CountyScore

McMullen County

Texas · TX

#89 in Texas
64.8
County Score

County Report Card

About McMullen County, Texas

McMullen exceeds national baseline

McMullen County scores 64.2 out of 100, beating the national median of 50.0 by 14.2 points. The county ranks in the top 65th percentile nationally, solidly above average for American livability.

Slightly below Texas average

McMullen's score of 64.2 falls just short of Texas's state average of 66.8, placing it in the middle tier of Texas counties. The gap is modest, keeping McMullen competitive within the state.

Exceptional housing affordability

McMullen dominates on affordability with a Cost Score of 90.4, the highest of any dimension. Median home values of just $108,800 make this one of Texas's most affordable counties.

Weak income and higher taxes

The Income Score of 13.3 and median household income of $45,833 signal limited earning potential. An effective tax rate of 1.992% ranks among the higher burdens in this county group.

Ideal for affordability-first movers

McMullen attracts retirees, remote workers, and families seeking maximum housing affordability in Texas. The trade-off is lower local incomes and higher tax rates, but the cost of living advantage is undeniable.

Score breakdown

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

Tax46.3Cost90.4SafetyComing SoonHealth54.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome13.3Risk99.5WaterComing Soon
🏛46.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠90.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼13.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤54.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡99.5
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 McMullen County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Glenn County
California
64.8
Median income: $70,487
Coweta County
Georgia
64.8
Median income: $94,142
Glynn County
Georgia
64.8
Median income: $68,546
Harper County
Kansas
64.8
Median income: $55,417
Gallatin County
Montana
64.8
Median income: $87,454

Deep Dives

McMullen County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in McMullen County

via TaxByCounty

McMullen ranks among nation's highest-tax counties

At 1.992%, McMullen County's effective tax rate ranks in the nation's top 10% for tax burden, far exceeding the national median of 1.276%. The median property tax of $2,167 approaches the national median of $2,690 despite significantly lower home values.

McMullen's rate is 56% above Texas average

McMullen's 1.992% effective rate stands among the state's highest, exceeding the Texas average of 1.276% by more than half. This makes McMullen one of the most heavily taxed counties in the entire state.

McMullen carries the region's steepest tax burden

McMullen's 1.992% rate substantially exceeds all comparable counties in this group—nearly 2.5 times Marion's rate and 60% higher than McLennan's. Only McMullen residents face such an outsized effective tax burden.

Median McMullen homeowner pays $2,167 yearly

On McMullen's median home value of $108,800, residents pay approximately $2,167 in annual property taxes—about $181 per month. With mortgage and other obligations factored in, the total reaches $2,179 per year.

McMullen homeowners must challenge overassessments

With McMullen's exceptionally high rate, verification of property valuations is critical. Any overassessment will cost significantly more in this county—make the appraisal protest a priority if you suspect your home is valued above market rate.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in McMullen County

via CostByCounty

McMullen's affordability challenge

While McMullen County's median household income of $45,833 falls 39% below the national average of $74,755, rental data is limited in this rural area. Homeownership here is exceptionally affordable—median monthly owner costs of just $604 are well below typical Texas burdens—but the income-to-housing ratio reveals a tighter squeeze for renters and those without established equity.

Among Texas's least expensive

McMullen ranks among Texas's most affordable counties for homeownership, with a median home value of $108,800 that's less than half the state average. The lack of rental market data suggests a county where homeownership dominates and rental stock is minimal, shifting the affordability equation away from renters.

Comparison with nearby counties

Neighboring Medina County offers higher incomes ($73,462 vs. $45,833) but steeper housing costs, while Menard County has similar income levels but slightly lower homeownership expenses. McMullen stands out as the least populated option, meaning housing affordability comes with trade-offs in amenities and services.

Where your money goes

Homeowners in McMullen spend approximately 16% of their median income on monthly ownership costs—remarkably sustainable. Renters face an unknown burden due to missing rental data, but the county's low overall income suggests housing of any type competes heavily with other expenses.

Is McMullen right for you?

If you're seeking rock-bottom homeownership costs and rural living appeals to you, McMullen delivers exceptional affordability. Renters and remote workers should research the limited rental market carefully before committing to this sparse, remote county.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in McMullen County

via IncomeByCounty

McMullen Significantly Below National Median

McMullen County's median household income of $45,833 is 38.7% below the national median of $74,755, placing it among Texas's lower-income counties. The gap reflects McMullen's rural character and limited economic diversification in South Texas.

