CountyScore

Leon County

Texas · TX

#63 in Texas
66.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Leon County, Texas

Leon County outpaces national average

Leon County's composite score of 75.0 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper half of U.S. counties for overall livability. This 50% advantage over the national baseline reflects a county with meaningful economic and fiscal strengths that appeal to cost-conscious families.

Above-average standing in Texas

Leon County ranks above the Texas state average composite score of 66.8, demonstrating above-average livability across the state's 254 counties. This positioning places Leon among the better-performing counties in Texas for the measured dimensions of livability.

Tax advantages and housing affordability shine

Leon County excels in two critical livability dimensions: a tax score of 81.0 with an effective tax rate of just 0.755%, and a cost score of 83.6 backed by a median home value of $177,400 and rent averaging $798 per month. These low tax and housing costs create substantial financial breathing room for residents.

Income levels lag behind county strengths

The county's income score of 22.5 reflects a median household income of $59,975, below state norms for a county of its profile. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data remain unavailable, limiting a complete picture of livability.

Ideal for budget-conscious retirees and families

Leon County suits individuals and families prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over high incomes. Its favorable fiscal environment makes it particularly appealing to retirees on fixed incomes or young families building wealth in a low-cost-of-living setting.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81Cost83.6SafetyComing SoonHealth51.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.5Risk41.7WaterComing Soon
🏛81
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤51.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡41.7
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 Leon County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Benton County
Arkansas
66.2
Median income: $89,879
Phillips County
Arkansas
66.2
Median income: $38,874
Sumter County
Florida
66.2
Median income: $73,297
Carroll County
Georgia
66.2
Median income: $72,327
Plaquemines Parish
Louisiana
66.2
Median income: $82,874

Deep Dives

Leon County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Leon County

via TaxByCounty

Leon County is a national tax bargain

Leon County's effective tax rate of 0.755% ranks among the lowest in the nation, sitting well below the national median of 0.84%. Its median annual tax of $1,339 remains substantially below the national median of $2,690, reflecting both Leon County's favorable rate and its moderate median home value of $177,400.

Texas's most tax-friendly county here

Leon County's 0.755% effective rate is the lowest in this entire group and significantly undercuts the Texas state average of 1.276%, making it one of the most affordable counties to own property in across the state. Its median annual tax of $1,339 is the lowest in this comparison and trails even the state median substantially.

Clear winner in regional tax comparison

Leon County's 0.755% rate decisively beats every other county in this analysis, undercutting Lamar County (0.951%), Lavaca County (0.957%), and Lee County (0.969%) by significant margins. It is by far the most tax-advantageous choice in the region.

Leon County's modest annual tax bills

On Leon County's median home value of $177,400, you'll pay approximately $1,339 in annual property taxes—the lowest of any county in this group. With mortgage escrow, total annual costs reach roughly $1,638.

Even favorable rates need verification

Leon County's exceptionally low tax rate is a draw for homebuyers, but don't assume your assessment is accurate just because taxes are affordable. A routine check with the county appraisal district ensures you're paying exactly what you owe—and no more.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Leon County

via CostByCounty

Leon County rents remain accessible

Leon County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.0% falls comfortably below the 30% affordability standard and outperforms national averages. With median rent of $798 and median household income of $59,975, renters here spend just 16 cents per dollar on housing—a genuinely affordable arrangement.

Better than Texas overall affordability

At 16.0%, Leon County's rent-to-income ratio beats Texas's state average of 18.1%, placing it in the upper tier of statewide affordability. Its $798 monthly rent runs 17% below the state average of $963, offering meaningful savings for renters compared to most Texas markets.

Mid-tier costs with balanced value

Leon County's $798 rent sits between Knox County's ultra-cheap $661 and higher-cost markets like Lee County ($1,050) and Lamar County ($897). Its $177,400 median home value positions it as an affordable middle option, offering rental and ownership pathways for different household types.

Balanced housing costs throughout

Leon County residents earning $59,975 spend $798 on rent (16.0% of income) or $692 on mortgage payments (13.8% of income). Both figures rank among the most favorable in this group, giving households substantial financial flexibility beyond housing.

