countyscore
47.6
County Score
Cost of Living 72Disaster Risk 65.5Schools 57.3

County Report Card

About Morris County, Texas

Approaching the national median score

Morris County earns a 47.6 composite score, nearly reaching the national median of 50.0. It performs better than many of its East Texas counterparts in overall livability.

Outperforming the Texas state average

With a score of 47.6, Morris County comfortably beats the Texas average of 41.9. It stands out as a high-value option within the state's diverse geography.

Superior affordability and environmental safety

Housing is exceptionally affordable, earning a cost score of 74.4 with a median home value of $110,200. The county also provides a safe environment with a strong risk score of 65.5.

Income and healthcare limitations

The local economy produces a low income score of 25.2, with household medians around $55,082. Healthcare availability also lags, resulting in a low health score of 16.5.

Ideal for retirees and remote workers

Morris County is perfect for those with outside income who want to maximize their housing budget. Its combination of low costs and low environmental risk makes it a hidden gem for quiet living.

2040608010028.47255.816.557.329.665.549.337.4Tax28.4Cost72Safety55.8Health16.5Schools57.3Income29.6Risk65.5Water49.3Weather37.447.6/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Morris County DNA

Foverall

How Morris County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Morris County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (72/100) but notably weak in Health (16.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
28.4-23.6
Cost
72+24
Safety
55.8
Health
16.5-33.5
Schools
57.3
Income
29.6-21.4
Risk
65.5+18.5
Water
49.3-8.700000000000003
Weather
37.4-18.6
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Morris County?

Many homeowners in Morris County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$120,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$859/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$120,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$34,360/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $58,645/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

8.3

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

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Winston County
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Median income: $53,031
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McKean County
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Wheeler County
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Median income: $60,167
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Gilpin County
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Median income: $95,361
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Elbert County
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Median income: $58,450
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Stephens County
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Appanoose County
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Median income: $54,934
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Nearby counties

Titus County
Texas
38.1
Camp County
Texas
43.5
Cass County
Texas
48.9
Franklin County
Texas
44
Bowie County
Texas
34.5
Marion County
Texas
45
Upshur County
Texas
42
Red River County
Texas
47.9

Deep Dives

Morris County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Morris County

via TaxByCounty

Morris stays slightly below national average

At 1.178%, Morris County's effective tax rate is 8% below the national median of 1.276%, placing it in the lower half nationally. Homeowners here enjoy a lighter property tax load compared to most U.S. counties.

Below Texas's typical rate

Morris County's 1.178% rate runs below Texas's state average of 1.276% by 0.098 percentage points. This makes Morris one of Texas's more tax-friendly counties relative to state norms.

Among the lowest in its region

Morris County's 1.178% rate beats most neighbors: only Nacogdoches County (0.925%) and Motley County (1.097%) tax lower. Moore County (1.526%) and Nolan County (1.511%) both significantly exceed Morris's burden.

Median home costs about $1,298 yearly

With a median home value of $110,200, Morris County homeowners pay approximately $1,298 annually in property taxes. This is $1,392 less than the national median, reflecting both lower-valued homes and a below-average tax rate.

Even lower rates are possible through appeals

If your Morris County home is assessed above fair market value, you have the right to appeal. Many property owners successfully challenge their assessments and recover thousands in overpaid taxes.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Morris County

via IncomeByCounty

Morris Faces Significant Income Gap

Morris County's median household income of $55,082 falls nearly $20,000 below the national median of $74,755—a 26% shortfall. This substantial gap underscores the economic challenges facing one of Texas's lower-income rural counties.

Among Texas's Lower-Income Counties

Morris County's $55,082 median household income lags the Texas state average of $64,737 by about $9,700. With per capita income of just $27,503 against a state average of $33,197, Morris County residents face limited earning opportunities locally.

Morris Struggles Against Regional Peers

Morris County earns less than most neighboring counties, including Montague ($62,818), Moore ($61,325), and Motley ($62,857). Only Nacogdoches ($51,528) and Newton ($41,044) fall below Morris, reflecting the county's position among Texas's economically challenged rural areas.

Housing Remains Affordable Despite Low Income

Morris County's 17.9% rent-to-income ratio keeps housing costs manageable, with median home values of just $110,200. While housing is accessible, the county's low incomes limit households' ability to save beyond basic expenses.

