countyscore
48.2
County Score
Safety 86.5Disaster Risk 85.9Income & Jobs 53.9

County Report Card

About Rains County, Texas

Competitive with the National Baseline

Rains County scores 48.2, placing it very close to the national median of 50.0. This indicates a well-balanced quality of life for a rural East Texas county.

Outperforming the State Average

The county's score of 48.2 comfortably beats the Texas average of 41.9. It serves as a reliable pocket of stability within the North East Texas region.

Superior Safety and Low Risk

Rains County excels in security with an 86.5 safety score and an 85.9 risk score. Residents enjoy a peaceful environment with very low exposure to natural disasters.

Infrastructure and School Gaps

The county struggles with water infrastructure, scoring only 11.9. School performance also lags behind state standards, with a score of 30.8.

Perfect for Quiet Rural Living

Rains County is an excellent fit for retirees or individuals seeking high levels of personal safety. It offers a low-tax, low-risk lifestyle for those who do not prioritize local school systems.

Score breakdown

Tax31.5Cost42.5Safety86.5Health34.8Schools30.8Income53.9Risk85.9Water11.9Weather43.5
🏛31.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠42.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼53.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡86.5
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤34.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓30.8
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡85.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧11.9
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤43.5
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱42.5
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

Van Zandt County
Texas
41.4
Hunt County
Texas
31.5
Hopkins County
Texas
45.9
Wood County
Texas
50.8
Rockwall County
Texas
40.6
Delta County
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47.4
Kaufman County
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Smith County
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Deep Dives

Rains County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Rains County

via TaxByCounty

Rains taxes run well below state

At 1.093%, Rains County's effective tax rate sits 14% below the Texas state average of 1.276%, offering North Texas homeowners a tax advantage. The median property tax of $2,350 approaches the national median of $2,690, reflecting Rains's higher median home value of $214,900.

Rains ranks in Texas's lower-tax tier

Rains County sits in the bottom half of Texas counties by effective tax rate, making it an affordable option for North Texas residents. Despite paying $2,350 in median annual tax, which exceeds the state average of $2,193, Rains achieves this on a higher home value.

Competitive with North Texas suburbs

Rains County's 1.093% rate undercuts neighboring Collin and Denton counties while matching Hunt County's tax burden, making it attractive for Dallas-area commuters. The median home value of $214,900 reflects its position as an exurban growth corridor.

What a $215K home costs annually

The median Rains County homeowner pays $2,350 per year in property taxes on a $214,900 home. When mortgage-related exemptions apply, the tab climbs to $3,544, though homestead exemptions and agricultural exemptions can reduce this substantially.

Protect yourself from overassessment

Rains County homeowners should verify their assessments annually—growth counties like Rains often see inflated values that don't match actual market sales. Filing a free appeal with the appraisal district can recover hundreds in overpaid taxes.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Rains County

via CostByCounty

Rains offers balanced affordability

Rains County's 16.6% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest among these eight counties and sits well below the Texas average of 18.1%. With median income at $64,874 and median rent at $895, renters here enjoy comfortable affordability compared to both state and national benchmarks.

Top-tier affordability across Texas

Rains County ranks among Texas's most affordable counties for renters, balancing reasonable housing costs with solid household incomes. This combination positions Rains as an attractive option for those seeking affordability without sacrificing economic opportunity.

Most affordable option in comparison

At $895 monthly rent and 16.6% rent-to-income ratio, Rains County offers the best overall affordability balance among this eight-county set. The median home value of $214,900 reflects strong property values while maintaining reasonable monthly carrying costs.

Owning and renting nearly equal here

Renters pay $895 monthly while homeowners pay $887—the narrowest monthly gap in this comparison—suggesting strong equity-building potential. With median income at $64,874 and median home value at $214,900, ownership remains within realistic reach for working families.

Rains County rewards the patient buyer

If affordability matters and you're considering relocation, Rains County delivers the best combination of low rent burden and strong home values among these eight counties. Explore Rains first—its 16.6% rent-to-income ratio leaves more room in your budget than nearly all alternatives listed here.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Rains County

via IncomeByCounty

Rains County Near National Average

Rains County's median household income of $64,874 falls just $9,881 short of the U.S. median of $74,755, a modest gap. The county performs competitively on a national percentile basis, especially for a rural Texas region.

Rains Matches Texas State Average

At $64,874, Rains County's median household income virtually matches the Texas state average of $64,737, putting it squarely in the middle tier statewide. The county reflects typical Texas earnings patterns across its broader peer group.

Rains Mid-Range Among Peers

Rains County's $64,874 trails Randall County's $80,905 but outpaces Potter County ($50,448) and Polk County ($59,066). Its position reflects solid small-town employment in retail, services, and commuting to Dallas-area jobs.

