countyscore
41.5
County Score
Income & Jobs 60.5Safety 55.9Schools 47.5

County Report Card

About Kerr County, Texas

Kerr Sits Below National Median

Kerr County's composite score of 40.1 falls short of the national median of 50.0. The score reflects a mix of strong individual incomes but high environmental and infrastructure risks.

Nearly Matches Texas State Performance

At 40.1, Kerr County is just below the Texas state average of 41.9. It remains a competitive option in the Hill Country, though it faces unique local challenges compared to its neighbors.

Solid Incomes and Community Safety

The county maintains a respectable income score of 61.6 and a safety score of 55.9. With a median household income of $67,927, residents find a balanced economic environment.

High Risk and Water Challenges

A water score of 7.8 and a risk score of 22.8 are the county's primary weaknesses. These figures point to vulnerability regarding natural disasters and significant long-term water management needs.

Good for Middle-Income Hill Country Living

Kerr County is a sensible choice for families seeking a safe, middle-income community with traditional Texas charm. It suits those who are prepared to navigate local environmental and water constraints.

2040608010038.533.955.935.247.560.522.87.840.3Tax38.5Cost33.9Safety55.9Health35.2Schools47.5Income60.5Risk22.8Water7.8Weather40.341.5/100
This county
National avg
6 below average

Kerr County DNA

Foverall

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

Kerr County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Water Quality (7.8/100), though Income (60.5/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
38.5-13.5
Cost
33.9-14.100000000000001
Safety
55.9
Health
35.2-14.799999999999997
Schools
47.5
Income
60.5+9.5
Risk
22.8-24.2
Water
7.8-50.2
Weather
40.3-15.700000000000003
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Compare mortgage rates in Kerr County

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$321,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,109/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$321,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$44,360/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $69,395/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

20.7

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

Martin County
Florida
Median income: $82,943
41.5
Berrien County
Georgia
Median income: $52,876
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Muscatine County
Iowa
Median income: $69,396
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Morton County
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Median income: $66,447
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Blue Earth County
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Median income: $74,477
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Big Horn County
Montana
Median income: $58,750
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Lorain County
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Median income: $73,347
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Armstrong County
Texas
Median income: $72,750
41.5

Nearby counties

Real County
Texas
30.1
Bandera County
Texas
45.6
Gillespie County
Texas
46
Kimble County
Texas
55.3
Kendall County
Texas
41.8
Edwards County
Texas
40.1
Uvalde County
Texas
26.9
Medina County
Texas
35.8

Deep Dives

Kerr County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in Kerr County

via CrimeByCounty

Kerr County Maintains High Security Standards

Kerr County is a safe community with a safety score of 98.4, well above the national norm. Its total crime rate of 1,007.4 per 100,000 is less than half of the national average of 2,385.5.

Outperforming State Averages in Texas

Kerr ranks highly within Texas, beating the state’s average safety score of 96.8. Eight different reporting agencies contribute to this data, ensuring a reliable and broad view of the county's public safety landscape.

Leading the Way in Hill Country Safety

The county's crime rate of 1,007.4 is roughly half of the Texas state average of 2,052.5. This makes Kerr a standout for safety compared to many of its peers in the Texas Hill Country.

Violent and Property Crimes Below Average

Violent crime occurs at a rate of 181.8 per 100K, far below the national average of 369.8. Property crime is also low at 825.6, compared to the national property crime rate of 2,015.7.

Invest in Community-Based Security

To maintain these excellent safety numbers, residents should focus on basic home security like deadbolts and alarm systems. High safety scores are often the result of both active law enforcement and a watchful community.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Kerr County

via WeatherByCounty

Kerr County's Hill Country Climate

Kerr County averages 64.3°F annually, placing it well above the national climate median. Its 30.6 inches of rainfall nearly matches the Texas state average of 31.9 inches.

Temperate for the Lone Star State

At 64.3°F, the county is just below the 65.5°F state average. It ranks among the more temperate regions in the Texas Hill Country.

Wetter than its Western Neighbors

Kerr is wetter than Kimble County, which sees only 23.0 inches of rain. While Kerr has 91 extreme heat days, Kimble endures a much higher 117.

Mild Extremes in the Hills

Residents enjoy a July average of 80.7°F and a mild January at 45.8°F. Snow is rare, with only 0.3 inches falling on average each year.

Cooling and Drainage Needs

With 91 days topping 90°F, efficient cooling is essential for summer comfort. The 30.6 inches of rain suggests checking drainage systems for occasional heavy Hill Country downpours.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Kerr County

via SoilByCounty

Balanced pH in Kerr County

Kerr County soil stays closer to neutral than its neighbors with a pH of 6.97. This nearly matches the state average of 7.09 and is only slightly above the 6.5 national median.

Tight Clay and Silt Texture

With 36.9% clay and 35.6% silt, the soil has a dense, heavy texture. Only 19.5% of the mix is sand, meaning the ground stays tight and holds onto moisture and nutrients very effectively.

Impressive Organic Richness

The organic matter content is 3.27%, which is nearly double the Texas average of 1.66%. Despite this richness, the available water capacity is 0.125 in/in, falling slightly below the state average of 0.133.

Slow Infiltration Challenges

High clay content places these soils in hydrologic group D, signaling very slow infiltration and high runoff potential. The soil stays wet for long periods after rain, which can stress plants not adapted to heavy moisture.

Native Success in Zone 8b

Hardiness Zone 8b provides a warm climate that complements the rich organic matter found here. Native Texas wildflowers flourish, especially if you provide slightly raised beds to manage the slow drainage.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Kerr County

via LawnByCounty

Kerr's Near-Average Difficulty

A lawn difficulty score of 29.8 puts Kerr County slightly below the Texas state average of 31.7. It remains more challenging than the national median of 50.0 due to Hill Country weather volatility.

Balanced Heat and Moisture

Annual precipitation of 30.6 inches just hits the ideal threshold for lawn health. The county experiences 91 days of extreme heat, which drives 5,776 growing degree days annually.

Ideal pH with Clay Challenges

The soil pH is nearly perfect at 6.97, resting right in the ideal 6.0-7.0 range. However, the 36.9% clay content means the soil can hold too much water if drainage isn't managed properly.

Extended Drought Recovery

The county endured 45 weeks of drought over the past year. While only 2.0% of the area is currently in severe drought, the entire county remains abnormally dry and requires careful water management.

Timing Your Zone 8b Lawn

Bermuda grass is a favorite here for its ability to bounce back from the 91 extreme heat days. Aim to start your lawn after the last spring frost on April 3.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kerr County's county score?
Kerr County, Texas has a composite county score of 41.5 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 Kerr County rank among counties in Texas?
Kerr County ranks #134 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 Kerr County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Kerr County is $3,103, with an effective tax rate of 0.97%. This earns Kerr County a tax score of 38.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Kerr County?
The median household income in Kerr County, Texas is $69,395 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Kerr County earns an income score of 60.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Kerr County, Texas a good place to live?
Kerr County scores 41.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #134 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Kerr 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 Kerr 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.