countyscore
34.8
County Score
Schools 77Disaster Risk 70Weather & Climate 41.9

County Report Card

About Scurry County, Texas

Falling Behind National Averages

Scurry County scores 35.5, which is notably lower than the national median of 50.0. The county faces several socio-economic and tax-related hurdles.

Below the Texas Performance Level

The county's composite score of 35.5 sits below the state average of 41.9. While it excels in education, other factors pull its state ranking down.

Excellent Schools and High Resilience

Scurry County boasts a strong school score of 77.0, among the best in the region. It also maintains a high risk score of 70.0, suggesting it is well-protected from natural disasters.

High Taxes and Low Safety

The tax score is very low at 9.6 due to a high 1.589% effective tax rate. Safety is also a significant concern, with a score of only 18.3 based on local crime data.

A Draw for Education-First Families

Scurry is a strong candidate for families who prioritize quality public education above all else. However, residents must be comfortable with higher property taxes and be proactive about personal safety.

2040608010020.439.618.314.67733.87021.241.9Tax20.4Cost39.6Safety18.3Health14.6Schools77Income33.8Risk70Water21.2Weather41.934.8/100
This county
National avg
2 above average6 below average

Scurry County DNA

Foverall

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

Scurry County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Schools (77/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (21.2/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
20.4-31.6
Cost
39.6-8.399999999999999
Safety
18.3-36.7
Health
14.6-35.4
Schools
77+23
Income
33.8-17.200000000000003
Risk
70+23
Water
21.2-36.8
Weather
41.9-14.100000000000001
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Think property taxes are too high in Scurry County?

Many homeowners in Scurry County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$113,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,020/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$113,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$40,800/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $60,039/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

36.1

per 100K

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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Nearby counties

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Texas
68.4
Borden County
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Fisher County
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42.4
Garza County
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Mitchell County
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Stonewall County
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Deep Dives

Scurry County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Scurry County

via TaxByCounty

Scurry taxes substantially above national median

Scurry County's effective tax rate of 1.589% ranks among Texas's highest, with median property taxes of $1,761 on a median home value of just $110,800. This high effective rate applied to lower-priced homes results in a tax burden exceeding the national norm of $2,690 as a percentage of home value.

Texas's most aggressive taxing rate

Scurry County's effective tax rate of 1.589% stands as one of the highest in Texas, well above the state average of 1.276%. The county ranks in the top tier of Texas counties for aggressive property tax rates despite having below-average home values.

Highest rate in the west Texas region

Scurry's 1.589% rate far exceeds nearby San Saba County's 1.006% and Schleicher County's 1.429%, marking it as the region's most aggressive taxer. West Texas homeowners in Scurry face the steepest effective tax rates in their area.

Median home costs $1,761 yearly in taxes

A homeowner with a median-valued property of $110,800 in Scurry County pays approximately $1,761 annually in property taxes. With mortgage and debt service included, that amount climbs to $2,695, creating a substantial tax burden on modestly valued homes.

Assessment review is critical in high-tax counties

With Scurry County's above-average effective tax rate, homeowners should prioritize verifying their property assessments—even small overvaluation corrections yield significant savings. Filing an appeal to contest an inflated assessment is straightforward and can reduce your tax liability considerably.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Scurry County

via IncomeByCounty

Scurry trails national income by significant margin

Scurry County's median household income of $62,689 falls $12,066 short of the national median of $74,755, a 16.1% gap reflecting rural West Texas economic constraints. This shortfall places Scurry in the lower half nationally, though not among the most disadvantaged. The county's income level remains viable for communities with lower costs of living but signals limited wage growth opportunities.

Scurry ranks below Texas state average

At $62,689, Scurry County trails Texas's state average of $64,737 by $2,048, placing it in the lower-middle tier of the state's 254 counties. The per capita income of $30,274 falls meaningfully below the state average of $33,197, suggesting either a younger workforce or lower average wages. Scurry's position reflects modest economic headwinds common to rural Texas oil-and-agriculture regions.

Scurry outearns lower-income peers

Scurry County ($62,689) trails Rusk County ($67,506) by $4,817 but comfortably exceeds San Augustine County ($46,338) by $16,351 and San Saba County ($54,855) by $7,834. The county mirrors Sabine and San Jacinto counties at roughly $60,000, forming a cohort of moderately-performing rural Texas counties. This positioning suggests Scurry has stronger employment or wage stability than the lowest-income peers.

Housing affordability remains reasonable

Scurry County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.5% sits comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, meaning renters allocate roughly $10,970 annually to housing from median income of $62,689. This favorable ratio provides meaningful financial flexibility for healthcare, savings, and other essentials. Scurry's housing affordability is a competitive advantage relative to Texas urban areas.

Harness Scurry's affordability for investment

With housing consuming just 17.5% of income and median earnings near $63,000, Scurry households can target $5,000-$8,000 in annual retirement contributions or investment savings. Utilize Texas's property tax exemptions and low home values ($110,800 median) to build home equity while maintaining aggressive retirement saving. This balanced approach transforms modest income into meaningful long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Scurry County

via CrimeByCounty

Scurry County Faces Safety Challenges

Scurry County has a total crime rate of 2167.9 per 100K, which is approaching the national average of 2,385.5. This results in a safety score of 96.6, slightly below the state norm.

