countyscore
40.1
County Score
Disaster Risk 100Health 94.1Weather & Climate 34.3

County Report Card

About Loving County, Texas

A Unique and Isolated Profile

Loving County scores a 40.3, trailing the national median of 50.0. As the least populated county in the lower 48, its data reflects an extreme outlier status in the national landscape.

Near the Texas State Average

With a score of 40.3, Loving County sits just below the Texas average of 41.9. It maintains a competitive standing in the state despite having very limited data available for schools and taxes.

Exceptional Health and Safety Scores

The county achieves a perfect 100.0 Risk Score and a massive 94.1 Health Score. These rankings reflect the lack of urban hazards and a specific health profile unique to this tiny population.

Extreme Gaps in Infrastructure

The Safety Score is near zero at 0.1, and the Water Score is a low 6.0. Furthermore, data for schools, taxes, and housing costs is not available, reflecting the county's sparse infrastructure.

Only for the Most Independent

Loving County is suitable only for those seeking total isolation and extreme resilience. It offers an unconventional lifestyle where traditional community metrics like schools and taxes are essentially non-factors.

204060801000.194.114100634.3Tax—Cost—Safety0.1Health94.1Schools—Income14Risk100Water6Weather34.340.1/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Loving County DNA

Foverall

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

Loving County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (100/100) but notably weak in Safety (0.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Safety
0.1-54.9
Health
94.1+44.099999999999994
Income
14-37
Risk
100+53
Water
6-52
Weather
34.3-21.700000000000003
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

N/A

Median Rent

N/A/mo

Income Needed (home)

N/A/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

N/A/yr

30% rent rule

Local median income: $51,250/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

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

Reeves County
Texas
42
Winkler County
Texas
52.8
Ward County
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47.2
Eddy County
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34.7
Culberson County
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Andrews County
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Ector County
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Lea County
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Deep Dives

Loving County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 4 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Income & Jobs in Loving County

via IncomeByCounty

Loving's income masks deeper story

Loving County's median household income of $51,087 falls 32% below the national median of $74,755, yet its per capita income of $86,035 towers above the national norm. This stark contrast reflects Texas's sparsest population—just a few dozen residents—where wealth concentration creates misleading averages.

Extreme wealth concentration

Loving ranks among Texas's lowest-earning counties by household median ($51,087), but ranks extraordinarily high by per capita income ($86,035 vs. state average of $33,197). The extreme disparity reveals a county where a handful of oil industry workers or wealthy residents dominate the per capita calculation.

Data limitations in micro-county

With fewer than 150 residents, Loving County's income figures are volatile and less reliable than peer counties with thousands of households. Direct comparison to neighboring counties is impractical given the unique demographic and economic structure.

Limited affordability data available

Rent-to-income ratio and median home value data are unavailable for Loving County due to its tiny population and sparse housing market. Residents in this oil-dependent Permian Basin county likely rely on mobile housing and industrial employment arrangements outside typical metrics.

Plan for oil industry volatility

Loving County's economy hinges on oil prices and production cycles, making income stability unpredictable. Residents should prioritize diversified savings, conservative investing during boom years, and building reserves to weather downturns in energy markets.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Loving County

via CrimeByCounty

Unique Crime Statistics in Loving County

Loving County has a safety score of 60.5, though its data is heavily influenced by its extremely small population. The calculated crime rate of 25,000.0 per 100,000 is based on very few actual incidents but looks high compared to the national average of 2,385.5.

Statistical Outlier in Texas

A single reporting agency provides the data for Loving County, resulting in a safety score below the state average of 96.8. These numbers should be interpreted with caution given the county's status as the least populous in Texas.

Regional Context for Loving County

While the 25,000.0 rate appears extreme, it reflects a small number of crimes relative to a tiny permanent resident base. It differs greatly from the state average of 2,052.5 due to these unique demographics.

Zero Violent Crime Reported

The county reports 0.0 violent crimes, but a property crime rate of 25,000.0 per 100,000 residents. This suggests that while personal safety is high, property theft is the sole statistical driver of crime here.

Security in Remote Areas

In sparsely populated areas, physical security and knowing your neighbors are the best defenses. Ensure all remote structures are locked and secured to prevent opportunistic property crimes.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Lawn Care in Loving County

via LawnByCounty

The Most Challenging Turf Conditions in Texas

Loving County posts an extremely low lawn difficulty score of 5.5, indicating that growing a traditional lawn here is nearly impossible. This score is among the lowest in the country and far below the Texas average of 31.7. The environment is dominated by extreme aridity and heat, making native landscaping a much more practical choice.

Arid Climate and Brutal Summer Heat

With only 11.1 inches of annual precipitation, Loving County receives only about a third of the water needed for a healthy lawn. The 132 extreme heat days per year create a high-evaporation environment that rapidly depletes any available moisture. Without heavy irrigation, most traditional grass species simply cannot survive the local climate.

Unknown Soil Profile Requires Local Testing

Official soil data for pH, texture, and drainage class is currently unavailable for Loving County. Given the arid environment, residents should expect desert-like soil that may be alkaline or saline. A professional soil test is the first step for anyone attempting to establish a growing space in these conditions.

Persistent Dryness Throughout the Year

The county endured 44 weeks of drought over the past year, reflecting its location in the semi-desert of West Texas. While currently reporting 0% severe drought, the exceptionally low rainfall makes the entire region perpetually dry. Focus on water-sipping native plants and efficient drip irrigation if you choose to garden at all.

Focus on Native Arid-Zone Species

Traditional turf is not recommended here, but native Buffalograss is the most likely survivor if provided with supplemental water. Because frost dates are not strictly recorded, watch local weather closely for the transition out of winter. For the best chance of success, prioritize drought-hardy plants that are adapted to the 132 days of intense heat.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Loving County's county score?
Loving County, Texas has a composite county score of 40.1 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 Loving County rank among counties in Texas?
Loving County ranks #149 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 is the median household income in Loving County?
The median household income in Loving County, Texas is $51,250 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Loving County earns an income score of 14/100 on CountyScore.
Is Loving County, Texas a good place to live?
Loving County scores 40.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #149 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Loving 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 Loving 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.