San Jacinto County

Texas · TX

#144 in Texas
61.8
County Score

County Report Card

About San Jacinto County, Texas

San Jacinto scores 35% above national median

San Jacinto County's composite score of 67.5 is 35% higher than the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper half of American counties. This solid performance reflects reasonable tax and housing costs balanced against modest income levels.

Right at Texas average, with modest edge

At 67.5, San Jacinto County barely edges above the Texas state average of 66.8, positioning it in the middle-upper tier of state performance. It represents a typical, solid Texas county for livability.

Balanced tax and housing values

San Jacinto County offers a tax score of 70.2 (1.139% effective rate) and cost score of 76.8 (median home $183,100, rent $1,018). These scores reflect solid economic efficiency for a county with moderate home values.

Higher housing costs, lower incomes

With a median household income of $59,526 and income score of 22.2, earning potential is limited, while median home values at $183,100 are the highest in this group, creating affordability tension. Safety, health, school, and environmental data are not yet complete.

Suitable for middle-income stability seekers

San Jacinto County works best for middle-income families and workers seeking a balanced mix of moderate housing costs and reasonable taxes. It appeals to those who prioritize stability and conventional community living over either ultra-low costs or high earning potential.

Score breakdown

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

Tax70.2Cost76.8SafetyComing SoonHealth53.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.2Risk41.1WaterComing Soon
🏛70.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠76.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼22.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
53.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
41.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

San Jacinto County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in San Jacinto County

via TaxByCounty

San Jacinto taxes slightly below national median

San Jacinto County's effective tax rate of 1.139% produces a median annual property tax of $2,086, nearly matching the national median of $2,690. Though the county's median home value of $183,100 is lower than the national average of $281,900, homeowners here pay taxes at a comparable rate to much of America.

Mid-range taxes within Texas

San Jacinto County ranks below the Texas state average effective tax rate of 1.276%, with its rate of 1.139%. The county's median tax of $2,086 runs about $100 below the state's typical property tax of $2,193.

Moderate taxes in the piney woods

San Jacinto's 1.139% rate sits between San Augustine County's 0.816% and Shelby County's 1.023%, making it a mid-tier option regionally. The county charges slightly more in effective rate than most immediate neighbors, though still below state average.

Median home costs $2,086 yearly in taxes

A homeowner with a median-valued property of $183,100 in San Jacinto County pays approximately $2,086 annually in property taxes. With mortgage and debt service included, that amount rises to $2,567, reflecting moderate tax burden for a median-priced home.

Review assessments to potentially lower bills

San Jacinto homeowners should confirm their property's assessed value matches market reality—overassessed properties are common statewide. A successful appeal can reduce your tax obligation and is worth investigating if you believe your valuation is inflated.

Cost of Living in San Jacinto County

via CostByCounty

San Jacinto's housing hits hard on income

San Jacinto County's 20.5% rent-to-income ratio tops the national average and exceeds Texas's 18.1% state average by a significant margin. Renters here pay $1,018 monthly—55% above the state average—on a median income of $59,526.

Among Texas's priciest rental markets

San Jacinto ranks near the bottom of Texas's affordability ladder, with renters shouldering a 20.5% housing burden and a median rent well above state norms. This county represents one of the state's less affordable options for renters despite moderate incomes.

Rents outpace nearby counties

San Jacinto's $1,018 median rent substantially exceeds Sabine ($738) and San Augustine ($741), while home values ($183,100) rank second-highest in the region. The combination pushes both renters and homeowners toward steeper housing costs than immediate neighbors.

Housing dominates household budgets

San Jacinto renters spend 20.5% of their $59,526 income on rent, while homeowners dedicate 17.4% to monthly owner costs of $865. Together, these figures show housing consuming a larger-than-ideal share of household resources.

Higher costs require higher income

San Jacinto's elevated rents and home values make it best suited for relocators with incomes above the county median. Compare its $1,018 rent and $183,100 home values to neighboring counties if you're budget-conscious.

Income & Jobs in San Jacinto County

via IncomeByCounty

San Jacinto falls below U.S. income norms

San Jacinto County's median household income of $59,526 sits $15,229 below the national median of $74,755, a gap of about 20%. This below-average positioning reflects common rural economic constraints, including limited job diversity and smaller employer bases. The county ranks in the lower half nationally but maintains income levels sufficient for many households in lower-cost areas.

