CountyScore

Swisher County

Texas · TX

#203 in Texas
58
County Score

County Report Card

About Swisher County, Texas

Swisher scores above national average

Swisher County's composite score of 64.2 places it well above the national median of 50.0, indicating better-than-average livability. The county delivers measurable advantages across several key dimensions compared to most U.S. communities.

Slightly below Texas average

At 64.2, Swisher falls just below the Texas state average of 66.8, positioning it as an average-to-slightly-below-average performer within its state. The narrow gap suggests it's competitive with many other Texas counties.

Exceptional housing affordability stands out

Swisher's cost score of 86.3 reflects one of the region's most affordable housing markets, with median home values of $89,200 and monthly rents of just $729. This affordability is the county's clearest livability advantage.

Income and tax burden need attention

The county's income score of just 8.9 reflects the state's lowest median household income at $39,031—a significant hurdle for household economic security. Its tax score of 53.2 (effective rate 1.743%) is the highest among these counties, further pressuring household finances.

Best for retirees and remote earners

Swisher County suits retirees with fixed incomes and remote workers whose earnings come from outside the county, where rock-bottom housing costs provide maximum purchasing power. Families dependent on local employment opportunities may face financial strain.

Score breakdown

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

Tax53.2Cost86.3SafetyComing SoonHealth39.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome8.9Risk62.6WaterComing Soon
🏛53.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼8.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤39.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡62.6
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 Swisher County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Placer County
California
58
Median income: $114,678
LaSalle County
Illinois
58
Median income: $72,281
Grafton County
New Hampshire
58
Median income: $84,021
Albany County
New York
58
Median income: $83,149
Orleans County
New York
58
Median income: $63,838

Deep Dives

Swisher County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Swisher County

via TaxByCounty

Swisher's rate tops national average

At 1.743%, Swisher County's effective tax rate runs 37% higher than the national median of 1.27%. This places the county in the upper third nationally for property tax burden, meaning homeowners here pay more in taxes relative to home value than most Americans.

Among Texas's highest tax counties

Swisher ranks in the top quartile statewide at 1.743%, well above Texas's average effective rate of 1.276%. Only about one in four Texas counties charge higher rates, reflecting Swisher's reliance on property taxes to fund local services.

Steeper than nearby West Texas counties

Swisher's 1.743% rate exceeds neighbors Terry County (1.479%) and Throckmorton County (1.151%), though it sits just below Tarrant County's 1.772%. This variation reflects different local funding needs across the region's mix of rural and suburban communities.

Median home costs $1,555 annually

On Swisher's median home value of $89,200, the typical household pays $1,555 in property taxes per year. For homeowners with mortgages, that jumps to $2,710 due to mortgage tax escrow adjustments, impacting monthly housing costs significantly.

Your assessment may be overstated

Many Swisher County homeowners pay more than they owe because their home is overvalued on the tax rolls. If your home's assessed value seems high compared to recent sales prices, filing an appeal with the county appraisal district could reduce your bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Swisher County

via CostByCounty

Swisher rents are cheap, incomes lag

Swisher County's rent-to-income ratio of 22.4% exceeds Texas's 18.1% state average, reflecting below-median household earnings of just $39,031—nearly half the national median of $74,755. Monthly rents of $729 are affordable in absolute terms, but they consume a larger slice of residents' paychecks.

Below-average affordability for Texas

Swisher ranks in the lower half of Texas counties for housing affordability, with its 22.4% rent-to-income ratio placing it among the state's least affordable housing markets. Income constraints, not housing costs alone, drive this challenge.

Cheapest rents in the region

Swisher's $729 median rent undercuts most neighboring West Texas counties, but the county's lower income base means residents still struggle with affordability ratios. Owner costs at $600 monthly offer homeownership relief for those who can access down payments.

Over one-fifth of income goes to rent

Renters spend 22.4% of their $39,031 median income on housing, equivalent to roughly $728 monthly, leaving limited flexibility for other costs. Homeowners fare better, dedicating about 18.4% to monthly payments on a median $89,200 home.

