CountyScore

Kerr County

Texas · TX

#143 in Texas
61.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Kerr County, Texas

Kerr Solidly Above National Median

Kerr County's composite score of 67.9 ranks well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 68th percentile nationally. The county demonstrates above-average livability compared to the typical American county.

Slightly Ahead of Texas Average

Kerr's score of 67.9 marginally exceeds Texas's state average of 66.8, positioning it just above the state middle ground. The county ranks comfortably within the upper-middle tier of Texas counties.

Strong Taxes and Affordable Housing

Kerr's Tax Score of 71.5 reflects a favorable 1.093% effective tax rate, while the Cost Score of 75.2 indicates solid housing affordability with a median home value of $285,100 and rent at $1,079. The combination offers good financial value relative to property ownership.

Lower Income Opportunities

Kerr's Income Score of 27.7 represents a significant weakness, with median household income of $67,927 notably below both the state and this group's averages. Health, safety, schools, and environmental measures remain incomplete.

Ideal for Tax-Conscious Retirees

Kerr suits individuals seeking lower property taxes and reasonable housing costs who don't depend on local job markets for income. The county appeals to retirees, remote workers, and those with outside income sources prioritizing affordability over wage growth.

Score breakdown

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

Tax71.5Cost75.2SafetyComing SoonHealth58.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.7Risk22.8WaterComing Soon
🏛71.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠75.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤58.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡22.8
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 Kerr County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Maricopa County
Arizona
61.8
Median income: $85,518
Mendocino County
California
61.8
Median income: $64,688
Flagler County
Florida
61.8
Median income: $72,923
Jefferson County
Illinois
61.8
Median income: $61,102
Cowley County
Kansas
61.8
Median income: $58,263

Deep Dives

Kerr County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Kerr County

via TaxByCounty

Kerr County taxes below U.S. median

Kerr's effective tax rate of 1.093% exceeds the national median of 0.92%, but only by 19%, placing it in the lower-middle tier nationally. With a median home value of $285,100—close to the U.S. median—Kerr homeowners enjoy moderate tax pressure by American standards.

Kerr ranks well below Texas average

At 1.093%, Kerr's rate sits 14% beneath Texas's statewide average of 1.276%, making it one of the more affordable counties in the state. Roughly 60% of Texas counties tax property at or above Kerr's rate.

Kerr offers the lowest taxes in Hill Country

Kerr's 1.093% rate beats Kendall (1.202%) and Kimble (1.255%), and runs half that of Kaufman (1.732%), making it a tax haven among central Texas peers. Hill Country homebuyers often choose Kerr for its favorable tax climate.

Kerr homeowners pay $3,115 yearly

The median Kerr home valued at $285,100 carries a $3,115 annual property tax bill. With mortgage and bond obligations included, the total reaches $3,340—higher than the national median of $2,690 but lower than most Texas counties.

Appeal your assessment before the deadline

Kerr's popular vacation-home market sometimes leads to inflated appraisals; many owners overpay as a result. Filing a tax appeal is free and can recover hundreds of dollars annually if your property was assessed too high.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Kerr County

via CostByCounty

Kerr stretches incomes on housing

Kerr County residents spend 19.1% of their $67,927 income on rent—above the national burden level—despite earning below the national median. The county's $1,079 median rent reflects its appeal as a tourist and recreation destination, creating a housing-cost squeeze for local earners.

Worse affordability than Texas average

Kerr's 19.1% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Texas's 18.1% average, marking it as a less affordable county relative to state norms. Median rents of $1,079 run 12% above the state median despite below-average county incomes.

Pricier than western counterparts

Kerr's $1,079 rent and $891 owner costs exceed those of nearby Kimble ($795/$705) and Kinney ($771/$545) counties. The premium reflects Kerr's Hill Country appeal and tourism-driven real estate demand, pushing costs higher than comparable rural areas.

Nearly a third of income to housing

Kerr households allocate roughly 30% of income to combined housing costs ($1,970 monthly against $5,661 monthly income). For lower-income residents, this burden leaves limited flexibility for healthcare, education, and savings.

