countyscore
25.9
County Score
Income & Jobs 51.3Cost of Living 36.4Safety 31.7

County Report Card

About Val Verde County, Texas

Falling Behind the National Median

Val Verde County holds a composite score of 27.0, placing it well below the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a significant gap in overall livability when compared to the average American county.

Trailing the Texas Average

The county's overall score sits nearly 15 points below the Texas state average of 41.9. It ranks in the lower tier of Texas counties for combined economic and quality-of-life metrics.

Affordable Housing and Low Rents

Val Verde’s greatest strength is its Cost Score of 45.1, driven by a median home value of $151,500. Renters also find relief here with a median gross rent of only $956 per month.

High Taxes and Healthcare Gaps

The county faces challenges with a low Health Score of 17.3 and a Tax Score of 14.0. An effective tax rate of 1.474% places a heavier burden on residents compared to higher-scoring neighbors.

A Haven for Budget-First Living

This county is best suited for individuals or retirees who prioritize low housing costs above all else. Those who do not rely on local schools or specialized medical facilities will find the most value here.

2040608010013.836.431.717.31951.323.922.518.9Tax13.8Cost36.4Safety31.7Health17.3Schools19Income51.3Risk23.9Water22.5Weather18.925.9/100
This county
National avg
8 below average

Val Verde County DNA

Foverall

How Val Verde County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Val Verde County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Property Tax (13.8/100), though Income (51.3/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
13.8-38.2
Cost
36.4-11.600000000000001
Safety
31.7-23.3
Health
17.3-32.7
Schools
19-35
Income
51.3
Risk
23.9-23.1
Water
22.5-35.5
Weather
18.9-37.1
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Think property taxes are too high in Val Verde County?

Many homeowners in Val Verde County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$164,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$994/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$164,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$39,760/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $66,100/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

12.6

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Kinney County
Texas
59.5
Terrell County
Texas
61.3
Edwards County
Texas
40.1
Sutton County
Texas
56
Crockett County
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71.8
Uvalde County
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Maverick County
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Real County
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Deep Dives

Val Verde County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Val Verde County

via TaxByCounty

Val Verde taxes above U.S. norm

Val Verde County's effective tax rate of 1.474% significantly exceeds the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the top 15% of U.S. counties for tax burden. The median property tax of $2,233 annually is about 83% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting an above-average rate on rural West Texas home values.

Higher than Texas state average

Val Verde County ranks in the top 10% of Texas counties by effective tax rate at 1.474%, notably above the state average of 1.276%. With a median tax bill of $2,233—slightly above the state median of $2,193—Val Verde is one of Texas's pricier tax counties.

High tax rate for the region

Val Verde County's 1.474% rate is among the highest in West Texas; Terrell County averages 1.18%, Brewster County around 1.32%, and Kinney County near 1.25%. This makes Val Verde notably more expensive for property owners in the region.

A $151k home costs $2,233 yearly

With a median home value of $151,500 and an effective rate of 1.474%, the typical Val Verde County homeowner pays $2,233 in annual property taxes. Those with mortgages face combined annual costs of $3,362.

Appeal overassessments to save

Val Verde County residents should scrutinize their property assessments closely, as overvaluations hit harder with this county's elevated tax rate. Requesting an appraisal review with the county assessor is free and can result in meaningful annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Val Verde County

via IncomeByCounty

Val Verde lags national income averages

Val Verde County's median household income of $59,673 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by about $15,000, placing it below the national average. This 20% gap reflects economic pressures many rural Texas counties face compared to the broader American workforce.

Below Texas state average

At $59,673, Val Verde's median household income falls below Texas's state average of $64,737, positioning it in the lower tier of the state's 254 counties. The county's per capita income of $27,114 also trails the state average of $33,197, indicating concentrated earning power among fewer workers.

Mid-range among regional peers

Val Verde's $59,673 median income sits between Webb County ($62,506) and Walker County ($49,862), two of its closest neighbors. The county performs better than Walker but trails higher-income neighbors like Waller ($76,135) and Washington ($75,085) counties.

Housing costs manageable but tight

Val Verde's 19.2% rent-to-income ratio suggests housing remains affordable relative to income, aligning with healthy guidelines. With a median home value of $151,500, homeownership is more accessible here than in counties with steeper price tags, though overall income growth would ease financial pressures.

Build financial security in Val Verde

Val Verde residents can strengthen their financial future by prioritizing emergency savings and low-cost investment accounts suited to moderate-income households. Starting small with automatic contributions to retirement or education savings plans compounds over time, even on incomes below the national average.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Val Verde County

via CrimeByCounty

Val Verde Outperforms National Safety Benchmarks

Val Verde County reports a total crime rate of 1,612.4 per 100K, which is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5. The county maintains a high safety score of 97.5 out of 100. This data suggests residents experience a much higher level of safety than the typical American community.

A Leading Safety Profile in Texas

With a safety score of 97.5, Val Verde County surpasses the Texas state average of 96.8. Its total crime rate sits well below the state average of 2,052.5 per 100K. This strong performance highlights the county's success in managing public safety across its two reporting agencies.

