CountyScore

Potter County

Texas · TX

#234 in Texas
53.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Potter County, Texas

Potter exceeds national livability median

Potter County's composite score of 63.2 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 26%, placing it in the upper half of US counties. Housing affordability and reasonable taxes contribute to this above-national-average ranking.

Slightly below Texas average

Potter's 63.2 score falls just under Texas's state average of 66.8, ranking it in the middle range of Texas counties. It remains competitive despite economic headwinds in the region.

Low housing costs anchor the county

Potter County's cost score of 77.4 reflects affordable housing with median rent of $989/month and median home values of $134,900. The tax score of 60.0 provides a reasonable effective tax rate of 1.503%.

Income levels present significant concern

Potter's income score of just 16.3 is the lowest in this comparison, with median household income of $50,448—well below regional and state norms. This economic challenge is compounded by incomplete data on health, safety, and schools.

Best for resilient families seeking affordability

Potter County appeals to budget-conscious households and retirees who can live modestly on limited incomes. It's suitable for those with remote employment or alternative income sources seeking very low housing costs in the Texas Panhandle.

Score breakdown

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

Tax60Cost77.4SafetyComing SoonHealth43.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.3Risk9.5WaterComing Soon
🏛60
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠77.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼16.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤43.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡9.5
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 Potter County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Orange County
California
53.8
Median income: $113,702
Ventura County
California
54
Median income: $107,327
Bronx County
New York
54
Median income: $49,036
New York County
New York
53.8
Median income: $104,553
Rockwall County
Texas
54
Median income: $124,917

Deep Dives

Potter County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Potter County

via CostByCounty

Potter faces significant affordability stress

Potter County's 23.5% rent-to-income ratio represents the most burdensome housing costs among these eight counties and far exceeds the Texas average of 18.1%. With a median household income of just $50,448—32% below the national median of $74,755—renters here struggle most with housing affordability.

Among Texas's least affordable counties

Potter County ranks toward the bottom of Texas counties for rental affordability, where the combination of low incomes and moderate rents creates significant household strain. This reflects broader economic challenges in the county that warrant consideration for prospective residents.

Rents higher than regional peers

At $989 monthly, Potter's median rent exceeds the state average of $963 while incomes lag peer counties. This unfavorable income-to-rent ratio makes Potter one of the region's tougher markets for renters.

Both housing paths demand careful planning

Renters spend $989 monthly while homeowners pay $862, narrowing the ownership advantage typical in other counties. At $50,448 median income, nearly a quarter of gross earnings already go to rent for typical renters—leaving little room for other expenses.

Potter demands stronger financial footing

Relocating to Potter County requires careful financial planning given its tight housing affordability; prioritize secure employment and savings before the move. If you're considering Potter, compare it carefully against more affordable counties on this list to ensure it matches your budget.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Potter County

via HealthByCounty

Potter struggles on national stage

At 70.8 years, Potter County life expectancy runs 5.6 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Nearly three in ten residents (28.6%) report poor or fair health—among the highest rates in this county survey and a signal of widespread chronic disease.

Texas's most challenged health profile

Potter County ranks near the bottom statewide on life expectancy (70.8 vs. Texas average of 74.3 years) and reports the highest poor/fair health rate in this data set at 28.6%. The county's 22.9% uninsured rate also exceeds Texas's 19.8% average.

Best provider access, poorest outcomes

Potter County leads all peers with 88 primary care and 306 mental health providers per 100K—extraordinary density for any region. Yet life expectancy remains the second-lowest, suggesting that provider availability cannot overcome deeper health determinants or care utilization barriers.

Abundance of doctors, persistent uninsurance

Potter's 88 primary care and 306 mental health providers per 100K represent the richest health infrastructure in this survey. However, 22.9% of residents lack insurance, and the high poor/fair health rate indicates that access to providers alone is insufficient without coverage and engagement.

Potter: use providers with coverage

Potter County's exceptional provider base goes underused when patients lack insurance. Nearly one in four Potter residents are uninsured; visit healthcare.gov or contact the Potter County health department to match yourself with a plan and unlock your doctors.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Potter County

via RiskByCounty

Potter County ranks among highest-risk areas

Potter County's composite risk score of 90.49 places it well above the national average, marking it as a relatively moderate-risk area for natural disasters. This elevated score reflects exceptional exposure to tornado and wildfire hazards.

Texas's most hazardous county cluster

With a composite score of 90.49, Potter County significantly exceeds Texas's state average of 49.00 and ranks among the state's highest-risk counties. The panhandle's exposed geography drives this dangerous profile.

Part of a high-risk panhandle corridor

Potter County (90.49) shares extreme risk with neighboring Randall County (86.77) and Parmer County (81.81), creating a panhandle hotspot for natural disasters. All three counties face nearly identical tornado and wildfire threats from the plains geography.

Tornadoes and wildfires dominate

Potter County faces exceptional tornado risk (97.71) and wildfire risk (95.13), along with elevated earthquake risk (79.07) and flood risk (68.03). Notably, hurricane risk is zero due to the county's distance from coastal areas.

Prepare for severe wind and fire

Potter County residents should prioritize comprehensive wind and hail insurance to protect against tornado damage, plus wildfire coverage for properties in vulnerable areas. Ensure your policy specifically covers wind-driven damage and test your basement or safe room annually.

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.