Sutton County

Texas · TX

#66 in Texas
66
County Score

County Report Card

About Sutton County, Texas

Sutton outperforms most U.S. counties

Sutton County scores 69.5 on the composite index, nearly 40 percentile points above the national median of 50.0. This strong performance reflects a county with above-average livability across multiple dimensions.

Above-average performance in Texas

Sutton's score of 69.5 exceeds the Texas state average of 66.8, positioning it as a solid performer within its state. The county ranks among the stronger options for livability across measured Texas counties.

Affordability and reasonable incomes combine well

Sutton offers strong value with a cost score of 83.2, median home values of $140,600, and rents of $770 monthly—notably more affordable than urban Texas counties. Its income score of 32.3 reflects a median household income of $75,000, stronger than most rural Texas counties.

Limited visibility on critical factors

Data on safety, health, schools, water quality, and environmental risk is not yet available, preventing a complete livability assessment. The tax score of 63.5 (effective rate 1.378%) is moderate—neither particularly advantageous nor burdensome.

A balanced choice for moderate-income seekers

Sutton County appeals to families seeking a balance of affordability, reasonable household income, and a quieter rural lifestyle. It's most suitable for those who value small-town living and don't require the highest incomes or most robust urban services.

Score breakdown

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

Tax63.5Cost83.2SafetyComing SoonHealth48SchoolsComing SoonIncome32.3Risk93WaterComing Soon
🏛63.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠83.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼32.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
48
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
93
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

Sutton County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Sutton County

via TaxByCounty

Sutton County taxes near national median

Sutton County's 1.378% effective tax rate sits slightly above the U.S. median of 1.276%, placing it in the upper-middle range nationally. Homeowners pay $1,938 annually on a median home valued at $140,600—compared to the national median tax of $2,690 on a much pricier home.

Sutton slightly above Texas average

At 1.378%, Sutton County's effective rate exceeds the Texas state average of 1.276% by just over 1 percentage point, making it marginally above state norm. The median tax of $1,938 trails the state median of $2,193 by $255, despite Sutton's slightly elevated rate.

Sutton taxes in line with rural peers

Sutton's 1.378% rate sits between Sterling County (1.072%) and Stephens County (1.683%), positioning it as a moderate-tax county regionally. It runs higher than Somervell (0.967%) and Starr (1.122%) but lower than Sherman (1.952%).

Median Sutton home costs $1,938 yearly

A homeowner with a median-valued property of $140,600 in Sutton County pays approximately $1,938 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, costs escalate to $3,390 when additional assessments are included.

Sutton homeowners should verify valuations

Sutton County's moderate tax rate makes accurate appraisals essential for keeping costs fair. Homeowners who believe their properties are overvalued should contact the Sutton County appraisal district and request a free review, potentially saving hundreds annually.

Cost of Living in Sutton County

via CostByCounty

Sutton County rents are a steal nationally

At 12.3%, Sutton County's rent-to-income ratio sits well below the national sweet spot and significantly undercuts Texas's 18.1% state average. Renters here spend roughly $770 monthly on housing while earning a median $75,000 annually—nearly matching the national median household income of $74,755.

Among Texas's most affordable counties

Sutton County ranks as one of Texas's most housing-friendly counties, with its 12.3% rent-to-income ratio beating 80% of Texas counties. Only a handful of rural Texas counties offer comparable affordability without sacrificing median income stability.

Cheaper than surrounding West Texas

Sutton's $770 median rent undershoots neighboring Terrell County significantly while matching housing stability across the region. Owner costs run similarly affordable at $750 monthly, making both renting and buying accessible compared to more urbanized Texas neighbors.

Your housing budget breaks down cleanly

Renters devote 12.3% of income to housing, while homeowners allocate about 12% to monthly payments on a median $140,600 home. This leaves substantial room in household budgets for savings, childcare, healthcare, and other essentials.

