countyscore
46.9
County Score
Safety 86.5Disaster Risk 85.9Income & Jobs 49

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.

204060801003435.886.534.830.84985.911.943.5Tax34Cost35.8Safety86.5Health34.8Schools30.8Income49Risk85.9Water11.9Weather43.546.9/100
This county
National avg
2 above average6 below average

Rains County DNA

Foverall

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

Rains County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (85.9/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (11.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
34-18
Cost
35.8-12.200000000000003
Safety
86.5+31.5
Health
34.8-15.200000000000003
Schools
30.8-23.2
Income
49
Risk
85.9+38.900000000000006
Water
11.9-46.1
Weather
43.5-12.5
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Rains County?

Many homeowners in Rains 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

$241,100

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$989/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$241,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$39,560/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $65,413/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

8.0

per 100K

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

Deep Dives

Rains County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rains County's county score?
Rains County, Texas has a composite county score of 46.9 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 Rains County rank among counties in Texas?
Rains County ranks #90 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 $2,458, with an effective tax rate of 1.02%. This earns Rains County a tax score of 34/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Rains County?
The median household income in Rains County, Texas is $65,413 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Rains County earns an income score of 49/100 on CountyScore.
Is Rains County, Texas a good place to live?
Rains County scores 46.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #90 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.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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