countyscore
47.3
County Score
Cost of Living 99.8Schools 95.2Disaster Risk 71.7

County Report Card

About Kenedy County, Texas

Kenedy Ranks Below National Benchmark

Kenedy County's composite score of 33.6 is well below the national median of 50.0. The score is influenced by extreme variations in local infrastructure and service availability.

Below the Texas State Average

Compared to the Texas average of 41.9, Kenedy County faces a steeper climb in overall livability. Its low density creates unique challenges that deviate from the state's typical suburban and urban profiles.

High School Performance and Low Risk

The county excels with a school score of 95.2 and a risk score of 71.7. These numbers suggest a very strong educational environment and a high level of resilience against natural disasters.

Significant Gaps in Health and Safety

A health score of 0.0 and a safety score of 12.2 highlight critical areas for improvement in local services. While some financial data is unavailable, the lack of health infrastructure is a primary concern for residents.

Suited for Self-Sufficient Households

Kenedy County is best for those who prioritize excellent local schooling and low environmental risk. It requires a degree of self-sufficiency given the limited local health and safety infrastructure.

2040608010099.812.2095.21.871.78.711.5TaxCost99.8Safety12.2Health0Schools95.2Income1.8Risk71.7Water8.7Weather11.547.3/100
This county
National avg
3 above average5 below average

Kenedy County DNA

Foverall

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

Kenedy County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (99.8/100) but notably weak in Health (0/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Cost
99.8+51.8
Safety
12.2-42.8
Health
0-50
Schools
95.2+41.2
Income
1.8-49.2
Risk
71.7+24.700000000000003
Water
8.7-49.3
Weather
11.5-44.5
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Compare mortgage rates in Kenedy County

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

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Median Rent

N/A/mo

Income Needed (home)

N/A/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

N/A/yr

30% rent rule

Local median income: $38,882/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

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

Deep Dives

Kenedy County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 6 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Income & Jobs in Kenedy County

via IncomeByCounty

Limited income data for small county

Kenedy County's median household income is not currently available, limiting direct comparison to the national median of $74,755. However, the county's per capita income of $31,183 runs 6% below the national average, suggesting moderate economic challenge.

Rural county with sparse economic data

Kenedy County's per capita income of $31,183 falls slightly below the Texas state average of $33,197, indicating modest earnings relative to the state. The lack of detailed household income data reflects the county's very small, rural population and limited economic activity.

Comparison data unavailable for assessment

Complete income comparison with adjacent counties like Jim Wells and Willacy is difficult due to missing median household income data for Kenedy. Per capita income suggests economic conditions more challenged than wealthier Hill Country neighbors.

Housing affordability data incomplete

Without median household income and rent-to-income data, assessing Kenedy's housing affordability is difficult. Residents should seek local economic development resources to understand living costs and income adequacy in this rural coastal county.

Build financial stability in rural Kenedy

Per capita income of $31,183 suggests Kenedy residents benefit from conservative financial planning and focused savings strategies. Connect with local credit unions, nonprofit financial counseling services, or state resources to develop personalized wealth-building plans suited to the county's rural economy.

Safety in Kenedy County

via CrimeByCounty

Kenedy County Faces Unique Rural Challenges

Kenedy County reports a total crime rate of 2,586.2 per 100,000, which sits slightly above the national average of 2,385.5. Despite this, it maintains a respectable safety score of 95.9, reflecting its unique rural profile.

Data Context in a Single-Agency County

The county’s safety score is just below the state average of 96.8, though data comes from a single reporting agency. In low-population areas, centralized reporting can lead to higher per-capita figures that should be interpreted with caution.

Comparing Rural Trends to State Norms

While its total crime rate is higher than the Texas average of 2,052.5, Kenedy faces different challenges than its more populous neighbors. Small shifts in incident counts can significantly impact the per-100K statistics in this region.

Analyzing Violent and Property Crime Totals

Violent crime is reported at 862.1 per 100K, which is higher than the national average of 369.8. Conversely, property crime stands at 1,724.1, which remains lower than the national average of 2,015.7.

Prioritizing Remote Property Security

In areas with spread-out populations, home security systems with remote monitoring are essential for peace of mind. Consistent communication with the local sheriff's office helps maintain a secure environment for all residents.

Weather & Climate in Kenedy County

via WeatherByCounty

Coastal heat and subtropical humidity

Kenedy County is a hot, coastal environment with an annual average of 72.7°F. This is nearly 18 degrees warmer than the national median, reflecting its deep South Texas location.

A leader in Texas heat rankings

The county's 72.7°F average temperature is significantly higher than the Texas state average of 65.5°F. It represents the extreme warm end of the state's climate spectrum.

Wet coastal heat vs inland plains

Kenedy is warmer and wetter than Jim Hogg County thanks to its Gulf proximity. It shares almost identical heat patterns with Jim Wells but enjoys a slightly more humid profile.

Five months of extreme heat

Kenedy endures 155 days of extreme heat over 90°F each year, with July averaging 84.3°F. Winters are almost non-existent, averaging a balmy 59.4°F with only 0.2 inches of snow.

Heat safety and coastal maintenance

With 155 days of extreme heat, hydration and sun protection are vital for any outdoor activity. Homeowners should use corrosion-resistant materials due to the salty coastal air and high humidity.

Lawn Care in Kenedy County

via LawnByCounty

Tough Conditions in Kenedy County

With a lawn difficulty score of 21.2, this county is much more challenging than the state average of 31.7. Maintaining a traditional green lawn here is roughly twice as hard as the national median.

Extreme Heat Dominates Climate

The county faces 155 days of heat above 90 degrees, pushing growing degree days to a staggering 8,379. While 29.2 inches of rain falls annually, it often evaporates quickly under the intense Texas sun.

Preparing Coastal Soils

Specific soil metrics are limited for this region, but coastal proximity often means managing high salinity. Focus on adding organic matter to help the soil retain moisture during the brutal summer months.

Widespread Severe Drought

Drought is a severe reality here, with 93.1% of the county currently in a severe state. After 30 weeks of drought last year, water-wise landscaping is the most practical choice for homeowners.

Choosing Salt-Tolerant Varieties

Select salt-tolerant, heat-loving grasses like Seashore Paspalum or Bermuda. The growing season starts early, as the last spring frost typically passes by February 22.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kenedy County's county score?
Kenedy County, Texas has a composite county score of 47.3 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 Kenedy County rank among counties in Texas?
Kenedy County ranks #87 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 is the median household income in Kenedy County?
The median household income in Kenedy County, Texas is $38,882 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Kenedy County earns an income score of 1.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Kenedy County, Texas a good place to live?
Kenedy County scores 47.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #87 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Kenedy 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 Kenedy County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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