Upshur County's composite score of 66.9 sits 34% above the national median of 50.0, placing it firmly in the upper third of U.S. counties. This reflects balanced strength across taxes, costs, and moderate income levels.
2 / 5
Right at Texas average
At 66.9, Upshur County essentially matches the Texas state average of 66.8, positioning it squarely in the middle tier statewide. The county holds steady competitive ground among the state's 254 counties.
3 / 5
Balanced affordability and taxes
Upshur County scores 76.8 on cost with a median home value of $171,200 and rent at $1,015 monthly, offering solid housing value. A tax score of 67.8 with a 1.226% effective rate provides reasonable fiscal management.
4 / 5
Income lags behind state norms
The income score of 24.4 reflects a median household income of $62,794, trailing state and national averages. Data gaps on safety, health, and schools leave questions about other livability dimensions unanswered.
5 / 5
A solid choice for middle class
Upshur County suits middle-income families seeking stability, reasonable housing costs, and modest taxes in a Texas small-town setting. It's a reliable option for those wanting community and affordability without dramatic trade-offs.
Upshur County's composite score of 66.9 sits 34% above the national median of 50.0, placing it firmly in the upper third of U.S. counties. This reflects balanced strength across taxes, costs, and moderate income levels.
Right at Texas average
At 66.9, Upshur County essentially matches the Texas state average of 66.8, positioning it squarely in the middle tier statewide. The county holds steady competitive ground among the state's 254 counties.
Balanced affordability and taxes
Upshur County scores 76.8 on cost with a median home value of $171,200 and rent at $1,015 monthly, offering solid housing value. A tax score of 67.8 with a 1.226% effective rate provides reasonable fiscal management.
Income lags behind state norms
The income score of 24.4 reflects a median household income of $62,794, trailing state and national averages. Data gaps on safety, health, and schools leave questions about other livability dimensions unanswered.
A solid choice for middle class
Upshur County suits middle-income families seeking stability, reasonable housing costs, and modest taxes in a Texas small-town setting. It's a reliable option for those wanting community and affordability without dramatic trade-offs.
Score breakdown
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🏛67.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Upshur County's effective tax rate of 1.226% edges above the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the upper-middle range of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $2,099 annually is about 78% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting moderate home values and slightly above-average rates.
Slightly below Texas state average
Upshur County's 1.226% effective rate sits just below the Texas state average of 1.276%, ranking it near the middle of Texas counties. The median tax bill of $2,099 is nearly identical to the state median of $2,193, making it a typical Texas county for tax purposes.
Mid-range for Northeast Texas
Upshur County's 1.226% rate falls between neighboring counties; Harrison County runs 1.18%, Rusk County around 1.24%, and Morris County near 1.32%. This positions Upshur as a moderate-tax option in the region.
A $171k home costs $2,099 yearly
With a median home value of $171,200 and an effective rate of 1.226%, the typical Upshur County homeowner pays $2,099 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages face combined annual costs of $2,710.
Appeals can reduce overassessments
Many Upshur County homeowners overpay due to inflated valuations on their assessments. A simple appeal to the county appraisal district can challenge questionable assessments and lower your annual tax bill.
Upshur County's 19.4% rent-to-income ratio sits just above Texas's state average (18.1%) and slightly below the national average (20%), offering balanced affordability for renters. With median household income of $62,794 and rent of $1,015, the county balances moderate earnings with manageable housing costs.
Better than average across Texas
Upshur County ranks among Texas's more affordable counties, with a rent-to-income ratio just 1.3 percentage points above the state average and rent running 5% above Texas's median. The county offers solid affordability relative to other Texas regions.
Moderately priced East Texas option
Upshur's $1,015 rent exceeds rural peers Trinity ($823) and Upton ($689) but stays well below Tom Green ($1,125) and far below Travis ($1,669). Its $171,200 median home value similarly positions it in the affordable middle tier among these eight counties.
Balanced housing burden in Upshur
Upshur renters pay $1,015 monthly while homeowners carry $868—both consuming roughly one-fifth of the county's $62,794 median income. This alignment between costs and earnings creates sustainable housing economics for both renter and owner households.