Focus on Earnings Growth First

Morris County households should prioritize workforce development and income growth before aggressive wealth building. Explore training programs, remote work opportunities, and community economic initiatives to increase earning potential—the foundation for all future financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Morris County

via CrimeByCounty

Morris County Boasts Exceptional Safety Score

Morris County boasts an impressive safety score of 98.4, making it one of the more secure spots on the map. Its total crime rate of 1,008.9 per 100,000 is less than half the national average of 2,385.5.

A Leader in East Texas Safety

With a safety score of 98.4, Morris significantly exceeds the Texas state average of 96.8. The county's total crime rate is also remarkably lower than the state's average of 2,052.5 per 100,000.

Morris Stands Out Against Nacogdoches

Morris is significantly safer than nearby Nacogdoches County, which reports a total crime rate of 1,607.3. It stands out as a regional leader in public safety metrics.

Remarkably Low Property Crime Rates

The county sees a property crime rate of just 683.7, though violent crime sits at 325.2. While the violent rate is close to the national average, the overall risk remains exceptionally low.

Protecting Your Home in Morris County

High safety scores are a point of pride, but maintaining them requires active community participation. Investing in smart home technology can help keep Morris County's property crime rates at these record lows.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Morris County

via WeatherByCounty

A Rainy and Warm East Texas Hub

Morris County averages 64.7°F annually, nearly 12 degrees warmer than the national median. It is a high-rainfall area, receiving 47.1 inches of precipitation each year.

Abundant Rainfall Above the State Mean

While its temperature is close to the 65.5°F state average, its rainfall is 15 inches higher than the 31.9-inch Texas mean. This makes it one of the lusher parts of the state.

Drier but Similar Heat to Montgomery

Morris receives 47.1 inches of rain, slightly less than Montgomery County's 49.3 inches. Both counties experience nearly 100 days of extreme heat each year.

Steamy Summers and Moderate Winters

July averages 83.1°F, part of a summer season that sees 96 days of extreme heat. Winters are mild at 46.8°F and produce very little snowfall, averaging 0.4 inches.

Focus on Moisture and Heat Control

The 47.1 inches of rain require well-maintained gutters and moisture-resistant building materials. Prepare for 96 days of extreme heat with efficient cooling systems.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Morris County

via SoilByCounty

A unique and unmapped soil profile

Morris County's specific soil taxonomic order and pH levels are not recorded in current datasets. Local conditions in East Texas can vary widely, requiring a private soil test for precision.

Texture remains a local discovery

Data for sand, silt, and clay percentages is currently unavailable for this area. Most local growers find a mix of sandy and loamy soils typical of the Piney Woods region.

Untapped potential in the soil

Official organic matter and water capacity figures are missing from the current record. While we cannot compare it to the state average of 1.66%, the region's high rainfall often supports lush growth.

Observing water movement on the land

The drainage class and hydrologic group for the county are currently unspecified. Observe how your site handles heavy rain to understand its unique drainage and infiltration characteristics.

Zone 8b offers a long season

Hardiness zone 8b provides a warm climate perfect for long-season vegetables and vibrant azaleas. Embrace the humid East Texas air and start your garden today.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Morris County

via LawnByCounty

East Texas Hurdles in Morris County

Morris County has a lawn difficulty score of 37.1, placing it above the state average but below the national benchmark. This Zone 8b area requires specific attention to heat and drought management.

Ideal Rainfall with Significant Heat

The county receives a robust 47.1 inches of annual precipitation, which is nearly perfect for lawn health. However, 96 extreme heat days and 6,021 growing degree days create a high-demand environment for mowing and pest control.

Monitoring Local Soil Health

Specific soil data is limited for Morris County, making a professional soil test your first essential step. Understanding your local pH and texture will help you tailor your fertilization to the county's 47.1 inches of annual rain.

Battling Total County Severe Drought

Currently, 100% of Morris County is under severe drought conditions, a major increase in pressure from the 16 weeks of drought seen last year. Lawns here currently require strict water conservation and efficient irrigation to survive.

Starting Strong in Zone 8b

Bermuda and Zoysia are the most resilient choices for the local climate and 96 heat days. You can safely start your lawn once the threat of frost passes around March 8.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Morris County's county score?
Morris County, Texas has a composite county score of 47.6 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Morris County rank among counties in Texas?
Morris County ranks #80 among all counties in Texas on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Morris County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Morris County is $1,329, with an effective tax rate of 1.10%. This earns Morris County a tax score of 28.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Morris County?
The median household income in Morris County, Texas is $58,645 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Morris County earns an income score of 29.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Morris County, Texas a good place to live?
Morris County scores 47.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #80 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Morris County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Morris County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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