San Jacinto ranks below state average

At $59,526, San Jacinto County trails Texas's state average of $64,737 by $5,211, placing it in the lower-middle tier of the state's 254 counties. The per capita income of $30,234 falls notably below the state average of $33,197, suggesting a younger, less experienced workforce or higher unemployment. This gap signals economic headwinds for the county.

San Jacinto mirrors Sabine's income level

San Jacinto County ($59,526) nearly matches Sabine County ($59,924) in median income, creating an East Texas income band $7,982 below Rusk County ($67,506). Both counties exceed San Augustine County ($46,338) by significant margins, positioning them as moderately stable regional actors. The similarity suggests shared economic drivers across neighboring counties.

High housing costs create affordability stress

San Jacinto County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.5% approaches the danger zone, consuming more than one-fifth of median earnings on housing, compared to the healthy 30% threshold. With median income of $59,526, a typical household allocates roughly $12,200 annually to rent, leaving constrained resources for other essentials. This pressure point reflects housing supply challenges or rising property costs in the county.

Address housing costs to enable savings

Your rent burden of 20.5% leaves limited room for wealth-building, making housing decisions critical to financial health. Explore first-time homebuyer programs or down payment assistance available in Texas to transition from renting to building home equity. Even a modest monthly home payment that builds ownership can free up savings capacity over time compared to rising rents.

Health in San Jacinto County

via HealthByCounty

San Jacinto lifespans lag national norms

San Jacinto County's 73.6-year life expectancy falls 2.8 years short of the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Over one in five residents report poor or fair health, suggesting high rates of chronic disease despite the county's slight advantage on life expectancy.

Middle of the Texas health pack

San Jacinto County matches Rusk at 73.6 years—nearly 0.7 years below Texas's 74.3-year average—placing it in the lower-middle tier of Texas counties. The 20.2% uninsured rate edges slightly above the state average, adding financial risk for many households.

Provider shortage relative to peers

San Jacinto County's 73.6-year life expectancy ranks middle among East Texas neighbors, but its primary care provider count of just 7 per 100,000 is the lowest in the region by far. Residents likely rely on distant medical centers for routine and specialty care.

Critical shortage of primary care providers

San Jacinto County has just 7 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—a severe shortage compared to the state and neighboring counties—and only 17 mental health providers. Combined with 20.2% uninsured, this shortage forces residents into delayed care and emergency department visits.

Health coverage closes the access gap

One in five San Jacinto County residents are uninsured, and with few local providers, insurance becomes critical to traveling for care. Explore marketplace options at healthcare.gov or contact your county health department for Medicaid information and transportation assistance.

Disaster Risk in San Jacinto County

via RiskByCounty

San Jacinto County exceeds national risk

San Jacinto County's composite risk score of 58.87 places it in the "Relatively Low" category, exceeding the national average of 44.0 by nearly 35 percent. The county faces above-average exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly tornados and hurricanes.

Higher than typical Texas county

At 58.87, San Jacinto County scores 10 points above Texas's state average of 49.00, ranking in the upper-middle tier of statewide risk. This elevation reflects the county's position in a tornado-prone region combined with substantial hurricane vulnerability.

Higher risk than most surrounding areas

San Jacinto County (58.87) carries significantly greater risk than neighboring San Augustine County (17.62) and Sabine County (22.11), though Rusk County (54.01) presents comparable threats. The county faces notably higher tornado risk than its immediate peers.

Tornados pose extreme threat

Tornado risk dominates at 90.01—among the highest in the state—making spring severe weather a critical safety concern for San Jacinto County residents. Hurricane risk scores 74.51, and combined with wildfire risk of 68.35, the county faces a diverse hazard landscape.

Invest in tornado and wind protection

San Jacinto County's extremely high tornado risk demands that homeowners prioritize wind and hail coverage in their insurance policies. Install or designate a safe room for severe weather, maintain emergency supplies, and ensure your policy clearly covers tornado damage, hail, and high winds.

ByCounty Network

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