Limestone County

Texas · TX

#132 in Texas
62.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Limestone County, Texas

Limestone County outperforms national livability median

Limestone County's composite score of 69.7 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by nearly 40%, placing it firmly in the upper tier of U.S. counties. This substantial advantage reflects meaningful strengths in measured livability dimensions.

Above-average livability across Texas

Limestone County scores 69.7, approximately 3 points above the Texas state average of 66.8, marking it as a better-than-typical Texas county. This edge positions it within the higher-performing slice of the state's 254 counties.

Exceptional housing affordability and low taxes

The county shines with a cost score of 82.3 offering median home values of $154,400 and monthly rent averaging $835, making it one of the most affordable counties in the analysis. A tax score of 68.9 with an effective rate of 1.187% adds further financial relief.

Income levels remain subdued and data gaps persist

The income score of 21.3 reflects a median household income of only $58,109, limiting wealth-building capacity relative to higher-earning regions. Gaps in safety, health, school, and environmental data prevent a fully comprehensive livability assessment.

Perfect for value-seekers prioritizing affordability

Limestone County is ideal for retirees, first-time homebuyers, and families with modest incomes seeking maximum purchasing power and minimal tax burden. The exceptional housing affordability makes it particularly attractive to those building financial security on limited resources.

Score breakdown

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

Tax68.9Cost82.3SafetyComing SoonHealth50SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.3Risk40.8WaterComing Soon
🏛68.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠82.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼21.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
50
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
40.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Limestone County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Limestone County

via TaxByCounty

Limestone County taxes among the lowest nationally

Limestone County's 1.187% effective rate is well below the national median property tax burden. At $1,833 median annually, residents here pay roughly one-third less than the national median of $2,690.

Limestone ranks below Texas average

With a 1.187% rate, Limestone County undercuts Texas's state average of 1.276% by about 0.09 percentage points. The county's $1,833 median tax significantly trails the state median of $2,193.

Lightest tax load in the region

Limestone County's 1.187% rate is the lowest among nearby Liberty County (1.251%) and Lipscomb County (1.363%). It offers some of the most tax-friendly property rates across Central Texas.

What Limestone County homeowners pay yearly

On a median home valued at $154,400, Limestone County residents pay approximately $1,833 in annual property taxes. Adding mortgage taxes brings the total to around $2,406 per year.

Appeal if your assessment feels high

Even in lower-tax counties, individual assessments can miss the mark—roughly 1 in 5 homes may be overvalued. Check your assessment notice against comparable sales in your area and file a protest if the value seems inflated.

Cost of Living in Limestone County

via CostByCounty

Limestone offers genuine renter relief

Limestone County renters spend just 17.2% of income on housing, sitting comfortably below the national average and beating most U.S. counties on affordability. At $835/month, rents here run $128 cheaper than the national median while median incomes lag slightly at $58,109.

One of Texas's most renter-friendly counties

Limestone's 17.2% rent-to-income ratio places it among Texas's most affordable counties, outperforming the state average of 18.1% by a meaningful margin. With rents $128 below the Texas median, this county stands out as a genuine bargain in a state with rising housing costs.

Beats Liberty, rivals Lipscomb on value

Limestone's $835 rent undercuts Liberty County's $1,038 and ties Lipscomb County's affordability leadership with a 17.2% rent-to-income ratio. While Lipscomb residents earn more ($71,442 vs. $58,109), Limestone delivers comparable value for households operating on tighter budgets.

Renting and owning both stay affordable

Limestone renters pay $835/month while homeowners with a median home value of $154,400 spend $726/month, making ownership $109 cheaper monthly. Combined with the county's lower income base, both housing paths consume roughly a third of household earnings.

Limestone rewards cost-conscious movers

If renter affordability is your priority, Limestone County is a standout choice—you'll save significantly versus state averages while maintaining solid job and community access. Budget-conscious families and remote workers will find their dollars stretch furthest here among this cluster of Texas counties.