Strong Per Capita Income Advantage

Rains County's per capita income of $38,483 significantly exceeds the state average of $33,197, suggesting higher earning potential across multiple household members. With a rent-to-income ratio of 16.6%, housing costs remain very affordable relative to the county's strong income base.

Maximize Multi-Income Households

Rains County's strong per capita income suggests working-age populations contribute meaningfully to household earnings, creating investment capacity. Households should maximize tax-advantaged 401(k) matching, open IRAs, and consider diversifying income through side skills or passive opportunities.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Rains County

via CrimeByCounty

Rains County Secures High Marks

Rains County maintains a very high safety score of 99.5. Its total crime rate of 301.9 per 100K sits far below the national average of 2,385.5.

Top-Tier Safety in Texas

Rains exceeds the Texas average safety score of 96.8 by a wide margin. Its total crime rate is significantly lower than the state average of 2,052.5, marking it as a secure rural enclave.

Quieter Than Neighboring Hubs

Compared to more populated counties nearby, Rains offers a much quieter and safer environment. It consistently outperforms adjacent areas in terms of per-capita safety and low incident volume.

Rare Violent and Property Crimes

The violent crime rate is 97.9, while property crime is 204.0 per 100K. Both categories are extremely low, indicating that incidents are rare for the local population compared to national trends.

Sustaining a Safe Environment

Residents can help maintain this high level of safety by participating in local watch programs. Visible security measures like smart doorbells help discourage potential intruders even in low-crime areas.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Rains County

via HealthByCounty

Rains exceeds national health benchmarks

At 75.3 years, Rains County life expectancy meets the U.S. average of 76.4 years, placing the county solidly in the national mainstream. With only 18.7% reporting poor or fair health—the lowest rate in this survey—Rains residents report exceptional wellness relative to national norms.

Among Texas's healthiest counties

Rains County's 75.3-year life expectancy runs 1.0 year above Texas's 74.3-year average, and its 18.7% poor/fair health rate is the best in this data set. The county's 21.7% uninsured rate sits just above Texas's 19.8% average, a manageable gap.

Healthiest peers in every metric

Rains County outperforms nearly all neighbors on life expectancy and poor/fair health rates: only Randall (76.3 years) edges Rains on longevity. With the lowest poor/fair health rate (18.7%) and reasonable uninsured rates, Rains stands among Texas's strongest rural health profiles.

Health without abundant providers

Rains County achieves its strong health outcomes with only 8 primary care providers per 100K—the lowest in this survey—though 54 mental health providers per 100K support behavioral health. The county's 21.7% uninsured rate suggests that fewer residents need safety-net care, possibly due to employment-based insurance.

Rains: sustain your health advantage

Rains County's residents enjoy better health than most—keep that momentum by ensuring coverage is continuous. If you're among the uninsured, visit healthcare.gov to lock in coverage and maintain preventive care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Rains County

via SchoolsByCounty

One District, Total Rural Focus

Rains County simplifies the educational experience with a single school district, Rains ISD, serving 1,754 students. The county's four public schools are all classified as rural, creating a unified educational culture. This structure includes two elementary campuses, one middle school, and one high school to cover the full K-12 spectrum.

Consistent Performance on a Tight Budget

The county's 87.0% graduation rate perfectly aligns with the national average, though it trails the Texas state average of 91.6%. Rains County operates with a per-pupil expenditure of $6,605, which is among the lower spending tiers in the state. Despite this, the school score of 51.1 stays competitive with many surrounding rural counties.

The Rains ISD Centric Model

Rains ISD is the sole educational provider, meaning every public school student in the county attends one of its four campuses. With no charter schools available, the district maintains a monopoly on local public resources and community identity. This centralized approach fosters a strong sense of school spirit centered around the Rains High Wildcats.

Exclusively Rural Schooling Environments

Attending school in Rains County means a 100% rural experience across all four campuses. Rains High School is the largest with 507 students, while Rains Intermediate is the smallest with 385. The average school size of 439 students ensures that campuses are large enough to offer diverse programs while remaining intimate.

Find Your Rural Retreat Near Rains ISD

Rains County is an ideal destination for those who want a unified school community in a peaceful rural setting. Buying a home here means joining a single-district system where neighbors and classmates remain the same for years. Explore local real estate to find your place in this tight-knit East Texas community.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Rains County

via RiskByCounty

Rains County ranks very low nationally

Rains County's composite risk score of 14.09 places it well below the national average, marking it as a very low-risk area for natural disasters. The North Central Texas county benefits from lower exposure to catastrophic hazards.

Among Texas's safest counties statewide

With a composite score of 14.09, Rains County ranks well below Texas's state average of 49.00, positioning it among the state's lower-risk counties. This makes it one of Texas's safer places to live from a natural disaster perspective.

