CountyScore

Menard County

Texas · TX

#110 in Texas
63.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Menard County, Texas

Menard beats national livability median

Menard County's composite score of 64.5 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0. The county ranks in the top 65th percentile nationally, delivering above-average American livability.

Just below Texas average

With a score of 64.5, Menard trails Texas's state average of 66.8 by just 2.3 points. The county holds its own among Texas peers with mainstream livability.

Affordability and low housing costs

Menard excels with a Cost Score of 83.5, offering median rents of just $810 and median home values of $105,300. The Tax Score of 55.6 and 1.659% effective tax rate provide reasonable financial relief.

Limited earnings and sparse data

The Income Score of 14.9 reflects a median household income of only $48,191, constraining household finances. Safety, health, schools, and environmental metrics remain unavailable, obscuring the full livability picture.

Best for cost-conscious rural dwellers

Menard serves retirees, remote workers, and those prioritizing ultra-low housing costs and rural living over high incomes. The county delivers exceptional affordability with trade-offs in earning potential and services.

Score breakdown

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

Tax55.6Cost83.5SafetyComing SoonHealth50.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome14.9Risk97WaterComing Soon
🏛55.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼14.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤50.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡97
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 Menard County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Fayette County
Georgia
63.6
Median income: $108,986
Maui County
Hawaii
63.6
Median income: $95,076
Macoupin County
Illinois
63.6
Median income: $68,518
East Baton Rouge Parish
Louisiana
63.6
Median income: $63,075
Kent County
Michigan
63.6
Median income: $80,390

Deep Dives

Menard County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Menard County

via TaxByCounty

Menard ranks among highest in nation

Menard County's effective tax rate of 1.659% significantly exceeds the national median of 1.048%, placing it in the top tier of U.S. counties by rate. The median property tax of $1,747 is below the national median of $2,690, reflecting the county's lower median home value of $105,300.

Texas's steepest tax rate

Menard County's 1.659% effective rate is the highest among the eight counties analyzed and well above Texas's state average of 1.276%. Despite lower home values, the aggressive tax rate means residents pay a higher percentage of property value annually.

Significantly higher than peers

Menard County's 1.659% rate dwarfs neighboring Medina County (1.310%) and Mills County (0.880%), making it the most tax-heavy jurisdiction in the region. Only Mitchell County (1.960%) exceeds Menard's burden in this county group.

Steep rate on modest homes

A typical $105,300 home in Menard County triggers annual property taxes of roughly $1,747 at the current rate. This relatively high percentage burden on lower-valued properties makes tax liability a significant cost concern for rural homeowners.

Challenge your assessment

Given Menard County's steep effective rate, homeowners should strongly consider appealing property assessments to ensure values reflect true market conditions. Many rural properties may be overvalued on the tax rolls, offering potential savings through the formal appeal process.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Menard County

via CostByCounty

Menard struggles with affordability

Menard County's median household income of $48,191 is 36% below the national average, yet its rent-to-income ratio of 20.2% exceeds the state average of 18.1%, signaling real affordability strain. At just $810 monthly, rent is 16% cheaper than the state median, but limited incomes make even low rents burdensome.

Below-average income, above-average burden

Menard ranks among Texas's least affordable counties relative to income, despite modest absolute housing costs. The 20.2% rent-to-income ratio flags this rural county as a place where housing consumes a larger share of household budgets than most Texans experience.

Pricier than Mitchell, tighter than Medina

Menard's $810 rent sits between Mitchell County's bargain $481 and Medina's $1,091, but its lower incomes mean the burden feels heaviest here. McMullen County offers comparable homeownership costs but even less rental market activity, making direct comparison difficult.

Housing takes a bigger bite

Renters devote 20.2% of income to housing—above the sustainable 15-20% range—while homeowners spend roughly 17% on $680 monthly ownership costs. This imbalance reflects a county where renters face tighter constraints than homeowners, pressuring local retention.

Consider if income aligns

Menard's low housing costs attract budget-conscious movers, but only if your income is stable or portable. Remote work or business ownership would strengthen your financial footing in this rural, income-challenged region.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Menard County

via IncomeByCounty

Menard Well Below National Average

Menard County's median household income of $48,191 is 35.5% below the U.S. median of $74,755, reflecting the economic constraints of a small, rural Texas community. The county faces significant income disparities compared to national and state benchmarks.