Kerr: beautiful but housing-tight

Kerr County's Hill Country location and outdoor recreation attract many relocators, but verify your income matches local wages before committing. If you're remote-employed or retiring with savings, Kerr's affordability challenge softens considerably.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Kerr County

via IncomeByCounty

Kerr's income trails national average

Kerr County's median household income of $67,927 runs 9% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it modestly below the national benchmark. This gap reflects the county's rural Hill Country character and economy anchored in ranching, tourism, and retirees.

Still above Texas state average

Despite falling short nationally, Kerr County's median household income of $67,927 exceeds the Texas state average of $64,737 by 5%. Per capita income of $39,822 notably surpasses the state average of $33,197, driven by affluent retirees and small business owners.

Mid-range earnings in Hill Country

Kerr's $67,927 median income ranks above Kimble ($65,703) and Kinney ($66,341) but trails Kendall ($110,498) and Kaufman ($88,606). Among scenic Hill Country counties, Kerr occupies the middle ground economically.

Housing costs edge toward pressure

Kerr residents spend 19.1% of household income on rent—acceptable but approaching the affordability threshold. With a median home value of $285,100, buyers need strong income stability and savings to comfortably purchase property.

Strategic planning essential in Kerr

With income slightly below national average but moderate housing costs, Kerr households should prioritize building emergency savings and tax-advantaged retirement accounts. A financial advisor can help optimize income, manage housing expenses strategically, and build wealth despite economic headwinds.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Kerr County

via HealthByCounty

Kerr balances length with quality

Kerr County residents live to 76.5 years, nearly two years longer than the U.S. average of 74.5 years. However, 21% report poor or fair health—above the national average of 17.8%—indicating extended life doesn't guarantee good health quality.

Above Texas average on longevity

Kerr's 76.5-year life expectancy tops Texas's 74.3-year average by more than two years, ranking it in the state's upper tier. The county's 19% uninsured rate roughly matches the state average of 19.8%, showing typical coverage levels for rural Texas.

Strong provider access, mixed outcomes

Kerr's 81 primary care providers per 100K rival Kendall's 86 and exceed Kaufman's 21, positioning it as a regional provider hub. Yet Kendall's superior life expectancy (79.8 vs. 76.5) suggests coverage or community health factors beyond provider density matter in health outcomes.

Robust providers, moderate barriers

Kerr offers 81 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and exceptional mental health access at 339 per 100K, among Texas's highest. Despite good infrastructure, 19% of residents remain uninsured, meaning some cannot afford to use these providers.

Use Kerr's providers—get insured

Kerr County boasts excellent healthcare infrastructure, but only if you're covered; nearly one-fifth of residents (19%) lack insurance. Explore marketplace plans or Medicaid at healthcare.gov to tap into the specialists and primary care physicians already available in your county.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Kerr County

via RiskByCounty

Kerr faces significantly elevated disaster risk

Kerr County's composite score of 77.16 ranks above the national average, carrying a "Relatively Low" rating that underestimates its concentrated vulnerabilities. Multiple hazard types—flood, wildfire, and tornado—all score in the upper ranges.

Kerr ranks among Texas's riskier counties

At 77.16 versus Texas's state average of 49.00, Kerr ranks in the upper tier of statewide risk exposure. The Hill Country terrain and seasonal storm patterns create compounding hazards across multiple categories.

Kerr is riskier than most surrounding counties

Kerr's score of 77.16 exceeds Kendall County (65.49), Kimble County (32.16), and Kinney County (2.19) significantly. Only Kaufman County (76.18) approaches Kerr's risk level, marking both as regional hotspots.

Floods, wildfires, and tornadoes converge

Kerr faces flood risk of 85.24, wildfire risk of 84.45, and tornado risk of 78.88—a triple threat among the highest in Texas. Hill Country geography amplifies flood danger during heavy rainfall, while dry seasons fuel wildfire conditions.

Comprehensive coverage across all major threats

Your homeowner's policy must include flood, wildfire, and hail coverage—standard homeowner's insurance excludes floods, so purchase a separate policy. Install gutters and drainage systems, clear defensible space around structures, and maintain roof integrity for maximum protection.

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.