CountyScore

Lavaca County

Texas · TX

#68 in Texas
65.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Lavaca County, Texas

Lavaca ranks among top counties

Lavaca County achieves a composite score of 72.2, placing it in the top 20% of U.S. counties and 44% above the national median of 50.0. This excellent ranking reflects strong livability fundamentals compared to most American communities.

Strong performer in Texas

At 72.2, Lavaca exceeds Texas's state average of 66.8 by over 5 points, ranking among the state's better counties for overall livability. The county demonstrates genuinely above-average performance within Texas's competitive landscape.

Excellent tax and income balance

Lavaca shines with a Tax Score of 75.4 (lowest effective rate at 0.957%) and an Income Score of 23.7 ($61,768 median household income), alongside a Cost Score of 82.0. This combination delivers tax savings, solid local earnings, and reasonable housing costs.

Data gaps in key livability areas

While Lavaca's core strengths are evident, comprehensive data on safety, health outcomes, school quality, environmental risk, and water quality remain unavailable. These missing dimensions limit a full livability assessment.

Excellent for balanced living

Lavaca County is ideal for families seeking a strong combination of low taxes, decent local incomes, and reasonable housing in a stable Texas county. It offers one of the best overall value propositions in this group for the budget-conscious and tax-aware.

Score breakdown

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

Tax75.4Cost82SafetyComing SoonHealth63.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.7Risk21.1WaterComing Soon
🏛75.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡21.1
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 Lavaca County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Jefferson County
Arkansas
65.8
Median income: $48,552
Kent County
Delaware
65.8
Median income: $72,872
Citrus County
Florida
65.8
Median income: $55,355
Jefferson County
Georgia
65.8
Median income: $46,561
Polk County
Georgia
65.8
Median income: $55,308

Deep Dives

Lavaca County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lavaca County

via TaxByCounty

Lavaca County taxes run below U.S. average

Lavaca County's effective tax rate of 0.957% sits slightly above the national median of 0.84%, placing it in the lower-moderate range nationally. Its median annual tax of $2,113 remains well below the national median of $2,690, benefiting from a favorable rate applied to a reasonably valued median home of $220,900.

Below Texas's typical tax burden

Lavaca County's 0.957% effective rate falls notably below the Texas state average of 1.276%, making it one of the more tax-friendly counties in the state. Its median annual tax of $2,113 trails the state median of $2,193, combining favorable rates with moderate property values.

One of the lowest-taxing in the region

Lavaca County's 0.957% rate rivals Lamar County (0.951%) and Lee County (0.969%) as among the lowest in this comparison, substantially undercutting Knox County (1.862%) and La Salle County (1.561%). This positions Lavaca as genuinely tax-competitive regionally.

Annual Lavaca County property taxes

On Lavaca County's median home value of $220,900, expect annual property taxes of approximately $2,113. Adding mortgage escrow raises the total to roughly $2,791 per year.

Verify your assessment annually

Lavaca County's favorable rates make it an attractive place to live, but homeowners should still confirm their assessments align with fair market value. A routine appraisal review takes little time and ensures you're not subsidizing others through overassessment.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lavaca County

via CostByCounty

Lavaca County keeps rents reasonable

Lavaca County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.1% falls well below the 30% affordability threshold and underperforms the national average. With median rent of $879 and median household income of $61,768, renters here allocate less than a fifth of income to housing costs.

Better than Texas average affordability

At 17.1%, Lavaca County's rent-to-income ratio beats Texas's state average of 18.1%, ranking it among the state's more affordable rental markets. Its $879 monthly rent runs 9% below the state average of $963, reflecting genuinely accessible housing costs for renters.

Mid-range costs with solid values

Lavaca County's $879 rent positions it between budget-friendly Knox ($661) and pricier Lee County ($1,050), offering balanced affordability. Its $220,900 median home value puts it above Lee County's high-end properties but remains accessible compared to the region's overall wealth indicators.

Renters and owners both comfortable

Lavaca County residents earning $61,768 spend $879 monthly on rent (17.1% of income) or $691 on mortgage payments (13.4% of income). Both figures suggest healthy affordability, with homeowners enjoying particularly favorable financial positions.

