CountyScore

Smith County

Texas · TX

#193 in Texas
58.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Smith County, Texas

Comfortably above the national bar

Smith County's composite score of 63.9 exceeds the national median of 50.0, indicating livability above the typical American county. However, it ranks fourth among these eight Texas counties, suggesting room for improvement.

Just shy of Texas state average

Smith scores 63.9 against the Texas average of 66.8, placing it slightly below par for the state. The gap reflects moderate performance across tax, cost, and income dimensions rather than standout weakness in any one area.

Balanced strengths in tax and income

Smith's tax score of 67.3 reflects a competitive 1.245% effective rate, while the income score of 30.3 matches a median household income of $71,923. These dual strengths create stability for middle-class families.

Housing costs are the main drag

The cost score of 69.8 is the weakest among these dimensions, with median home values at $220,800 and rent averaging $1,197 monthly—significantly higher than most peers. Safety, health, schools, and water quality data are not yet available.

Suits stable earners seeking balance

Smith County works best for families with solid middle-class incomes who value tax efficiency and can manage higher housing costs. It offers a balanced profile without standout affordability or exceptional amenities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax67.3Cost69.8SafetyComing SoonHealth58.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.3Risk15.8WaterComing Soon
🏛67.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠69.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤58.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡15.8
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 Smith County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Bethel Census Area
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58.5
Median income: $70,616
Clayton County
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58.5
Median income: $58,507
Grundy County
Illinois
58.5
Median income: $93,060
Lancaster County
Pennsylvania
58.5
Median income: $83,703
Deaf Smith County
Texas
58.5
Median income: $54,114

Deep Dives

Smith County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Smith County

via TaxByCounty

Smith County taxes align with national norm

Smith County's 1.245% effective tax rate sits just below the U.S. median of 1.276%, placing it squarely in the middle of the national spectrum. Residents pay $2,749 annually on a median home worth $220,800—slightly above the national median tax of $2,690.

Smith ranks near Texas average

Smith County's 1.245% effective rate is nearly identical to Texas's 1.276% state average, making it a typical Texas county by tax burden. At $2,749, the median tax bill exceeds the state median by $556, reflecting Smith's higher home values relative to less-urbanized counties.

Smith taxes less than Somervell nearby

Smith County's 1.245% rate is higher than Starr County (1.122%) but lower than neighboring Somervell County (0.967%), putting it in the middle of the regional range. This reflects Smith's position as a more developed, urban county compared to surrounding rural areas.

Median Smith home costs $2,749 yearly

A homeowner with a median-valued property of $220,800 in Smith County pays approximately $2,749 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, that amount climbs to $3,186 when mortgage-based assessments are factored in.

Smith homeowners should check assessments

Property overassessment affects thousands of Texas homeowners each year, and Smith County is no exception. A simple appeal to your county appraisal district—filed by the deadline, typically in May—can challenge inflated valuations and potentially save hundreds annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Smith County

via CostByCounty

Smith rents creep above national norms

Smith County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.0% exceeds the national comfort zone, with renters spending one-fifth of their $71,923 income on housing. While the county's median household income hovers slightly below the national $74,755, rents have climbed considerably.

Among Texas's pricier counties

Smith's 20.0% rent-to-income ratio ranks above Texas's 18.1% state average, placing it among the less affordable counties statewide. At $1,197 monthly, Smith's median rent is 24% higher than the Texas average of $963.

Notably costlier than surrounding areas

Smith County renters pay $1,197 monthly—$365 more than Shelby County and $476 more than Stonewall—reflecting its larger urban hub (Tyler) and higher demand. Despite higher rents, median income is only $1,487 above Shelby's.

A fifth of income goes to rent

Smith renters allocate 20.0% of their median income to monthly rent, while homeowners spend $1,100 on ownership costs—15.3% of income. The median home value of $220,800 represents a significant jump from surrounding rural counties.

Urban amenities come at a cost

Smith County offers the region's most developed services and employment diversity, but housing costs have risen accordingly. Relocators should expect to pay premium regional prices for access to Tyler's job market and urban infrastructure.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Smith County

via IncomeByCounty

Slightly Below National Household Income

Smith County's median household income of $71,923 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by about $2,800, or 4%. While below the national average, the gap is modest, indicating Smith households earn near-typical American levels.

Above Texas County Average

At $71,923, Smith ranks solidly above the Texas county average of $64,737, placing it in the upper-middle income tier statewide. The county's per capita income of $34,785 also exceeds Texas's $33,197 average, reflecting healthy earning across the population.

Mid-Range Performer Regionally

Smith's $71,923 income positions it above Shackelford ($64,659), Shelby ($50,436), and Stephens ($54,695), but below Somervell ($83,382) and Sterling ($78,750). The county offers competitive wages alongside proximity to larger regional employment centers.

Housing Costs Squeeze Some Households

Smith's rent-to-income ratio of 20.0% sits elevated compared to national affordability standards, indicating housing claims one-fifth of median household income. The median home value of $220,800 reflects a competitive real estate market that strains less-affluent residents.

Balance Housing with Savings Goals

While housing costs are notable, Smith households can still allocate meaningful funds toward retirement and investment vehicles. Review your mortgage terms and consider refinancing opportunities or home equity strategies to free up capital for wealth-building.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Smith County

via HealthByCounty

Solid health outcomes above average

Smith County's life expectancy of 75.4 years slightly exceeds the U.S. average of 76.4 years, with 21.1% reporting poor or fair health. This suggests a population with generally good longevity, though room exists for health status improvement.

Outperforming Texas statewide

Smith County's 75.4-year life expectancy tops the Texas average of 74.3 years, ranking it among the state's healthier counties. Its 21.1% poor/fair health rate aligns near state norms, indicating balanced health outcomes.

Strong regional health provider access

Smith County boasts the region's strongest healthcare infrastructure, with 99 primary care providers per 100K and 185 mental health providers per 100K—far exceeding nearby counties. This concentration of providers positions it as a regional health hub.

Best-resourced county with good insurance

Smith County combines excellent provider availability (99 primary care, 185 mental health providers per 100K) with a below-average uninsured rate of 18.6%—lower than Texas's 19.8%. This means residents enjoy both access to care and financial protection for treatment.

Leverage abundant resources nearby

Smith County's strong healthcare infrastructure makes finding and accessing coverage easier than many areas. If you're uninsured, contact a local health department or navigate Healthcare.gov to join the 81.4% of county residents with insurance protection.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Smith County

via RiskByCounty

Smith: Elevated Risk Profile

Smith County's composite risk score of 84.16 places it well above the national average, ranking as relatively moderate risk. Your county faces one of the higher natural disaster exposure levels in the nation.

Among Texas's Riskiest Counties

At 84.16, Smith County far exceeds Texas's state average of 49.00, ranking in the upper tier of risky Texas counties. Only counties like Starr (84.80) and a handful of others show comparable elevation.

Significantly Riskier Than Neighbors

Smith County's risk is dramatically higher than nearby Shelby (55.73), Somervell (10.81), or Stephens (9.22). Your position in East Texas exposes you to multiple converging hazards that nearby western counties largely avoid.

Flooding and Fire Are Critical

Flood risk (84.92) is Smith's most pressing hazard, with wildfire (80.34) and hurricane (75.09) also significant threats. Earthquake risk (69.66) adds another layer of concern rarely seen in other Texas counties.

Comprehensive Coverage Is Vital

Smith County residents should carry both standard homeowners insurance and separate flood insurance—flooding alone affects nearly 85% of risk exposure. Consider reviewing windstorm coverage and earthquake insurance depending on your property location and value.

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.