care coordination to Jones County residents.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Jones County

via SchoolsByCounty

Small Districts with Broad Coverage

Jones County manages 13 public schools across 5 districts, serving a total of 2,694 students. The landscape consists of 5 elementary and 5 high schools, ensuring local access to education at every level.

High Efficiency and Solid Scores

The county's school score of 57.0 exceeds the Texas state average of 55.3. Investment is strong at $8,482 per pupil, supporting a 90.5% graduation rate which stays well above the national benchmark.

Hawley and Anson Lead the Way

Hawley ISD and Anson ISD are the primary districts, serving 819 and 752 students respectively. Charter schools have a notable presence here, making up over 15% of the total school options.

Intimate Rural Learning Environments

With 10 of the 13 schools in rural settings, the average campus size is just 207 students. Hawley Elementary is the largest school in the county, yet it remains relatively small with only 406 students.

Personalized Schooling in Jones County

Families seeking small class sizes and higher-than-average school scores will find Jones County highly attractive. Explore the local housing market to find a residence near these top-performing rural schools.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Jones County

via RiskByCounty

Jones ranks among safer Texas areas

Jones County's composite risk score of 37.95 places it in the very low category, sitting comfortably below Texas's state average of 49.00. This West Texas county enjoys substantially lower disaster exposure than most American communities.

Safer than most Texas counties

Jones County's 37.95 score places it in the safer half of Texas's 254 counties, with particularly low flood (39.69), earthquake (20.17), and hurricane (32.12) risks. The county's inland, sparsely-settled character provides natural protection.

Safest in rural West Texas region

Jones County's risk profile stands well below most neighboring West Texas counties, offering markedly lower tornado (54.36) and wildfire (85.40) exposure than many peers. Its elevation and landscape provide stability unavailable in more hazardous areas.

Wildfire is primary hazard

Wildfire represents Jones County's only significantly elevated risk at 85.40, reflecting the county's grassland environment. Tornado risk (54.36) and flood risk (39.69) remain manageable compared to statewide averages.

Basic coverage with wildfire prep

Jones County residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance without special flood or hurricane riders in most cases. However, wildfire-resistant landscaping and property maintenance are worthwhile investments given local fire exposure.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Jones County

via WeatherByCounty

Semi-arid plains with wide temp swings

Jones County averages 64.0°F annually, which is about 9 degrees warmer than the national median. It is characterized by lower humidity and more pronounced seasonal changes than coastal Texas.

Cooler and drier than average Texas

At 64.0°F, Jones County is slightly cooler than the state average of 65.5°F. Its annual precipitation of 25.1 inches is significantly lower than the state's 31.9-inch benchmark.

Westhaven for snow and dry heat

Jones County receives 3.5 inches of snow, far more than Johnson or Kaufman counties. It is much drier than its eastern peers, making the 113 days of extreme heat feel more like a dry heat.

Harsh summers and snowy winters

July averages a hot 84.1°F, while January temperatures drop to 43.2°F. The county experiences 113 days of extreme heat over 90°F along with occasional winter snowstorms.

Insulate for both heat and cold

Homeowners should prepare for 3.5 inches of annual snow by insulating pipes and maintaining heating systems. The dry climate and 113 days of heat require efficient irrigation for any outdoor gardening.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Jones County

via SoilByCounty

Alkaline Earths of the Rolling Plains

Jones County soil has an average pH of 7.18, making it slightly more alkaline than the national median of 6.5. The overall soil score is 26.0, which is just below the Texas state average of 28.8. This soil reflects the rugged, lime-influenced character of the region.

A Balanced Mix of Sand and Clay

The composition is 47.6% sand, 22.5% silt, and 23.0% clay. This creates a texture that drains relatively well while still providing enough clay to hold onto necessary nutrients. You will find this soil relatively easy to work with for most gardening projects.

Managing Dry Soil Conditions

Organic matter is 1.34%, which falls below the Texas state average of 1.66%. The available water capacity is 0.126 in/in, trailing the state average of 0.133 in/in. To maximize growth, you should focus on adding compost and using mulch to retain every drop of rain.

Slow Infiltration and High Runoff

The soil is part of hydrologic group D, which indicates very slow infiltration rates when the ground is fully wet. This can cause water to pool or run off quickly during the intense rainstorms common in West Texas. Planning for proper drainage is essential when building or landscaping.

Tough Growing in Zone 8a

Jones County is in Hardiness Zone 8a, where plants must endure both winter freezes and summer droughts. Native grasses and hardy vegetables like kale and beans do well in this climate. Your garden will thrive if you select varieties known for their resilience and heat tolerance.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Jones County

via LawnByCounty

Average Texas conditions in Jones County

Jones County’s lawn difficulty score of 32.1 sits right at the Texas state average of 31.7. Homeowners in hardiness zone 8a face typical regional challenges, including high summer heat and limited natural rainfall.

Dry summers and high heat days

The county receives 25.1 inches of rain annually, which is about 7 inches less than the state average. You can expect 113 days of extreme heat above 90°F, necessitating a robust irrigation plan to maintain turf health.

Balanced sand content and alkaline pH

The soil features a 47.6% sand composition and 23.0% clay, providing decent drainage for your lawn. However, the pH of 7.18 is slightly alkaline, so you may need sulfur amendments to bring it into the ideal 6.0-7.0 range.

Abnormally dry but avoiding severe drought

While 100% of the county is abnormally dry, 0% is currently in severe drought status. Over the last year, the county experienced 20 weeks of drought, suggesting that consistent moisture monitoring is still required.

Bermuda grass thrives in zone 8a

Hardy Bermuda grass is the top recommendation for the 113 heat days seen here. Wait until the final spring frost around March 31 to begin your lawn project for the best establishment results.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jones County's county score?
Jones County, Texas has a composite county score of 30.1 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Jones County rank among counties in Texas?
Jones County ranks #215 among all counties in Texas on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Jones County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Jones County is $1,425, with an effective tax rate of 1.54%. This earns Jones County a tax score of 11.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Jones County?
The median household income in Jones County, Texas is $63,472 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Jones County earns an income score of 49.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Jones County, Texas a good place to live?
Jones County scores 30.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #215 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Jones County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Jones County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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