CountyScore

Newton County

Texas · TX

#75 in Texas
65.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Newton County, Texas

Newton scores well above national median

Newton County's composite score of 71.2 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 40% of U.S. counties. Strong affordability and tax advantages drive this solid national ranking despite lower income opportunities.

Above Texas state average

Newton ranks above Texas's state average composite score of 66.8, positioning it in the upper tier of the state's 254 counties. This competitive performance reflects the county's value proposition on multiple livability fronts.

Outstanding housing affordability

Newton delivers exceptional value with a cost score of 84.9 and tax score of 73.3, featuring median homes at just $83,100 and rents at $877. The effective tax rate of 1.030% adds further advantage for budget-conscious households seeking maximum housing value.

Income levels critically low

The income score of 10.2 is the lowest in this entire cohort, with median household income of just $41,044—indicating severe economic constraints for earning-focused families. Data on schools, safety, health, and environmental factors remains unavailable, limiting complete assessment.

For retirees and minimal-income households

Newton suits retirees living on fixed incomes, remote workers with independent revenue, and families optimizing for bare-minimum cost of living. It's the most affordable option in this analysis, perfect for those with modest financial means seeking safe housing and low financial burden.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73.3Cost84.9SafetyComing SoonHealth47.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome10.2Risk72.9WaterComing Soon
🏛73.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼10.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤47.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡72.9
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 Newton County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Ware County
Georgia
65.3
Median income: $44,833
LaGrange County
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65.3
Median income: $83,741
Vigo County
Indiana
65.3
Median income: $52,525
Des Moines County
Iowa
65.3
Median income: $60,662
Lee County
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65.3
Median income: $59,803

Deep Dives

Newton County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Newton County

via TaxByCounty

Newton offers below-average national rates

At 1.030%, Newton County's effective tax rate is 19% below the national median of 1.276%, placing it in the lower fourth nationally. This Southeast Texas county provides meaningful relief from typical U.S. property tax burdens.

Below Texas's state average

Newton County's 1.030% rate is 0.246 percentage points below Texas's 1.276% state average. Among Texas counties, Newton ranks among the lower-tax jurisdictions.

Newton among the region's most affordable

At 1.030%, Newton ranks below most peers: Morris (1.178%), Moore (1.526%), and Nolan (1.511%), though Motley (1.097%) and Nacogdoches (0.925%) tax slightly lower. Newton offers solid property tax affordability for Southeast Texas.

Median home tax bill is around $856

With a median home value of $83,100, Newton County homeowners pay roughly $856 annually in property taxes. This ranks among Texas's lowest overall tax burdens, blending low home values with favorable rates.

Review your assessment for potential reductions

Newton County residents with assessed values above market should file an appeal to potentially lower their taxes. Even small assessment reductions can yield meaningful annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Newton County

via CostByCounty

Newton County faces acute affordability crisis

Newton County renters spend 25.6% of income on housing—the region's worst affordability rate and far exceeding the Texas average of 18.1%. With a $41,044 median household income nearly 45% below the national average, Newton residents face genuine housing cost stress.

Texas's most strained housing market

Newton County's 25.6% rent-to-income ratio is among the state's highest, indicating significant affordability challenges for renters. The median home value of $83,100 offers cheap homeownership but requires navigating low-income constraints.

Newton's affordability crisis stands out

Newton County's 25.6% rent-to-income ratio dramatically exceeds every regional peer—the next-highest is Nacogdoches at 21.5%—despite relatively modest $877 monthly rents. The county's exceptionally low $41,044 median income is the core driver of this affordability crisis.

Newton's tight household budget reality

Renters allocate $877 monthly while homeowners pay just $508 against a $41,044 median household income. One-quarter of household budgets going to rent leaves minimal resources for food, transportation, healthcare, and savings.

