CountyScore

Van Zandt County

Texas · TX

#126 in Texas
62.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Van Zandt County, Texas

Van Zandt Outperforms National Median

Van Zandt County's composite score of 68.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 18 points, positioning it in the upper third of U.S. counties. The county also edges above Texas's state average of 66.8, signaling above-average livability across its measured dimensions.

Texas's Upper Tier

Van Zandt ranks above the Texas state average with a 68.2 score, placing it among the stronger performers in the state's 254 counties. This above-average standing reflects consistent strength across tax, cost, and income dimensions.

Tax Rates and Housing Lead

Van Zandt excels in tax burden, with a score of 71.2 and an effective rate of just 1.105%—the lowest among these eight counties. The cost score of 75.9 compounds this advantage, with median home values of $199,500 and rent at $1,010 monthly, making it highly competitive on affordability.

Income Potential Needs Growth

The income score of 28.0 remains the county's weakest measured dimension, with a median household income of $68,274 slightly trailing state norms. Safety, health, school, and water data are not yet available, leaving important livability factors unmeasured.

Ideal for Budget-Minded Professionals

Van Zandt County appeals to working families and professionals seeking minimal tax burden and affordable real estate in a stable environment. The combination of low taxes and reasonable housing costs makes it attractive despite modest income levels in the area.

Score breakdown

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

Tax71.2Cost75.9SafetyComing SoonHealth55.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome28Risk41.2WaterComing Soon
🏛71.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠75.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤55.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡41.2
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 Van Zandt County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lake County
Indiana
62.8
Median income: $68,985
Butler County
Kansas
62.8
Median income: $80,375
St. Tammany Parish
Louisiana
62.8
Median income: $79,277
Berkshire County
Massachusetts
62.8
Median income: $72,565
Harrison County
Mississippi
62.8
Median income: $57,233

Deep Dives

Van Zandt County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Van Zandt County

via TaxByCounty

Van Zandt taxes below national median

Van Zandt County's effective tax rate of 1.105% sits just slightly below the national median of 1.1%, placing it nearly at the U.S. average. The median property tax of $2,204 annually is about 82% of the national median of $2,690, making it a moderate-tax county nationally.

Slightly below Texas average

Van Zandt County's 1.105% effective rate falls just below the Texas state average of 1.276%, ranking it in the lower-middle tier of Texas counties. The median tax bill of $2,204 nearly matches the state median of $2,193, making it a typical Texas county for property tax purposes.

Moderate rates for North Texas

Van Zandt County's 1.105% rate is competitive in North Texas; Collin County averages 1.09%, Kaufman County around 1.12%, and Hunt County near 1.18%. This makes Van Zandt an attractive option for those seeking moderate taxes in the region.

A $199k home costs $2,204 yearly

With a median home value of $199,500 and an effective rate of 1.105%, the typical Van Zandt County homeowner pays $2,204 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages face combined annual costs of $2,833.

Review assessments for accuracy

Van Zandt County homeowners should ensure their property assessments reflect fair market value. A formal appeal with the county appraisal district can identify inflated valuations and lower your annual tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Van Zandt County

via CostByCounty

Van Zandt's rents stay below national squeeze

Renters here spend 17.8% of their income on housing, slightly below the national median rent-to-income ratio and comfortably close to what experts call affordable. The median household income of $68,274 is below the national average of $74,755, but lower rents at $1,010 per month help offset that gap.

Above average among Texas counties

Van Zandt's 17.8% rent-to-income ratio ranks slightly below Texas's 18.1% state average, positioning it as a relatively affordable corner of the state. With median rent at $1,010—above the state median of $963—the county trades slightly pricier rents for stronger income levels compared to many rural Texas peers.

Competing with rural Texas affordability

Van Zandt's rents ($1,010) sit between Walker County's $986 and Wharton County's $986, while its household income of $68,274 outpaces Walker County's $49,862. The county offers a middle ground: not as cheap as Ward County but with steadier household earnings than its immediate neighbors.

Rent claims less than one-fifth of income

The typical Van Zandt renter pays $1,010 monthly while a homebuyer carries $931 in ownership costs—meaning housing consumes about 18% of the median household budget. With median home values at $199,500, the county offers modest entry points for buyers seeking to build equity.

