countyscore
57.9
County Score
Cost of Living 97.3Safety 91.5Disaster Risk 89.8

County Report Card

About Presidio County, Texas

Beating the National Median

Presidio County earns a strong composite score of 55.1, exceeding the national median of 50.0. It is a standout performer that offers a unique mix of safety and affordability.

Leading the Texas Average

With a 55.1 score, Presidio far outpaces the Texas average of 41.9. It ranks as one of the most stable and attractive remote counties in the state.

Incredible Affordability and High Safety

The county boasts an exceptional housing cost score of 93.4, with median rents at just $445. Safety and natural risk management are also elite, both scoring around 90.0.

Low Incomes and Limited Water

Economic opportunity is the primary drawback, with an income score near zero and a median household income of $29,014. Water access is also a persistent concern in this desert climate.

A Haven for Remote Workers

Presidio is a paradise for those who earn an income elsewhere but want a safe, ultra-affordable place to live. It is ideal for digital nomads or retirees with fixed savings.

2040608010021.797.391.532.448.34.789.84.528.7Tax21.7Cost97.3Safety91.5Health32.4Schools48.3Income4.7Risk89.8Water4.5Weather28.757.9/100
This county
National avg
3 above average5 below average

Presidio County DNA

Foverall

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

Presidio County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (97.3/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (4.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
21.7-30.3
Cost
97.3+49.3
Safety
91.5+36.5
Health
32.4-17.6
Schools
48.3
Income
4.7-46.3
Risk
89.8+42.8
Water
4.5-53.5
Weather
28.7-27.3
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$121,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$448/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$121,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$17,920/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $43,802/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

82.7

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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Nearby counties

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Texas
63.6
Brewster County
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54
Hudspeth County
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55.8
Culberson County
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Reeves County
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Ward County
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Loving County
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Pecos County
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Deep Dives

Presidio County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Presidio County

via TaxByCounty

Presidio's rate is well above Texas

At 1.583%, Presidio County's effective tax rate ranks 24% above the Texas state average of 1.276%, positioning it among the state's pricier tax jurisdictions. The median property tax of $1,949 remains nearly 28% below the national median of $2,690, thanks to modest property values in far West Texas.

Presidio among Texas's highest-tax counties

Presidio County ranks in the upper quartile of Texas counties by effective tax rate, meaning West Texas residents bear a heavier burden than most. At $1,949 median annual tax, Presidio approaches the statewide average despite having the lowest median home value in this dataset.

Steepest taxes in the region

Presidio County's 1.583% rate ranks highest among neighboring Pecos, Brewster, and Alpine counties, making it the costliest place to own property in far West Texas. The median home value of just $123,100 makes this tax burden feel proportionally steeper.

What a $123K home costs yearly

The median Presidio County homeowner pays $1,949 per year in property taxes on a $123,100 home. Including mortgage-related deductions and exemptions, that can reach $2,235, though homestead protections help many owner-occupants.

Appraisals may not reflect market value

Presidio County homeowners can challenge their assessments free of charge—particularly important in an area where property values fluctuate with mining and agriculture cycles. A successful appeal could lower your annual bill by $150 to $400.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Presidio County

via IncomeByCounty

Presidio County Earnings Severely Lag

Presidio County's median household income of $29,014 falls nearly $45,700 below the U.S. median of $74,755, the lowest among all peer counties. The county ranks in the bottom 5% nationally, reflecting extreme rural isolation and limited economic opportunity.

Lowest Income in Texas Sample

At $29,014, Presidio County's median household income is less than half the Texas state average of $64,737, a shortfall of $35,723. The county faces the steepest earnings challenge statewide among this peer group.

Presidio Trails All Peers Sharply

Presidio County's $29,014 median income is less than 42% of Randall County's $80,905 and trails even Potter County ($50,448) by $21,434. Extreme geographic isolation and limited labor market diversity explain the significant gap.

Housing Costs Manageable Percentage

Despite low absolute income, Presidio County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.4% remains reasonable, suggesting housing supply is abundant relative to demand. However, the median home value of $123,100 still represents nearly 4 years of median household income.

Focus on Stability and Safety Net

Presidio County households should prioritize building a basic emergency fund (3–6 months expenses) before considering investment. Government benefits, local employment training programs, and family support systems often matter more than portfolio growth in extremely constrained income environments.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Presidio County

via CrimeByCounty

Elite Safety Status in Presidio

Presidio County is exceptionally safe, earning a near-perfect safety score of 99.8. Its total crime rate of 146.0 per 100K is a tiny fraction of the national average of 2,385.5.

A Texas Safety Leader

Ranking far above the Texas average safety score of 96.8, Presidio is among the safest counties in the state. Its crime rate is nearly 14 times lower than the state average of 2,052.5.

