countyscore
39
County Score
Water Quality 52.5Schools 51.6Cost of Living 50.3

County Report Card

About Nacogdoches County, Texas

Lagging behind the national median

Nacogdoches County scores 38.8, falling short of the national median score of 50.0. It faces uphill battles in economic development and infrastructure.

Trailing the Texas state average

The county's score of 38.8 is below the Texas average of 41.9. While it offers East Texas charm, it struggles to match the livability metrics of higher-growth Texas regions.

Low taxes and affordable living

A low effective tax rate of 0.925% gives the county a strong tax score of 43.4. Housing also remains accessible, reflected in a cost score of 53.5 and median rents of $923.

Economic and environmental risk hurdles

The income score of 17.7 highlights a median household income of just $51,528. Furthermore, a low risk score of 19.3 suggests vulnerability to natural disasters common in the region.

Best for students and low-tax seekers

Nacogdoches suits those who prioritize low property taxes and manageable housing costs over high-wage corporate jobs. It is a stable home for those who prefer small-town living with university amenities.

2040608010048.350.331.92251.618.719.352.533.3Tax48.3Cost50.3Safety31.9Health22Schools51.6Income18.7Risk19.3Water52.5Weather33.339/100
This county
National avg
5 below average

Nacogdoches County DNA

Foverall

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

Nacogdoches County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Income (18.7/100), though Cost of Living (50.3/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
48.3
Cost
50.3
Safety
31.9-23.1
Health
22-28
Schools
51.6
Income
18.7-32.3
Risk
19.3-27.7
Water
52.5
Weather
33.3-22.700000000000003
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Nacogdoches County?

Many homeowners in Nacogdoches 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

$169,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$965/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$169,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$38,600/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.2x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $53,555/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

37.0

per 100K

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

Explore this county

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Nearby counties

Angelina County
Texas
28.6
San Augustine County
Texas
52.9
Shelby County
Texas
41.7
Cherokee County
Texas
33.7
Rusk County
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41.1
Sabine County
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Panola County
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Tyler County
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Deep Dives

Nacogdoches County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Nacogdoches County

via TaxByCounty

Nacogdoches offers the nation's lowest rates

At 0.925%, Nacogdoches County's effective tax rate is 27% below the national median of 1.276%, ranking in the very bottom tier nationally. This East Texas county provides exceptional property tax relief for homeowners.

Texas's most tax-friendly county

Nacogdoches County's 0.925% rate is 0.351 percentage points below Texas's 1.276% state average, making it one of the lowest-taxing counties in the state. Few Texas jurisdictions match Nacogdoches's favorable rate.

Nacogdoches leads regional property taxes

At 0.925%, Nacogdoches beats all regional neighbors: Morris (1.178%), Motley (1.097%), Moore (1.526%), and Nolan (1.511%). Only a handful of Texas counties offer lower effective rates.

Higher home values, moderate annual taxes

Though median home values reach $158,200—above several regional peers—Nacogdoches residents pay just $1,464 annually in taxes. The combination of low rates and reasonable home prices creates genuine affordability.

Double-check your assessment accuracy

Even with favorable tax rates, homeowners should ensure their assessed value reflects current market conditions. Disputing an overassessment in Nacogdoches could yield additional savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Nacogdoches County

via IncomeByCounty

Nacogdoches Significantly Below National Income

Nacogdoches County's median household income of $51,528 falls roughly $23,200 short of the national median of $74,755—a 31% gap. This substantial shortfall reflects structural economic challenges in this East Texas rural county.

Among Texas's Lowest-Income Counties

At $51,528, Nacogdoches County's median household income ranks among the lowest in Texas, trailing the state average of $64,737 by over $13,000. Per capita income of $28,856 also underperforms the state average of $33,197 by 13%.

Nacogdoches Struggles Against Peers

Only Newton County ($41,044) earns less among comparable rural Texas counties; Nacogdoches trails Morris ($55,082), Navarro ($59,310), and Montague ($62,818). The county's income challenges reflect limited job diversity and lower wage employment.

Housing Costs Stretch Limited Incomes

Nacogdoches County's 21.5% rent-to-income ratio is the highest among its peer group, indicating housing costs consume a significant portion of household budgets. With median home values of $158,200 against median incomes of just $51,528, housing affordability requires careful financial planning.

Strategic Saving in Challenging Times

Nacogdoches households face tighter budgets due to higher housing costs relative to income. Prioritize financial literacy, explore grant and assistance programs, and seek employer benefits like retirement matching to build wealth despite economic constraints.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Nacogdoches County

via CrimeByCounty

Secure Living in Nacogdoches County

Nacogdoches County earns a 97.5 safety score, placing it well above the national safety baseline. The total crime rate of 1,607.3 per 100,000 is significantly lower than the U.S. average of 2,385.5.

