CountyScore

Milam County

Texas · TX

#93 in Texas
64.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Milam County, Texas

Milam stands out nationally

Milam County scores 70.0 out of 100, substantially above the national median of 50.0. The county ranks in the top 72nd percentile nationally, placing it in the upper tier of American livability.

Tops Texas county average

With a score of 70.0, Milam exceeds Texas's state average of 66.8, ranking among the state's better-performing counties. This puts Milam in the upper echelon of Texas livability.

Excellent tax and affordability mix

Milam shines with a Tax Score of 72.5 and an effective rate of just 1.059%, the lowest in this group. The Cost Score of 80.2 delivers strong housing affordability with median rent at $948 and home values around $168,900.

Income levels and missing data

The Income Score of 22.0 and median household income of $59,076 represent the county's weak point on measured dimensions. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data remain unavailable.

Best for tax-conscious affordability seekers

Milam attracts families and retirees prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over higher incomes. The county delivers balanced, above-average livability with exceptional tax and cost advantages.

Score breakdown

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

Tax72.5Cost80.2SafetyComing SoonHealth57.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome22Risk41.9WaterComing Soon
🏛72.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤57.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡41.9
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 Milam County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Gila County
Arizona
64.5
Median income: $59,089
Washington County
Arkansas
64.5
Median income: $66,426
Del Norte County
California
64.5
Median income: $66,780
Elkhart County
Indiana
64.5
Median income: $65,617
Dallas County
Iowa
64.5
Median income: $102,349

Deep Dives

Milam County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Milam County

via TaxByCounty

Milam offers below-average national taxes

Milam County's effective tax rate of 1.059% nearly matches the national median of 1.048%, making it one of the most affordable tax jurisdictions nationally. The median property tax of $1,789 falls well below the national median of $2,690, reflecting the county's lower median home value of $168,900.

Below Texas state average

Milam County's 1.059% effective rate ranks below the Texas state average of 1.276%, offering tax savings compared to most Texas counties. With a median property tax of $1,789 versus the state median of $2,193, residents enjoy genuinely lower tax burdens.

Most affordable in the region

Milam County's 1.059% rate stands among the lowest of the eight counties, outpacing Medina County (1.310%) and Menard County (1.659%). Only Mills County (0.880%) and Montague County (0.951%) offer lower rates in this regional grouping.

Modest homes, modest taxes

A typical $168,900 home in Milam County generates annual property taxes of around $1,789 before mortgage deductions. The effective rate keeps the tax burden manageable for working families and retirees on fixed incomes.

Even modest assessments warrant review

Milam County homeowners can benefit from periodic property value assessments, as even lower-valued homes may carry inflated tax basis figures. Filing an appeal is a straightforward process that can yield meaningful savings, particularly for properties assessed above recent comparable sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Milam County

via CostByCounty

Milam balances modest income with fair rents

Milam County's median household income of $59,076 trails the national average by 21%, yet its rent-to-income ratio of 19.3% exceeds the state average by just 1.2 percentage points. At $948 monthly rent—nearly matching the state median of $963—Milam offers accessible housing in a lower-income context.

Below-average income, average burden

Milam ranks in the lower half of Texas counties by income but maintains near-average housing burden ratios, suggesting stabilized local markets. The median home value of $168,900 reflects steady property values without rapid speculation or decline.

Affordable relative to central Texas

Milam's $948 rent is 20% cheaper than Montague County's $957 and significantly lower than rapidly growing central Texas counties like Williamson or Travis. Its income level ($59,076) sits between rural counties like Menard and more prosperous commuter communities, offering middle-ground housing economics.

Balanced dual housing market

Renters spend 19.3% of income on $948 rent, while homeowners allocate roughly 15% to $723 monthly ownership costs, creating strong homeownership incentives. This gap suggests renters might accelerate toward ownership, or that the rental market lags homeowner affordability.

Solid ground for Austin proximity

Milam County offers affordability while remaining within commutable distance of Austin's job market, making it ideal for cost-conscious workers seeking central Texas opportunity. Homeownership here builds equity faster than renting, given the favorable ownership-to-rent cost ratio.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Milam County

via IncomeByCounty

Milam Below National Income Mark

Milam County's median household income of $59,076 is 21.0% below the U.S. median of $74,755, reflecting economic patterns typical of rural Central Texas. The county's income level suggests moderate earning potential but below-average national prosperity.

