CountyScore

Oldham County

Texas · TX

#54 in Texas
66.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Oldham County, Texas

Oldham delivers strong national performance

Oldham County scores 65.6, roughly 31% above the national median of 50.0, placing it solidly in the upper third of U.S. counties. This score reflects competitive financial conditions and tax efficiency that benefit residents.

Marginally below Texas average

At 65.6, Oldham falls just shy of Texas's state average of 66.8, ranking among the state's solid mid-tier performers. The county holds its own in a highly competitive state livability landscape.

Highest incomes and lowest taxes in the group

Oldham stands out with the highest median household income at $76,402 and an exceptional tax score of 65.8 (1.297% effective rate). This combination delivers strong earnings potential paired with minimal tax drain.

Housing costs rising, limited data elsewhere

Median home values of $144,800 and rent at $1,125 suggest moderate housing affordability (73.5 cost score). Critical information on safety, health, schools, and environmental risk remains unavailable.

Perfect for professionals seeking tax efficiency

Oldham County attracts middle- to upper-income professionals and families prioritizing tax savings and strong earning potential. The county rewards higher earners with favorable conditions while maintaining reasonable housing costs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax65.8Cost73.5SafetyComing SoonHealth62.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome33.3Risk90.3WaterComing Soon
🏛65.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠73.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼33.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤62.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡90.3
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 Oldham County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Gadsden County
Florida
66.9
Median income: $46,047
Nassau County
Florida
66.9
Median income: $88,900
Emanuel County
Georgia
66.9
Median income: $50,053
Warren County
Illinois
66.9
Median income: $64,650
Delaware County
Indiana
66.9
Median income: $56,932

Deep Dives

Oldham County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Oldham County

via TaxByCounty

Oldham taxes well below national median

With a 1.297% effective rate, Oldham County homeowners pay just $1,878 in annual property taxes versus the national median of $2,690. This places Oldham in the bottom 25% of U.S. counties—among the nation's most tax-friendly.

Right at Texas average

Oldham's 1.297% rate sits virtually on Texas's 1.276% state average, making it a perfectly typical Texas county for property tax burden. The $1,878 median tax falls modestly below the state median of $2,193.

Consistent with regional peers

Oldham's 1.297% rate matches closely with nearby Ochiltree (1.402%) and sits below Parmer County (1.566%) in the broader Texas Panhandle. All three counties operate in a similar tax-rate ecosystem.

Your Oldham County tax estimate

On the county median home value of $144,800, the typical annual property tax bill runs $1,878. Mortgage-inclusive calculations push this to $3,413 once applicable fees are added.

Appeal your appraisal if overvalued

Many Oldham County residents assume their appraisal is accurate when it may not be, leaving money on the table year after year. A quick appraisal review and potential appeal could unlock real savings with the county appraisal district.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Oldham County

via CostByCounty

Oldham slightly below national burden

Oldham County renters spend 17.7% of income on housing, slightly better than the national average and well-positioned for affordability. Despite modest incomes, residents here enjoy housing costs that don't crowd out other necessities.

Better than Texas average housing costs

Oldham's 17.7% rent-to-income ratio beats Texas's 18.1% state average, placing it in the more affordable half of Texas counties. Median rent of $1,125 is just 17% above the state median, a relatively small gap.

Mid-range costs in panhandle context

Oldham's $1,125 rent sits between Ochiltree's bargain $905 and regional competitors, with higher incomes ($76,402) helping offset slightly elevated housing costs. Its rent-to-income ratio of 17.7% is notably better than Panola County's 18.9%.

Housing takes ~18% of income

Oldham's median household earns $76,402 yearly and dedicates about $13,500 to rent annually. Homeowners spend $944 monthly on ownership costs—slightly below the state average despite the county's relatively affluent median income profile.

Balance of affordability and income

Oldham County works well if you want small-town panhandle living with decent income levels and reasonable housing ratios. Renters from higher-cost areas like Nueces might find meaningful relief, especially if your household income is $70,000 or above.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Oldham County

via IncomeByCounty

Oldham County leads Texas county earners

Oldham County's median household income of $76,402 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by $1,647, placing it in the top tier nationally. The county's robust energy sector and smaller, affluent population create above-average earning potential.

Among Texas's highest-earning counties

Oldham County ranks well above the Texas state median of $64,737, earning $11,665 more and placing it in the top 15% of state counties. This position reflects the county's economic strength and demographic profile.

Outearns all comparable neighbors

Oldham County's $76,402 median substantially exceeds nearby Ochiltree ($64,988), Palo Pinto ($64,972), and Panola ($62,593). The gap underscores Oldham's economic advantages, likely driven by concentrated energy and ranching wealth.

Strong financial capacity

With a rent-to-income ratio of 17.7%, Oldham County households allocate less than 18% of income to housing, providing substantial cushion for savings and lifestyle flexibility. Higher median income combined with controlled housing costs creates genuine wealth-building capacity.

Build generational wealth now

Oldham County's above-average income positions residents to maximize tax-advantaged retirement accounts, invest in diversified portfolios, and explore real estate wealth-building strategies. Consider working with a financial advisor to develop long-term wealth strategies that compound advantages into generational assets.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Oldham County

via HealthByCounty

Oldham residents live longest in this cohort

At 76.4 years, Oldham County's life expectancy ranks among the best in Texas and significantly exceeds the U.S. average of 78.9 years by comparison. Just 20.1% report poor or fair health, the second-lowest rate in this group.

Oldham leads Texas on life expectancy

Oldham County's 76.4-year life expectancy runs 2.1 years ahead of Texas's 74.3-year average, reflecting a healthier population and strong community wellness. This advantage is rare among rural Texas counties.

Exceptional mental health provider access

Oldham County's 280 mental health providers per 100,000 residents is extraordinary—more than three times the state average. Primary care provider data is unavailable, but strong behavioral health infrastructure supports overall community wellness.

Lowest uninsured rate in this eight-county group

At 15.6%, Oldham's uninsured rate is 4.2 percentage points below the Texas average of 19.8%, suggesting strong employment and employer-based coverage. This access to insurance correlates directly with the county's top-tier health outcomes.

Keep your coverage strong and current

While Oldham's uninsured rate is low, maintaining continuous coverage protects against gaps in care. Review your plan annually at healthcare.gov to ensure it still meets your family's evolving health needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Oldham County

via RiskByCounty

Oldham is America's safest county option

At 9.70, Oldham County ranks among the lowest composite risk scores in the entire United States, earning a Very Low rating. This score is 80% below Texas's state average of 49.00, making Oldham an exceptionally secure place to live.

Lowest-risk county in Texas

Oldham County stands at the very bottom of the risk hierarchy statewide, with minimal exposure to nearly all major hazard types. Its geographically isolated Panhandle location and sparse population density contribute to this remarkably favorable disaster profile.

Dramatically safer than regional peers

Oldham (9.70) is drastically safer than Ochiltree County (34.86), Palo Pinto (55.22), and Panola (55.44). In fact, Oldham's risk score is less than one-fifth that of its nearest neighboring county, creating a remarkable safety advantage in the Texas Panhandle.

Wildfire is the only meaningful concern

Wildfire risk sits at 66.13 in Oldham County—the sole hazard exceeding minimal thresholds. All other risks remain negligible, with flood at 1.62, tornado at 19.08, and earthquake at 15.20, making this county extraordinarily safe from multi-hazard exposure.

Standard coverage sufficient with vigilance

Oldham County's exceptional safety profile means standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection for most residents. Focus wildfire preparedness on property maintenance and defensible space around structures, while standard policies handle the minimal flood and wind risks present in this uniquely safe county.

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.