Terrell County

Texas · TX

#4 in Texas
76.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Terrell County, Texas

Terrell leads with strong national ranking

Terrell County scores 78.0, a substantial 28 points above the national median of 50.0, ranking it among the better-performing counties nationwide. This exceptional score reflects measurably superior livability across available dimensions.

Strongest performer in this Texas group

Terrell's 78.0 score is the highest among these eight counties and exceeds the Texas average of 66.8 by more than 11 points. It stands out as a top-tier county for livability within its state.

Outstanding tax efficiency and affordability

Terrell boasts the lowest effective tax rate among these counties at just 0.803%, with a tax score of 79.7, and the highest cost score of 92.6 reflecting exceptional housing affordability. Median home values of $152,200 represent excellent value in a low-tax environment.

Income levels present real constraint

The income score of 14.1 reflects a median household income of just $46,989—the second-lowest among these counties, creating household budget limitations despite affordability. Rental data is unavailable, and critical information on schools, safety, and health remains incomplete.

Ideal for tax-conscious, income-independent residents

Terrell County perfectly suits retirees, remote workers, and those with independent income sources seeking minimal tax burden and maximum housing value. The county's exceptional tax efficiency paired with low costs makes it compelling for anyone not dependent on local employment.

Score breakdown

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

Tax79.7Cost92.6SafetyComing SoonHealth64.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome14.1Risk99.6WaterComing Soon
🏛79.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠92.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼14.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
64.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
99.6
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Terrell County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Terrell County

via TaxByCounty

Terrell offers lowest tax burden around

At just 0.803%, Terrell County has the lowest effective tax rate among these eight counties and ranks in the 20th percentile nationally—meaning it taxes property owners far less than typical U.S. communities. The median annual property tax of $1,222 is less than half the national median of $2,690.

Lightest tax load in Texas

Terrell's 0.803% effective rate ranks among the lowest in the state, sitting 37% below Texas's average of 1.276%. This unusually low rate reflects Terrell's sparse rural population and limited demand for public services.

Significantly lower than all nearby counties

Terrell's 0.803% rate dramatically undercuts neighboring Throckmorton County (1.151%), Terry County (1.479%), and distant Tarrant County (1.772%). This wide gap illustrates how rural West Texas counties maintain much lighter tax burdens than populated regions.

Median bill stays under $1,300 yearly

On Terrell's median home value of $152,200, the typical annual property tax bill is just $1,222. This amounts to approximately $102 per month, making homeownership remarkably affordable from a tax perspective.

Even low-tax counties see assessment errors

While Terrell's rates are the lowest around, individual properties can still be overappraised by the county assessor. Property owners should verify their assessed value against recent comparable sales and file an appeal if the appraisal seems inflated.

Cost of Living in Terrell County

via CostByCounty

Terrell offers homeownership relief with limited rent data

Rental data is unavailable for Terrell County, but homeowner costs are remarkably low: $532 monthly on a median income of just $46,989. This suggests an 13.6% housing-cost-to-income ratio for homeowners—well below both state and national benchmarks.

Limited data masks likely affordability strength

While rental data gaps limit full comparison, Terrell's $532 median owner cost places it among Texas's most affordable counties for homeownership. The county's sparse population and rural character explain both the data limitations and the low absolute housing costs.

Homeownership remains most affordable option

Terrell's $532 monthly owner cost and $152,200 median home value underscore the county's deep rural character compared to neighbors with higher rent markets. Purchasing a home here represents exceptional value for those seeking remote work or early retirement.

Owner costs stay remarkably low

Homeowners in Terrell spend approximately 13.6% of the county's $46,989 median income on housing, or $532 monthly. Rental market data is limited, so renters should seek local market information before relocating.

Homebuyers find exceptional value here

Terrell County is ideal for remote workers or retirees seeking rock-bottom homeownership costs in a genuine frontier county. If you're flexible on location and want maximum housing dollars, this remote West Texas county rewards patient house hunters with unbeatable affordability.

Income & Jobs in Terrell County

via IncomeByCounty

Terrell lags far behind national income

Terrell County's median household income of $46,989 falls nearly $28,000 short of the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the bottom 15% nationally. The county significantly underperforms Texas's $64,737 state average as well.

Bottom quarter of Texas earners

At $46,989, Terrell County ranks in the bottom 25% of Texas counties by household income, reflecting limited economic opportunity in this sparsely populated rural area. The gap against the state average exceeds $17,700.

Lower-earning outpost in West Texas

Terrell's $46,989 income sits above only Swisher ($39,031) and Terry ($45,905) among nearby counties, but trails Stonewall ($61,250), Throckmorton ($58,864), and Sutton ($75,000). Economic activity here is limited compared to neighboring jurisdictions.

Limited data on housing affordability

Terrell County's median home value of $152,200 appears relatively high given the $46,989 median income, suggesting potential affordability challenges. Without a rent-to-income ratio available, households should assess housing costs carefully relative to their budgets.

Strengthen financial foundations first

Terrell residents facing below-average incomes should prioritize building emergency savings, reducing high-interest debt, and exploring education or job training opportunities. Contact local nonprofits and workforce agencies for assistance with financial literacy and career advancement.

Health in Terrell County

via HealthByCounty

Rural county with data gaps

Terrell County's life expectancy data is unavailable, but just 17.3% of residents report poor or fair health—the best rate among all counties shown and better than the national average. This extremely rural West Texas county shows resilience despite limited healthcare infrastructure reporting.

Healthy despite sparse data

While Terrell's life expectancy is unreported, its 17.3% poor/fair health rate beats Texas's state average, suggesting healthier population outcomes. The 19.1% uninsured rate is nearly aligned with Texas's 19.8%, indicating typical rural coverage challenges.

Healthiest reported outcomes

Terrell's 17.3% poor/fair health rate is the best among rural neighbors, beating Swisher (27.0%), Sutton (28.5%), and Terry (30.4%) significantly. Limited data on life expectancy and providers prevents full comparison, but self-reported health suggests community resilience.

Data desert limits care assessment

Provider data for Terrell is not available, making it impossible to assess primary and mental health capacity. The 19.1% uninsured rate suggests coverage access is relatively stable, though actual provider access remains unclear.

Ensure coverage in remote areas

Nearly 1 in 5 Terrell County residents lack insurance, a challenge for a remote community with limited reported provider data. Healthcare.gov helps rural Texans find plans suited to sparse local care networks.

Disaster Risk in Terrell County

via RiskByCounty

Terrell ranks among America's safest

Terrell County's composite risk score of 0.41 represents one of the lowest natural disaster risk profiles in the nation. This remote far-West Texas county experiences minimal exposure to major natural hazards.

Texas's safest county by far

At 0.41, Terrell County achieves the lowest composite risk score in Texas by a substantial margin, dramatically below the state average of 49.00. Few Americans live in counties with such minimal natural disaster exposure.

Terrell leads all nearby counties

Terrell's 0.41 score is unmatched among its regional peers, outpacing even Throckmorton (3.31), Stonewall (3.82), and Sutton (7.06). This remote county's isolation contributes significantly to its exceptional safety profile.

Wildfire is the only notable concern

Wildfire risk at 46.69 is Terrell's only hazard approaching regional norms; all other scores remain minimal. Flood (3.72), tornado (4.80), earthquake (1.56), and hurricane (10.14) risks are negligible by any standard.

Minimal coverage requirements sufficient

Terrell residents can rely on basic homeowners insurance without specialized riders given the county's exceptional safety profile. A simple fire protection clause addresses the modest wildfire exposure that exists.

ByCounty Network

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