CountyScore

McLennan County

Texas · TX

#226 in Texas
55.5
County Score

County Report Card

About McLennan County, Texas

McLennan outpaces the nation

McLennan County scores 61.0 out of 100, significantly above the national median of 50.0. This puts the county in the top 60th percentile nationally, marking it as a more livable place than most American counties.

Mid-pack performer in Texas

With a composite score of 61.0, McLennan ranks near the middle of Texas counties against the state average of 66.8. The county is competitive but not among the state's top livability destinations.

Affordability and reasonable taxes

McLennan shines with a Cost Score of 71.2, offering affordable housing with median rents at $1,106 and median home values around $219,200. The effective tax rate of 1.527% keeps the tax burden manageable.

Income growth needs attention

The county's Income Score of 25.1 is the weakest dimension, reflecting a median household income of $63,888. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data remain unavailable, leaving gaps in the livability picture.

Best for budget-conscious families

McLennan works well for families and individuals prioritizing affordable housing and reasonable taxes over higher wages. The county offers solid livability with modest income levels—ideal for retirees or those seeking a lower cost of living.

Score breakdown

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

Tax59.3Cost71.2SafetyComing SoonHealth56.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.1Risk8.8WaterComing Soon
🏛59.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠71.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤56.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡8.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare McLennan County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Bell County
Texas
55.5
Median income: $66,051
McKinley County
New Mexico
55.6
Median income: $44,496
Cattaraugus County
New York
55.6
Median income: $58,248
Ellis County
Texas
55.6
Median income: $95,898
Kleberg County
Texas
55.4
Median income: $57,612

Deep Dives

McLennan County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in McLennan County

via TaxByCounty

McLennan's rate ranks significantly above national norm

At 1.527%, McLennan County's effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 1.276% by 251 basis points, placing it in the nation's top quartile for tax burden. The median tax of $3,347 substantially surpasses the national median of $2,690.

McLennan ranks 20% above Texas state average

McLennan's 1.527% effective rate ranks among the state's highest, exceeding the Texas average of 1.276% by about 20%. The median tax of $3,347 is 53% higher than the state median of $2,193, reflecting both elevated rates and above-average home values.

McLennan carries one of region's steepest rates

McLennan's 1.527% rate ranks third-highest in this eight-county group, trailing only McMullen (1.992%) and significantly above lighter-taxed neighbors. Residents bear a considerably heavier tax load than Marion, Mason, Martin, or Matagorda residents.

Median McLennan homeowner pays $3,347 yearly

On McLennan's median home value of $219,200, residents pay approximately $3,347 in annual property taxes—roughly $279 per month. When mortgage and additional tax obligations are included, the total climbs to $3,999 per year.

McLennan homeowners should prioritize appraisal reviews

With McLennan's higher-than-average rate, overassessment takes a particularly significant financial toll. Every homeowner should review their appraisal district valuation and file a protest if they believe their property is overvalued.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in McLennan County

via CostByCounty

McLennan renters face elevated housing costs

McLennan County renters spend 20.8% of their income on housing—substantially above the Texas state average of 18.1%—while earning $63,888, slightly below the national median. The $1,106 median rent is the second-highest among profiled counties, creating measurable affordability pressure.

Below-average affordability for Texas

McLennan County's 20.8% rent-to-income ratio places it in the lower-affordability tier statewide, driven primarily by above-average rents relative to local incomes. The county's rental market is notably less affordable than the Texas average.

Premium rents, premium ownership costs

McLennan's $1,106 median rent is second only to Martin County ($1,175) among its peers, while the median income of $63,888 is mid-range for the region. Homeownership is equally pricey: the $1,121 monthly cost and $219,200 median home value represent the region's steepest ownership burdens.

McLennan's housing dominates household budgets

A typical McLennan renter earning $63,888 annually devotes roughly $1,327 to housing, consuming 25% of gross income and severely limiting savings capacity. Homeowners face an even tighter squeeze, with $1,121 monthly costs representing 21% of income—the highest ownership burden among all profiled counties.

McLennan's affordability challenges run deep

McLennan County presents one of the region's most challenging housing markets for both renters and buyers; expect to allocate 20%+ of your income to housing regardless of tenure. Compare McLennan's 20.8% rent ratio against Mason County (13.1%) or Madison County (14.9%) to see the substantial savings available in more affordable markets.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in McLennan County

via IncomeByCounty

McLennan Trails National Income Average

McLennan County's median household income of $63,888 sits 14.5% below the U.S. median of $74,755. While the county underperforms nationally, it ranks competitively within Texas's income spectrum and reflects the economic diversity of Central Texas communities.