Newton requires cautious consideration

Newton County's 25.6% rent-to-income ratio represents a housing affordability crisis; relocate here only with specific employment offers significantly exceeding the county's $41,044 median income. If you're currently spending over 25% on housing, Newton likely won't provide relief without substantial income improvement.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Newton County

via IncomeByCounty

Newton Faces Severe Income Challenges

Newton County's median household income of $41,044 falls a striking $33,700 short of the national median of $74,755—a 45% gap. This represents the most severe income shortfall among Texas counties, reflecting deep economic disadvantages.

Texas's Lowest-Income County Here

Newton County's $41,044 median household income ranks among the absolute lowest in Texas, trailing the state average of $64,737 by nearly $24,000. With per capita income of just $25,045 against a state average of $33,197, Newton County faces severe economic challenges.

Newton Significantly Lags All Peers

Newton County's median income falls dramatically below all comparable counties, including Nacogdoches ($51,528), Morris ($55,082), and Navarro ($59,310). The county's $41,044 is nearly $21,000 below the next-lowest peer county, signaling distinct economic isolation.

Housing Costs Strain Already Tight Budgets

Newton County's 25.6% rent-to-income ratio ranks highest among all peer counties, with housing costs consuming one-quarter of household income. Median home values of $83,100 strain households earning just $41,000, requiring subsidies or shared housing arrangements.

Prioritize Stability and Opportunity

Newton County households require immediate focus on income stability and growth before wealth building is possible. Connect with workforce development programs, community colleges, and social services to improve earning potential—the essential foundation for financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Newton County

via HealthByCounty

Health outcomes significantly challenged

Newton County residents have a life expectancy of 71.8 years, nearly 4.6 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Over one in four report poor or fair health, far exceeding the 18% national average.

Among Texas's lowest-performing counties

Newton County's 71.8-year life expectancy lags Texas's 74.3-year average by 2.5 years, and the 28.1% poor/fair health rate is among the worst in the state. Healthcare challenges here are severe.

Severe provider and health disparities

Newton County's critical provider shortage—just 8 primary care providers per 100,000—ranks last among all peers. Life expectancy of 71.8 nearly matches Montague and Morris counties, indicating shared regional health challenges.

Extreme healthcare access crisis

Newton County faces a dual crisis: 20.4% uninsured and only 8 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, the lowest in this entire group. Mental health provider density of 25 per 100,000 means behavioral health care is critically scarce.

Getting coverage is urgent and doable

With one in five uninsured and extremely limited providers, securing coverage is critical. Visit healthcare.gov, call 1-800-318-2596, or contact your local community health center immediately—many Newton County residents qualify for Medicaid or subsidized ACA plans at zero cost.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Newton County

via RiskByCounty

Newton: Very Low Risk Nationally

Newton County scores just 27.16 on the national composite risk scale, earning a "Very Low" rating and placing it well below Texas's state average of 49.00. This Southeast Texas county ranks among America's safer communities for natural disaster exposure despite its coastal proximity.

Lowest-Risk County in This Texas Sample

Newton ranks among the very safest counties in Texas by composite risk score, outperforming nearly all peers despite its location in Southeast Texas. The county's rural character and low population density contribute to its exceptional disaster safety profile.

Safer Than Surrounding Counties

Newton's score of 27.16 places it as one of the safest counties in Southeast Texas, substantially lower than nearby more urbanized or flood-prone counties. The county's isolated location and modest development limit exposure to compound hazards that plague more densely populated neighbors.

Hurricane Risk Stands Out Despite Low Overall Score

Newton County faces hurricane risk at 82.35, surprisingly high despite its very low composite score, reflecting its Gulf proximity and tropical storm exposure. Wildfire (75.00) and flood (38.20) risks are moderate, while tornado (45.48) and earthquake (26.62) risks remain minimal.

Hurricane Coverage Important Despite Low Risk

Newton residents should maintain homeowners insurance with windstorm and flood coverage as precautions against hurricane impacts and coastal weather, though overall risk remains very low. Consider the unique hurricane threat when evaluating your coverage, and maintain a basic emergency preparedness plan for tropical systems.

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.