Lynn County

Texas · TX

#158 in Texas
61.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Lynn County, Texas

Lynn County outpaces national average

Lynn County's composite score of 63.1 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper half of all U.S. counties. This 26% advantage over the national benchmark shows the county offers measurably better livability than most American communities.

Slightly below Texas average

Lynn County ranks just below Texas's state average composite score of 66.8, placing it in the middle tier among Texas counties. While not among the state's strongest performers, it remains competitive within the broader state landscape.

Housing affordability is the standout strength

Lynn County excels in cost of living, with a score of 80.9 and a median home value of just $130,800—far below national norms. Renters benefit equally, paying only $933 per month, making this county highly accessible for budget-conscious households.

Income levels lag behind state peers

The county's income score of 20.9 reflects a median household income of $57,411, notably below the state average. Several dimensions—safety, health, schools, and water quality—lack complete data, limiting our full picture of livability.

Best for cost-conscious, flexible families

Lynn County suits retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing affordability over high incomes or urban amenities. The low housing costs and reasonable tax burden make it an attractive option for those seeking rural Texas living on a modest budget.

Score breakdown

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

Tax53.5Cost80.9SafetyComing SoonHealth51SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.9Risk77WaterComing Soon
🏛53.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠80.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼20.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
51
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
77
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

Lynn County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lynn County

via TaxByCounty

Lynn County taxes among nation's steepest

At 1.734% effective rate, Lynn County has one of the highest property tax rates nationally, ranking in the top tier of all U.S. counties. The median annual tax of $2,268 surpasses the national median of $2,690, though lower home values keep the dollar amount manageable.

Highest rate among Texas counties reviewed

Lynn County's 1.734% effective rate is the steepest of any county in this analysis and far exceeds Texas's state average of 1.276%. The median tax of $2,268 exceeds the state median of $2,193 by roughly $75 annually.

Steepest taxes in the region by far

Lynn County's 1.734% rate towers above all regional peers, nearly 0.2 percentage points above Lubbock County (1.563%) and more than 0.9 percentage points above Live Oak County. It stands out as one of the most expensive tax jurisdictions in West Texas.

What Lynn County homeowners pay yearly

On a median home valued at $130,800, Lynn County residents pay approximately $2,268 in annual property taxes. With mortgage taxes included, the total reaches roughly $3,191 per year.

Challenge assessments in high-tax counties

With the state's steepest tax rate cutting into budgets, it's crucial to ensure your assessed value matches the market. Lynn County homeowners should request a detailed assessment explanation and file a formal protest if the valuation appears inflated relative to recent sales.

Cost of Living in Lynn County

via CostByCounty

Lynn's rents run slightly above national norms

Lynn County renters spend 19.5% of household income on housing, exceeding national averages and indicating moderate affordability pressure. At $933/month rent paired with a $57,411 median household income, Lynn residents face noticeably tighter housing budgets than typical Americans.

Above Texas average but not extreme

Lynn's 19.5% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Texas's 18.1% state average, placing it among less affordable state counties though not among the extremes. Rents run $30 above the Texas median, reflecting moderate demand pressure in a region with lower-than-average incomes.

Middle-of-the-pack affordability challenge

Lynn's 19.5% ratio sits between affordability leaders Lipscomb (13.6%) and Limestone (17.2%), and alongside Liberty (19.2%), while beating pressured counties Live Oak (21.1%) and Lubbock (21.5%). Lynn represents the regional middle ground on housing stress.

Homeownership offers modest monthly savings

Lynn homeowners with median home value of $130,800 pay $698/month, saving $235 monthly compared to renters ($933/month). Ownership consumes about 14.6% of household income versus 19.5% for renters, making the mortgage path measurably more affordable.

Lynn suits homebuyers on tight budgets

If you're ready to buy and seeking modest home values with meaningful monthly savings, Lynn County delivers solid value relative to its peer group. Budget-conscious homebuyers will find their dollars stretch here better than renting, though renters should carefully weigh monthly costs against their income.

Income & Jobs in Lynn County

via IncomeByCounty

Lynn County trails national income average

At $57,411, Lynn County's median household income falls 23% below the national median of $74,755. This positions the county in the lower half of U.S. income rankings, reflecting economic challenges common to rural Texas communities.