Rural stability with reasonable housing costs

If you're considering a move, Van Zandt delivers balanced affordability: rental costs below state average and homeownership costs that don't spike like higher-priced Texas markets. The county's 17.8% rent-to-income ratio suggests sustainable housing expenses for remote workers or retirees seeking small-town living.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Van Zandt County

via IncomeByCounty

Van Zandt tracks near national median

Van Zandt County's median household income of $68,274 sits about $6,500 below the national median of $74,755, representing a modest 9% shortfall. This positions the county as closer to typical American household earning than many rural peers.

Above Texas average

Van Zandt exceeds Texas's state average median household income of $64,737 by roughly $3,500, ranking it in the upper half of the state's counties. The county's per capita income of $34,078 also surpasses the state average of $33,197, signaling relatively balanced earning distribution.

Strong performer among regional peers

Van Zandt's $68,274 median income outpaces most neighboring counties, including Val Verde ($59,673) and Webb County ($62,506). Only Waller ($76,135) and Washington ($75,085) counties significantly exceed Van Zandt's earnings profile in the broader region.

Housing costs lean favorable

Van Zandt's 17.8% rent-to-income ratio falls comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, indicating healthy housing cost burden. With a median home value of $199,500 and median income of $68,274, households here retain purchasing power for both renting and homeownership.

Van Zandt: time to invest strategically

With incomes above state average and favorable housing ratios, Van Zandt residents have capacity to direct additional funds toward wealth-building tools like index funds, retirement accounts, and real estate equity. Consulting a financial advisor to diversify beyond homeownership can accelerate long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Van Zandt County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy slightly below the nation

Van Zandt County residents live to 73.8 years on average, about 0.7 years shorter than the U.S. median of 74.5 years. The good news: only 21.7% report poor or fair health, better than the national average of 18% when measured against the county's peer group.

Below Texas average, but fewer uninsured

At 73.8 years, Van Zandt's life expectancy trails Texas's 74.3-year average. However, the county's uninsured rate of 19.2% is slightly above the state's 19.8%, suggesting relatively stable insurance access compared to other Texas counties.

Lowest life expectancy in the region

Van Zandt at 73.8 years ranks below Walker County (76.6) and Washington County (76.9), making it the lowest in this peer group. The county does match similar uninsured rates to nearby Victoria (19.1%), indicating comparable economic pressures on healthcare access.

Severe primary care provider shortage

Van Zandt has only 8 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—far below the national standard of 55—forcing residents to travel significant distances for routine care. Mental health providers number 41 per 100,000, adding another access barrier for those seeking behavioral health support.

Explore coverage to close the gap

Nearly 1 in 5 Van Zandt residents lack insurance, contributing to delayed care and health complications. Start your coverage search at Healthcare.gov or contact the Van Zandt County Health Department to learn about Medicaid eligibility and marketplace options.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Van Zandt County

via RiskByCounty

Van Zandt's Moderate Risk Level

Van Zandt County scores 58.78 on the composite risk scale, ranking as relatively low despite exceeding the Texas average of 49.00 by 10 points. This places the county slightly above the national median, indicating manageable but present disaster exposure.

Van Zandt's Rank Among Texas Counties

Van Zandt falls in the middle range of Texas counties for overall disaster risk, with its 58.78 score placing it moderately above the state average. The county's risk profile reflects typical North Texas exposure patterns.

How Van Zandt Compares Locally

Van Zandt's score of 58.78 is lower than Walker County (73.82) and Waller County (70.26) but higher than Ward County's very low 15.36. The county's moderate risk sits near the state average, reflecting its transitional position between high-risk East Texas and lower-risk West Texas.

Van Zandt's Primary Hazards

Tornadoes present the highest risk in Van Zandt County with a score of 77.77, followed by hurricane exposure at 62.75 and wildfire risk at 69.08. Earthquake risk remains relatively low at 44.56, while flooding reaches 53.63.

Securing Your Van Zandt Property

Tornado preparedness is essential—ensure your home has a safe room or basement shelter and sign up for weather alerts through local emergency management. Bundle comprehensive homeowners insurance with windstorm coverage to protect against both tornadoes and high winds, which are recurring threats in this North Texas county.

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.