Affordable, but income prospects matter

Swisher County works best for remote workers or retirees whose income isn't dependent on local wages, as jobs typically pay below state and national averages. If you're relocating for local employment, compare job opportunities carefully—cheap housing loses appeal if your paycheck shrinks.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Swisher County

via IncomeByCounty

Swisher faces significant income gap

Swisher County's median household income of $39,031 falls nearly $36,000 below the national average of $74,755, ranking in the lowest 10% nationally. The gap against Texas's $64,737 state average is equally stark at over $25,000.

Among Texas's lowest-earning counties

Swisher County ranks in the bottom 5% of Texas counties by household income, with $39,031 representing severe economic underperformance. This puts households here in a precarious financial position compared to peers statewide.

Lowest earners in the region

At $39,031, Swisher County falls far below neighboring Stonewall ($61,250), Throckmorton ($58,864), and Terry ($45,905) counties. Only Terrell County ($46,989) comes close, but still exceeds Swisher by nearly $8,000.

Housing costs strain tight budgets

Swisher's rent-to-income ratio of 22.4% exceeds the healthy 30% threshold dangerously, meaning renters dedicate over one-fifth of income to housing alone. Combined with a median home value of $89,200, affordability pressures are acute.

Focus on immediate financial stability first

With limited household income, Swisher residents should prioritize budgeting, debt reduction, and access to financial counseling before investing. Seek out local workforce development programs, education grants, and emergency assistance to strengthen financial foundations.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Swisher County

via HealthByCounty

Shortest lifespans in Texas region

Swisher County residents live an average of 70.3 years—4.2 years below the national average of 76.5 and 4 years below Texas's 74.3-year state average. Nearly 3 in 10 (27.0%) report poor or fair health, nearly 50% above the national baseline.

Texas's health crisis counties

Swisher ranks among the lowest life expectancies in Texas at 70.3 years, placing it in the bottom 5% statewide. The uninsured rate of 28.1% is the highest among all counties shown—41% worse than the state average of 19.8%—creating a perfect storm of low income and no coverage.

Worst health in the rural cluster

Swisher's 27.0% poor/fair health rate ties it with Terry County for the worst outcomes in this group, and its 28.1% uninsured rate is the highest by far. Life expectancy of 70.3 years is the third-lowest here, reflecting deep structural health challenges.

Severe provider shortage crisis

Swisher has only 14 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—a crisis-level shortage compared to state norms—and lacks reported mental health data. The 28.1% uninsured rate means most residents can't afford to see these scarce providers even if they exist.

Insurance is the first step

Nearly 3 in 10 Swisher County residents lack coverage, making this county's health crisis partly fixable through enrollment. Healthcare.gov enrollment is open year-round, and Texas Medicaid may offer options for low-income families.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Swisher County

via RiskByCounty

Swisher carries moderate natural disaster risk

Swisher County's composite risk score of 37.44 falls below the national average but well short of high-risk counties. This panhandle county faces material exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly tornadoes and wildfires.

Mid-range risk within Texas

At 37.44, Swisher scores below the Texas state average of 49.00, placing it in the middle-to-lower tier of the state's risk distribution. The county is safer than many Texas counties but faces more exposure than its westernmost neighbors.

Swisher faces higher risks than nearby peers

Swisher's score of 37.44 exceeds Stonewall County (3.82), Sutton County (7.06), and Terrell County (0.41) substantially. Terry County (52.04) and Tarrant County (99.14) present even greater risk profiles, showing the range across this region.

Tornadoes and wildfires dominate hazard profile

Tornado risk in Swisher reaches 61.07, the county's primary concern, while wildfire risk at 87.75 poses a significant secondary threat. Hurricane risk at 43.14 and earthquake risk at 33.24 round out meaningful exposures.

Tornado and fire coverage are essential

Swisher residents should prioritize comprehensive homeowners insurance with enhanced wind and hail coverage for tornado protection. Additional wildfire and brush fire riders are highly recommended given the county's 87.75 wildfire score.

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.