One of Texas's Lower-Income Counties

McMullen's median household income of $45,833 trails Texas's state average by 29.2%, ranking it in the lower quartile statewide. Per capita income of $23,859 is also significantly below the state average of $33,197, indicating limited individual earning power.

Lower Income Than Regional Peers

McMullen's $45,833 median income falls well below neighboring Medina County ($73,462) and significantly trails Midland County ($93,984). The county faces steeper economic challenges than most surrounding areas, requiring targeted workforce development and economic investment.

Limited Housing Data, Tight Affordability

While rent-to-income data is unavailable for McMullen, the median home value of $108,800 is among the lowest in the region, suggesting housing remains relatively affordable. However, the low median income means families have limited flexibility for savings and unexpected expenses.

Prioritize Financial Stability Now

McMullen households earning the county median of $45,833 should focus first on building emergency funds and minimizing debt before investing. Community resources, financial literacy programs, and low-cost savings tools can help residents gradually strengthen their financial foundation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in McMullen County

via HealthByCounty

McMullen's health data is incomplete

While McMullen County's life expectancy is not available in current datasets, the county's 28.4% poor/fair health rate significantly exceeds the national average of 18%, signaling substantial chronic disease burden. This gap suggests McMullen residents face notable health challenges that deserve closer attention and resource investment. Incomplete data limits our ability to measure progress, highlighting the need for better health surveillance in small Texas counties.

Higher illness burden than Texas average

McMullen's 28.4% poor/fair health rate ranks well above Texas's typical performance and suggests worse-than-average health status among residents. The county's 15.9% uninsured rate is actually better than Texas's 19.8% average, meaning coverage is not the primary barrier—access and quality care may be. Without life expectancy data, we cannot fully assess McMullen's standing, but the health perception gap warrants investigation.

McMullen struggles among region peers

McMullen's 28.4% poor/fair health rate is the worst in its peer group, trailing Mitchell County (26.9%) and significantly outpacing healthier neighbors like Medina County (22.0%). The county's uninsured rate of 15.9% is actually competitive, suggesting that poor health outcomes stem from factors beyond insurance coverage. Limited provider data makes it unclear whether McMullen residents face real access barriers or other social determinants of health.

Access data gaps mask real struggles

McMullen County's primary care provider count is not currently available, making it difficult to assess whether residents can find a family doctor without traveling far. Mental health services, at 176 providers per 100,000, exist but may not reach those most in need, especially in rural areas of this sparsely populated county. The combination of high illness burden and incomplete access data points to a county that needs better health infrastructure visibility.

Confirm your health coverage today

Even though McMullen's uninsured rate is lower than state average, 15.9% of residents still lack coverage—a real risk in a county where health challenges are pronounced. Marketplace plans, Medicaid, and CHIP may offer affordable options if you qualify; use healthcare.gov to check before 2024 open enrollment ends. A health plan can be a lifeline when chronic illness or emergency strikes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in McMullen County

via RiskByCounty

McMullen enjoys the lowest risk profile

McMullen County's composite risk score of just 0.57 places it in the Very Low category, far below the national baseline of roughly 50. This South Texas county represents one of the safest natural disaster risk zones in the United States.

Texas's safest county for disasters

McMullen's score of 0.57 is dramatically lower than Texas's state average of 49.00, making it by far the lowest-risk county in the state. Residents enjoy substantial protection from most major natural hazard types.

Significantly safer than nearby counties

McMullen's score of 0.57 is orders of magnitude lower than neighboring Medina County (68.70) and Midland County (81.20). The county's isolation and geography create a uniquely protective natural disaster environment in South Texas.

Hurricane risk stands out locally

While McMullen's overall risk is very low, hurricane exposure at 54.57 is its highest single hazard, reflecting its coastal proximity. All other hazard categories—flood, wildfire, tornado—remain well below regional and national norms.

Standard homeowners coverage typically sufficient

McMullen's exceptionally low risk profile means most residents can rely on basic homeowners insurance without specialized add-ons. Consider only hurricane coverage if you're within coastal storm surge zones, but most county residents face minimal year-round exposure.

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.