Below the Texas Safety Average

The county's safety score of 96.6 falls below the Texas average of 96.8. Its total crime rate of 2167.9 per 100K exceeds the state's typical rate of 2052.5.

Higher Crime Density Than Neighbors

Compared to San Saba's 622.9 per 100K, Scurry County experiences a much higher volume of reported incidents. Residents encounter a more active criminal landscape than those in nearby rural counties.

Elevated Violent Crime Rates Reported

Scurry County reports a high violent crime rate of 1001.0 per 100K, nearly triple the national average of 369.8. Conversely, property crime is relatively low at 1166.9 per 100K.

Priority on Personal and Home Security

High violent crime rates suggest that personal safety and home security should be top priorities. Investing in comprehensive security systems with professional monitoring is highly recommended for local residents.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Scurry County

via WeatherByCounty

West Texas Warmth and Aridity

Scurry County maintains a 63.3°F annual average temperature, staying well above the national median. This climate is typical for the rolling plains region of West Texas.

Below State Averages in Heat and Rain

The county is cooler than the Texas average by 2.2 degrees and significantly drier than the state benchmark. It receives only 21.2 inches of annual precipitation compared to the 31.9-inch state average.

High Heat Days in the Rolling Plains

Scurry County records 101 extreme heat days annually, illustrating the intensity of its summer season. This matches the rugged, sun-drenched profile of its neighboring West Texas counties.

Crisp Winters and Sharp Summers

Winters are colder than the state average at 44.6°F, bringing 1.4 inches of annual snowfall. July remains the peak of summer with an average temperature of 82.9°F.

Managing Dryness and Summer Peaks

With over 100 days of extreme heat, robust air conditioning is a necessity. The semi-arid 21.2 inches of rain means landscaping should prioritize drought-tolerant native plants.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Scurry County

via SoilByCounty

Alkaline Earth of the West

Scurry County records a pH of 7.70, placing it well above the national median of 6.5. This alkaline profile is typical for West Texas and influences which nutrients are available to local vegetation.

A Gritty Mix of Sand and Clay

The soil consists of 43.9% sand and 25.2% clay, balanced by 28.6% silt. While the sand aids in workability, the clay fraction is significant enough to hold onto moisture during dry spells.

High Water Capacity, Lower Organic Matter

At 1.24%, organic matter is lower than the state average of 1.66%. However, the available water capacity is a robust 0.141 in/in, which is actually higher than the Texas average of 0.133 in/in.

Runoff Risks in Hydrologic Group D

The county's soils fall into hydrologic group D, signaling low infiltration rates and high runoff. Builders and farmers must plan for slow water movement to prevent erosion and localized flooding during intense storms.

Hardy Planting in Zone 8a

Scurry County's Zone 8a climate supports tough crops like cotton and grain sorghum. You can cultivate a beautiful home garden by using mulch to boost organic matter and selecting plants that tolerate alkaline conditions.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Scurry County

via LawnByCounty

The Toughest Lawn Care in the Region

Scurry County presents one of the most difficult lawn environments in Texas with a score of only 19.2. This is nearly half the state average, meaning homeowners must work twice as hard to maintain green space. In Zone 8a, you are battling both limited water and intense West Texas heat.

Arid Conditions and Scorching Summer Days

With only 21.2 inches of annual precipitation, Scurry County is significantly drier than the Texas average of 31.9 inches. Residents must manage 101 extreme heat days and 5,697 growing degree days with very little natural moisture. This arid climate makes traditional turfgrass almost impossible to maintain without constant intervention.

Alkaline Loam and Nutrient Management

The soil features a pH of 7.70, which is significantly more alkaline than the ideal 6.0-7.0 range. While the 43.9% sand content helps with drainage, the 25.2% clay can become compacted under the Texas sun. Regular core aeration is necessary to help water and nutrients reach the roots through this tough soil.

Battling Widespread Severe Drought

A staggering 76.8% of the county is currently in severe drought, part of a 29-week dry spell over the past year. In an area with only 21 inches of rain, these conditions are critical and require strict adherence to water conservation. Consider converting part of your lawn to xeriscaping to reduce the burden on your water bill.

Picking Resilient Grass for Scurry County

Buffalo grass or drought-tolerant Bermuda hybrids are your best options for surviving the 101 days of extreme heat. Aim to plant after the last frost on March 27 to ensure the young grass has the best chance to survive. Because the first fall frost hits by November 10, your window for establishing a healthy lawn is relatively short.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Scurry County's county score?
Scurry County, Texas has a composite county score of 34.8 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 Scurry County rank among counties in Texas?
Scurry County ranks #183 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 Scurry County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Scurry County is $1,445, with an effective tax rate of 1.27%. This earns Scurry County a tax score of 20.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Scurry County?
The median household income in Scurry County, Texas is $60,039 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Scurry County earns an income score of 33.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Scurry County, Texas a good place to live?
Scurry County scores 34.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #183 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Scurry 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 Scurry 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.