countyscore
32.7
County Score
Cost of Living 60Lawn Care 53.2Schools 43.5

County Report Card

About Limestone County, Texas

Below the National Livability Benchmark

Limestone County earns a composite score of 32.7, placing it significantly below the national median of 50.0. This score reflects systemic challenges in infrastructure and health access relative to the national average.

Struggling to Match Texas Averages

The county falls nearly 10 points behind the Texas state average of 41.9. It ranks among the lower-performing counties in the state, particularly in safety and water quality metrics.

Housing Affordability is a Major Draw

A Cost Score of 60.0 highlights the county's primary strength, with median home values at a very accessible $154,400. Renters also benefit from a median gross rent of just $835 per month.

Critical Issues in Water and Safety

The county faces a very low Water Score of 6.5 and a Safety Score of 20.2. Health outcomes are also a concern, with a score of 12.2 indicating a need for improved local services.

A Choice for Extreme Budget Seekers

Limestone County is best for those whose primary goal is achieving homeownership at a low price point. Residents must be willing to trade off amenities and environmental quality for the $154,400 median home value.

2040608010026.26020.212.243.533.140.86.529Tax26.2Cost60Safety20.2Health12.2Schools43.5Income33.1Risk40.8Water6.5Weather2932.7/100
This county
National avg
1 above average7 below average

Limestone County DNA

Foverall

How Limestone County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Limestone County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Water Quality (6.5/100), though Cost of Living (60/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
26.2-25.8
Cost
60+12
Safety
20.2-34.8
Health
12.2-37.8
Schools
43.5-10.5
Income
33.1-17.9
Risk
40.8
Water
6.5-51.5
Weather
29-27
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Many homeowners in Limestone 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

$154,400

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$835/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$154,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$33,400/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $58,109/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

36.1

per 100K

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

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Falls County
Texas
46.4
Freestone County
Texas
39.4
Navarro County
Texas
30.3
Leon County
Texas
48.5
McLennan County
Texas
22.6
Robertson County
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51.1
Hill County
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38.4
Anderson County
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41

Deep Dives

Limestone County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

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.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Limestone County

via CrimeByCounty

Limestone County Safety Metrics

Limestone County holds a safety score of 96.7, showing a consistent level of public security. Its total crime rate of 2,074.5 per 100,000 residents is about 13% lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Matching the Texas State Average

The county's safety score of 96.7 is nearly identical to the Texas state average of 96.8. Its crime rate of 2,074.5 per 100,000 people also tracks closely with the statewide average of 2,052.5.

Limestone Safety Trends vs Neighbors

Limestone County's crime rate is effectively in line with the broader state average of 2,052.5. It remains a middle-of-the-pack performer for the region in terms of overall public safety.

Understanding Local Crime Categories

Violent crime occurs at a rate of 373.5 per 100,000, while property crime is much more common at 1,701.0. This indicates that roughly 82% of all reported crimes in the county are property-related.

Securing Your Property

Given that property crime is the most frequent issue, securing your home's perimeter is essential. Using high-quality locks and keeping valuables out of sight can significantly reduce your risk of theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Limestone County

via SchoolsByCounty

Essential Education in Central Texas

Limestone County's education system is organized into three districts containing 11 public schools. This network serves 3,732 students through a combination of four elementary, three middle, and four high schools.

Steady Results on a Lean Budget

The county achieves an 89.7% graduation rate, which beats the national average of 87.0%. Educators manage these results with a per-pupil expenditure of $7,020, while the county school score of 53.4 closely approaches the statewide average.

Mexia and Groesbeck Form the Core

Mexia ISD is the largest district, enrolling 1,864 students across five schools, followed closely by Groesbeck ISD with 1,573 students. No charter schools currently operate in the county, leaving public districts as the primary educational providers.

A Blend of Small Town and Country Life

Schooling here is split between six rural campuses and five town-based schools, maintaining an average enrollment of 339 students per campus. Mexia High School is the largest campus with 553 students, while early learners often attend schools like A.B. McBay Elementary.

Settling Down in Limestone's School Districts

Families looking for a balance of small-town amenities and rural quiet should look for homes in the Mexia or Groesbeck districts. The steady graduation rates and manageable school sizes make the area an attractive option for budget-conscious families.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

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.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Limestone County

via WaterByCounty

Limestone County Water Compliance Hits Grade F

With 143 health violations over five years, Limestone County receives a Grade F for drinking water. The county's violation rate of 574.2 per 100,000 residents nearly matches the high Texas state average of 581.9.

Watershed Conditions Await Federal Review

Federal reporting for the current §303(d) cycle does not yet cover the streams and lakes in Limestone County. No official impairment percentages or primary pollutant causes are available in the EPA ATTAINS database at this time.

Monitoring Network Records 7,042 Water Measurements

Local water quality is tracked at 11 different monitoring sites, which have produced over 7,000 records in the last five years. Most data collection efforts target physical traits and inorganic substances to ensure local watershed awareness.

