countyscore
30.1
County Score
Cost of Living 57.9Disaster Risk 57.4Schools 36.8

County Report Card

About Real County, Texas

Falling Behind National Averages

Real County earns a composite score of 33.6, placing it well below the national median of 50.0. This score indicates that the county faces significant headwinds across several quality-of-life categories compared to the rest of the country.

Struggling to Match State Trends

The county's overall score trails the Texas state average of 41.9 by more than eight points. It ranks among the lower-performing counties in Texas for overall livability, despite some specific pockets of affordability.

A Haven for Low-Cost Living

Housing affordability is a major bright spot, with a cost score of 71.7 and median gross rent at just $877. The county also provides a stable physical environment with a risk score of 57.4, indicating relatively low exposure to natural disasters.

Significant Infrastructure and Health Gaps

Access to high-quality water is a critical concern, reflected in a near-bottom score of 1.8. The local economy also struggles with a very low income score of 7.7, as median household income sits at $45,417.

Remote Living for the Budget-Conscious

Real County is best suited for individuals or retirees who prioritize low housing costs and can manage without high-paying local jobs. However, newcomers must be prepared for significant challenges in healthcare and infrastructure.

2040608010030.457.917.99.236.82.257.41.834.9Tax30.4Cost57.9Safety17.9Health9.2Schools36.8Income2.2Risk57.4Water1.8Weather34.930.1/100
This county
National avg
1 above average7 below average

Real County DNA

Foverall

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

Real County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (57.4/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (1.8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
30.4-21.6
Cost
57.9+9.899999999999999
Safety
17.9-37.1
Health
9.2-40.8
Schools
36.8-17.200000000000003
Income
2.2-48.8
Risk
57.4+10.399999999999999
Water
1.8-56.2
Weather
34.9-21.1
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$112,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,188/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$112,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$47,520/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $39,605/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

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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Counties with similar scores

Forrest County
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Liberty County
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Miami-Dade County
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DeKalb County
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Nearby counties

Edwards County
Texas
40.1
Kerr County
Texas
41.5
Uvalde County
Texas
26.9
Bandera County
Texas
45.6
Kimble County
Texas
55.3
Medina County
Texas
35.8
Gillespie County
Texas
46
Kinney County
Texas
59.5

Deep Dives

Real County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Real County

via TaxByCounty

Real County's tax data remains limited

Real County's effective tax rate data is unavailable, but the median property tax of $1,213 runs 55% below the national median of $2,690. This suggests a small, rural county with modest property values and lower overall tax burdens.

Real County offers low tax bills

With a median property tax of $1,213, Real County residents pay well below the Texas state average of $2,193, positioning it among the most affordable counties in the state. The specific effective rate is unavailable, but the low median tax suggests rates below statewide norms.

Lowest taxes in the Hill Country region

Real County's $1,213 median property tax undercuts neighboring Presidio, Reagan, and Brewster counties, making it one of the cheapest places to own property in far West Texas. The limited data suggests a sparsely populated, rural community.

Real County's tax burden remains low

The median Real County property owner pays just $1,213 per year in property taxes, though home values are not available in this dataset. With mortgage exemptions, that figure rises to $4,846—suggesting complex assessment patterns in this small county.

Request a property tax appraisal review

Real County homeowners should request their property tax appraisal details from the county assessor to verify accuracy, especially given limited data availability. A free appeal can clarify your assessment and potentially uncover errors.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Real County

via IncomeByCounty

Real County lags far behind national income

Real County's median household income of $45,417 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by nearly $29,000, placing it in the bottom 15% nationally. This gap reflects limited economic diversification in a rural Texas county where wages haven't kept pace with national growth.

Bottom third among Texas counties

At $45,417, Real County's median household income falls significantly below Texas's county average of $64,737, ranking it among the lowest-earning counties statewide. The per capita income of $23,000 is also 31% below the state's $33,197 average.

Real County's income ranks lowest in region

Real County earns less than all nearby counties in this comparison, with Red River at $46,912 and Reeves at $56,056 both ahead. This suggests Real County faces steeper economic challenges than its immediate neighbors.

Housing remains affordable despite low income

With a rent-to-income ratio of 23.2%, Real County residents spend about a quarter of household income on rent—above the ideal 20% threshold but manageable compared to high-cost metros. Limited median home value data makes full affordability assessment difficult, but rental costs appear sustainable for most households.

Building wealth in Real County requires planning

At $45,417 median income, households should prioritize employer retirement plans and automatic savings programs to build long-term wealth. Even small monthly investments compound significantly over time—consider working with a local financial advisor to map out realistic savings goals.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Real County

via CrimeByCounty

Safety in Real County vs the Nation

Real County maintains a safety score of 96.5, indicating a high level of security despite a total crime rate of 2,190.8 per 100K residents. This rate sits slightly below the national average of 2,385.5 per 100K. Most incidents reported here fall within the property crime category.