Upshur offers reliable affordability
Upshur County delivers solid housing affordability without sacrificing Texas's rural character, making it attractive for relocators seeking balance. If your expected salary aligns with or exceeds the $62,794 median, Upshur's moderate rents and home prices support stable long-term housing.
Upshur County's median household income of $62,794 falls 16% short of the national median of $74,755. The county's economy blends manufacturing, agriculture, and small retail, limiting exposure to high-wage sectors.
Slightly under Texas state average
Upshur County's $62,794 median income sits just below Texas's state average of $64,737, ranking it in the middle-lower portion of the state's 254 counties. The county performs better than many rural neighbors but trails major Texas metros.
Regional leader despite modest earnings
Upshur County's $62,794 exceeds nearby Trinity County ($51,663) and Tyler County ($50,647), making it the most prosperous of this East Texas trio. The county's diversified economy provides stronger earnings stability than purely agricultural neighbors.
Housing costs remain reasonable
Upshur County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.4% signals healthy housing affordability, well below the 30% threshold of financial strain. A median home value of $171,200 remains accessible for residents earning the county median, preserving money for savings and other needs.
Leverage affordable housing for investing
Upshur County residents enjoy housing costs that free up significant income for savings and investment opportunities. Local families should prioritize homeownership as a wealth-building tool while using remaining disposable income for retirement accounts and diversified investments.
Upshur County's 73.4-year life expectancy falls 0.7 years short of the U.S. average of 74.1 years, and its 23.4% poor/fair health rate exceeds the national average of 17.9%. These gaps signal persistent health challenges in this rural Northeast Texas county.
Below-average life expectancy, below-average coverage
Upshur County's 73.4-year life expectancy trails Texas's 74.3-year state average, while its 17.5% uninsured rate sits below the state average of 19.8%. The coverage advantage hasn't translated into life expectancy gains, suggesting non-insurance barriers to health—including provider scarcity—are at play.
Mid-tier rural health challenges in Northeast Texas
Upshur County's 73.4-year life expectancy sits between stronger performers like Tom Green (74.9) and weaker ones like Tyler (71.6). Its 22 primary care providers per 100,000 residents slightly outpace Tyler County but fall far short of state adequacy, limiting residents' access to preventive care.
Upshur County's 17.5% uninsured rate is among the better rates in this group, yet only 22 primary care providers per 100,000 residents remain available to serve the insured. Mental health providers (46 per 100K) offer minimal support for the county's behavioral health needs.
Protect your health coverage status
With 17.5% of Upshur County residents uninsured, verify your current coverage and explore options on healthcare.gov if needed. Ask your doctor about referrals to specialists and consider telehealth options to overcome provider limitations in your area.
Upshur County scores 66.92 on the composite risk index, placing it above the national average and indicating meaningful exposure to multiple hazards. The relatively low risk rating reflects that threats are present but can be mitigated through smart preparation and adequate insurance.
Above-Average Risk Statewide
At 66.92, Upshur County substantially exceeds Texas's state average of 49.00, ranking among the riskier counties in the state. The elevation is driven primarily by exceptional tornado exposure (92.05), one of the highest in Texas, combined with significant wildfire and hurricane threats.
Riskier Than Most East Texas Peers
Upshur County's 66.92 score exceeds neighboring Titus County (46.82) and approaches Tyler County (61.01), making it one of the region's riskiest counties. The elevated tornado risk distinguishes Upshur from its coastal neighbors, positioning it at the intersection of Gulf Coast and Great Plains storm tracks.
Tornado Risk Is Exceptionally High
Tornado risk (92.05) dominates Upshur County's threat profile, ranking among the nation's highest-risk areas for tornado activity. Wildfire (77.32) and hurricane risk (61.33) add seasonal complexity, creating year-round hazard exposure that demands continuous preparedness.
Build Tornado Safety Into Your Home
A safe room or reinforced shelter is essential in Upshur County—standard basements may not provide adequate protection from violent tornadoes. Verify your homeowners policy covers tornado and wind damage with minimal deductibles, maintain an emergency kit with first aid and weather alerts, and participate in spring tornado drills so all household members know where to shelter.