CountyScore

Karnes County

Texas · TX

#96 in Texas
64.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Karnes County, Texas

Karnes scores well above average

Karnes County's composite score of 71.9 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 44%, marking it among genuinely livable American counties. Strong housing affordability and low tax burden anchor this respectable national performance.

A top Texas county performer

Karnes's score of 71.9 exceeds Texas's 66.8 state average, placing it among the state's stronger counties for livability. This ranking reflects balanced tax, cost, and income fundamentals that benefit diverse household types.

Low taxes and affordable homes

Karnes delivers a Tax Score of 74.7 with an effective rate of 0.982% and a Cost Score of 82.2 featuring median home values of $136,900. Monthly rent averaging $872 and strong affordability make homeownership accessible to most families.

Income potential shows constraints

The Income Score of 22.0 reflects median household income of $59,103, moderate by state standards and limiting wealth-building potential. Data gaps on safety, health, schools, water quality, and environmental factors remain unfilled.

Perfect for tax-conscious families

Karnes attracts families prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing with solid-if-modest income levels. Those seeking aggressive income growth or rapid wealth accumulation should explore higher-earning counties, but practical families building stability will thrive here.

Score breakdown

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

Tax74.7Cost82.2SafetyComing SoonHealth52.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome22Risk41.6WaterComing Soon
🏛74.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤52.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡41.6
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 Karnes County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Santa Cruz County
Arizona
64.4
Median income: $53,614
Gordon County
Georgia
64.4
Median income: $61,997
Macon County
Georgia
64.4
Median income: $37,177
Davis County
Iowa
64.4
Median income: $79,505
Saline County
Kansas
64.4
Median income: $63,316

Deep Dives

Karnes County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Karnes County

via TaxByCounty

Karnes offers solid tax advantages

Karnes County's effective tax rate of 0.982% sits below the national median of 1.264%, placing it in the lower-tax quartile nationwide. Homeowners here enjoy a genuine advantage in property tax burden compared to the typical American.

Notably below Texas average

At 0.982%, Karnes County's rate runs well below the Texas state average of 1.276%, ranking it among the state's more affordable tax jurisdictions. Most Texas homeowners pay a higher percentage of home value in property taxes than Karnes residents.

Low-tax leader in South Texas

Karnes County's 0.982% rate is lower than Jasper (1.036%), Jim Hogg (1.413%), and Jefferson (1.575%), edging out only Jeff Davis's exceptional 0.547%. For the region, Karnes ranks among the most tax-friendly counties.

Under $1,400 on median homes

With a median home value of $136,900 and a 0.982% rate, Karnes homeowners pay approximately $1,344 in annual property taxes. This is nearly half the national median tax of $2,690, delivering genuine savings for area residents.

Don't leave tax savings on the table

Even in a relatively low-tax county like Karnes, some homeowners are overassessed and could appeal for refunds. A quick review of your property valuation takes minimal time and could recover several hundred dollars over a few years.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Karnes County

via CostByCounty

Karnes County rents stay manageable

Karnes County renters spend 17.7% of income on housing, meeting the national average of 18.1% and tying for the best performance in this county group. With a median household income of $59,103 and rent of $872, Karnes delivers genuine affordability.

Beats Texas state average affordability

Karnes County's 17.7% rent-to-income ratio matches Jones County's for the best result and exceeds the Texas state average of 18.1%. The median rent of $872 runs 9% below the state average, making Karnes one of Texas's most accessible counties.

Solid affordability in South Texas

Karnes's $872 rent trails only Jasper ($790) and Jim Hogg ($820) while undercutting Jefferson ($1,079), Jeff Davis ($1,314), and Johnson ($1,343). The county's 17.7% burden ties Jones County for the region's best performance.

Ownership slightly cheaper than renting

Renters contribute $872 monthly while homeowners pay $692—a $180 advantage for those purchasing the county's $136,900 median homes. Housing overall consumes approximately 17-18% of household income across both tenure types.

Excellent value for South Texas relocators

Karnes County ties Jones County for best overall affordability and ranks among Texas's most accessible housing markets. Whether you're renting or buying, Karnes delivers exceptional value comparable to Jones while offering a distinct South Texas character.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Karnes County

via IncomeByCounty

Karnes County nears national income parity

At $59,103, Karnes County's median household income trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by 21%, placing it closer to national standards than most South Texas rural counties. This South-Central Texas community demonstrates moderate economic strength.

