countyscore
45.8
County Score
Schools 74Cost of Living 67.8Safety 54.1

County Report Card

About Lamb County, Texas

Closing the Gap on National Medians

Lamb County earns a composite score of 45.8, positioning it within striking distance of the 50.0 national median. This score represents a solid performance for a rural Texas jurisdiction.

Stronger than the Average Texas County

With a score of 45.8, Lamb County outperforms the state average of 41.9. It holds its own as a competitive place to live within the diverse Texas landscape.

Exceptional Education and Affordable Housing

A standout School Score of 74.0 and a Cost Score of 67.8 drive the county's appeal. Median home values are highly accessible at $76,600, making property ownership more attainable than in most areas.

Health and Water Quality Constraints

The county faces significant hurdles in healthcare access with a Health Score of 8.5. Water quality also ranks low at 16.8, which may concern residents focused on environmental health.

A Prime Choice for Young Families

Lamb County is a top contender for families looking for high-quality schools and extremely affordable housing. Its profile is best for those who can travel for advanced medical care.

Score breakdown

Tax25.9Cost67.8Safety54.1Health8.5Schools74Income30.4Risk38.8Water16.8Weather54
🏛25.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠67.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡54.1
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤8.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓74
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡38.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧16.8
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤54
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨15.9
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱34.9
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Compare Lamb County with Collier County →Share on X

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Nearby counties

Bailey County
Texas
56.4
Castro County
Texas
52.4
Hale County
Texas
36.6
Parmer County
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Hockley County
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Lubbock County
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Cochran County
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Swisher County
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Deep Dives

Lamb County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Lamb County

via TaxByCounty

Lamb County offers modest national tax rates

Lamb County's effective tax rate of 1.192% sits slightly above the national median of 0.84%, placing it in the moderate range nationally. The median annual tax of $913 remains among the lowest in the country, reflecting Lamb County's modest median home value of $76,600—well below the national average of $281,900.

Close to Texas's state average

Lamb County's 1.192% effective rate nearly matches the Texas state average of 1.276%, making it representative of typical tax burden across the state. Its median annual tax of $913 is substantially lower than the state median of $2,193, primarily due to lower property valuations.

Middle ground in regional tax rates

Lamb County's 1.192% rate places it squarely between Lamar County's low 0.951% and the higher rates of Knox County (1.862%) and La Salle County (1.561%). It represents a moderate regional choice for tax burden.

What Lamb County taxes cost annually

On Lamb County's median home value of $76,600, expect annual property taxes of approximately $913. With mortgage escrow included, the total annual cost rises to about $2,234.

Challenge your assessment if it seems high

Even with Lamb County's lower overall tax rates, individual overassessments are possible—especially in rural areas where comparable sales data is sparse. Filing an appraisal protest costs nothing and can recover hundreds in annual tax savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lamb County

via CostByCounty

Lamb County just above national norm

Lamb County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.9% exceeds the 30% affordability threshold's margin but remains just above the national average. Renters here spend roughly 19 cents of every dollar on housing—a tight but manageable affordability picture.

Slightly tighter than Texas average

Lamb County's 18.9% rent-to-income ratio edges above Texas's state average of 18.1%, making it a middle-of-the-pack choice for renters statewide. At $900 monthly, median rent runs just 6% above the state average of $963, reflecting regional cost pressures in the Texas Panhandle.

Modest rents in the Panhandle

Lamb County's $900 rent sits between Knox County's ultra-affordable $661 and the higher costs found in central Texas counties. However, its homeownership costs are remarkably low—just $506 monthly with a median home value of $76,600—making it a buyer's haven despite rental affordability challenges.

Ownership significantly cheaper here

Lamb County residents earning $56,997 median income face $900 monthly rent (18.9% of income) but can own a home for just $506 monthly (8.9% of income). This dramatic gap makes homeownership in Lamb County exceptionally affordable despite rental market pressures.

Lamb County: buy, don't rent

If you're considering Lamb County, the data strongly favors homeownership—monthly costs are roughly half what renters pay. Compare its $76,600 median home value and $506 ownership costs against neighboring counties to see why buying here makes financial sense.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lamb County

via IncomeByCounty

Lamb County lags far behind national median

Lamb County's median household income of $56,997 is 24% below the U.S. median of $74,755, reflecting the economic constraints of rural Northwest Texas. This gap highlights limited wage opportunities compared to the broader American economy.

Lower-income tier within Texas

Lamb County earns 12% less than the Texas state median of $64,737, placing it in the lower third statewide. The county's economy depends heavily on agriculture and cattle ranching, which limits wage growth and employment diversity.

Mid-range income in South Texas cohort

Lamb County's $56,997 sits between La Salle ($55,469) and Kleberg ($57,612), showing similar economic pressures across the region. However, it trails Lamar County ($61,122) significantly, indicating variable economic conditions within Texas's rural areas.

