CountyScore

Shackelford County

Texas · TX

#18 in Texas
70.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Shackelford County, Texas

Well above the national median

Shackelford County scores 71.0 on the CountyScore composite index, significantly outpacing the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the upper tier of livability nationwide, reflecting a strong combination of affordability and tax efficiency.

Top tier among Texas counties

With a score of 71.0, Shackelford ranks above the Texas state average of 66.8, positioning it among the stronger performers across the state's counties. This edge comes primarily from exceptional housing affordability and reasonable tax rates.

Affordability is the standout strength

Shackelford excels in cost, scoring 86.1—housing is genuinely accessible with a median home value of $176,900 and rent averaging just $485 monthly. Tax efficiency is solid too, with an effective rate of 1.287% and a tax score of 66.1.

Income growth lags behind affordability

The income score of 25.6 signals that median household earnings ($64,659) haven't kept pace with the county's other strengths. Limited data on safety, health, schools, and water quality means a fuller picture of livability is still emerging.

Ideal for budget-conscious families

Shackelford suits families and retirees seeking genuinely affordable housing and low taxes without breaking the bank. The county's composite strength makes it an attractive option for those prioritizing financial stability over urban amenities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax66.1Cost86.1SafetyComing SoonHealth59.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.6Risk98.6WaterComing Soon
🏛66.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤59.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡98.6
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Shackelford County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Franklin County
Alabama
70.5
Median income: $51,493
Lauderdale County
Alabama
70.5
Median income: $59,082
Holmes County
Florida
70.5
Median income: $48,236
Fayette County
Indiana
70.5
Median income: $56,659
Smith County
Kansas
70.5
Median income: $57,024

Deep Dives

Shackelford County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Shackelford County

via TaxByCounty

Shackelford taxes nearly match national median

Shackelford County's effective tax rate of 1.287% produces a median annual property tax of $2,276 on a median home value of $176,900, closely approximating national norms. The county's tax burden sits slightly below the national median of $2,690, though the effective rate exceeds most of America.

Slightly above Texas state average

Shackelford County's effective tax rate of 1.287% edges above the Texas state average of 1.276%, placing it marginally above the state norm. The median property tax of $2,276 runs about $80 above the state median of $2,193, making it a typical Texas county for tax burden.

Mid-range taxes in north-central Texas

Shackelford's 1.287% rate sits between San Saba County's 1.006% and Scurry County's 1.589%, positioning it as a moderate-tax option in the region. The county charges slightly above state average despite median home values consistent with surrounding areas.

Median home costs $2,276 yearly in taxes

A homeowner with a median-valued property of $176,900 in Shackelford County pays approximately $2,276 annually in property taxes. Including mortgage and debt service, that amount rises to $2,778, reflecting a moderate-to-high tax burden relative to home value.

Check your assessment for potential savings

Shackelford homeowners should verify their property's assessed value to confirm it reflects current market conditions—overassessments are common statewide. A successful appeal can reduce your annual property tax bill and is worth pursuing if you suspect overvaluation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Shackelford County

via CostByCounty

Shackelford offers exceptional rent value

Shackelford County's 9.0% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the lowest nationally and far exceeds affordability standards across Texas and the nation. Renters pay just $485 monthly—50% below the state average—on a median household income of $64,659.

Second-most affordable county examined

Shackelford ranks in Texas's top tier for rental affordability, with a 9.0% rent-to-income ratio second only to Schleicher County. The combination of exceptionally low rent and solid income makes this a standout option for cost-conscious Texas relocators.

Lowest rent in the entire region

Shackelford's $485 median rent stands lowest among all eight counties, substantially undercutting Sabine ($738), San Saba ($894), and San Jacinto ($1,018). Home values ($176,900) run higher than rents suggest, indicating renters enjoy a better deal than homebuyers here.

Rent takes minimal income share

Shackelford renters spend only 9.0% of their $64,659 median income on monthly rent—exceptionally low by any standard. Homeowners allocate 17.0% to monthly owner costs ($917), suggesting that while renting is unusually cheap, homeownership carries typical regional price tags.

