countyscore
20.9
County Score
Water Quality 71.1Weather & Climate 51.3Lawn Care 50.5

County Report Card

About Potter County, Texas

A Significant National Underperformer

Potter County scores 21.0, placing it well below the national median of 50.0. This ranking indicates severe challenges across almost every dimension of the livability index.

Struggling Within the Texas Landscape

Potter County’s score is less than half of the Texas state average of 41.9. It faces some of the most difficult socio-economic conditions in the Panhandle region.

Reliable Water Infrastructure

Water quality is a rare strength for Potter County, earning a high score of 71.1. It also offers relatively low home values, with the median house priced at $134,900.

Severe Safety and Health Concerns

Safety is an acute issue, with a score of only 0.8, among the lowest in the state. Health and income scores are also critically low, reflecting deep systemic challenges.

Suited for Specialized Industrial Workers

Potter County is largely a destination for those tied to specific local industries. While housing is cheap and water is plentiful, residents must navigate significant public safety risks.

2040608010012.737.30.85.437.817.99.571.151.3Tax12.7Cost37.3Safety0.8Health5.4Schools37.8Income17.9Risk9.5Water71.1Weather51.320.9/100
This county
National avg
1 above average7 below average

Potter County DNA

Foverall

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

Potter County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Safety (0.8/100), though Water Quality (71.1/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
12.7-39.3
Cost
37.3-10.700000000000003
Safety
0.8-54.2
Health
5.4-44.6
Schools
37.8-16.200000000000003
Income
17.9-33.1
Risk
9.5-37.5
Water
71.1+13.099999999999994
Weather
51.3
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Potter County?

Many homeowners in Potter 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

$147,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,022/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$147,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$40,880/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $53,249/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

23.1

per 100K

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

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

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Median income: $71,536
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Clayton County
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Nearby counties

Moore County
Texas
36.3
Carson County
Texas
49.3
Randall County
Texas
44.6
Oldham County
Texas
56.8
Hutchinson County
Texas
40.3
Armstrong County
Texas
41.5
Hartley County
Texas
48.8
Deaf Smith County
Texas
30.3

Deep Dives

Potter County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Potter County

via TaxByCounty

Potter pays above Texas average

At 1.503%, Potter County's effective tax rate runs 18% above the Texas state average of 1.276%, placing it in the higher tier nationally. The median property tax of $2,028 remains 25% below the national median of $2,690, reflecting lower property values in the Panhandle.

Potter ranks among Texas's higher-tax counties

Potter County sits in the upper third of Texas counties by effective tax rate, meaning residents shoulder above-average state burdens. At $2,028 median annual tax versus the state average of $2,193, Potter is close to statewide norms despite its smaller home values.

Higher taxes than Panhandle peers

Potter County's 1.503% rate exceeds neighboring Randall County's 1.577% and significantly outpaces Hutchinson and Moore counties in the region. The median home value of $134,900 reflects typical Panhandle property dynamics, making Potter's higher rate more burdensome.

What a $135K home costs yearly

The median Potter County homeowner pays $2,028 per year in property taxes on a $134,900 home. With mortgage-related deductions and school tax exemptions included, that climbs to $2,615, though homestead exemptions can bring the effective burden down.

Challenge your appraisal for free

Potter County homeowners who believe their assessments are unfair can file a no-cost appeal with the appraisal district before the May 15 deadline. Overassessments are common and recovering even one year of overpayment can offset the appeal effort.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Potter County

via IncomeByCounty

Potter County Faces Income Deficit

Potter County's median household income of $50,448 trails the national median of $74,755 by nearly $24,300, marking a substantial gap. The county ranks in the lowest quintile nationally, reflecting post-industrial challenges in the Amarillo region.

Well Below Texas Average

At $50,448, Potter County's median household income falls $14,289 short of the Texas state average of $64,737, the largest deficit among peer counties. This places Potter in the lowest decile statewide for household earnings.

Lowest Income in Region

Potter County's $50,448 significantly underperforms regional peers: Randall County earns $80,905, Reagan County $70,288, and even Pecos County $67,689. The gap reflects Amarillo's economic restructuring away from traditional sectors.

Housing Absorbs Large Income Share

Potter County's rent-to-income ratio of 23.5% is the highest among peer counties, meaning housing costs consume nearly a quarter of median earnings. The median home value of $134,900 presents real affordability strain for median-income households.

Prioritize Debt and Skills

Potter County households face tighter financial margins and should prioritize reducing high-interest debt before investing. Investing in career skills, certifications, or education often yields higher returns than stock market investing when income is constrained.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Potter County

via CrimeByCounty

High Crime Activity in Potter

Potter County faces significant public safety challenges with a safety score of 88.1. Its total crime rate of 7,559.5 per 100K is more than triple the national average of 2,385.5.