Safe haven in North Central Texas

Rains County (14.09) enjoys significantly lower risk than Polk County (75.57) to the southeast, though it shares moderate tornado (62.12) and hurricane (41.97) risks with neighboring counties. Its location away from coastal and panhandle extremes provides protection.

Tornado and hurricane present moderate concerns

Rains County's tornado risk (62.12) and hurricane risk (41.97) represent its primary hazards, while flood (12.50), wildfire (42.49), and earthquake (22.65) risks remain low. Severe weather preparedness is the key priority for residents.

Standard coverage provides good protection

Rains County residents should ensure homeowners policies include wind and hail coverage for tornado protection and review flood coverage for areas near streams. Most residents will find standard homeowners insurance adequate given the county's low overall risk profile.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Rains County

via WeatherByCounty

Temperate Subtropical Climate Near East Texas

Rains County maintains an annual average temperature of 63.8°F, which is nearly 11 degrees warmer than the national median. This region benefits from a lush, humid climate typical of the American South.

Lush Rainfall Exceeds State Averages

While the county is slightly cooler than the 65.5°F state average, it is much wetter than most of Texas. Rains County receives 44.8 inches of annual precipitation, far surpassing the state average of 31.9 inches.

Wetter Than the Central Plains

Compared to the drier counties in Central and West Texas, Rains County acts as a green oasis with nearly 45 inches of rain. Its July average of 82.4°F is consistent with its neighbors in the humid piney woods region.

Balanced Seasons With High Humidity

Residents see 83 days of extreme heat annually, which is moderated by frequent rainfall. Winters are cool but rarely snowy, averaging 46.0°F with just 1.3 inches of snow per year.

Preparing for Humidity and Heavy Rain

Homeowners should invest in reliable gutter systems and dehumidifiers to handle the high 44.8-inch annual rainfall. Sturdy rain gear and breathable fabrics are essential for navigating the humid 81.2°F summer months.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Rains County

via SoilByCounty

Suburban soils waiting for data

Specific taxonomic and pH data are not currently available for Rains County. Most Texas soils hover around a pH of 7.09, which is slightly more alkaline than the national median of 6.5.

Texture remains to be seen

Detailed breakdowns of sand, silt, and clay are missing from the current county records. These physical traits determine whether your soil feels smooth like flour or sticky like modeling clay.

Aiming for state average fertility

Local organic matter and water capacity figures are unavailable, but the state averages are 1.66% and 0.133 in/in. Testing your own backyard soil is the only way to know if you need to add compost.

Observing water movement at home

While specific drainage classes aren't listed, watching how quickly puddles disappear after a rain can give you a clue about your land's hydrology. Site assessment is a vital first step for any new building project.

Warm growing season in Zone 8b

Rains County belongs to USDA Hardiness Zone 8b, supporting a variety of southern favorites like peppers and peaches. The warm climate provides a fantastic foundation for any aspiring home gardener.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Rains County

via LawnByCounty

Strong potential for East Texas lawns

Rains County earns a lawn difficulty score of 42.5, outperforming the state average of 31.7. This Zone 8b location offers a better balance of moisture and temperature than much of the state. While challenges exist, the environment is relatively forgiving for home landscapers.

Ideal rainfall meets Texas heat

The county receives 44.8 inches of rain annually, landing perfectly within the ideal 30-50 inch range for healthy lawns. With 83 days of extreme heat, it is actually milder than the state average of 105 heat days. The primary growing season begins after the last frost on March 20.

Uncertain soil requires local testing

While specific soil data is unavailable for this county, regional neighbors often deal with clay-heavy soils that require aeration. Homeowners should perform a pH test to ensure their ground stays near the 6.0 to 7.0 sweet spot. Improving drainage is usually the first step for success in this high-rainfall area.

Managing severe seasonal droughts

Rains County has faced 14 weeks of drought in the past year, and 100% of the area is currently in severe drought. Despite high annual rainfall, these dry spells can quickly brown a lawn if not managed with supplemental watering. Focus on deep irrigation during the summer months to sustain the roots.

Lush options for Zone 8b

Zoysia and St. Augustinegrass thrive in this humid climate and take advantage of the generous rainfall. Aim to establish your lawn in late March or April to beat the peak summer heat. With 5,789 growing degree days, your grass will have plenty of energy to fill in quickly.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rains County's county score?
Rains County, Texas has a composite county score of 48.2 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 Rains County rank among counties in Texas?
Rains County ranks #77 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 Rains County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Rains County is $2,350, with an effective tax rate of 1.09%. This earns Rains County a tax score of 31.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Rains County?
The median household income in Rains County, Texas is $64,874 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Rains County earns an income score of 53.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Rains County, Texas a good place to live?
Rains County scores 48.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #77 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Rains 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 Rains County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.