countyscore
29.1
County Score
Income & Jobs 90Water Quality 57.5Schools 51.8

County Report Card

About Kaufman County, Texas

Kaufman Trails the National Median Score

With a composite score of 29.4, Kaufman County sits significantly below the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a community facing several structural headwinds compared to typical American counties.

Behind the Texas State Average

Kaufman's overall livability score of 29.4 trails the Texas state average of 41.9. Despite rapid growth, the county ranks in the lower tier of the state's 254 counties for overall quality of life metrics.

Strong Incomes Drive Local Growth

The county's standout metric is its high income score of 91.3, supported by a median household income of $88,606. Residents also benefit from a decent school score of 51.8, providing a solid foundation for families.

High Taxes and Living Costs

Affordability is a major hurdle here, with a tax score of 6.5 and a cost score of 7.8 indicating a high burden on residents. The effective tax rate of 1.732% and a median rent of $1,408 create significant financial pressure.

Best for High-Earning Commuters

Kaufman County is a strong fit for established professionals who prioritize high household earnings and can manage steep property taxes. It offers a suburban lifestyle for those who value income growth over low living costs.

204060801006.56.532.429.351.89023.857.534.2Tax6.5Cost6.5Safety32.4Health29.3Schools51.8Income90Risk23.8Water57.5Weather34.229.1/100
This county
National avg
1 above average6 below average

Kaufman County DNA

Foverall

How Kaufman County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Kaufman County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Property Tax (6.5/100), though Income (90/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
6.5-45.5
Cost
6.5-41.5
Safety
32.4-22.6
Health
29.3-20.7
Schools
51.8
Income
90+39
Risk
23.8-23.2
Water
57.5
Weather
34.2-21.799999999999997
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Whether buying or refinancing in Kaufman County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$320,900

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,554/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$320,900/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$62,160/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $89,485/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

9.3

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

Clarke County
Georgia
Median income: $53,625
29.2
Pulaski County
Arkansas
Median income: $62,873
29
Calhoun County
Michigan
Median income: $63,177
29
Montgomery County
Ohio
Median income: $66,139
29
Garfield County
Oklahoma
Median income: $66,182
29
Canadian County
Oklahoma
Median income: $87,751
28.9
Brazoria County
Texas
Median income: $97,993
28.9
Muscogee County
Georgia
Median income: $58,073
28.8

Nearby counties

Rockwall County
Texas
41.5
Ellis County
Texas
30.8
Dallas County
Texas
26.3
Henderson County
Texas
37.6
Hunt County
Texas
31.6
Van Zandt County
Texas
41.4
Navarro County
Texas
31.3
Rains County
Texas
46.9

Deep Dives

Kaufman County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Kaufman County

via TaxByCounty

Kaufman's tax rate tops national average

At 1.732%, Kaufman County's effective property tax rate runs 87% higher than the national median of 0.92%. This places Kaufman in the top 25% of U.S. counties by tax burden, meaning homeowners here pay significantly more per dollar of home value than most Americans.

Among Texas's highest-taxing counties

Kaufman's 1.732% rate exceeds Texas's state average of 1.276% by 36%, ranking it in the upper quartile statewide. Only about one in four Texas counties taxes property as aggressively as Kaufman does.

Kaufman taxes harder than Hill Country peers

Kaufman's rate of 1.732% far exceeds neighboring Kerr County (1.093%) and Kendall County (1.202%), making it the priciest among comparable central Texas regions. A $285,000 home pays roughly $500 more annually in Kaufman than in Kerr County.

The median Kaufman homeowner pays $5,036

On a median home valued at $290,800, Kaufman residents owe $5,036 in annual property taxes. With mortgage obligations and school debt included, that figure climbs to $5,925—well above the national median tax of $2,690.

Consider appealing your tax assessment

Many Kaufman homeowners overpay because their properties are assessed above fair market value. Tax appeal deadlines are coming—a successful challenge could reduce your annual bill by hundreds of dollars with no cost to file.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Kaufman County

via IncomeByCounty

Kaufman households earn well above average

Kaufman County's median household income of $88,606 runs 18% higher than the U.S. median of $74,755, positioning the county in the upper tier of American earnings. This strong income base reflects a mix of manufacturing, logistics, and growing suburban Dallas commuters anchoring the local economy.

Among Texas's most prosperous counties

At $88,606, Kaufman's median household income exceeds the Texas state average of $64,737 by 37%, placing it in the top earnings bracket statewide. The county's per capita income of $34,131 also surpasses the state average of $33,197, signaling broad-based economic strength.

Outpacing surrounding counties significantly

Kaufman's $88,606 median income handily beats neighboring Navarro County and rural Ellis County peers. Only Kendall County ($110,498) in this region outearns Kaufman, reflecting its proximity to Austin's tech boom.

Housing costs stay manageable here

Kaufman residents dedicate just 19.1% of household income to rent, well below the 30% affordability threshold and matching the national standard. With a median home value of $290,800, homeownership remains accessible for this income level, though buyers should still plan carefully.

