countyscore
31.3
County Score
Schools 57.6Lawn Care 50.4Income & Jobs 43.2

County Report Card

About Navarro County, Texas

Navarro County trails national benchmarks

A composite score of 30.3 places Navarro County significantly below the national median of 50.0. It ranks in the lower third of counties nationwide for overall quality of life.

Significant gap from the state average

The county's score of 30.3 is well behind the Texas state average of 41.9. It struggles with a combination of low health access and higher-than-average safety risks.

Competitive schools and local income

Public education is the county's strongest suit with a school score of 57.6. The income score of 36.8 is also a relative strength compared to its other lower-performing dimensions.

Healthcare and safety concerns

The county faces dual challenges with a health score of 19.8 and a safety score of 23.7. These metrics suggest residents have less access to medical care and face higher crime rates than neighbors.

Suited for those prioritizing schools

Navarro County is a viable option for families focused on local education who are comfortable with $1,039 average rents. It appeals most to those who don't mind traveling for higher-tier healthcare services.

2040608010023.433.223.719.857.643.224.825.130.9Tax23.4Cost33.2Safety23.7Health19.8Schools57.6Income43.2Risk24.8Water25.1Weather30.931.3/100
This county
National avg
7 below average

Navarro County DNA

Foverall

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

Navarro County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Water Quality (25.1/100), though Schools (57.6/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
23.4-28.6
Cost
33.2-14.799999999999997
Safety
23.7-31.3
Health
19.8-30.2
Schools
57.6
Income
43.2
Risk
24.8-22.2
Water
25.1-32.9
Weather
30.9-25.1
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Navarro County?

Many homeowners in Navarro 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

$172,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,076/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$172,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$43,040/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $63,111/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

5.6

per 100K

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

Deep Dives

Navarro County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Navarro County

via TaxByCounty

Navarro's rate exceeds the national norm

At 1.325%, Navarro County's effective tax rate is 4% above the national median of 1.276%, placing it in the upper half nationally. Homeowners here shoulder a slightly heavier property tax burden than average Americans.

Above average for Texas

Navarro County's 1.325% rate exceeds Texas's state average of 1.276% by 0.049 percentage points. Among Texas counties, Navarro is a moderate-to-high tax jurisdiction.

Navarro ranks mid-range regionally

At 1.325%, Navarro sits between its regional peers: higher than Motley (1.097%), Morris (1.178%), and Nacogdoches (0.925%), but lower than Moore (1.526%) and Nolan (1.511%). It represents a middle-ground tax burden for the region.

Expect about $2,119 yearly in property taxes

With a median home value of $159,900, Navarro County homeowners pay approximately $2,119 in annual property taxes. This is $571 less than the national median, despite a slightly above-average tax rate.

Assessment challenges could lower your bill

Navarro County homeowners whose assessed values exceed fair market value may appeal to reduce their tax liability. Many successful appeals have saved residents hundreds of dollars annually.

Income & Jobs in Navarro County

via IncomeByCounty

Navarro Trails National Earning Standards

Navarro County's median household income of $59,310 falls about $15,400 below the national median of $74,755—a 21% shortfall. This gap reflects the economic pressures facing rural and small-town Texas communities.

Below Texas State Average

At $59,310, Navarro County's median household income underperforms the Texas state average of $64,737 by roughly $5,400. Per capita income of $27,846 also trails the state average of $33,197, indicating limited individual earning opportunities.

Navarro Mid-Range Among Peers

Navarro County earns more than Morris ($55,082), Nacogdoches ($51,528), and Newton ($41,044) counties, but less than Montague ($62,818) and Motley ($62,857). The county's income position reflects a typical small-town Texas economy.

Housing Costs Create Budget Pressure

Navarro County's 21.0% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the highest in its peer group, with median home values of $159,900 stretching household budgets. Housing costs consume one-fifth of income, leaving limited discretionary funds for other needs.

Build Wealth Through Careful Planning

Navarro households need intentional financial strategies to save and invest within tight budgets. Explore employer retirement plans, low-cost investment options, and local economic development initiatives that could improve earning potential over time.

Safety in Navarro County

via CrimeByCounty

Navarro County Holds National Safety Standard

Navarro County holds a safety score of 97.0, reflecting a secure community by national standards. Its total crime rate of 1,924.9 per 100,000 is safely below the national average of 2,385.5.

