CountyScore

Mills County

Texas · TX

#13 in Texas
72
County Score

County Report Card

About Mills County, Texas

Mills leads the national pack

Mills County scores 74.8 out of 100, far exceeding the national median of 50.0. The county ranks in the top 77th percentile nationally, standing among America's most livable counties.

Texas's top livability performer

With a score of 74.8, Mills ranks highest among all eight counties in this set and well above Texas's state average of 66.8. The county is among Texas's elite in measurable livability.

Unbeatable tax and affordability

Mills dominates with a Tax Score of 77.5 and the lowest effective tax rate of 0.880%, and a Cost Score of 85.1 with median rent at just $713. This combination delivers exceptional financial advantage.

Modest incomes and incomplete data

The Income Score of 25.5 and median household income of $64,494 represent moderate earning potential. Safety, health, schools, environmental risk, and water quality remain unmeasured.

Ideal for maximum financial freedom

Mills County suits anyone seeking the best combination of low taxes and affordable housing in Texas. The county excels for retirees, remote workers, and families wanting maximum disposable income on modest earnings.

Score breakdown

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

Tax77.5Cost85.1SafetyComing SoonHealth56.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.5Risk94.4WaterComing Soon
🏛77.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤56.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡94.4
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 Mills County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Logan County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $54,237
Marion County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $46,953
Nevada County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $41,761
Archuleta County
Colorado
72
Median income: $76,524
Echols County
Georgia
72
Median income: $61,723

Deep Dives

Mills County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Mills County

via TaxByCounty

Mills offers the nation's best tax rates

Mills County's effective tax rate of 0.880% ranks well below the national median of 1.048%, placing it among the most tax-friendly counties in America. The median property tax of $1,762 is far below the national median of $2,690, making Mills County exceptionally affordable for homeowners.

Texas's most tax-friendly county

Mills County's 0.880% effective rate is the lowest among all eight counties analyzed and stands significantly below the Texas state average of 1.276%. Residents pay a median property tax of $1,762, roughly 20% less than the state median of $2,193.

Best rates in central Texas

Mills County's 0.880% rate substantially undercuts neighboring Milam County (1.059%), Montague County (0.951%), and all other regional peers. Only among this county grouping, it stands alone as the most attractive for tax-conscious homebuyers.

Keep more money in your pocket

On a typical $200,200 home in Mills County, annual property taxes run approximately $1,762—the lowest burden in this county group. This rate structure allows residents to allocate resources to schools, services, and savings rather than inflated tax obligations.

Verify your assessment accuracy

Mills County's favorable tax climate makes it essential to ensure your property isn't overassessed compared to similar homes locally. Even in low-rate counties, tax appeals can catch administrative errors or outdated valuations that inflate your obligations.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Mills County

via CostByCounty

Mills County's surprising affordability

Mills County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.3% ranks among Texas's best, significantly below both the state average of 18.1% and the sustainable national benchmark. With $713 monthly rent against a $64,494 median income, Mills residents enjoy the most relaxed housing burden in this eight-county comparison.

Top-tier Texas affordability

Mills ranks in the upper echelon of Texas counties for housing affordability, combining modest rents with moderate incomes to produce exceptionally sustainable ratios. The median home value of $200,200 reflects stable property markets without speculation or crisis.

Best rent-to-income in the region

Mills's 13.3% rent-to-income ratio beats all comparable counties—Mitchell at 10.3% is exceptional but reflects extreme poverty, while Medina at 17.8% and Montague at 18.3% carry heavier burdens. Mills achieves the best balance of sustainable income and realistic housing costs.

Renters and owners both win

Renters spend only 13.3% of income on $713 rent, while homeowners allocate roughly 13% to $694 monthly ownership costs. This rare near-parity suggests a county where rental and ownership markets remain aligned and affordable, with flexibility for both paths.

Hidden gem for affordable living

Mills County offers the sweet spot: genuine affordability without desperate poverty, allowing residents to build savings alongside stable housing. For remote workers or retirees, Mills delivers Hill Country proximity with urban-level financial breathing room.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Mills County

via IncomeByCounty

Mills Close to National Median

Mills County's median household income of $64,494 is 13.8% below the U.S. median of $74,755 but within striking distance of national norms. The county demonstrates moderate earning capacity relative to the broader American economic landscape.

