Palo Pinto County's composite score of 66.2 beats the national median of 50.0 by 32%, placing it in the upper third of U.S. counties. The county demonstrates competitive overall livability across measured dimensions.
2 / 5
Slightly below Texas average
With a score of 66.2, Palo Pinto ranks just beneath Texas's state average of 66.8, holding steady among the state's mid-range performers. The county remains competitive within the Texas county landscape.
3 / 5
Low taxes and moderate housing costs shine
Palo Pinto delivers strong tax efficiency with a 1.283% effective rate (66.2 score) and balanced housing at $1,024 rent and $167,300 median home value (76.2 cost score). These factors create genuine affordability for working households.
4 / 5
Income levels modest, data gaps remain
Median household income of $64,972 and an income score of 25.8 suggest wage opportunities are limited compared to higher-earning counties. Safety, health, schools, environmental risk, and water data are currently unavailable.
5 / 5
Suits budget-minded families near Fort Worth
Palo Pinto County attracts families seeking affordable living with low taxes in a location between rural and urban amenities. The county appeals to those willing to accept modest incomes in exchange for financial stability and reasonable costs.
Palo Pinto County's composite score of 66.2 beats the national median of 50.0 by 32%, placing it in the upper third of U.S. counties. The county demonstrates competitive overall livability across measured dimensions.
Slightly below Texas average
With a score of 66.2, Palo Pinto ranks just beneath Texas's state average of 66.8, holding steady among the state's mid-range performers. The county remains competitive within the Texas county landscape.
Low taxes and moderate housing costs shine
Palo Pinto delivers strong tax efficiency with a 1.283% effective rate (66.2 score) and balanced housing at $1,024 rent and $167,300 median home value (76.2 cost score). These factors create genuine affordability for working households.
Income levels modest, data gaps remain
Median household income of $64,972 and an income score of 25.8 suggest wage opportunities are limited compared to higher-earning counties. Safety, health, schools, environmental risk, and water data are currently unavailable.
Suits budget-minded families near Fort Worth
Palo Pinto County attracts families seeking affordable living with low taxes in a location between rural and urban amenities. The county appeals to those willing to accept modest incomes in exchange for financial stability and reasonable costs.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛66.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Palo Pinto County's 1.283% effective rate results in a median property tax of $2,147, falling short of the national median of $2,690. This places the North Central Texas county comfortably in the bottom third nationally.
Slightly above Texas average
Palo Pinto's 1.283% effective rate sits marginally above Texas's 1.276% state average, putting it right in the middle of the pack statewide. The $2,147 median tax inches below the state median of $2,193.
Comparable to surrounding counties
Palo Pinto's 1.283% rate falls between Parker County's higher 1.449% and Oldham's 1.297%, reflecting the diversity of North Texas and Panhandle tax structures. The $2,147 median tax is typical for the region's property values.
Palo Pinto County tax breakdown
On the median home value of $167,300, residents pay roughly $2,147 annually in property taxes. With mortgage fees included, the total reaches $3,426.
Review your assessment this year
Palo Pinto County homeowners often overlook the fact that appraisals can be challenged, potentially lowering their tax bills significantly. File an appeal with the appraisal district if you believe your property is assessed higher than comparable homes in your area.
Palo Pinto County renters spend 18.9% of income on housing, modestly above the national median, yet still manageable. The county's lower median income of $64,972 makes this ratio noteworthy relative to household earnings.
Slightly above Texas affordability norm
Palo Pinto's 18.9% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Texas's 18.1% average by less than 1 percentage point, placing it near the state midline. Median rent of $1,024 is only 6% higher than the Texas median.
Moderate costs for north-central Texas
Palo Pinto's $1,024 rent falls between Parker County's pricey $1,440 and more affordable counties, with a competitive 18.9% burden. It represents a middle ground for renters in the Dallas-Fort Worth exurban region.