Navasota River Faces Extreme Flow Depletion

The Navasota River above Groesbeck is currently recording a discharge of only 4 cfs. This is a staggering drop to just 3% of the long-term mean, indicating severe drought conditions in the 239-square-mile drainage basin.

Prepare for Water Quality Risks During Drought

The combination of 143 health violations and extremely low river flows creates a high-risk environment for water quality. Residents are urged to use certified water filters to mitigate risks from contaminants that may be more concentrated during this 3% flow period.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Limestone County

via WeatherByCounty

Classic Southern Warmth

Limestone County's average annual temperature of 66.9°F is well above the national median, characterizing its subtropical climate. It experiences long, warm periods throughout most of the year.

Exceeding the State Average

The county is warmer and wetter than the average Texas county, with 66.9°F and 40.6 inches of rain. This compares to state benchmarks of 65.5°F and 31.9 inches respectively.

Steady Rainfall and High Heat

Limestone County receives more rain than its western neighbors, totaling 40.6 inches annually. It also records 103 days of extreme heat, fitting the typical profile of the Central Texas plains.

Hot Summers and Soft Winters

July temperatures average 84.1°F, contributing to the 103 days of temperatures over 90°F each year. Winter is relatively mild at 49.8°F, with snowfall occurring only rarely at 0.1 inches.

Planning for the Summer Peak

Homeowners should prepare for 103 days of 90-degree heat by optimizing insulation and cooling systems. The 40.6 inches of rain also means residents should prepare for occasional heavy downpours during the spring and fall.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Limestone County

via SoilByCounty

Ideal pH for local farming

Dominant Vertisols characterize this county, featuring a near-perfect average pH of 6.62. This sits almost exactly at the national median of 6.5, creating a neutral environment that supports a wide range of biological activity.

The strength of clay loam

With a high clay content of 23.7% and 48.2% sand, these soils are structurally heavy but hold nutrients well. The 23.5% silt content adds enough fine particles to create a productive, if sometimes difficult to till, growing medium.

Modest organic matter levels

Limestone County contains 1.44% organic matter, which is slightly below the Texas average of 1.66%. However, its available water capacity of 0.136 in/in remains just above the state benchmark, providing adequate moisture for local crops.

Moderately well-drained Vertisols

The soil is moderately well-drained, though its hydrologic group D classification warning of high runoff when saturated. These Vertisols can shrink and swell significantly, which is a critical consideration for building foundations and roadwork.

Plan your zone 8b harvest

Hardiness zone 8b is perfect for growing hearty staples like cotton, corn, and summer squash. Your neutral soil pH is a major asset, so get those seeds in the ground and watch your garden flourish!

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Limestone County

via LawnByCounty

A Texas Standout for Lawn Success

Limestone County is one of the easier places to grow a lawn in Texas, boasting a difficulty score of 53.2. This score beats the national average of 50.0 and sits more than 20 points higher than the Texas state average. In Hardiness Zone 8b, residents enjoy a favorable balance of climate and soil that supports consistent turf health.

Ideal Rainfall and Consistent Summer Heat

The county receives 40.6 inches of rain annually, placing it perfectly within the 30-50 inch ideal range for sustainable lawn growth. While 103 extreme heat days challenge the grass, the 6,589 growing degree days ensure plenty of energy for recovery. These conditions support a robust growing schedule that peaks during the long, warm summer months.

Optimal Soil Chemistry for Lush Turf

The soil pH is a near-perfect 6.62, falling squarely within the recommended 6.0 to 7.0 range for most grass species. The clay texture, featuring 23.7% clay content, provides good nutrient retention but results in only moderate drainage. Homeowners should watch for compaction, as the clay-heavy soil can become dense over time, potentially restricting root air flow.

Low Severe Drought Risk for Now

Currently, 0% of the county is in severe drought, though 100% remains abnormally dry following 17 weeks of drought last year. This relative stability makes Limestone County more resilient than many of its Texas neighbors. To maintain this advantage, use smart irrigation controllers that adjust for actual rainfall to prevent overwatering in the clay soil.

Leverage the Long Limestone Growing Season

Bermuda grass and Zoysia thrive in this clay-rich, pH-balanced environment and handle the 8b winters with ease. Your growing window opens after March 13 and extends until the first frost on November 22. Start your preparation now to take advantage of some of the best lawn-growing conditions in the Lone Star State.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Limestone County's county score?
Limestone County, Texas has a composite county score of 32.7 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 Limestone County rank among counties in Texas?
Limestone County ranks #195 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 Limestone County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Limestone County is $1,833, with an effective tax rate of 1.19%. This earns Limestone County a tax score of 26.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Limestone County?
The median household income in Limestone County, Texas is $58,109 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Limestone County earns an income score of 33.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Limestone County, Texas a good place to live?
Limestone County scores 32.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #195 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Limestone 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 Limestone County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.