Ranking Against Texas Averages

The county's total crime rate of 2,190.8 is slightly higher than the Texas state average of 2,052.5 per 100K. Its safety score of 96.5 is nearly identical to the state average of 96.8. This reflects a typical safety profile for a rural Texas environment.

Local Comparisons and Reporting Context

Real County reports its data through a single agency, which suggests residents should interpret these figures as a specific local snapshot. Compared to more urbanized neighbors, the crime rate remains moderate. It aligns closely with regional trends for the Hill Country area.

Violent versus Property Crime Risks

Violent crime is notably low at 141.3 per 100K, far below the national average of 369.8. However, the property crime rate of 2,049.5 per 100K exceeds the national average of 2,015.7. This indicates that local safety efforts should focus primarily on theft prevention.

Securing Your Property

Since property crime represents the vast majority of local incidents, home security is a priority for residents. Motion-activated lighting and secure entry points can significantly deter opportunistic theft. Staying vigilant helps maintain the county’s overall high safety score.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Real County

via WeatherByCounty

Canyonlands Climate Above National Median

Real County averages 65.5°F annually, placing it firmly in the warm subtropical zone of the southern U.S. This is significantly warmer than the national median temperature of 53°F.

The Statistical Heart of Texas Weather

Real County perfectly matches the Texas state average temperature of 65.5°F. Its annual precipitation of 28.5 inches is also very close to the state average of 31.9 inches, making it a weather bellwether for the region.

Hill Country Balance and Mild Breezes

Located in the Edwards Plateau, Real County is wetter than the desert to the west but drier than the coastal plains. Its July average of 81.4°F is tempered slightly by the local rugged topography.

Hot Summers and Very Rare Snow

The county experiences 94 extreme heat days annually with a summer average of 80.8°F. Winter is mild at 49.2°F, and snow is virtually non-existent, averaging only 0.2 inches per year.

Outdoor Planning for Hill Country Heat

With 94 days over 90°F, residents should plan outdoor activities for early morning or late evening. Since snow is so rare (0.2 inches), focus home maintenance on cooling efficiency rather than heavy winter prep.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Real County

via SoilByCounty

Hidden traits of the Hill Country

Taxonomic and pH data for Real County are not currently included in the available dataset. Most soils in the state are more alkaline than the national median of 6.5, averaging around 7.09.

Structure depends on local samples

The specific percentages of sand, silt, and clay for this region remain unmapped in the current records. These factors are essential for understanding if your soil is prone to compaction or quick drying.

Building better soil at home

While county-specific organic matter and water capacity data are missing, the state averages 1.66% and 0.133 in/in. Local gardeners can supplement with compost to ensure healthy and vigorous plant growth.

Understand your local topography

There is no recorded data for drainage classification or hydrologic groups in this county. Paying attention to your local elevation and slopes is key to managing water runoff on your property.

Vibrant gardening in Zone 8b

In Zone 8b, the growing season is long and provides ample opportunity for diverse planting. Residents can successfully grow a wide variety of herbs and hardy vegetables with proper soil preparation.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Real County

via LawnByCounty

Overcoming Hardship in Real County

Maintaining a lawn here is significantly harder than the national median, with a difficulty score of 17.6 compared to the U.S. average of 50.0. While the county sits in Hardiness Zone 8b, homeowners must battle conditions that are nearly twice as challenging as the Texas state average of 31.7.

Managing Heat and Limited Rainfall

The local climate features 94 extreme heat days per year and just 28.5 inches of annual precipitation, which falls below the 30-50 inches required for an ideal lawn. With 6,112 growing degree days, grass grows rapidly when water is available, requiring a strict mowing schedule during the long warm season.

Adapting to Local Ground Conditions

While specific soil data is limited for this region, local growers typically encounter the rocky, thin soils characteristic of the Edwards Plateau. We recommend a professional soil test to determine if your pH levels deviate from the ideal 6.0 to 7.0 range before investing in major landscaping.

Surviving a Persistent Dry Spell

Real County has endured 44 weeks of drought over the past year, and 100% of the area currently remains abnormally dry. To preserve your turf, focus on deep, infrequent watering during the early morning hours to minimize evaporation loss.

Selecting Your Zone 8b Turf

Heat-tolerant species like Bermuda or Zoysia are your best bets for this climate given the April 5th average last frost. Start your seeding or sodding in late spring once soil temperatures consistently rise to ensure the roots establish before the July heat peaks.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Real County's county score?
Real County, Texas has a composite county score of 30.1 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 Real County rank among counties in Texas?
Real County ranks #214 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 Real County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Real County is $1,207, with an effective tax rate of 1.07%. This earns Real County a tax score of 30.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Real County?
The median household income in Real County, Texas is $39,605 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Real County earns an income score of 2.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Real County, Texas a good place to live?
Real County scores 30.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #214 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Real 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 Real 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.