CountyScore

Kaufman County

Texas · TX

#239 in Texas
53
County Score

County Report Card

About Kaufman County, Texas

Kaufman Outpaces National Median

Kaufman County's composite score of 54.3 sits above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 54th percentile nationally. This indicates the county offers above-average livability compared to the typical American county, though there's room for improvement across several dimensions.

Below Texas Average

With a score of 54.3, Kaufman ranks below Texas's state average of 66.8, placing it in the lower half of Texas counties. This suggests neighboring counties often offer better livability profiles, particularly in income and cost dimensions.

Tax Rates and Affordability Stand Out

Kaufman's effective tax rate of 1.732% keeps property costs manageable, with a median home value of $290,800 and rent averaging $1,408 monthly. The county's Cost Score of 58.1 reflects reasonable housing expenses relative to income levels in the region.

Income Growth Lags Behind

Kaufman's Income Score of 41.2 is a notable concern, with a median household income of $88,606 trailing state performance. Critical gaps remain in safety, health, schools, and other livability measures, where data collection is still underway.

A Growing Commuter Hub

Kaufman suits families seeking affordable suburban living with manageable taxes but who may work elsewhere for higher incomes. The county's moderate profile makes it best for cost-conscious households willing to trade some local economic dynamism for reasonable housing expenses.

Score breakdown

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

Tax53.6Cost58.1SafetyComing SoonHealth59.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome41.2Risk23.8WaterComing Soon
🏛53.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠58.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼41.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤59.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡23.8
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 Kaufman County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Brazoria County
Texas
53.1
Median income: $95,155
Hays County
Texas
52.9
Median income: $85,827
Montgomery County
Texas
53.1
Median income: $97,266
Alameda County
California
53.3
Median income: $126,240
San Francisco County
California
53.3
Median income: $141,446

Deep Dives

Kaufman County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Kaufman County

via CostByCounty

Kaufman rents eat 19% of income

Renters in Kaufman County spend 19.1% of their income on housing, slightly above the national norm. At $1,408/month median rent against an $88,606 median household income, Kaufman households earn $13,851 more than the national median—but pay a premium on housing costs.

Above Texas average on affordability

Kaufman's 19.1% rent-to-income ratio ranks slightly worse than Texas's 18.1% state average, though median rents here ($1,408) are 46% higher than the state median ($963). The county sits in the middle tier of Texas counties for housing affordability.

Pricier than Kent, cheaper than Kendall

Kaufman's $1,408 rent falls between nearby Kent County ($856) and Kendall County ($1,576). Owner costs show a similar pattern: Kaufman's $1,608 monthly payment sits between Kent's $655 and Kendall's $1,717.

Nearly a third of income to housing

Combined renter and owner housing costs consume roughly 28% of Kaufman household income ($3,016 in monthly payments against $7,384 in monthly earnings). The county's above-average income helps offset housing costs that would strain lower-earning households elsewhere.

Kaufman: balance and commute distance

If you're relocating from higher-cost metros, Kaufman offers reasonable rents and strong incomes for Dallas-area proximity. Compare against Kent County to the west for deeper affordability, or Kendall County to the south if you want suburban amenities near San Antonio.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Kaufman County

via HealthByCounty

Kaufman's life expectancy edges ahead

Kaufman residents live to 74.8 years on average, slightly longer than the U.S. average of 74.5 years. However, 21.2% report poor or fair health—above the national average of 17.8%—suggesting that extra years don't necessarily mean healthier ones.

Ranking above Texas average

At 74.8 years, Kaufman's life expectancy ranks in the middle-upper tier statewide, beating Texas's 74.3-year average by half a year. The county's uninsured rate of 16.8% is notably better than Texas's 19.8%, indicating stronger health coverage overall.

Solid ground among nearby counties

Kaufman outperforms neighboring Kenedy County on life expectancy and uninsured rates, though it lags behind Kendall County's 79.8-year expectancy. Primary care access (21 per 100K) remains a local challenge compared to Kendall's 86 per 100K and Kerr's 81 per 100K.

Uninsured rates lag provider access

One in six Kaufman residents (16.8%) lacks health insurance, creating barriers to preventive care despite adequate mental health providers at 107 per 100K. The county's 21 primary care providers per 100,000 residents means many residents face waits or travel for routine checkups.

Get insured, stay healthy

If you're uninsured in Kaufman County, now is the time to explore your options through the Health Insurance Marketplace or local community health centers. Coverage can catch health problems early and save you thousands in emergency care costs down the road.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Kaufman County

via RiskByCounty

Kaufman ranks above US average risk

Kaufman County's composite risk score of 76.18 places it well above the national average, signaling elevated exposure to natural disasters. The county earns a "Relatively Low" rating overall, but this masks significant tornado and wildfire vulnerabilities that warrant preparation.

In Texas, Kaufman faces higher-than-average hazards

With a score of 76.18 versus Texas's state average of 49.00, Kaufman ranks among the riskier counties statewide. Tornadoes and wildfires pose the most substantial threats relative to other Texas counties.

Kaufman outpaces surrounding counties in risk

Neighboring counties like Kendall (65.49) and Kent (1.08) carry lower composite risk scores than Kaufman's 76.18. This positions Kaufman as a relative hotspot for severe weather in its region, particularly for tornado activity.

Tornadoes and wildfires dominate here

Tornado risk scores 84.61—among the highest in the state—while wildfire risk reaches 79.96, both well above Kaufman's overall composite score. Severe convective storms are the defining weather threat residents face year-round.

Fortify your home against violent storms

Strong tornado and severe storm insurance coverage is essential; verify your homeowner's policy includes comprehensive hail and wind damage protection. Consider reinforcing your garage doors, roof connections, and identifying a safe interior room as a shelter during tornado season.

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.