Trails Texas State Average

Milam's median household income of $59,076 falls 8.8% below Texas's state average of $64,737, placing it in the lower-middle tier statewide. Per capita income of $33,760 slightly exceeds state average at $33,197, suggesting more balanced individual earning power.

Middle Income Among Peer Counties

Milam's $59,076 income exceeds McMullen County ($45,833) and Menard County ($48,191) but falls short of McLennan County ($63,888) and Mills County ($64,494). The county's income positioning reflects its place as a small, agricultural-industrial community in Central Texas.

Rent Affordable, Homeownership Possible

Milam's rent-to-income ratio of 19.3% indicates renters spend roughly one-fifth of earnings on housing, well within affordability guidelines. Median home values of $168,900 are moderately priced, making homeownership achievable for households at or above the county median.

Build Savings with Consistent Effort

Milam households earning the county median of $59,076 can establish meaningful savings by automating transfers to emergency funds and retirement accounts. Even modest monthly investments compound significantly over time, offering pathways to homeownership and financial independence.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Milam County

via HealthByCounty

Milam keeps pace with America

At 74.7 years, Milam County's life expectancy matches the U.S. average of 74.5 years almost exactly, while the county's 20.9% poor/fair health rate is slightly higher than the national average of 18%. This suggests Milam residents live roughly as long as Americans overall but carry a modestly higher disease burden. The pattern is typical of rural Texas counties with limited specialist availability.

Nearly average across Texas metrics

Milam's 74.7-year life expectancy slightly exceeds Texas's 74.3-year average, and its 19.3% uninsured rate is remarkably close to the state's 19.8%, indicating Milam performs near Texas norms. The county is neither a clear winner nor a laggard—it reflects typical Texas health outcomes. This middle-of-the-road performance masks real challenges in primary care access that affect daily care quality.

Milam struggles on provider access

Milam's 74.7-year life expectancy is competitive with peers, but the county's 4 primary care providers per 100,000 residents is drastically low compared to McLennan (77), Menard (51), or even Mills (22). This severe shortage means Milam residents travel far for routine care or rely on emergency departments for non-urgent needs—a reality that drives up costs and worsens health outcomes. The gap reflects Milam's rural isolation and economic constraints.

Critical shortage of primary care doctors

Milam County's 4 primary care providers per 100,000 residents represents a healthcare crisis—there are likely fewer than 10 primary care doctors serving a county of nearly 25,000 people. Mental health services are equally scarce at 23 providers per 100,000, leaving residents with few options for behavioral care. While 19.3% uninsured rate is manageable, the real barrier for Milam residents is finding a doctor who can see them.

Get covered, but know access is tough

If you're uninsured in Milam, marketplace plans and Medicaid are available through healthcare.gov—but having insurance won't solve the county's provider shortage. Open enrollment is still critical; coverage ensures you're protected if you travel to nearby larger towns for specialized care or hospitalization. Consider connecting with a community health center, which often has more availability than private practices.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Milam County

via RiskByCounty

Milam's risk moderately exceeds national baseline

Milam County's composite risk score of 58.08 surpasses the national average of roughly 50, placing it in the Relatively Low category. The county faces meaningful but manageable exposure to weather-driven hazards across multiple threat types.

Slightly above Texas's average risk

At 58.08, Milam's score edges above Texas's state average of 49.00, reflecting moderate vulnerability within the state's county distribution. The county occupies the middle ground of Texas disaster risk—neither especially high nor particularly low.

Balanced between safer and riskier peers

Milam's score of 58.08 sits between safer counties like Mills (5.60) and higher-risk neighbors like Medina (68.70) and McLennan (91.22). Its Central Texas location exposes it to balanced tornado, flood, and hurricane threats.

Tornado and hurricane drive exposure

Tornado risk of 81.68 and hurricane risk of 77.76 are Milam's two highest hazard scores, both well above state norms. Flood risk at 51.69 adds a third dimension to the county's weather vulnerability profile.

Add flood and windstorm riders promptly

Milam residents should secure flood insurance and windstorm coverage to supplement standard homeowners policies before disaster season arrives. Establish a tornado safe room in your home and keep emergency supplies accessible year-round.

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.