Very affordable housing strengthens financial position

Lamb County's 18.9% rent-to-income ratio is manageable, though slightly elevated above the 15% benchmark. The median home value of just $76,600 makes homeownership highly accessible, giving residents a major advantage in wealth-building compared to national averages.

Convert housing savings into long-term wealth

Lamb County's exceptional home affordability—with median values under $77,000—frees up cash flow for aggressive saving and investing. Households here can build substantial retirement accounts and investment portfolios by prioritizing these goals early, leveraging the region's cost-of-living advantage.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Lamb County

via CrimeByCounty

Significantly Safer Than National Average

Lamb County reports a safety score of 98.4, positioning it well above the national norm. Its total crime rate of 1,036.6 is less than half the national average of 2,385.5.

Leading the Texas Safety Curve

The county outperforms the Texas state safety average of 96.8 by a comfortable margin. Total crime in Lamb County is roughly 50% lower than the state's average per-capita figures.

Quiet Rural Safety Profile

Four local agencies report a property crime rate of 890.7, which is low for agricultural counties. Violent crime is also infrequent, staying well below both state and national benchmarks.

Low Risk for Violent Crime

With a violent crime rate of just 145.9 per 100K, the county offers a very secure environment. Property crimes account for the majority of the 1,036.6 total incidents reported.

Secure Your Property and Equipment

Visible security measures like motion lights often discourage the property crimes that represent most local incidents. Keeping garages and outbuildings locked remains a top safety priority.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Lamb County

via HealthByCounty

Lamb lags significantly on national measures

Lamb County's life expectancy of 72.2 years falls 6.7 years short of the U.S. average of 78.9 years. With 28.3% of residents reporting poor or fair health and 23% uninsured, Lamb faces compounding health access barriers.

Lamb among Texas's worst health rankings

At 72.2 years, Lamb's life expectancy is 2.1 years below Texas's state average of 74.3 years. The county's 23.0% uninsured rate ranks among the state's highest, leaving nearly 1 in 4 residents without coverage.

Lamb has highest uninsured rate in region

Lamb's 23.0% uninsured rate is the worst among all regional peers—exceeding Knox (20.9%), Kleberg (19.1%), Lamar (18.2%), and Lampasas (17.5%). With only 23 primary care providers per 100,000, provider scarcity compounds access challenges.

Scarce providers, highest uninsured rate

Lamb provides just 23 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and only 39 mental health providers—among the lowest in the region. At 23% uninsured, residents already facing provider shortages also lack insurance to cover available care.

Lamb uninsured rate demands urgent action

With 23% of Lamb County uninsured—the highest in its region—residents face severe barriers to healthcare access. Visit healthcare.gov immediately to explore coverage options, or contact your local health department for assistance navigating insurance enrollment.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Lamb County

via SchoolsByCounty

Five Districts Serving Lamb County

Lamb County’s 2,704 students are distributed across 12 public schools and five independent school districts. The infrastructure includes five elementary, two middle, and four high schools. This decentralized system ensures that even the smallest communities have local access to education.

Outperforming State Standards

The county achieves a high 93.2% graduation rate, which is well above the national average of 87%. Funding is also strong, with $8,403 spent per pupil compared to the Texas average of $7,498. These indicators drive a composite school score of 58.2, outperforming the state median.

Littlefield ISD Leads Enrollment

Littlefield ISD is the county's largest district, managing four schools and 1,203 students. Olton ISD and Sudan ISD also serve significant populations, with Sudan Elementary being a major local hub for 294 students. No charter schools currently operate in the county, maintaining a focus on local ISD campuses.

Rural Excellence and Small Classes

Eight of the county's 12 schools are located in rural areas, while four serve town centers. With an average school size of only 225 students, the environment is intimate and community-oriented. Littlefield High School is the largest campus in the county, yet it remains accessible with just 364 students.

Invest in a High-Achieving Community

Lamb County offers families the benefit of high graduation rates and excellent per-pupil funding. Homes in the Littlefield and Olton districts provide access to schools that consistently beat state averages. Start your search for a home in a county that values strong educational investment.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lamb County

via RiskByCounty

Lamb County faces above-average risk

Lamb County's composite risk score of 61.23 exceeds the national average, though its "Relatively Low" rating suggests manageable exposure. The score reflects concentrated vulnerability to specific hazards in the Texas Panhandle region.

Above average for Texas counties

Lamb County scores 61.23 against Texas's state average of 49.00, placing it in the elevated-risk category statewide. The 25% increase over the state baseline reflects the county's exposure to Panhandle-specific hazards.

Riskier than surrounding Panhandle counties

Lamb County's 61.23 score exceeds nearby Lampasas County (29.93) and sits well below Lamar County (79.55). Within its regional context, Lamb represents a moderate-risk outlier.

