CountyScore

Shelby County

Texas · TX

#119 in Texas
63.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Shelby County, Texas

Solidly above national livability baseline

Shelby County scores 71.8 on the composite index, exceeding the national median of 50.0 by nearly 44%. This strong performance reflects a county where both taxes and housing costs are meaningfully lower than the national typical.

Outperforms the Texas average

Shelby's 71.8 score beats the Texas state average of 66.8, ranking it among the state's more livable counties. The edge is fueled by exceptional tax efficiency and substantial housing affordability.

Exceptional tax rates drive appeal

Shelby's tax score of 73.5 reflects an effective rate of just 1.023%—among the lowest in the state—making it a powerful draw for tax-conscious residents. Housing is also very affordable, with a cost score of 84.3 and median home values of $111,700.

Incomes remain the weak point

The income score of 16.3 reflects a median household income of $50,436, the lowest among these eight counties, indicating limited wage growth opportunities. Safety, health, and school data are still unavailable, leaving gaps in the full livability picture.

Best for those prioritizing low taxes

Shelby County appeals most to retirees, remote workers, and others with stable income sources who want minimal tax burden and cheap housing. It's a financially strategic choice rather than an economically dynamic one.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73.5Cost84.3SafetyComing SoonHealth46.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.3Risk44.3WaterComing Soon
🏛73.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼16.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤46.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡44.3
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 Shelby County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Weld County
Colorado
63.1
Median income: $93,287
Indian River County
Florida
63.1
Median income: $71,049
Newton County
Georgia
63.1
Median income: $73,732
Clinton County
Illinois
63.1
Median income: $82,314
Scott County
Kansas
63.1
Median income: $67,788

Deep Dives

Shelby County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Shelby County

via TaxByCounty

Shelby taxes well below national median

Shelby County's effective tax rate of 1.023% produces a median annual property tax of just $1,143 on a median home value of $111,700, running well below the national median of $2,690. Homeowners here enjoy some of the lightest tax burdens relative to property values in the nation.

Below-average taxes for Texas

Shelby County's effective tax rate of 1.023% sits comfortably below the Texas state average of 1.276%. The county's median property tax of $1,143 runs approximately $1,050 lower than the state median of $2,193, making it one of Texas's more tax-friendly counties.

Lower taxes than most region peers

Shelby's 1.023% rate beats nearby San Jacinto County's 1.139% and trails only San Augustine's 0.816% in the piney woods region. Among its neighbors, Shelby offers favorable property tax rates for homeowners.

Median home costs $1,143 yearly in taxes

A homeowner with a median-valued property of $111,700 in Shelby County pays approximately $1,143 annually in property taxes. Including mortgage and debt service, that amount rises to $1,822, remaining among the lightest tax burdens in the region.

Verify assessments even in low-tax counties

Even in Shelby County's favorable tax environment, homeowners should periodically confirm their property's assessed value for accuracy. Appealing an overassessment, though less common in lower-tax areas, can still reduce your tax bill and is a straightforward process in Texas.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Shelby County

via CostByCounty

Shelby slightly above national affordability

Shelby County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.8% exceeds the national benchmark, meaning renters here spend nearly a fifth of their income on housing. This compares to households earning $50,436 annually—$24,319 below the national median of $74,755.

Mid-pack affordability in Texas

Shelby's 19.8% rent-to-income ratio ranks above Texas's state average of 18.1%, placing it in the less affordable half of Texas counties. The county's median rent of $832 falls $131 below the state average of $963.

Cheaper than nearby Smith County

Shelby renters pay $832 monthly compared to $1,197 in neighboring Smith County—a difference of $365 per month or 44% more for Smith renters. Yet Shelby's median household income is also lower, at $50,436 versus Smith's $71,923.

Housing absorbs a fifth of income

Shelby renters dedicate 19.8% of their $50,436 median income to monthly rent, while homeowners spend $598 on ownership costs—about 14.2% of income. The median home value of $111,700 remains accessible for buyers with moderate down payments.