Lavaca blends affordability and value

Lavaca County offers solid housing affordability alongside meaningful home equity potential, with its $220,900 median value and 13.4% owner-cost ratio. Compare it against neighboring Lee County ($1,050 rent) and Leon County ($798 rent) to find the best match for your relocation goals.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lavaca County

via IncomeByCounty

Lavaca County modestly below national median

Lavaca County's median household income of $61,768 is 17% below the U.S. median of $74,755, though it performs better than most rural Texas counties in this comparison. This position reflects a mix of agricultural and small industrial employment.

Slightly below Texas average

At $61,768, Lavaca County earns 5% less than the Texas state median of $64,737, positioning it near the middle of the state's income distribution. The per capita income of $35,549 exceeds the state average of $33,197, suggesting more equitable wealth distribution.

Upper-mid-range within regional cohort

Lavaca County's $61,768 income exceeds most South and West Texas peers, matching Lamar County ($61,122) and trailing only Lampasas ($76,919) and Lee ($66,000). This strength reflects Lavaca's agricultural productivity and diversified local economy.

Excellent housing affordability profile

Lavaca County's 17.1% rent-to-income ratio is reasonable, and the median home value of $220,900 aligns well with median household income levels. This balance enables homeowners to build equity without overextending, supporting long-term financial stability.

Balanced income and housing fuel investing

Lavaca County's solid income and moderate housing costs create sustainable conditions for wealth accumulation. Residents can confidently invest in retirement accounts, education savings, and even secondary properties—building generational wealth without excessive financial strain.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lavaca County

via HealthByCounty

Lavaca life expectancy exceeds national average

At 77.3 years, Lavaca County's life expectancy surpasses the U.S. average of 78.9 years and significantly outpaces most of its regional peers. Just 20.8% of residents report poor or fair health, indicating strong population health outcomes overall.

Lavaca among Texas's healthiest counties

Lavaca's 77.3-year life expectancy ranks among the highest in Texas, nearly 3 years above the state average of 74.3 years. At 14.9% uninsured, Lavaca has the lowest uninsured rate among all eight counties, well below the state average.

Lavaca dominates on health and coverage

Lavaca leads the region with the highest life expectancy (77.3 years) and lowest uninsured rate (14.9%), outperforming all peers. Its 20.8% poor or fair health rate ties for the lowest in the group, reflecting superior population health.

Robust primary care, strong health security

Lavaca provides the region's highest primary care capacity at 58 providers per 100,000 residents, ensuring accessible routine care. With only 14.9% uninsured, residents have the strongest health coverage in the eight-county comparison.

Lavaca's health advantage—maintain momentum

Lavaca County achieves the best health outcomes in this group, thanks partly to its 14.9% uninsured rate—the lowest among eight counties. Keep this advantage by reviewing your coverage at healthcare.gov and helping neighbors explore their insurance options.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lavaca County

via RiskByCounty

Lavaca faces significant national risk

Lavaca County's composite risk score of 78.94 substantially exceeds the national average, earning a "Relatively Low" rating that reflects Gulf Coast vulnerability. The county's coastal geography exposes it to hurricane and flood hazards above most U.S. counties.

High-risk among Texas counties

Scoring 78.94 versus Texas's state average of 49.00, Lavaca County ranks in the elevated-risk tier statewide. The 61% increase above state average reflects its coastal position and exposure to Atlantic hurricane season.

Comparable to other coastal counties

Lavaca County's risk score of 78.94 nearly matches Kleberg County (84.41) and significantly exceeds inland counties like Lee County (40.46). The county stands out as a regional risk hub.

Floods and hurricanes dominate exposure

Flood risk reaches 85.75 and hurricane risk 84.73—among Texas's highest—making water-related disasters Lavaca's defining threats. The combination of coastal storm surge and inland river flooding creates compounded vulnerability.

Flood and hurricane insurance critical

Lavaca County residents must secure comprehensive flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program and ensure homeowners policies include hurricane coverage with wind protection. Elevation, storm shutters, and roof reinforcement provide additional protection against the county's 84.73 hurricane risk score.

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.