Beating State Averages in East Texas

The county outperforms the Texas state average safety score of 96.8. Local law enforcement maintains a total crime rate that is over 400 points better than the state average of 2,052.5.

Nacogdoches Safer than Neighboring Navarro

Nacogdoches is safer than its neighbor Navarro County, which reports a total crime rate of 1,924.9. It provides a secure environment compared to many other East Texas jurisdictions.

Violent Crime Remains Exceptionally Low

Violent crime is exceptionally low at 186.8 per 100,000, which is about half the national average. Property crime at 1,420.5 represents the majority of local offenses.

Simple Steps for Home Security

Lower violent crime rates make this a welcoming area, but property protection is still key. Simple habits like locking all entry points can deter the most common local offenses.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Nacogdoches County

via WeatherByCounty

Deep East Texas Heat and Humidity

Nacogdoches County averages 65.8°F annually, placing it among the warmer regions in the United States. This climate is defined by high moisture levels and temperatures that regularly exceed the national median.

Right at the Texas Temperature Mean

The county's average temperature of 65.8°F almost perfectly matches the Texas state average of 65.5°F. It serves as a thermal benchmark for the state's typical weather patterns.

Abundant Rain in the Pineywoods

With 54.3 inches of annual precipitation, this county is much wetter than the state average of 31.9 inches. It receives more than double the rainfall of its western neighbors in the Rolling Plains.

Persistent Humidity and Rare Snow

Summer dominates with 98 days over 90°F and a July average of 83.2°F. Snow is nearly non-existent, averaging just 0.1 inches per year, while winters stay mild at 48.9°F.

Managing the East Texas Moisture

With 54.3 inches of rain, residents should prioritize high-capacity gutters and dehumidification systems. Cooling is critical to surviving the 98 days of extreme heat each year.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Nacogdoches County

via SoilByCounty

Distinctly acidic East Texas soil

Nacogdoches features a very acidic soil profile with a pH of 5.36. This is significantly lower than the national median of 6.5 and the state average of 7.09.

Sandy profiles dominate the area

The soil is composed of 57.1% sand and 14.3% clay. This high sand content typically allows for easy root penetration but may lead to rapid nutrient leaching.

Low organic matter requires amendments

Fertility levels are low, with organic matter at 1.10% and water capacity at 0.115 in/in. Both figures sit below the Texas state averages, suggesting a need for compost and mulch.

Slow infiltration despite sandy texture

The soil belongs to hydrologic group D, which indicates a very slow infiltration rate. This often results in high runoff during heavy rains, requiring careful management of slopes and garden beds.

Blueberries love the acid in 8b

Zone 8b is perfect for acid-loving crops like blueberries, camellias, and pine trees. Boost your soil's organic content and enjoy one of the longest growing seasons in the state.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Nacogdoches County

via LawnByCounty

Managing the High-Humidity Challenge

Nacogdoches County scores 27.3 on the lawn difficulty scale, making it harder than the state average. This Zone 8b county requires a specialized approach to handle high rainfall and sandy, acidic conditions.

Abundant Water and High Disease Risk

The area receives a massive 54.3 inches of rain annually, which exceeds the ideal range for many grasses. This high moisture, paired with 98 days of extreme heat, creates the perfect environment for fungal diseases.

Correcting Acidic, Sandy Soils

With a pH of 5.36 and 57.1% sand, the soil is much more acidic than the 6.0-7.0 range that lawns prefer. Adding lime is usually necessary to ensure your grass can properly absorb nutrients from the soil.

Severe Drought Despite High Rainfall

Even with 54.3 inches of rain annually, 91.2% of the county is currently in severe drought. After 21 weeks of drought in the past year, homeowners should prioritize rain barrels and smart irrigation to manage water.

Top Grass Choices for East Texas

Centipede and St. Augustine grasses thrive in the acidic, sandy conditions of Zone 8b. The growing season kicks off in earnest after the final frost date of March 13.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nacogdoches County's county score?
Nacogdoches County, Texas has a composite county score of 39 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 Nacogdoches County rank among counties in Texas?
Nacogdoches County ranks #157 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 Nacogdoches County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Nacogdoches County is $1,399, with an effective tax rate of 0.83%. This earns Nacogdoches County a tax score of 48.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Nacogdoches County?
The median household income in Nacogdoches County, Texas is $53,555 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Nacogdoches County earns an income score of 18.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Nacogdoches County, Texas a good place to live?
Nacogdoches County scores 39/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #157 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Nacogdoches 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 Nacogdoches 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.