Below-average for Texas

Lynn County earns 11% less than the Texas state average of $64,737, placing it among the lower-income counties statewide. The county's per capita income of $33,044 matches the state average exactly at $33,197, suggesting income inequality typical of rural areas.

Income snapshot among peers

Lynn County ($57,411) sits in the middle range of comparison counties: above Maverick ($51,270) and McCulloch ($51,919), but below Martin ($77,083) and Mason ($68,750). The $26,000 spread reflects significant diversity across this West Texas region.

Rent remains manageable here

At 19.5%, Lynn County's rent-to-income ratio sits just above the healthy 15-20% range, meaning housing costs are reasonable relative to earnings. With a median home value of $130,800, homeownership remains within reach for many households earning the county median.

Build wealth despite income constraints

Lynn County residents earning near the median should prioritize emergency savings and low-cost index funds to build long-term wealth. Even modest monthly investments can compound significantly over time, helping households bridge the gap to higher income counties nearby.

Health in Lynn County

via HealthByCounty

Lynn County's health gap widening

Residents of Lynn County live to an average of 71.9 years—2.1 years below the U.S. average of 74.0 years. With 27.8% of adults reporting poor or fair health, the county significantly exceeds the national benchmark of 17%, signaling serious chronic disease and wellness challenges across the population.

Below Texas average on lifespan

Lynn County's life expectancy of 71.9 years trails Texas's state average of 74.3 years. The uninsured rate of 16.7% beats the state average of 19.8%, but the higher rate of poor health reports suggests that insured residents still face access or quality-of-care barriers.

Strongest primary care in region

Lynn County has 106 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—significantly higher than neighboring Marion County (limited data) and Martin County (19 per 100K). Mental health providers at 52 per 100K suggest better-than-average mental health infrastructure compared to surrounding rural counties.

Uninsured rate masks access gaps

Although 83.3% of Lynn County residents have insurance, the abundance of primary care providers hasn't translated into better health outcomes. The persistent 27.8% poor/fair health rate suggests that transportation, specialist availability, or health literacy barriers remain significant obstacles to care.

Insurance alone won't close gaps

With one in six residents uninsured, Lynn County should prioritize enrollment in Medicaid, marketplace plans, and community health programs. Check healthcare.gov or contact the Lynn County Health Department to explore options—coverage is the first step toward better preventive and chronic disease care.

Disaster Risk in Lynn County

via RiskByCounty

Lynn County's disaster risk is well below average

With a composite risk score of 23.00, Lynn County sits significantly below the national average and poses minimal overall natural disaster threat to residents. The county's "Very Low" rating reflects relatively modest exposure across most major hazard categories. This favorable standing provides residents with lower baseline insurance and preparation needs compared to most U.S. counties.

Among Texas' safest counties for disaster risk

Lynn County ranks near the bottom of Texas' disaster risk spectrum with its 23.00 composite score, well below the state average of 49.00. The county is one of the lowest-risk counties in Texas, placing it in the top tier for safety. This advantage reflects its geographic isolation from major storm corridors and seismic zones.

Safer than most surrounding West Texas counties

Lynn County's risk score of 23.00 compares favorably to nearby Martin County (19.97) and stands well below Dawson and Garza counties in the broader West Texas region. However, it experiences notably higher wildfire risk (56.84) than some immediate neighbors due to its semi-arid grassland geography. The county's relative safety positions it as a lower-risk area within the Texas plains.

Wildfire is your primary natural hazard concern

Wildfire risk in Lynn County registers at 56.84, making it the dominant natural hazard despite the county's overall low composite score. Tornado risk follows at 36.96, representing a secondary but meaningful threat during severe weather seasons. Flood, earthquake, and hurricane risks all remain minimal for county residents.

Prepare for wildfire; standard coverage handles other risks

Homeowners should prioritize wildfire-resistant landscaping and roof upgrades, as this represents Lynn County's most significant exposure. Standard homeowners insurance covering tornadoes and basic weather damage is advisable but adequate for most residents, given the county's low composite risk profile. Flood and earthquake insurance are generally unnecessary unless your property is in an unusual geographic position.

ByCounty Network

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