Val Verde vs Neighboring Webb County

Val Verde’s total crime rate of 1,612.4 per 100K compares favorably to neighboring Webb County, which reports a higher rate of 1,654.1. The safety score also edges out Webb’s 97.4 rating. These figures confirm Val Verde as a regional leader in crime prevention.

Property Crimes Drive Local Statistics

Property crime accounts for 1,325.1 incidents per 100K, while violent crime remains low at 287.3. The violent crime rate is notably lower than the national average of 369.8. This breakdown indicates that most reported incidents involve theft or burglary rather than person-to-person violence.

Enhancing Home Security in Val Verde

While crime rates are low, the dominance of property crime suggests residents should remain vigilant with home security. Installing smart locks or motion-sensor lighting can deter opportunistic theft. Simple precautions help maintain the county's impressive safety standing.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Val Verde County

via WeatherByCounty

Extreme heat and desert-like dryness

Val Verde County is one of the hotter regions in the U.S., with an annual average temperature of 69.5°F. It receives only 19 inches of annual precipitation, making it significantly drier than the national average.

Among the hottest counties in Texas

The county's 69.5°F average temperature is four degrees higher than the Texas state average of 65.5°F. It also receives just 19 inches of rain, far below the state average of 31.9 inches.

High heat on the Rio Grande

Val Verde County experiences 134 days of extreme heat, outstripping many of its neighbors to the north and east. This border region combines the aridity of West Texas with the intense solar radiation of the southern latitudes.

Relentless summers and mild winters

The summer heat is extreme, with 134 days over 90°F and a July average of 86.1°F. Winters are pleasant and short, averaging 52.0°F with almost no snow at 0.2 inches annually.

Beat the heat and conserve water

Reliable air conditioning and window shading are vital for managing the 134 days of extreme heat. With only 19 inches of rain, residents should adopt water-saving habits and prepare for frequent drought conditions.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Val Verde County

via SoilByCounty

Alkaline Mollisols on the Border

Val Verde County is characterized by Mollisols with an alkaline pH of 7.63, significantly higher than the national median of 6.5. These dark, base-rich soils are traditionally associated with productive grasslands.

Silty Clay for Nutrient Holding

The dominant texture is silty clay, consisting of 38.9% silt and 26.3% clay. This dense arrangement offers superior nutrient-holding capacity compared to sandier soils, though it can become quite sticky when wet.

Rich Organic Matter, Low Water Capacity

With 2.48% organic matter, these soils are far richer in carbon than the Texas average of 1.66%. However, the available water capacity of 0.111 in/in is lower than the state average, meaning the soil dries out quickly.

Balanced Drainage and High Infiltration

These soils are well-drained and fall into Hydrologic Group B, allowing for moderate water infiltration. This makes the soil stable for building and provides a healthy balance for plant roots to breathe.

Thriving in Zone 8b

Val Verde County's 8b hardiness zone is perfect for heat-hardy herbs like rosemary and lavender that enjoy alkaline conditions. Your soil's high organic content provides a natural boost to any garden you choose to plant.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Val Verde County

via LawnByCounty

A Desert Challenge in Val Verde

Val Verde County earns a lawn difficulty score of 12.4, making it significantly harder to maintain than the Texas average of 31.7. This Zone 8b region sits well below the national median score of 50.0, signaling an uphill battle for traditional grass. You are working in a rugged environment where local conditions demand much more effort than most of the country.

Intense Heat and Sparse Rain

With only 19.0 inches of annual precipitation, this area falls far short of the 30-50 inches ideal for healthy lawns. You must manage 134 extreme heat days per year, which is nearly 30 more than the state average. These conditions, combined with 7,390 growing degree days, require an aggressive and consistent watering schedule to prevent scorched turf.

Navigating Alkaline Silty Clay

The soil here is a well-drained silty clay with a pH of 7.63, which is more alkaline than the ideal 6.0 to 7.0 range. You will likely need to incorporate sulfur or organic matter to lower the pH for better nutrient uptake. The balanced mix of 26.3% clay and 26.9% sand provides a stable base but requires careful monitoring to ensure proper moisture retention.

Persistent Drought Constraints

Val Verde has spent 53 weeks in drought over the last year, with 24.0% of the area currently in severe drought or worse. Every square inch of the county is considered abnormally dry, making water conservation a top priority. To maintain your lawn under these conditions, focus on deep, infrequent watering early in the morning to minimize evaporation.

Tough Turf for a Tough Climate

In Zone 8b, heat-tolerant species like Bermudagrass and Buffalograss are your best bets for success. Aim to start your lawn after the last spring frost on February 27, giving it plenty of time to establish before the November 27 fall frost. While the environment is demanding, choosing the right native-adjacent species can lead to a resilient green space.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Val Verde County's county score?
Val Verde County, Texas has a composite county score of 25.9 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 Val Verde County rank among counties in Texas?
Val Verde County ranks #237 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 Val Verde County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Val Verde County is $2,354, with an effective tax rate of 1.43%. This earns Val Verde County a tax score of 13.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Val Verde County?
The median household income in Val Verde County, Texas is $66,100 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Val Verde County earns an income score of 51.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Val Verde County, Texas a good place to live?
Val Verde County scores 25.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #237 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Val Verde 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 Val Verde County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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