Wildfire and tornado threats lead

Wildfire risk of 85.85 and tornado risk of 58.72 represent Lamb County's primary hazards, typical of High Plains geography. Flood risk remains low at 18.61, though hurricane exposure reaches 43.68 despite the county's inland location.

Wildfire insurance and storm prep essential

Lamb County residents should ensure homeowners policies explicitly cover wildfire damage and maintain defensible space around properties. Storm shelters and comprehensive wind coverage also warrant priority given the 58.72 tornado risk score.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Lamb County

via WeatherByCounty

Milder Average Temperatures on the High Plains

Lamb County averages 58.5°F annually, making it one of the few Texas counties that aligns closely with national median temperatures. This semi-arid climate is characterized by significant temperature swings and lower humidity.

Cooler Than the Texas Average

At 58.5°F, Lamb County is notably cooler than the Texas state average of 65.5°F. It is also much drier, receiving only 18.5 inches of precipitation compared to the 31.9-inch state average.

Arid Conditions in the Panhandle Region

Lamb County receives only 18.5 inches of annual rain, typical for the dry landscape of West Texas. This is a stark contrast to the wetter counties in East Texas that receive triple this amount of moisture.

Winter Snow and Summer Swings

The county sees 7.3 inches of annual snowfall, which is high for Texas, alongside a chilly January average of 38.6°F. Summers remain hot with 77 days reaching 90°F, though July averages a manageable 78.3°F.

Built for Dust and Snow

Residents should prepare for cold winters by insulating pipes for the 40.1°F winter average and keeping snow shovels ready for the 7.3-inch annual snowfall. Water conservation is also a priority due to the low 18.5 inches of annual rain.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Lamb County

via SoilByCounty

Highly Alkaline Fine Sands of Lamb

The soil here is quite alkaline, with a pH of 7.78 compared to the national median of 6.5. This contributes to a relatively low soil score of 15.9, which is below the Texas average.

High Sand Content and Easy Workability

A dominant texture of fine sand is driven by a 60.7% sand composition. While this makes the soil very easy to dig and till, it struggles to hold onto water and nutrients compared to clay-heavy soils.

Low Water Capacity and Organic Matter

Organic matter stands at 1.46%, and the available water capacity is just 0.129 in/in. Both figures fall below the state averages, suggesting that frequent fertilization and watering are necessary for garden success.

Rapid Infiltration in Excessively Drained Soils

The county features excessively drained soils belonging to hydrologic group A. This means water moves very quickly through the ground, significantly reducing the risk of flooding but increasing the need for irrigation.

Cooler Growing in Hardiness Zone 7a

Lamb County is in hardiness zone 7a, supporting crops like grapes and sweet potatoes. Start your garden today, but be sure to use plenty of mulch to keep moisture in the sandy ground.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Lamb County

via LawnByCounty

Arid Challenges in the High Plains

Lamb County has a lawn difficulty score of 34.9, making it slightly easier to manage than the state average of 31.7. While it sits below the national average of 50.0, it benefits from cooler summer temperatures than southern Texas. However, the arid climate in hardiness zone 7a requires significant irrigation effort.

Cooler Summers with Minimal Rainfall

The county only receives 18.5 inches of rain per year, falling far short of the 30-50 inches lawns ideally need. On the positive side, there are only 77 extreme heat days annually, which is much lower than the state average of 105. This means grass is less likely to scorch, even if it stays thirsty.

Sandy Soil and Fast Drainage

Soil here is 60.7% sand and is classified as excessively drained, meaning water moves through it very quickly. The pH is moderately alkaline at 7.78, which can limit the availability of iron and phosphorus for your lawn. Regular applications of organic compost are vital to help this sandy earth hold onto moisture.

Resilient Conditions Amidst Low Rain

While 100% of the county is abnormally dry, only 1.2% is currently in severe drought, showing better resilience than much of the state. There were only 13 weeks of drought over the past year, providing a relatively stable growing environment. Efficient drip irrigation is recommended to manage the naturally low 18.5-inch rainfall.

Smart Grass Choices for Zone 7a

Buffalo grass is the premier choice for Lamb County because it thrives in sandy soil and requires very little water. Wait until after the last frost on April 14 to begin your spring planting or fertilization. The 4,429 growing degree days provide a shorter window than south Texas, so maximize the late spring for best results.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lamb County's county score?
Lamb County, Texas has a composite county score of 45.8 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 Lamb County rank among counties in Texas?
Lamb County ranks #100 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 Lamb County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Lamb County is $913, with an effective tax rate of 1.19%. This earns Lamb County a tax score of 25.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Lamb County?
The median household income in Lamb County, Texas is $56,997 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Lamb County earns an income score of 30.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Lamb County, Texas a good place to live?
Lamb County scores 45.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #100 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Lamb 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 Lamb County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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