Income & Jobs in Limestone County

via IncomeByCounty

Limestone lags behind national income

Limestone County's median household income of $58,109 falls 22% below the national median of $74,755, marking it among lower-earning U.S. counties. The $16,646 annual shortfall underscores economic challenges in this Central Texas region.

Below Texas's statewide income

At $58,109, Limestone ranks below Texas's state average of $64,737 and positions in the lower third of the state's 254 counties. Per capita income of $27,878 also trails the state average of $33,197, signaling limited individual earnings.

Limestone struggles relative to peers

Limestone County earns less than four of its six regional comparables: Leon ($59,975), Liberty ($64,773), Llano ($65,636), and Lipscomb ($71,442). Only Live Oak ($53,869) ranks lower, making Limestone one of the weaker earners in its cluster.

Affordable housing, limited flexibility

Limestone's rent-to-income ratio of 17.2% and median home value of $154,400 represent manageable housing costs relative to income. Yet the below-state-average median household income limits capacity for saving, investing, and handling unexpected expenses.

Start small, think long-term

Limestone residents can leverage affordable housing to free up money for wealth-building tools like Roth IRAs or micro-investing apps. Even small monthly contributions compound over decades—consistent $50 monthly savings can grow to $50,000+ in retirement accounts.

Health in Limestone County

via HealthByCounty

Limestone County below U.S. health standards

Life expectancy in Limestone County stands at 72.6 years, nearly 6.3 years lower than the U.S. average of 78.9 years. One in four residents rate their health as poor or fair, outpacing the national benchmark of 18%.

Below state average on health metrics

Limestone County's 72.6-year life expectancy trails the Texas average of 74.3 years by 1.7 years. The 26.5% poor/fair health rate exceeds state norms, placing the county in the lower tier of Texas health rankings.

Competitive but still struggling

Limestone's 72.6-year life expectancy is nearly identical to Liberty County's 72.8 years but trails Llano County's 76.2 years by 3.6 years. However, Limestone leads its peers in primary care providers at 41 per 100,000, and mental health support at 54 per 100,000 outpaces Liberty County.

Uninsured rate matches state average

Limestone County's 19.8% uninsured rate aligns exactly with the Texas average, suggesting somewhat equitable insurance access compared to neighbors. The county has 41 primary care providers per 100,000 and 54 mental health providers per 100,000, offering moderate healthcare infrastructure.

Ensure your family has coverage

Nearly one in five Limestone County residents lack insurance—don't let your family be part of that statistic. Reach out to the Limestone County Health Department to explore Medicaid, marketplace insurance, or sliding-scale clinics in your area.

Disaster Risk in Limestone County

via RiskByCounty

Limestone County's Moderate-to-High Risk

Limestone County scores 59.26 on the composite risk scale, rating Relatively Low but exceeding Texas's state average of 49.00 by 21%. This positions Limestone as a moderate-to-high-risk county where residents face consistent exposure to multiple natural hazards.

Limestone's Standing in Texas

Limestone County's composite risk score of 59.26 places it in the upper-middle range of Texas counties for natural disaster exposure. The county's risk stems from multiple sources—wildfire, tornado, hurricane, and flood—rather than dominance by a single hazard.

Limestone Among Central Texas Peers

Limestone County (59.26) is slightly higher-risk than Leon County (58.30) to the east but substantially lower than Llano County (70.39) to the west. It sits well below Liberty County's 79.52, making Limestone a moderate-risk zone in East-Central Texas.

Limestone's Primary Hazards

Wildfire risk (73.16) and hurricane risk (72.92) are Limestone County's top two threats, with tornado risk (63.42) adding significant exposure to spring severe weather. Flood risk (49.59) rounds out the profile, requiring year-round preparedness across multiple hazard types.

Protecting Limestone County Properties

Limestone County homeowners should carry comprehensive coverage that addresses wind, hail, and wildfire damage, plus flood insurance for the county's moderate flood exposure. Review your policy's tornado and hurricane provisions annually, especially before spring and hurricane season.

ByCounty Network

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