Build on Kaufman's economic momentum

With earnings 18% above the national median and solid housing affordability, Kaufman households have real capacity to invest, save, and plan for retirement. Consider meeting with a financial advisor to maximize retirement contributions, diversify investments, and leverage the county's economic stability for long-term wealth building.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Kaufman County

via CrimeByCounty

Kaufman County Outshines National Safety Averages

Kaufman County boasts a high safety score of 97.5, reflecting a secure environment for its residents. Its total crime rate of 1,586.4 per 100,000 residents sits well below the national average of 2,385.5.

A Top Performer in Texas Safety

The county's safety score exceeds the Texas state average of 96.8, marking it as a relatively safe haven. Law enforcement data from 18 reporting agencies provides a comprehensive and reassuring look at local security.

Lower Crime Rates Than State Peers

Compared to the Texas state average crime rate of 2,052.5 per 100K, Kaufman maintains a much lower frequency of reported incidents. This makes the county a safer alternative to many neighboring regions in the Dallas metro area.

Property and Violent Crimes Remain Low

Property crime accounts for 1,351.4 incidents per 100K, while violent crime remains low at 235.0. Both figures are significantly lower than the national rates of 2,015.7 and 369.8, respectively.

Stay Proactive to Maintain High Safety

While rates are low, maintaining awareness is key to keeping property crime in check. Implementing smart home security and community watch programs helps preserve this county's strong safety standing.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Kaufman County

via WeatherByCounty

Wet and warm Eastern Texas climate

Kaufman County's 65.5°F annual average is approximately 10 degrees warmer than the national median. It is a high-precipitation area with lush vegetation and hot summers.

The embodiment of the Texas average

Kaufman’s 65.5°F average temperature perfectly matches the Texas state average. However, its 40.9 inches of annual rain is nearly 10 inches higher than the state norm.

A rainy outlier in the region

Kaufman is significantly wetter than Johnson County and nearly 15 inches rainier than Jones County. It stays slightly warmer and much more humid than Kendall County.

Steamy summers and rain-heavy months

Summer averages 83.0°F with 97 days of extreme heat over 90°F. Winters are mild at 47.6°F, and snowfall is rare, totaling just 0.1 inches annually.

Rain preparedness and AC upkeep

With over 40 inches of annual rain, heavy-duty gutter systems and rain gear are essentials here. Plan for high cooling costs during the 97 days of extreme summer heat.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Kaufman County

via SoilByCounty

Limited Data on Kaufman's Soil Identity

Specific soil pH and taxonomic data are currently unavailable for Kaufman County. Regionally, Texas soils average a pH of 7.09, which sits slightly higher than the national median of 6.5.

Regional Characteristics Define the Ground

While specific sand and clay percentages are missing, this area is part of the Blackland Prairie, known for heavy clay. These soils typically hold moisture well but require careful timing for tilling to avoid compaction.

Boosting Fertility in the Prairie

No specific organic matter data is recorded for the county, though the state average is 1.66%. Local gardeners often aim for the national average of 2.0% by adding compost to improve the soil's natural growing potential.

Managing Water in the Landscape

Official drainage classes are not listed, but the region often faces slow infiltration rates. Homeowners should observe how water moves across their specific property before beginning any major construction or gardening projects.

Subtropical Success in Zone 8b

Kaufman County sits in Hardiness Zone 8b, which features a long, warm growing season. Native pecans and heat-tolerant vegetables like peppers thrive here once you establish a healthy soil foundation.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Kaufman County

via LawnByCounty

Kaufman's Manageable Lawn Landscape

A difficulty score of 47.0 means maintaining a lawn here is much easier than the Texas average of 31.7. This Zone 8b county sits just below the national difficulty median of 50.0.

Ample Rain Powers Growing Season

Kaufman receives 40.9 inches of annual rain, which fits perfectly within the ideal 30-50 inch range for turf. These rains help sustain the lawn through 97 days of extreme heat and 6,272 growing degree days.

Regional Soil Needs Testing

Local soil data is limited, but the high annual precipitation suggests the need for proper grading to prevent pooling. Most North Texas yards require a basic test to determine if the soil hits the ideal 6.0-7.0 pH range.

Navigating Abnormally Dry Spells

The county spent 11 weeks in drought last year, and currently 100% of the area is abnormally dry. Smart irrigation is key as severe drought currently touches a small 0.7% of the county.

Seizing the March Planting Window

Bermuda and St. Augustine are excellent choices for this Zone 8b climate. Plan your seeding or sodding after the March 16 frost to take full advantage of the spring growing season.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kaufman County's county score?
Kaufman County, Texas has a composite county score of 29.1 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 Kaufman County rank among counties in Texas?
Kaufman County ranks #221 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 Kaufman County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Kaufman County is $5,377, with an effective tax rate of 1.68%. This earns Kaufman County a tax score of 6.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Kaufman County?
The median household income in Kaufman County, Texas is $89,485 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Kaufman County earns an income score of 90/100 on CountyScore.
Is Kaufman County, Texas a good place to live?
Kaufman County scores 29.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #221 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Kaufman 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 Kaufman County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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