CountyScore

Val Verde County

Texas · TX

#208 in Texas
57.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Val Verde County, Texas

Val Verde Beats National Average

Val Verde County scores 65.1 on the CountyScore composite index, well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper half of all U.S. counties. This 15-point margin signals a county with solid fundamentals across measured dimensions, though it lags slightly behind the Texas state average of 66.8.

Mid-Pack Among Texas Counties

With a 65.1 composite score, Val Verde ranks just below the Texas average of 66.8, placing it in the middle tier of the state's 254 counties. The county's position reflects a balanced profile rather than standout strengths in any single area.

Housing Affordability Shines Brightest

Val Verde's cost score of 79.1 is its strongest dimension, with median home values at $151,500 and gross rent averaging $956 per month—well below typical market rates. The county's effective tax rate of 1.474% provides a moderate tax burden, complementing its overall affordability advantage.

Income Growth Lags Significantly

The county's income score of just 22.3 stands out as its weakest dimension, with a median household income of $59,673—noticeably below both Texas and national benchmarks. Data on safety, health, schools, and water quality remains unavailable, limiting a complete livability picture.

Best for Cost-Conscious Families

Val Verde County works best for families or retirees prioritizing affordable housing and modest tax burdens over higher earning potential. The county offers a stable foundation with room to grow once safety, health, and education metrics are measured and addressed.

Score breakdown

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

Tax60.8Cost79.1SafetyComing SoonHealth47.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.3Risk23.9WaterComing Soon
🏛60.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤47.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡23.9
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 Val Verde County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Erie County
New York
57.3
Median income: $71,175
Caldwell County
Texas
57.3
Median income: $68,503
Wharton County
Texas
57.3
Median income: $66,100
Pierce County
Washington
57.3
Median income: $96,632
Taylor County
Texas
57.2
Median income: $66,406

Deep Dives

Val Verde County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Val Verde County

via CostByCounty

Val Verde rents near national average

Val Verde County's 19.2% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below both the national average (20%) and near Texas's state average (18.1%), reflecting borderland affordability. With median household income of $59,673 and rent of $956, the county delivers reasonable housing economics.

Among Texas's more affordable counties

Val Verde County's 19.2% rent-to-income ratio places it in the lower-cost tier for Texas, with median rent running just 1% below the state average of $963. The county achieves this affordability through balanced pricing relative to local earnings.

Borderland value in West Texas

Val Verde's $956 rent nearly matches Uvalde's $966 and sits between rural peers Trinity ($823) and Tom Green ($1,125), offering solid middle-ground pricing. Its $151,500 median home value similarly positions it in the affordable-to-moderate tier for these eight counties.

Balanced housing burden in Val Verde

Val Verde renters pay $956 monthly while homeowners carry $786—both consuming roughly one-fifth of the county's $59,673 median income. This alignment between modest costs and modest earnings creates sustainable housing economics across tenure types.

Val Verde offers borderland stability

Val Verde County delivers solid housing affordability in a Southwest Texas setting, appealing to relocators seeking community in the borderland region. If your expected income meets or exceeds the $59,673 median, Val Verde's near-average rent and home prices support dependable long-term housing stability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Val Verde County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy edges above the nation

Val Verde County residents live to 74.9 years on average, slightly above the U.S. median of 74.5 years—a small but meaningful edge. However, nearly 3 in 10 residents (29.3%) report being in poor or fair health, well above the national average of 18%, signaling that extra years don't guarantee good quality of life.

Outpacing Texas on life expectancy

At 74.9 years, Val Verde's life expectancy ranks above Texas's state average of 74.3 years. The county's uninsured rate of 21.4% exceeds Texas's 19.8% average, meaning more residents here lack regular access to preventive care.

Healthier than Webb, similar to Victoria

Val Verde's 74.9-year life expectancy beats neighboring Webb County (75.8) by a narrow margin, though Webb faces a higher uninsured rate of 27.1%. Victoria County, another peer, matches Val Verde closely at 74.7 years with a lower uninsured rate of 19.1%.

Provider access moderately strained

Val Verde has 34 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—below the national benchmark of 55—meaning patients often wait longer for appointments or travel farther for basic care. Mental health support is more robust at 65 providers per 100,000, yet the 21.4% uninsured rate keeps many from affording these services.

Check coverage options this year

One in five Val Verde residents lack health insurance, making coverage exploration critical for families and individuals. Visit Healthcare.gov during open enrollment or contact Texas Health Steps to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, and employer coverage that fits your budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Val Verde County

via RiskByCounty

Val Verde's Risk Profile

Val Verde County scores 76.08 on the national composite risk scale, ranking it as relatively low despite sitting above the Texas state average of 49.00. This puts the county in a moderate position nationally, where the median composite risk score hovers around 50.

Where Val Verde Stands in Texas

Val Verde ranks in the upper half of Texas counties for overall disaster risk, with its 76.08 score exceeding the state average by 27 points. Among Texas's 254 counties, Val Verde faces above-average exposure to multiple hazard types.

Compared to Nearby Counties

Val Verde's risk profile (76.08) exceeds nearby Ward County's very low 15.36 score but falls below Webb County's elevated 89.25 score. The county's exposure reflects its unique geography in Southwest Texas, distinct from both the sparse West Texas plains and the dense Lower Rio Grande Valley.

Your Biggest Threats Here

Flooding poses the most significant hazard in Val Verde, with a risk score of 87.31, followed closely by wildfire risk at 85.02. Tornado and earthquake risks are lower (41.06 and 22.23 respectively), while hurricane risk remains moderate at 57.61 despite the county's distance from the coast.

Protecting Your Val Verde Home

Homeowners in Val Verde should prioritize flood insurance, as standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage. Consider a comprehensive wildfire mitigation plan for your property, especially if you live in or near undeveloped areas, and ensure your home can withstand flash flooding in arroyos and low-lying areas.

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.