Leon County offers balanced options

Leon County delivers solid affordability for both renters and owners, with its $798 rent and 13.8% owner-cost ratio creating multiple pathways to financial stability. Compare it against neighboring Lamar ($897 rent) and Lee County ($1,050 rent) to see how Leon positions itself as an accessible choice.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Leon County

via IncomeByCounty

Leon trails the nation on income

Leon County's median household income of $59,975 sits 20% below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-income tier nationally. This gap means the typical Leon household earns roughly $14,800 less per year than the average American family.

Below average for Texas

Leon's median income falls shy of Texas's state average of $64,737, ranking the county in the lower half of Texas's 254 counties. Per capita income of $32,596 also trails the state average of $33,197, indicating limited individual earning power.

Mixed fortunes in East Texas

Leon households earn more than nearby Limestone County ($58,109) and Live Oak County ($53,869), but less than Liberty County ($64,773) and Llano County ($65,636). The regional variation suggests local employment opportunities vary significantly across neighboring counties.

Affordable housing, tight budgets

A rent-to-income ratio of 16.0% signals manageable housing costs—well below the 30% affordability threshold—with median home values at $177,400. However, the below-average median income leaves less discretionary spending for savings, healthcare, and education.

Build wealth despite lower incomes

Leon residents benefit from affordable housing, creating an opportunity to redirect savings toward retirement accounts and investments. Consider tax-advantaged tools like IRAs and employer 401(k)s to accelerate long-term wealth growth even on a modest income.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Leon County

via HealthByCounty

Leon County trails national life expectancy

Residents of Leon County live to an average of 73.3 years, about 5 years less than the U.S. average of 78.9 years. One in four adults here report being in poor or fair health, compared to the national rate of roughly 18%. These gaps signal persistent health challenges that merit local attention and action.

Below average health in state rankings

Leon County's life expectancy of 73.3 years falls a full year short of Texas's 74.3-year average. The 23.6% poor/fair health rate in Leon exceeds the state trend, placing the county among lower-performing Texas communities on these key indicators.

Healthier peers nearby

Neighboring Limestone County residents live to 72.6 years with similar health challenges, but Llano County to the south records 76.2 years. Leon's 21.8% uninsured rate slightly exceeds Limestone's 19.8%, suggesting healthcare access varies meaningfully across the region.

Insurance gaps and provider scarcity

Nearly 22% of Leon County residents lack health insurance, nearly 2 percentage points above the state average. While mental health providers are available at 36 per 100,000 residents, primary care provider data remains limited—a gap that complicates routine medical care in the county.

Explore your coverage options today

If you're among Leon County's uninsured, now is the time to explore what's available. Contact your local health department or visit healthcare.gov to learn about Medicaid, marketplace plans, or community health center services near you.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Leon County

via RiskByCounty

Leon County's Risk Snapshot

Leon County scores 58.30 on the national composite risk scale, earning a Relatively Low rating and sitting well above the Texas state average of 49.00. This means Leon faces more natural disaster exposure than most Texas counties, driven by multiple hazard types rather than any single dominant threat.

How Leon Ranks in Texas

Leon County's composite risk of 58.30 places it in the middle range of Texas counties—not among the most dangerous, but notably higher-risk than the state average. The county's elevated score reflects consistent exposure across multiple hazard types, particularly hurricanes and tornadoes.

Leon vs. Surrounding Counties

Leon County (58.30) sits between Limestone County (59.26) to the south and Llano County (70.39) to the west, making it a moderate-risk zone in central Texas. Its risk profile is substantially lower than Liberty County (79.52) to the east, but higher than Live Oak County (33.75) to the south.

Top Threats in Leon County

Hurricane risk (74.72) and tornado risk (61.10) are Leon County's dominant hazards, reflecting the region's exposure to Gulf storm systems and severe spring weather. Wildfire risk (57.54) rounds out the top three, making multi-hazard preparedness essential for residents.

Insurance for Leon County Homes

Leon County residents should prioritize comprehensive homeowners insurance that covers wind and hail damage from hurricanes and tornadoes. Consider separate flood insurance, as Leon's flood risk score (39.41) suggests meaningful exposure during heavy rain events and Gulf surges.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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