countyscore
44.9
County Score
Schools 74Cost of Living 60.5Safety 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.

2040608010027.860.554.18.5743638.816.854Tax27.8Cost60.5Safety54.1Health8.5Schools74Income36Risk38.8Water16.8Weather5444.9/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Lamb County DNA

Foverall

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

Lamb County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Schools (74/100) but notably weak in Health (8.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
27.8-24.2
Cost
60.5+12.5
Safety
54.1
Health
8.5-41.5
Schools
74+20
Income
36-15
Risk
38.8-8.200000000000003
Water
16.8-41.2
Weather
54
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Many homeowners in Lamb County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$82,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$968/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$82,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$38,720/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $60,760/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

15.5

per 100K

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

Explore this county

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Nearby counties

Bailey County
Texas
51.1
Castro County
Texas
54.4
Hale County
Texas
36.3
Parmer County
Texas
43.9
Hockley County
Texas
32.9
Lubbock County
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20.1
Cochran County
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46.3
Swisher County
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34.6

Deep Dives

Lamb County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

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 44.9 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 #107 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 $919, with an effective tax rate of 1.12%. This earns Lamb County a tax score of 27.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Lamb County?
The median household income in Lamb County, Texas is $60,760 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Lamb County earns an income score of 36/100 on CountyScore.
Is Lamb County, Texas a good place to live?
Lamb County scores 44.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #107 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.
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.