Slightly below Texas average earnings

Karnes County ranks just below the Texas state median of $64,737, earning roughly $5,600 less per household than typical Texans. This positioning reflects relative stability within rural Texas, with income levels supporting families and communities.

Upper-middle income in regional profile

Karnes County's $59,103 income outperforms Jasper ($49,919), Jim Hogg ($42,230), and Jim Wells ($47,492) counties, approaching Jefferson County ($59,934). This mid-to-upper tier ranking reflects Karnes County's role as a regional agricultural and industrial center.

Housing costs well-managed locally

At 17.7%, Karnes County's rent-to-income ratio ties Jones County for the best in this analysis, meaning families spend just one-sixth of income on rent. The median home value of $136,900 remains accessible, supporting stable housing for most households.

Build long-term assets in Karnes County

With median household income at $59,103 and strong housing affordability, Karnes County families can commit to retirement savings and modest investment strategies beyond emergency funds. Prioritize employer 401(k) matching and explore tax-advantaged accounts to harness compound growth over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Karnes County

via HealthByCounty

Karnes near U.S. life expectancy standard

At 74.1 years, Karnes County residents live close to the U.S. average of 76.4 years, though still 2.3 years behind. With 26.8% reporting poor or fair health—nearly 6 percentage points above the national average—the county shows higher chronic disease prevalence despite near-average longevity. This South Texas Brush Country county reflects mixed health patterns typical of economically transitioning rural areas.

Just below Texas average, mid-pack rank

At 74.1 years, Karnes County falls just 0.2 years short of Texas's state average of 74.3 years, placing it squarely in the middle of Texas health outcomes. Its 26.8% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state average by a few percentage points, reflecting economic stress and chronic disease common to rural South Texas. With fewer than 16,000 residents, Karnes represents small-county health trends often overlooked statewide.

Mid-tier in Brush Country region

Karnes (74.1 years) sits between Jim Wells County (71.2 years) and Atascosa County (74.8 years), with 27 primary care providers per 100K—middle-of-the-pack for its rural peers. Its 13 mental health providers per 100K is among the lowest in South Texas, alongside Jones County (25 per 100K) and Jim Hogg (none reported). Regional medical centers in San Antonio (45 miles away) serve as referral hubs.

Adequate insurance, stretched providers

Karnes has the lowest uninsured rate among peers at 18.3%—below the state average of 19.8%—yet only 27 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and just 13 mental health providers per 100K. South Texas Health Center operates a clinic in Karnes, offering sliding-scale care, but wait times exceed state norms. Many residents manage chronic conditions with limited local mental health support, relying on San Antonio providers 45+ minutes away.

Explore coverage and telehealth options

Karnes residents should apply for Medicaid at yourtexasbenefits.com (income limit ~$20,000 for individuals) and explore Marketplace plans at healthcare.gov. South Texas Health Center offers enrollment assistance and sliding-scale services regardless of insurance status. For mental health support, platforms like BetterHelp and state-funded crisis lines (call 988) bridge gaps in local provider availability.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Karnes County

via RiskByCounty

Karnes faces moderate disaster risk

Karnes County's composite risk score of 58.43 ranks it in the relatively low category but sits above Texas's state average of 49.00. This South-Central Texas county experiences above-average vulnerability to natural hazards.

Above-average risk for Texas

Karnes County's 58.43 score places it in the riskier half of Texas's 254 counties, reflecting its location between coastal and inland zones. The county faces multi-hazard exposure greater than most interior Texas communities.

Moderate risk between coast and plain

Karnes County's composite score sits between nearby inland and coastal counties, with hurricane exposure (85.15) approaching coastal levels. Its position in South-Central Texas creates a hybrid hazard profile more complex than purely inland or purely coastal peers.

Hurricane and flood vulnerabilities

Hurricane risk (85.15) represents Karnes County's highest hazard, reflecting tropical system impacts that reach far inland. Flood risk (63.77) and tornado risk (61.26) present secondary concerns, with wildfire (59.16) contributing to the hazard mix.

Flood insurance strongly recommended

Karnes County residents should secure flood insurance regardless of flood zone designation, given South Texas rainfall patterns. Windstorm coverage is worth evaluating, particularly for homes in mapped hurricane risk areas or with older roofing.

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.