Slightly Below Texas Average

Mills's median household income of $64,494 is virtually aligned with Texas's state average of $64,737, tracking just 0.4% below statewide norms. Per capita income of $36,334 exceeds state average of $33,197 by 9.4%, indicating robust individual earning potential.

Upper-Middle Income in Regional Context

Mills's $64,494 income ranks fourth among the peer group, exceeding McLennan County ($63,888) and Milam County ($59,076), but trailing Medina County ($73,462) and far behind Midland County ($93,984). The county represents solid economic footing for rural Texas.

Excellent Housing Affordability

Mills County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.3% is the lowest among all peer counties, indicating exceptional rental affordability with renters spending just over one-eighth of earnings on housing. Median home values of $200,200 align well with county income, supporting accessible homeownership.

Leverage Low Housing Costs for Growth

With a median household income of $64,494 and exceptionally low housing burden (13.3% rent ratio), Mills households have notable capacity to build wealth through investments and savings. The combination of solid earnings and minimal housing pressure creates strong conditions for long-term financial growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Mills County

via HealthByCounty

Mills lives long, with health challenges

At 75.4 years, Mills County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 74.5 years, yet the county's 19.2% poor/fair health rate closely mirrors the national average of 18%. Mills residents are living longer than typical Americans while managing similar disease burden—a sign of adequate medical care and disease management. The strong longevity despite moderate health challenges suggests effective chronic disease control.

Above average on longevity, above on uninsured

Mills's 75.4-year life expectancy outperforms Texas's 74.3-year average, placing the county in the upper tier statewide. However, Mills's 21.6% uninsured rate exceeds Texas's 19.8% average, meaning more residents lack coverage—a concerning gap. This mismatch suggests Mills achieves good health outcomes despite higher uninsured rates, possibly due to community health centers or strong prevention efforts.

Mills balances longevity with coverage gaps

Mills's 75.4-year life expectancy matches McLennan (75.3) and exceeds Mitchell (73.3), but the county's 21.6% uninsured rate is notably higher than peers like Medina (16.7%) or Midland (18.9%). With 22 primary care providers per 100,000, Mills offers limited access compared to larger neighbors, requiring residents to travel for specialist care. The combination of decent longevity but higher uninsured rates suggests Mills residents are resilient but vulnerable.

Modest provider access, uninsured gap

Mills's 22 primary care providers per 100,000 residents offer basic care capacity, but the county's 21.6% uninsured rate means roughly one in five residents struggle to afford visits. Mental health services are relatively strong at 132 providers per 100,000, suggesting the county prioritizes behavioral health despite limited overall infrastructure. The combination reflects a small county doing its best with constrained resources.

Bridge the coverage gap today

Nearly 2,000 Mills County residents lack health insurance—if you're among them, marketplace plans may cost far less than you expect thanks to subsidies. Visit healthcare.gov during open enrollment to check your eligibility for Medicaid, CHIP, or tax credits that lower monthly premiums. Even a modest plan protects you from catastrophic medical debt.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Mills County

via RiskByCounty

Mills enjoys exceptional disaster safety

Mills County's composite risk score of just 5.60 places it firmly in the Very Low category, far below the national average of roughly 50. This Central Texas county represents one of the nation's safest zones for natural disaster exposure.

Among Texas's lowest-risk counties

Mills's score of 5.60 is just a fraction of Texas's state average of 49.00, ranking it among the state's safest counties. The county's geographic position and population density create an inherently protective disaster environment.

Safer than all but Menard nearby

Mills's score of 5.60 significantly undercuts nearby Medina County (68.70) and McLennan County (91.22), placing it among the region's safest zones. Only Menard County (3.05) rivals Mills's exceptionally low exposure.

Wildfire represents the main exposure

Wildfire risk at 76.46 is Mills's highest hazard metric, though still moderate in the broader county context. All other disaster types—flood, tornado, earthquake, hurricane—remain very low throughout the county.

Standard coverage handles your risk

Mills residents can rely on basic homeowners insurance without specialized hazard add-ons for most disaster exposure. Focus on wildfire prevention through property maintenance and vegetation management rather than expensive insurance riders.

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.