countyscore
35.2
County Score
Cost of Living 81.5Disaster Risk 62.6Schools 51

County Report Card

About Swisher County, Texas

Swisher Faces Notable National Challenges

Swisher County’s composite score of 35.2 falls below the national median of 50.0. This indicates the county faces more significant livability obstacles than the average American community.

Trailing the Texas State Average

The county sits below the Texas average composite score of 41.9. It struggles to keep pace with the state's economic and health benchmarks.

Affordable Housing and Moderate Risk

Cost is the county's strongest asset, earning a score of 81.5 with median gross rents at $729. It also maintains a respectable Risk Score of 62.6, offering some resilience against natural disasters.

Economic and Health Hardships

Economic opportunity is very low, reflected in an Income Score of 2.4 and a median household income of $39,031. Health infrastructure also lags significantly with a score of just 4.9.

A Starting Point for Bargain Seekers

Swisher is best for individuals on a fixed income who need the lowest possible cost of living. It suits those with roots in the area who can navigate the limited local services and job market.

Score breakdown

Tax6.3Cost81.5Safety21.4Health4.9Schools51Income2.4Risk62.6Water38.7Weather49.3
🏛6.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼2.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡21.4
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤4.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓51
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡62.6
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧38.7
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤49.3
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨29.8
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱35.5
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

Hale County
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36.6
Briscoe County
Texas
47.7
Castro County
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52.4
Randall County
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Armstrong County
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Lamb County
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Donley County
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Deep Dives

Swisher County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 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

Safety in Swisher County

via CrimeByCounty

Swisher County Approaches National Crime Norms

Swisher County reports a total crime rate of 2,031.7 per 100,000 residents, coming in slightly below the national average of 2,385.5. The county maintains a solid safety score of 96.8, aligning it with broad national trends.

Matching the Texas State Average

Swisher’s safety score of 96.8 is identical to the Texas state average. Its total crime rate of 2,031.7 is also very close to the statewide average of 2,052.5, reflecting a typical safety profile for the region.

Higher Rates Than Southern Neighbors

Swisher County experiences more crime than Sutton County, which reports a rate of only 568.0 per 100,000. Data from four reporting agencies provides a comprehensive look at the county's public safety landscape compared to its more rural peers.

A Focus on Property Crime Prevention

Property crime is the most frequent issue, with 1,645.4 incidents per 100,000 people compared to 386.3 for violent crime. These violent crime figures are slightly higher than the national average of 369.8, suggesting a need for localized awareness.

Boost Your Home Defense

With property crime being the most common threat, residents should prioritize securing garages and sheds. Visible security cameras and robust deadbolts serve as effective deterrents against opportunistic theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

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

Schools in Swisher County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Diverse Network of Local Districts

Swisher County manages 7 public schools across 3 distinct districts, serving a total enrollment of 1,445 students. The infrastructure is distributed across three elementary, one middle, and three high schools to reach various rural communities.

Steady Growth and State Alignment

The county's 89.9% graduation rate outperforms the national 87.0% average, though it slightly trails the Texas state average of 91.6%. Investment remains local, with per-pupil spending at $7,553, aligning closely with the state average of $7,498.

Tulia ISD Leads County Enrollment

Tulia ISD is the largest provider in the county, operating 3 schools for 896 students. Other local options include Kress ISD with 279 students and Happy ISD, which serves 270 students across its two campuses.

Predominantly Rural Learning Hubs

Education here is largely rural, with five schools in country settings and two in town locales. Tulia EL is the largest school with 408 students, which is twice the county's average school size of 206.

Find Your Home in Swisher County

Families can find a variety of residential options near these community-centric schools in Tulia, Happy, or Kress. Consider the benefits of a smaller average school size when searching for your next home in this region.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

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

Weather & Climate in Swisher County

via WeatherByCounty

A Cooler Exception in the Panhandle

Swisher County's 57.4°F annual average temperature is much closer to the national median than most of Texas. The region is dry, recording only 20.6 inches of annual precipitation.

One of the Coolest Texas Counties

At 57.4°F, Swisher is over 8 degrees cooler than the Texas average of 65.5°F. This makes it one of the coolest counties in the state, reflecting its high-altitude Panhandle location.

Significant Snow Compared to Southern Peers

Swisher receives 9.9 inches of snow annually, more than doubling the snowfall of Stonewall County. It also sees far fewer heat days (77) compared to Tarrant (104) or Sutton (111).

Mild Summers and Snowy Winters

Summer averages a comfortable 76.5°F, with only 77 days reaching 90°F. However, winters are cold with a 38.3°F average and nearly 10 inches of snow, the highest in this group.

Winter Preparedness is Top Priority

Unlike most of Texas, Swisher residents must own snow removal equipment and winterize homes for a 38°F winter average. Cooling needs are moderate, but heating systems must be reliable for the significant snow season.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Swisher County

via SoilByCounty

Alkaline Mollisols Define the High Plains

Swisher County features Mollisols, a fertile soil order known for its dark, nutrient-rich surface. The soil maintains a loam texture with a pH of 7.84, which is significantly more alkaline than the national median of 6.5.

A Balanced Mix of Silt and Clay

The soil composition is remarkably balanced with 31.8% sand, 35.1% silt, and 31.5% clay. This loam texture provides excellent workability for farmers while retaining the structure necessary to support heavy machinery.

High Organic Matter Boosts Growth Potential

Organic matter sits at 2.07%, surpassing both the Texas average of 1.66% and the national average. Combined with an available water capacity of 0.154 in/in, these soils offer superior moisture storage for dryland farming.

Well Drained Soils Support Steady Infiltration

The land is classified as well drained and belongs to hydrologic group B. This combination allows for moderate infiltration rates, reducing the risk of surface runoff during heavy Panhandle rainstorms.

Thriving in the Zone 7a Climate

Located in hardiness zone 7a, this soil is ideal for winter wheat, cotton, and grain sorghum. Gardeners can find great success with peppers and tomatoes by managing the alkaline pH with organic amendments.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Swisher County

via LawnByCounty

Moderate Challenges in Swisher County

Swisher County’s difficulty score of 35.5 is actually better than the Texas average of 31.7. While still more difficult than the national median of 50.0, the Zone 7a climate offers a slightly more temperate growing environment.

Fewer Heat Days, But Dry

The county experiences only 77 extreme heat days, far fewer than the state average of 105. However, the annual precipitation of 20.6 inches is very low, making supplemental watering a requirement for traditional turf.

Working with Well-Drained Loam

The local soil is a well-drained loam, providing a solid foundation for roots, though the pH of 7.84 is quite alkaline. You may need to add sulfur to lower the pH closer to the ideal 6.0-7.0 range for better nutrient uptake.

Total Exposure to Dry Conditions

While 100% of the county is currently abnormally dry, it only faced 20 weeks of drought over the last year. Implementing xeriscaping around lawn edges can reduce your overall water demand during these dry spells.

Begin Seeding After April 19

Cooler-tolerant warm-season grasses like Buffalograss are perfect for Zone 7a. Because the last frost occurs around April 19, hold off on major lawn projects until the ground truly warms up in late spring.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Swisher County's county score?
Swisher County, Texas has a composite county score of 35.2 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Swisher County rank among counties in Texas?
Swisher County ranks #179 among all counties in Texas on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Swisher County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Swisher County is $1,555, with an effective tax rate of 1.74%. This earns Swisher County a tax score of 6.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Swisher County?
The median household income in Swisher County, Texas is $39,031 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Swisher County earns an income score of 2.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Swisher County, Texas a good place to live?
Swisher County scores 35.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #179 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Swisher County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Swisher County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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