Affordable rents, stretched incomes

Shelby offers lower rents than much of Texas, but household incomes lag national averages significantly. Renters and homebuyers relocating here should expect to stretch their budgets further unless earning rural Texas wages.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Shelby County

via IncomeByCounty

Median Income Trails National Average

Shelby County's median household income of $50,436 lags the U.S. median of $74,755 by nearly $24,000, or 33%. This significant gap suggests households here face tighter financial constraints than the typical American family.

Among Lower-Income Texas Counties

At $50,436, Shelby ranks well below Texas's county average of $64,737, putting it in the lower quartile of Texas counties. The county's per capita income of $28,183 also trails the state average of $33,197 by roughly 15%.

Faces Steeper Challenges Than Peers

Shelby's income of $50,436 ranks among the lowest in the region, above only Starr County ($38,182) but significantly below Shackelford ($64,659) and Smith ($71,923). This positioning reflects economic headwinds that neighboring counties experience less acutely.

Housing Costs Strain Household Budgets

Shelby's rent-to-income ratio of 19.8% approaches the affordability danger zone, consuming nearly one-fifth of median household income on rent alone. This leaves limited funds for other essentials like food, healthcare, and savings compared to counties with lower ratios.

Prioritize Debt Reduction and Budgeting

With tight household budgets, focus first on building an emergency fund and reducing high-interest debt. Even modest contributions to savings—even $25 per paycheck—compounds over time and creates financial resilience for Shelby families.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Shelby County

via HealthByCounty

Health challenges outpace national trends

Shelby County's life expectancy of 71.3 years falls nearly five years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years, signaling serious population health concerns. Over one in four residents (26.4%) report poor or fair health, double the national average.

Struggling compared to Texas overall

Shelby County ranks among Texas's lowest performers, with life expectancy 3 years below the state average of 74.3 years. Its poor/fair health rate of 26.4% significantly exceeds the state typical experience.

Worst health outcomes in region

Shelby County faces steeper health challenges than surrounding counties, with the lowest life expectancy and highest poor/fair health rates among its neighbors. Even Starr County, the region's most challenged area, shows slightly better life expectancy (73.9 years vs. 71.3 years).

Limited primary care, uninsured residents

Shelby County has only 17 primary care providers per 100K—one of Texas's lowest levels—yet its 79 mental health providers per 100K shows strength in behavioral health. With 22.4% uninsured, nearly one in four residents lack access to preventive or routine care.

Coverage can change your health trajectory

Given Shelby County's health challenges, securing insurance is critical; 22.4% of residents remain uninsured. Visit Healthcare.gov during open enrollment or contact a local health department navigator to find plans you can afford.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Shelby County

via RiskByCounty

Shelby: Above-Average Risk Profile

Shelby County's composite risk score of 55.73 places it in the relatively low category, but above the national average. Your county faces moderate natural disaster exposure compared to the typical American county.

Mid-Range Risk Among Texas Counties

At 55.73, Shelby's risk score sits slightly above Texas's state average of 49.00, ranking it in the middle tier of Texas counties. This reflects exposure to multiple hazard types across the region.

Higher Risk Than Most Neighbors

Shelby County faces notably higher risk than Shackelford (1.43), Sterling (1.11), and Stephens (9.22) counties to the west. However, it shares similar hurricane and tornado vulnerability with other East Texas communities.

Hurricanes and Tornadoes Lead

Hurricane risk (83.23) and tornado risk (75.13) drive Shelby's elevated profile, reflecting its position in hurricane-vulnerable East Texas. Flood risk (45.10) also poses meaningful exposure, particularly in spring months.

Hurricane and Wind Coverage Essential

Shelby residents should prioritize hurricane and wind damage coverage as primary protections. Standard homeowners policies cover wind, but consider flood insurance separately, especially if you live near streams or drainage areas.

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.