Trailing State Safety Benchmarks

Potter sits well below the Texas average safety score of 96.8 and the state crime rate of 2,052.5. This data marks it as one of the most active counties in the state for law enforcement reporting.

A Stark Contrast to Neighbors

Potter's crime rate is considerably higher than its neighbor Randall County. This disparity highlights a heavy concentration of reported incidents within the Amarillo metropolitan core compared to surrounding areas.

Significant Violent and Property Rates

The county reports 1,377.4 violent crimes and 6,182.1 property crimes per 100K. These figures indicate a high frequency of both person-related incidents and property-based theft across the county.

Prioritizing Home Security Measures

High local crime rates necessitate robust home security measures like monitored alarm systems and reinforced entries. Residents should stay informed through law enforcement alerts to mitigate personal risks.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Potter County

via WeatherByCounty

Moderate Temps and High Snow Potential

Potter County averages 57.4°F annually, which is quite close to the national median temperature. It is a dry region, receiving only 19.5 inches of precipitation each year.

Coldest and Snowiest Part of Texas

Potter County is significantly cooler than the 65.5°F Texas average. Its 17.2 inches of annual snowfall is among the highest in the state, contrasting sharply with the 31.9-inch state rain average.

Defining the Texas Panhandle Climate

Alongside Parmer County, Potter defines the cooler, high-altitude climate of the Panhandle. It experiences much harsher winters and more frequent snow than the rest of the state.

Frigid Winters with Substantial Snowfall

Winter temperatures average 38.5°F with a notable 17.2 inches of snow. Summers are shorter than in the south, with 72 days reaching 90°F and a July average of 78.2°F.

Equip Your Home for Winter Weather

Snow tires and heavy winter gear are essentials here for the 17.2 inches of snow. Homeowners should insulate pipes and prepare for freezing winter averages of 38.5°F.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Potter County

via SoilByCounty

Dark, rich Mollisols of the Panhandle

Potter County features Mollisols, a soil order prized for its dark surface and natural fertility. Its pH of 7.18 is slightly more alkaline than the national median of 6.5 but remains very close to the state average.

The ideal workability of loam

The soil is a balanced loam composed of 36.0% sand, 30.8% silt, and 25.4% clay. This specific mix provides excellent nutrient retention while remaining easy to work with traditional gardening tools.

Excellent water storage for crops

Organic matter levels sit at 1.63%, which is nearly identical to the state average. The soil's available water capacity of 0.141 in/in exceeds the Texas average, providing a reliable reservoir for thirsty plants.

Well-drained land for stable building

Classified as well-drained and part of Hydrologic Group B, this soil manages rainfall efficiently. It offers a stable foundation for construction and prevents the root rot issues common in heavier soils.

Hardy growth in Zone 7a

Potter County's Zone 7a climate supports hardy perennials and traditional Panhandle crops like winter wheat. With a soil score of 34.4, this land outperforms the state average for agricultural quality.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Potter County

via LawnByCounty

The best lawn conditions in the region

Potter County boasts a lawn difficulty score of 50.5, making it one of the few Texas counties to beat the national average. This score is significantly higher than the Texas average of 31.7, indicating a relatively friendly environment for turf. Zone 7a gardeners here have a distinct advantage over most of the state.

Milder summers and moderate growth

With 72 extreme heat days, Potter County is much cooler than the state average of 105 days. Precipitation is lower than ideal at 19.5 inches, but the 4,238 growing degree days indicate a manageable growth rate. The growing season typically kicks off after the final spring frost on April 22.

Well-drained loam provides a solid base

The soil is a favorable loam texture with a pH of 7.18, which is very close to the ideal 6.0-7.0 range. It is classified as well-drained, meaning roots are less likely to suffer from saturation issues. This balanced foundation makes nutrient uptake efficient for most grass species.

Resilient against recent dry spells

Potter County has seen only 4 weeks of drought over the past year, though the area is currently 100% abnormally dry. This low drought frequency compared to the rest of Texas helps maintain lawn health with less supplemental water. Mulching grass clippings back into the lawn can help retain the moisture you do apply.

Ideal conditions for cool and warm mixes

Tall Fescue can succeed here in shaded areas, while Bermudagrass remains the king of the sunny spots. Start your seeding projects in late April once the frost risk has passed. Because the soil is so high-quality, a little supplemental water is all you need to achieve a lush result.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Potter County's county score?
Potter County, Texas has a composite county score of 20.9 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 Potter County rank among counties in Texas?
Potter County ranks #249 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 Potter County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Potter County is $2,145, with an effective tax rate of 1.46%. This earns Potter County a tax score of 12.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Potter County?
The median household income in Potter County, Texas is $53,249 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Potter County earns an income score of 17.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Potter County, Texas a good place to live?
Potter County scores 20.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #249 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Potter 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 Potter 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.