40.4
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.

Score breakdown

TaxComing SoonCostComing SoonSafety0.1Health94.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.8Risk100Water6Weather34.3
🏛
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼16.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡0.1
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty
94.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty
100
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧6
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty
🌤34.3
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty
🪨
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty
🌱5.5
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty
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Deep Dives

Loving County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 6 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Cost of Living in Loving County

via CostByCounty

Loving's housing data remains limited

Loving County's rental and ownership cost data are not currently available through standard housing surveys, making direct affordability comparisons difficult. What we know: median household income sits at $51,087, notably below the national median of $74,755, suggesting tight household budgets regardless of housing costs.

Sparse data, tighter-than-average incomes

Specific rent-to-income and median rent figures aren't available for Loving County, though its $51,087 median household income runs well below Texas's typical earnings. This income disadvantage likely means housing affordability challenges, though precise data would confirm the picture.

Income profile suggests affordability challenges

Loving's $51,087 median income ranks among the lowest in this county cluster—below even Live Oak ($53,869)—signaling potential affordability pressure. Without rental and ownership cost data, direct comparison is impossible, but income context alone suggests caution for renters and buyers.

Housing costs unknown but income-constrained

Specific monthly rent and ownership costs aren't available for Loving County, limiting detailed affordability analysis. However, the county's below-average income base suggests residents face significant housing budget constraints regardless of actual rent or mortgage levels.

Loving requires local market research first

Before relocating to Loving County, contact local real estate agents and housing authorities to gather current rental and ownership cost data. The county's income profile suggests potential affordability challenges, making direct market research essential before committing to a move.

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.

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.

Health in Loving County

via HealthByCounty

Loving County shows exceptional coverage

Just 2.2% of Loving County residents lack health insurance—a remarkable 17.6 percentage points below the U.S. average. Only 14.3% report poor or fair health, substantially better than the national average of 18%, suggesting strong preventive care uptake.

Lowest uninsured rate in Texas

Loving County's 2.2% uninsured rate is extraordinarily low compared to the Texas average of 19.8%. This dramatic difference indicates near-universal insurance coverage, a rarity in Texas and the nation.

Unique coverage success story

Loving County's 2.2% uninsured rate stands in stark contrast to neighboring counties like Lipscomb (21.7%) and Live Oak (21.3%). This exceptional coverage gap reflects a unique healthcare access profile in the region.

Universal coverage, limited provider visibility

Loving County achieves the lowest uninsured rate on record, yet detailed primary and mental health provider data remains unavailable. The 14.3% poor/fair health rate and near-universal coverage suggest strong health outcomes despite data limitations on the provider side.

Learn from a coverage success story

Loving County demonstrates that near-universal insurance is achievable—if you're elsewhere and uninsured, now is the time to act. Explore Medicaid, ACA marketplace plans, or community health centers to achieve the coverage Loving County residents enjoy.

Disaster Risk in Loving County

via RiskByCounty

Loving County: Lowest Risk in Nation

Loving County scores just 0.03 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and representing one of the safest counties for natural disasters in the entire United States. The county sits 100% below the Texas state average of 49.00, making it an extraordinarily low-risk location.

Loving County's Historic Low Risk

Loving County's composite risk score of 0.03 makes it the lowest-risk county in Texas by far, with virtually no exposure to floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, or earthquakes. The county's remote West Texas location and sparse population create a uniquely safe natural disaster environment.

Loving County Stands Alone

Loving County (0.03) is vastly safer than all other counties in this analysis, including Lipscomb County (27.89), Live Oak County (33.75), and Leon County (58.30). It sits hundreds of points below higher-risk counties like Lubbock (96.25) and Liberty (79.52).

Loving County Has Minimal Hazards

All natural disaster risks are exceptionally low in Loving County, with wildfire risk (5.03) representing the highest exposure and all other hazards below 1.0 score. The county faces virtually no meaningful threat from floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, or hurricanes.

Minimal Insurance Needs

Loving County residents enjoy the luxury of minimal disaster insurance requirements, making basic homeowners coverage sufficient for most properties. Focus your resources on property maintenance and standard home protection rather than specialized hazard coverage.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Loving County's county score?
Loving County, Texas has a composite county score of 40.4 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 #137 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 $51,087 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Loving County earns an income score of 16.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Loving County, Texas a good place to live?
Loving County scores 40.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #137 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.