Nearly 1/5 of income toward housing
Palo Pinto's median household earns $64,972 but dedicates $12,288 annually to rent—18.9% of gross income. Homeowners spend $892 monthly on ownership costs, roughly 16.5% of income, reflecting modestly better affordability for buyers.
Affordable exurban alternative to Dallas
Palo Pinto offers reasonable housing costs for workers priced out of Dallas-Fort Worth proper, with rent nearly $400 cheaper than Parker County. If you're seeking exurban living with acceptable affordability, this north-central Texas county merits comparison with farther-out options.
Palo Pinto County's median household income of $64,972 falls 13% short of the U.S. median of $74,755, reflecting a smaller regional economy. The county's energy and ranching sectors provide solid middle-class jobs despite limited population scale.
Matches Texas state average
Palo Pinto County's $64,972 income effectively ties the Texas state median of $64,737, placing it squarely in the middle tier of state counties. This alignment reflects the county's representative economic structure within the larger state context.
Peer earnings with nearby counties
Palo Pinto County's $64,972 mirrors Ochiltree County ($64,988) closely and outearns Panola County ($62,593), but trails Orange County ($73,372). These patterns reflect shared rural and small-regional economic characteristics.
Housing costs are reasonable
Palo Pinto County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.9% keeps housing costs well below the 30% sustainability threshold, freeing up income for other priorities. The median home value of $167,300 remains accessible for households earning the county median.
Start with employer retirement plans
Palo Pinto County residents should enroll in workplace 401(k) or 403(b) plans early to build long-term retirement security. The county's stable energy sector employment supports consistent contributions over decades.
Palo Pinto residents live to an average of 73.2 years, roughly 5.7 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years. With one-fifth of adults reporting poor or fair health, the county contends with persistent health challenges.
Below Texas average but nearly at parity
At 73.2 years, Palo Pinto trails Texas's 74.3-year average by 1.1 years. This small gap reflects opportunities for targeted health improvements through better healthcare access and prevention.
Palo Pinto struggles with provider shortages
Palo Pinto's 49 primary care providers per 100,000 residents match Nolan County but fall below Nueces's 79. Mental health provider availability is particularly thin at just 27 per 100K—among the lowest in this group.
Uninsured rate edges above state average
At 20.7%, Palo Pinto's uninsured rate slightly exceeds Texas's 19.8% average, affecting one in five residents. Combined with limited provider capacity, coverage gaps force many to postpone care and rely on expensive emergency services.
Get insured and connected to care
One in five Palo Pinto residents go uninsured—a barrier that delays treatment and drives up long-term costs. Visit healthcare.gov or contact a local health navigator to find affordable coverage and primary care doctors accepting new patients.
At 55.22, Palo Pinto County's composite risk score exceeds the Texas state average of 49.00 by about 13%, earning a Relatively Low rating. While above-average for Texas, the county remains well below the riskiest counties nationally, positioning it as moderately exposed.
Mid-tier risk among Texas counties
Palo Pinto ranks in the moderate-risk band statewide, with exposure slightly above the state median. The county's North Texas location puts it in a zone where wildfire and tornado represent ongoing concerns, though hurricane and flood risks remain comparatively modest.
Higher risk than West Texas peers
Palo Pinto (55.22) exceeds Nolan (37.85) and Ochiltree (34.86) but closely mirrors Panola County (55.44). Compared to higher-risk neighbors like Parker County (81.11), Palo Pinto sits in a safer middle ground, though its wildfire exposure still warrants attention.
Wildfire leads with tornado as second
Wildfire risk dominates at 90.27, placing Palo Pinto among Texas's most fire-prone counties, while tornado risk follows at 61.83. Flood (59.89) and hurricane (43.47) risks are moderate, making fire and wind the primary concerns for property owners in this North Texas region.
Prioritize wildfire and wind protection
Ensure your homeowners policy explicitly covers wildfire and tornado damage, as Palo Pinto's elevated exposure makes these critical protections. Review deductibles carefully—higher wind deductibles may reduce premiums but increase out-of-pocket costs when storms strike, so balance affordability with realistic coverage needs.