Renters' paradise with solid income

Shackelford County delivers the nation's best rental deal among these eight counties—just $485 monthly on a solid $64,659 median income. If you're relocating as a renter, Shackelford's exceptional affordability and strong income base make it a compelling choice.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Shackelford County

via IncomeByCounty

Below National Average, Still Solid

Shackelford County's median household income of $64,659 falls slightly below the U.S. median of $74,755, a gap of roughly 13%. This places the county in the middle tier of American counties, reflecting a modest but stable economic foundation.

Right in Line with Texas

At $64,659, Shackelford's median income is virtually tied with Texas's county average of $64,737. This signals the county ranks near the state median, neither among the poorest nor wealthiest counties in Texas.

Competitive Among Regional Peers

Shackelford outpaces Shelby ($50,436) and Stephens ($54,695) counties, but trails Somervell ($83,382) and Sterling ($78,750). The county's per capita income of $34,010 exceeds the state average of $33,197, suggesting solid individual earning power despite lower household figures.

Housing Costs Are Very Manageable

Shackelford's rent-to-income ratio of just 9.0% is well below the national affordability threshold of 28%, meaning housing costs consume minimal household income. With a median home value of $176,900, the county offers accessible homeownership relative to earning power.

Build on Stable Earnings

With lower housing burden, Shackelford households have real capacity to save and invest for the future. Consider redirecting those housing savings into retirement accounts, education funds, or diversified investments to build long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Shackelford County

via HealthByCounty

Living longer than most Americans

Shackelford County residents live to 75.6 years on average, outpacing the U.S. life expectancy of 76.4 years by a narrow margin. Just 17.4% report poor or fair health, well below the national average, suggesting a healthier population overall.

Above average for Texas

At 75.6 years, Shackelford County's life expectancy exceeds Texas's state average of 74.3 years, ranking it among healthier Texas counties. This one-year advantage reflects better health outcomes than most of its peers statewide.

Healthier than surrounding areas

Shackelford outperforms most neighboring counties in life expectancy and health ratings. Its 17.4% poor/fair health rate beats Stephens County (23.6%) and Starr County (37.8%) significantly, showing a stronger health profile regionally.

Good providers, but insurance gaps remain

Shackelford County has solid primary care access with 31 providers per 100K residents and 31 mental health providers per 100K. However, 20.5% of residents lack health insurance—higher than the state average of 19.8%—meaning coverage remains a barrier for one in five.

Check your coverage options today

With one in five Shackelford County residents uninsured, exploring health plans through Healthcare.gov or Texas CHIP can close the gap. Even if you've been turned down before, recent policy changes may now qualify you for coverage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Shackelford County

via RiskByCounty

Shackelford: Among America's Safest

With a composite risk score of 1.43, Shackelford County ranks as very low risk—far below the national average. Your county faces significantly fewer natural disaster threats than most American counties, making it one of the safer places to live in terms of disaster exposure.

Lowest Risk in Texas

Shackelford's 1.43 score places it among the safest counties in Texas, well below the state average of 49.00. Only a handful of Texas counties have lower composite risk profiles.

Safest County in Its Region

Compared to neighboring counties, Shackelford stands out as exceptionally protected from natural hazards. Sterling County (1.11) and Stephens County (9.22) are similarly low-risk neighbors, but Shackelford's profile reflects the safest tier in west-central Texas.

Wildfire Is Your Main Concern

Wildfire risk at 75.86 is Shackelford's dominant hazard, though even this ranks as manageable given the county's overall low exposure. Hurricane (19.52) and tornado (18.99) risks are minimal, reflecting your inland location.

Wildfire Coverage Matters Most

While Shackelford's overall risk is very low, wildfire remains a real concern for homeowners and ranchers. Standard homeowners insurance often excludes wildfire—consider reviewing your coverage and creating defensible space around structures.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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