Slightly Below Texas Average

At $63,888, McLennan's median household income falls just 1.3% below Texas's state average of $64,737. The county's per capita income of $33,019 is virtually aligned with the state average of $33,197, suggesting balanced earning potential across residents.

Middle Ground in Central Texas

McLennan outpaces nearby Milam County ($59,076) and Mitchell County ($56,033) but trails Medina County ($73,462) and significantly lags Midland County's $93,984. The county's income positioning reflects its role as a mid-sized regional hub anchored by Waco.

Rent Remains Manageable for Most

McLennan's rent-to-income ratio of 20.8% indicates that renters spend roughly one-fifth of earnings on housing—within the broadly accepted 30% affordability threshold. Median home values of $219,200 remain accessible for households earning the county median, though homeownership requires careful financial planning.

Build Long-Term Financial Security

With a median household income of $63,888, McLennan households have room to prioritize emergency savings, retirement contributions, and wealth-building investments. Starting early with automatic transfers to savings and low-cost index funds can help local families bridge the gap toward long-term prosperity.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in McLennan County

via HealthByCounty

McLennan outlives the nation

At 75.3 years, McLennan County residents live nearly a year longer than the U.S. average of 74.5 years. The county's 22.8% poor/fair health rate trails the national average of 18%, indicating room for improvement despite the longevity advantage. This mixed picture suggests McLennan residents are aging relatively well but managing chronic conditions at higher rates.

Top performer across Texas

McLennan's 75.3-year life expectancy ranks well above Texas's 74.3-year average, placing the county in the upper tier statewide. With an uninsured rate of 18.5%, McLennan performs better than Texas's 19.8% state average, meaning fewer residents skip care due to cost. The county's health advantage reflects both better access and slightly lower poverty rates than the state norm.

McLennan shines among peers

McLennan's 75.3-year life expectancy beats nearby Mitchell County (73.3) and Menard County (74.8), showing stronger health outcomes in the region. The county's 18.5% uninsured rate is lower than Menard's 25.8%, giving more residents financial protection against medical emergencies. This advantage in both longevity and coverage reflects McLennan's relative economic stability in Central Texas.

Decent care access, uneven distribution

McLennan offers 77 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—a solid figure for rural Texas—but that doesn't tell the full story of who can actually reach them. Mental health services are abundant at 215 providers per 100,000, suggesting the county prioritizes behavioral health alongside physical care. Still, 18.5% of residents lack insurance, meaning one in five may delay or skip vital preventive visits.

Explore your health insurance options

Nearly 3,000 McLennan County residents could benefit from checking whether they qualify for Medicaid, CHIP, or marketplace subsidies during open enrollment. Even insured residents should review their plans annually—coverage gaps, deductibles, and provider networks can shift, leaving you vulnerable to surprise medical bills. Visit healthcare.gov or contact a local navigator to explore options that fit your family's budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in McLennan County

via RiskByCounty

McLennan faces well-above-average risk

With a composite risk score of 91.22, McLennan County ranks in the elevated tier compared to the national average of roughly 50. The county's rating of Relatively Moderate reflects genuine exposure to multiple serious hazards that residents should actively monitor and prepare for.

Among Texas's most vulnerable counties

McLennan's score of 91.22 far exceeds Texas's state average of 49.00, placing it in the higher-risk segment of the state's 254 counties. This makes McLennan one of Texas's genuine disaster-risk hotspots, requiring heightened preparedness.

Riskier than surrounding counties

McLennan's composite score of 91.22 stands well above nearby Milam County (58.08) and Mills County (5.60), reflecting its unique vulnerability profile. The county's exposure to multiple hazard types distinguishes it from less-threatened neighbors in Central Texas.

Tornado and wildfire top the list

Tornado risk scores 98.82 in McLennan—exceptionally high—while wildfire risk reaches 90.01, both well above state norms. Residents should maintain a tornado safety plan and keep evacuation routes clear during dry seasons.

Bundle comprehensive disaster coverage

Standard homeowners insurance doesn't cover tornado or flood damage; McLennan residents should add separate windstorm and flood policies immediately. Review coverage annually and confirm your deductibles align with your home's replacement cost.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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