CountyScore

Presidio County

Texas · TX

#156 in Texas
61.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Presidio County, Texas

Presidio ranks above national standards

Presidio County's composite score of 67.9 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 36%, placing it solidly in the top third of US counties. Its exceptional housing affordability carries the overall livability profile.

Outperforms Texas state average

With a score of 67.9, Presidio slightly exceeds Texas's average of 66.8, ranking it among the stronger-performing counties across the state. This reflects standout strengths in specific livability dimensions.

Remarkable housing affordability

Presidio's cost score of 92.0 is the highest in this group, with stunning median rent of just $445/month and median home values of $123,100. These prices offer extraordinary housing affordability for any household budget.

Income levels are critically low

An income score of 2.3 reflects a median household income of just $29,014—far below state and national norms. Incomplete data on safety, health, schools, and environmental conditions limits full assessment of livability factors.

For those prioritizing rock-bottom housing costs

Presidio County is best suited for retirees with pension or investment income, remote workers earning from elsewhere, or those with deep family ties to the region. The extremely low incomes suggest residents depend on non-local income sources.

Score breakdown

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

Tax57.7Cost92SafetyComing SoonHealth34.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome2.3Risk89.8WaterComing Soon
🏛57.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠92
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼2.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤34.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡89.8
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 Presidio County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Sutter County
California
61.4
Median income: $75,450
Hall County
Georgia
61.4
Median income: $77,430
Pottawattamie County
Iowa
61.4
Median income: $71,446
Geary County
Kansas
61.4
Median income: $57,344
Oakland County
Michigan
61.4
Median income: $95,296

Deep Dives

Presidio County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Presidio County

via CostByCounty

Presidio's lowest rents, lowest incomes

Presidio County offers Texas's lowest median rent at $445 monthly—less than half the state average of $963—but its median household income of $29,014 is equally low. The 18.4% rent-to-income ratio sits just above the state average, masking the county's deeper economic challenges.

Unique affordability through scarcity

Presidio County's rental affordability reflects limited housing supply and lower demand rather than robust local economy. The county's very low incomes position it among Texas's most economically challenged regions.

Dramatically cheaper housing nearby

Presidio's $445 rent is the lowest among all eight counties and reflects its remote West Texas location and smaller population. While rents are exceptionally low, incomes are also exceptionally low, creating a unique but economically constrained market.

Limited choices, but affordable monthly

Renters pay $445 monthly while homeowners pay $574—one of few markets where renting costs significantly less than owning. With median income at just $29,014, even the low $445 rent consumes 18.4% of gross earnings, limiting household flexibility.

Presidio suits remote or retired workers

Presidio County offers unmatched affordability for those with income sources independent of local employment, such as remote work or retirement income. Before relocating, verify that your income will sustain your lifestyle, as local job opportunities are limited and wages are correspondingly low.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Presidio County

via HealthByCounty

Presidio's paradox: long life, poor health

At 81.3 years, Presidio County boasts the highest life expectancy in this entire survey—nearly five years above the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Yet 37.6% of residents report poor or fair health, the highest rate across all eight counties, revealing a striking disconnect between age and wellness.

Longest-lived in Texas, heavily uninsured

Presidio's 81.3-year life expectancy outpaces Texas's 74.3-year average by seven years, making it a statewide outlier. However, its 33.5% uninsured rate—the highest of all counties here—nearly doubles the Texas average of 19.8%.

Outlier on both ends of spectrum

Presidio's 81.3-year life expectancy towers over Reagan (73.9) and all peers, yet its 37.6% poor/fair health rate is substantially worse than any neighbor. This paradox—some residents living very long while many report poor health—suggests a polarized health landscape in the county.

Uninsurance blocks access despite providers

Presidio County offers 49 primary care and 86 mental health providers per 100K, adequate for rural West Texas. But one in three residents (33.5%) lack insurance—the highest rate in this survey—rendering provider access moot for families without coverage.

Presidio needs insurance urgently

With 33.5% of Presidio uninsured, coverage gaps are acute and must be addressed immediately. Visit healthcare.gov or call a local community health center to apply for Medicaid or marketplace plans—many offer free or low-cost options for eligible families.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Presidio County

via RiskByCounty

Presidio ranks among safest U.S. counties

Presidio County's composite risk score of 10.24 places it far below the national average, marking it as a very low-risk area for natural disasters. This remote Big Bend location offers exceptional protection from most catastrophic hazards.

Among Texas's lowest-risk counties

With a composite score of 10.24, Presidio County ranks well below Texas's state average of 49.00 and among the state's safest counties. Its remote West Texas location shields it from major disaster threats.

Safest county in a remote region

Presidio County (10.24) faces substantially lower risk than nearby Pecos County (25.13) and dramatically lower risk than panhandle counties Parmer (81.81), Potter (90.49), and Randall (86.77). Its isolation provides natural disaster protection.

Wildfire is the lone elevated threat

Presidio County's wildfire risk (80.15) stands notably high, yet its tornado (7.82), flood (18.13), and hurricane (14.43) risks remain exceptionally low. The arid Big Bend landscape drives wildfire exposure while isolation provides safety from other hazards.

Basic coverage meets most needs

Presidio County residents should ensure wildfire coverage in their homeowners policies and maintain defensible space around structures. For most residents, standard homeowners insurance provides adequate protection given the county's very low overall risk profile.

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.