Outperforming West Texas Peers

In the vast landscape of West Texas, Presidio stands out as a beacon of security. It consistently reports lower crime figures than almost all of its neighboring rural counties.

Minimal Reported Crime Incidents

The county reports just 64.9 violent crimes and 81.1 property crimes per 100K. These remarkably low numbers reflect a community with very few reported incidents across all categories.

Maintaining Peace and Security

While statistical risk is low, maintaining community ties is the best defense in Presidio. Simple habits like locking doors and knowing your neighbors help keep these safety scores high.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Presidio County

via WeatherByCounty

High Desert Heat Above National Norms

Presidio County averages a warm 66.3°F annually, significantly higher than the U.S. national median of approximately 53°F. This arid environment places the county among the warmer regions in the country.

Warmer and Drier Than the Texas Average

The county's average temperature of 66.3°F sits slightly above the Texas state average of 65.5°F. While much of the state is humid, Presidio is notably dry with only 11.7 inches of annual rainfall compared to the 31.9-inch state mean.

A Rugged Arid Leader in West Texas

Presidio experiences a starkly drier climate than its eastern neighbors, receiving roughly 20 inches less rain than the state average. Its July average of 82.3°F reflects the intense sun characteristic of the Big Bend region.

Long Scorching Summers and Brief Winters

The county endures 131 extreme heat days per year where temperatures hit 90°F or higher. Winter remains mild with a December-February average of 49.3°F and only 1.1 inches of annual snowfall.

Essential Gear for High Desert Living

Residents must prioritize high-efficiency cooling systems to manage the 131 days of extreme heat. Since the county only receives 11.7 inches of rain, water-conscious landscaping and UV-protective clothing are daily necessities.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Presidio County

via SoilByCounty

Alkaline desert soils of the West

Presidio County presents an alkaline soil profile with a pH of 7.28. This level is notably higher than the national median of 6.5, reflecting the arid conditions of the High Desert.

Gritty textures with high sand

The soil is predominantly sand at 43.3%, mixed with 27.7% silt and 21.3% clay. This high sand content means the soil feels gritty and may require organic amendments to help it hold onto nutrients.

Managing water in a dry climate

The organic matter content is 1.58%, slightly trailing the Texas average of 1.66%. An available water capacity of 0.095 in/in is below the state average, making efficient irrigation vital for any local grower.

High runoff potential during storms

Falling into Hydrologic Group D, this soil has a high runoff potential when saturated. This can lead to flash flooding and erosion during intense desert rain events, requiring careful land management.

Drought-tolerant beauty in Zone 8a

Located in Zone 8a, this county is the perfect home for agave, yucca, and other heat-hardy succulents. Gardeners should focus on native species that thrive in alkaline, well-aerated desert ground.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Presidio County

via LawnByCounty

A steep climb for desert lawns

Presidio County faces a difficult lawn score of 14.8, reflecting the harsh realities of High Desert gardening. This is less than half the state average score of 31.7, placing it among the most difficult counties in the U.S. for traditional turf. Success requires choosing plants that thrive on minimal intervention.

Extreme heat and minimal rainfall

The county receives a mere 11.7 inches of rain annually, well below the 30-inch minimum for most lawns. With 131 days of extreme heat over 90°F, the atmosphere is incredibly demanding on plant life. The long growing season, fueled by 6,365 growing degree days, starts early after the March 21 frost.

Sandy soil with high pH levels

The soil is comprised of 43.3% sand and 21.3% clay, leading to very rapid drainage that can leave plants thirsty. A pH of 7.28 is slightly alkaline, so choosing salt-tolerant grass varieties is a smart move. Adding organic compost is necessary to help the sandy ground retain any water it receives.

Extreme drought is the new normal

The county has spent all 53 of the last weeks in drought, with nearly 90% of the land currently in severe drought or worse. In such an arid climate, traditional lawns may be impractical without heavy irrigation. Using gray water or efficient drip systems for trees and shrubs is a more sustainable approach.

Tough grasses for the desert sun

Bermudagrass is the most viable option for those committed to a lawn, as it can survive the 131 days of intense heat. Planting should occur in late March, but be prepared for a significant water commitment to keep it green. Many residents find that native desert grasses provide a more beautiful and resilient alternative.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Presidio County's county score?
Presidio County, Texas has a composite county score of 57.9 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 Presidio County rank among counties in Texas?
Presidio County ranks #17 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 Presidio County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Presidio County is $1,506, with an effective tax rate of 1.24%. This earns Presidio County a tax score of 21.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Presidio County?
The median household income in Presidio County, Texas is $43,802 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Presidio County earns an income score of 4.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Presidio County, Texas a good place to live?
Presidio County scores 57.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #17 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Presidio 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 Presidio 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.