Alignment with Texas Safety Benchmarks

Navarro aligns closely with the Texas safety landscape, with a score of 97.0 compared to the state average of 96.8. Its total crime rate also stays below the state average of 2,052.5.

Navarro Compared to Montgomery County

Navarro's crime rate of 1,924.9 is slightly higher than Montgomery County's rate of 1,624.3. It remains a safer alternative to many neighboring counties closer to the Dallas metroplex.

Monitoring Violent and Property Crime

Violent crime stands at 424.0 per 100,000, which is higher than the national average of 369.8. Property crime makes up the rest of the total at 1,500.9 per 100,000.

Visible Deterrents for Navarro Homes

Because property crime is the most frequent issue, homeowners should focus on visible deterrents. Security cameras and well-lit entryways can significantly reduce the risk of theft.

Weather & Climate in Navarro County

via WeatherByCounty

Hotter than the National Norm

Navarro County averages 66.2°F annually, making it significantly warmer than the average U.S. county. Its climate is characterized by long, hot summers and relatively short, mild winters.

Slightly Warmer than Texas Average

The county's 66.2°F average temperature is just above the Texas state average of 65.5°F. It experiences more intense heat than the state's northern panhandle but avoids the extreme tropical heat of the south.

Plenty of Rainfall for North Texas

Navarro receives 41.1 inches of rain annually, which is nearly 10 inches more than the Texas average. This makes it much lusher than the arid counties to the west.

A Century of Extreme Heat Days

Residents endure 105 days of extreme heat per year, with July temperatures averaging a sweltering 84.3°F. Winters are manageable, featuring a January average of 46.7°F and only 0.2 inches of snow.

Summer Cooling is Top Priority

The 105 days above 90°F demand efficient air conditioning and well-insulated homes. Given the 41.1 inches of rain, residents should also plan for heavy spring storms.

Soil Quality in Navarro County

via SoilByCounty

Rich Vertisols of the Blackland Prairie

Navarro's soils are primarily Vertisols, known for their high clay content and shrinking-swelling nature. The pH of 7.01 is near neutral and sits very close to the state average of 7.09.

Heavy clay defines the land

With 29.8% clay and 43.2% sand, the soil is physically heavy and holds its shape. This texture provides excellent support for plant roots but can be difficult to work when too wet or dry.

Superior organic matter and water storage

At 1.74%, organic matter exceeds the Texas state average of 1.66%. The soil's water capacity of 0.143 in/in also beats the state benchmark, making it very productive for farming.

Slow drainage requires careful planning

The soil is moderately well-drained but falls into hydrologic group D. Water moves slowly through the clay layers, which can lead to standing water after intense rainfall.

Cotton and corn excel in 8b

Zone 8b combined with fertile Vertisols makes this a powerhouse for cotton, corn, and sunflowers. Get your garden started and take advantage of this naturally rich soil.

Lawn Care in Navarro County

via LawnByCounty

Navarro Leads the Way in Texas

Navarro County earns an impressive 50.4 difficulty score, making it one of the easiest places in Texas to maintain a lawn. It actually beats the national median, offering an ideal environment for Zone 8b turf.

Perfect Precipitation for Green Lawns

The county receives 41.1 inches of rain annually, landing right in the middle of the ideal 30-50 inch range. While there are 105 extreme heat days, the consistent rainfall helps the grass recover quickly from high temperatures.

Ideal Neutral Clay Soils

The soil pH is a near-perfect 7.01, and the texture is classified as clay. While it is moderately well-drained, the 29.8% clay content helps hold moisture during the hot Texas summer.

Resilient Against Prolonged Drought

Only 35.3% of the county is currently in severe drought, a much better status than its neighbors. With only 11 weeks of drought over the past year, Navarro lawns have had a relatively easy time staying healthy.

Thriving in the Blackland Prairie

Bermuda and Zoysia thrive in these neutral clay soils and warm 8b climate. Start your lawn projects after the last frost on March 13 to take full advantage of the long growing season.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Navarro County's county score?
Navarro County, Texas has a composite county score of 31.3 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 Navarro County rank among counties in Texas?
Navarro County ranks #207 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 Navarro County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Navarro County is $2,075, with an effective tax rate of 1.20%. This earns Navarro County a tax score of 23.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Navarro County?
The median household income in Navarro County, Texas is $63,111 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Navarro County earns an income score of 43.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Navarro County, Texas a good place to live?
Navarro County scores 31.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #207 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Navarro 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 Navarro County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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