Lower-Income Than Texas State Average

Menard's median household income of $48,191 falls 25.6% below Texas's state average of $64,737, placing it in the lower-income tier statewide. Per capita income of $32,986 aligns with state average, suggesting more balanced individual earnings despite lower household totals.

Faces Similar Challenges as Peers

Menard's $48,191 income is comparable to McMullen County ($45,833) but trails most other regional neighbors, including Mitchell County ($56,033). The county's rural character and limited diversification mirror economic patterns seen across Texas's sparsest regions.

Housing Costs Manageable Relative to Income

Menard's rent-to-income ratio of 20.2% keeps housing costs within reasonable bounds, with renters spending about one-fifth of earnings on rent. Median home values of $105,300 are among the lowest in the region, making homeownership more accessible than in wealthier counties.

Start Small, Think Long-Term

Menard households earning the county median of $48,191 should prioritize emergency savings and debt reduction before pursuing investments. Even small, consistent contributions to savings accounts and employer retirement plans can build meaningful wealth over time in a low-cost-of-living environment.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Menard County

via HealthByCounty

Menard matches U.S. life expectancy trend

At 74.8 years, Menard County's life expectancy slightly exceeds the U.S. average of 74.5, but the county's 22.0% poor/fair health rate surpasses the national average of 18%. This pattern suggests Menard residents live roughly as long as Americans overall but manage more chronic disease while doing so. The county's health profile reflects the trade-off many rural areas face: adequate longevity but higher disease burden.

Slightly above Texas average on longevity

Menard's 74.8-year life expectancy edges out Texas's 74.3-year average, though the margin is slim. However, the county's 25.8% uninsured rate is significantly higher than Texas's 19.8% average, meaning one in four Menard residents lack health coverage—a real barrier to preventive care. This coverage gap may explain why Menard's slight longevity advantage doesn't translate to better overall health outcomes.

Menard struggles with coverage disparity

Menard's 74.8-year life expectancy trails McLennan (75.3) and Medina (76.7), but the county's defining challenge is its 25.8% uninsured rate—the highest among peers and more than 9 percentage points above Medina County. With 51 primary care providers per 100,000, Menard offers moderate access, but cost remains a barrier for uninsured residents seeking routine care. The high uninsured rate is Menard's most urgent health equity issue.

Coverage crisis threatens health outcomes

Menard's 25.8% uninsured rate means approximately 1,300 residents go without health coverage—nearly triple the national average for uninsured rates in some metrics. The county's 51 primary care providers per 100,000 offer moderate access, but without insurance, many residents delay or skip preventive visits, relying on emergency care instead. Mental health provider data is unavailable, but the coverage gap suggests behavioral health services may also be inaccessible for many.

Find affordable coverage now

One in four Menard residents lacks health insurance—if you're among them, open enrollment is your chance to access affordable coverage through healthcare.gov. Depending on your income, you may qualify for Medicaid expansion, CHIP, or marketplace subsidies that could reduce your monthly premium to near zero. Don't let cost concerns keep you uninsured; a health plan protects you from bankruptcy if illness or injury strikes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Menard County

via RiskByCounty

Menard ranks among the nation's safest

Menard County's composite risk score of just 3.05 places it in the Very Low category, dramatically below the national average of roughly 50. This West Texas county enjoys exceptional protection from major natural disaster hazards.

One of Texas's safest counties

Menard's score of 3.05 is far below Texas's state average of 49.00, ranking among the state's lowest-risk counties. The county's rural character and geographic position create a naturally resilient disaster environment.

Safer than nearly all nearby peers

Menard's score of 3.05 significantly undercuts neighboring Midland County (81.20) and Medina County (68.70), making it one of the region's safest zones. Only Mills County (5.60) and Mitchell County (19.75) rival Menard's low-risk profile.

Wildfire remains the local concern

Wildfire risk of 59.99 is Menard's highest hazard exposure, though still moderate in absolute terms. All other risks—flood, tornado, earthquake, hurricane—remain very low throughout the county.

Basic insurance meets your needs

Standard homeowners insurance provides ample coverage for Menard's minimal disaster risk profile. Focus your preparedness efforts on routine wildfire prevention like roof maintenance and property clearing rather than specialized insurance.

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.