Perfect for budget-conscious relocators

If you're fleeing expensive metros, Sutton County delivers West Texas charm with genuine affordability—you'll spend half what renters pay in Texas's major cities. A median income near the national average combined with rock-bottom housing costs makes this an underrated relocation target.

Income & Jobs in Sutton County

via IncomeByCounty

Sutton just misses the national mark

Sutton County's median household income of $75,000 nearly matches the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the top half nationally. The county's per capita income of $30,353 outpaces the Texas state average of $33,197.

Above-average earner in Texas

At $75,000, Sutton County's median household income ranks above 60% of Texas counties, positioning it solidly in the upper-middle tier statewide. The county stands well ahead of the Texas state average of $64,737.

Outearns most rural West Texas counties

Sutton's $75,000 income significantly outpaces nearby Stonewall ($61,250), Terry ($45,905), and Terrell ($46,989) counties. Only Tarrant County ($81,905) in this region earns noticeably more.

Solid income supports higher home values

With a rent-to-income ratio of 12.3%, Sutton County residents enjoy excellent housing affordability despite the county's median home value of $140,600. This stability suggests incomes adequately support both renters and homeowners.

Leverage income stability into long-term gains

Sutton County's above-average income and low housing burden create room for strategic wealth-building through property investment, business ownership, or diversified portfolios. Start by assessing retirement readiness and building an emergency fund covering 6–12 months of expenses.

Health in Sutton County

via HealthByCounty

Rural county struggles with health

Sutton County's life expectancy of 74.1 years is 2.4 years shorter than the national average of 76.5 years, signaling persistent health challenges in this rural West Texas community. Nearly 3 in 10 residents (28.5%) report poor or fair health, significantly above the national rate.

Among Texas's least healthy counties

Sutton ranks below Texas's state average life expectancy of 74.3 years—essentially at parity—but its 28.5% poor/fair health rate puts it in the bottom tier statewide. The 21.3% uninsured rate exceeds Texas's 19.8% average, leaving more than 1 in 5 residents without coverage.

Worse off than most rural peers

Sutton's 28.5% poor/fair health rate is the second-worst among its neighbors, trailing only Terry County (30.4%). Its uninsured rate of 21.3% is notably higher than Stonewall (16.4%) and Throckmorton (19.4%), suggesting coverage barriers compound health challenges.

Sparse care access amid high need

Sutton has 121 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, the highest ratio in this rural cluster—but limited mental health data suggests gaps in behavioral care. The 21.3% uninsured rate means many residents delay or avoid care despite better provider availability.

Breaking the coverage barrier

More than 1 in 5 Sutton County residents lack health insurance, making coverage exploration urgent. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to learn about plans that fit your budget.

Disaster Risk in Sutton County

via RiskByCounty

Sutton ranks among America's safest counties

Sutton County's composite risk score of 7.06 places it firmly in the Very Low category, far below the national average. This West Texas county experiences minimal exposure to the combination of major natural hazards that affect most U.S. communities.

One of Texas's lowest-risk counties

Sutton's score of 7.06 ranks it among the safest counties in Texas, well below the state average of 49.00. Few Texas counties achieve this level of natural disaster resilience.

Sutton leads its immediate region

Sutton County's score of 7.06 outperforms Stonewall County (3.82) in composite risk, though both remain very safe. Compared to nearby Swisher County at 37.44, Sutton demonstrates significantly lower overall hazard exposure.

Wildfire and hurricane are secondary concerns

Wildfire risk at 85.50 is Sutton's most elevated individual hazard, followed by hurricane risk at 29.24. Flood and tornado risks remain minimal at 19.12 and 14.19 respectively, reflecting the county's overall safety profile.

Standard homeowners insurance covers main risks

Given Sutton's Very Low overall rating, standard homeowners insurance with fire coverage should adequately protect most residents. Those in wildfire-prone areas should confirm their policy includes brush and grassfire protection.

ByCounty Network

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