CountyScore

Ward County

Texas · TX

#25 in Texas
70
County Score

County Report Card

About Ward County, Texas

Ward Leads This Group Nationally

Ward County's composite score of 76.9 towers above the national median of 50.0 by nearly 27 points, placing it in the top tier of U.S. counties. The score also significantly exceeds Texas's state average of 66.8, marking Ward as a clear standout performer.

Well Above Texas Average

With a 76.9 score, Ward County ranks well above the Texas state average of 66.8, placing it among the state's top performers in this group of eight counties. The county demonstrates exceptional strength across multiple measured dimensions.

Tax and Cost Advantages Rule

Ward County dominates on tax score (85.4) with the lowest effective rate at 0.600%—a remarkable advantage unmatched by peers. The cost score of 82.2 reinforces this lead, with median home values at $138,800 and rent at $939 monthly, offering genuine wealth-building potential through low expenses.

Income and Data Gaps Remain

Ward's income score of 30.2 is solid but moderate, with a median household income of $71,719, leaving some earning upside compared to higher-income counties. Critical data on safety, health, schools, water, and risk are not yet available.

Texas's Best Value Play

Ward County is unbeaten in this group for families seeking maximum purchasing power through minimal taxes and rock-bottom housing costs. The county's exceptional affordability profile makes it ideal for savers and those prioritizing financial security over maximum income.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.4Cost82.2SafetyComing SoonHealth46.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.2Risk84.7WaterComing Soon
🏛85.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤46.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡84.7
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 Ward County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

St. Clair County
Alabama
70
Median income: $78,993
Sumter County
Alabama
70
Median income: $37,981
Sitka City and Borough
Alaska
70
Median income: $101,207
Lee County
Arkansas
70
Median income: $36,860
Pike County
Georgia
70
Median income: $84,184

Deep Dives

Ward County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Ward County

via TaxByCounty

Ward County has exceptionally low taxes

Ward County's effective tax rate of 0.600% is among the lowest in the nation, ranking in the bottom 10% of U.S. counties by tax burden. The median property tax of just $833 is less than one-third the national median of $2,690, making Ward a tax haven for property owners.

Texas's most tax-friendly county here

Ward County's 0.600% effective rate is less than half the Texas state average of 1.276%, the lowest by far among these eight counties. At $833, the median property tax is less than 38% of the state median of $2,193, offering dramatic savings.

Dramatically lower than peers

Ward County's 0.600% rate is less than half that of any other county in this comparison—Walker County (1.112%) is the next most affordable. This exceptional advantage reflects Ward's lower property values and lower school and local service demands.

A $138,800 home costs just $833 yearly

The typical Ward County homeowner pays only about $833 in annual property taxes on a median home valued at $138,800. With a mortgage, expect roughly $1,676 withheld; without one, approximately $554.

Even low taxes deserve verification

While Ward County offers exceptional tax rates, homeowners should still verify that assessments reflect current market value. If your assessed value appears inflated relative to recent comparable sales, an appeal is quick and could yield savings on an already modest bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Ward County

via CostByCounty

Ward County offers the state's best rental deals

Ward County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.7% ranks among Texas's best and well below the national standard, delivering genuine affordability for renters. With median rent at just $939—below even the state median of $963—and household income of $71,719, renters here allocate the smallest share of earnings to housing.

Texas's most affordable rental county

Ward County stands out statewide with a 15.7% rent-to-income ratio, significantly beating Texas's 18.1% average and delivering some of the state's most accessible rents. The $939 median rent ranks among the lowest in Texas, making Ward a rare island of affordability in an increasingly expensive state.

Dramatically cheaper than surrounding counties

Ward County's $939 rent undercuts every regional peer—it's $51 cheaper than Walker County, $72 cheaper than Van Zandt, and $211 cheaper than Waller. Yet the county's $71,719 income exceeds all neighbors except Waller, creating a uniquely favorable affordability profile.

Housing costs barely dent household budgets

Ward County renters pay just $939 monthly—only 15.7% of the median household income—while homeowners spend just $604, the lowest monthly ownership cost in this county cluster. The median home value of $138,800 represents the cheapest entry to homeownership in the region.

Best affordability for remote workers statewide

If you're relocating with portable income, Ward County delivers unmatched value: 15.7% rent-to-income ratio, $939 rents, and $138,800 home prices offer maximum financial breathing room. The county's oil-and-gas economy and energy sector jobs make it especially appealing for those seeking affordable West Texas living.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Ward County

via IncomeByCounty

Ward approaches national income baseline

Ward County's median household income of $71,719 trails the national median of $74,755 by roughly $3,000, representing only a 4% shortfall. This near-alignment positions Ward among the stronger performers relative to typical U.S. household earnings.

Solid above Texas average

Ward's $71,719 median household income exceeds Texas's state average of $64,737 by about $7,000, placing it comfortably in the upper half of state counties. Per capita income of $35,376 significantly outpaces the state average of $33,197, suggesting broad-based earning strength.

Strong regional performer

Ward's $71,719 income ranks fourth among the eight comparison counties, outperforming Val Verde ($59,673), Webb ($62,506), Walker ($49,862), and Victoria ($70,101). Only Waller, Washington, and Van Zandt exceed Ward's earning levels.

Excellent housing affordability

Ward boasts the region's lowest rent-to-income ratio at 15.7%, signaling exceptional housing affordability relative to income. With median home values just $138,800—among the region's lowest—Ward residents enjoy substantial buying power and financial flexibility.

Ward offers prime wealth-building conditions

Ward's combination of above-average incomes, minimal housing burden, and affordable property values creates an ideal environment for accumulating equity through real estate and financial investments. Residents should capitalize on favorable conditions to fund retirement accounts, college savings, and diversified portfolios.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Ward County

via HealthByCounty

Lowest life expectancy in the region

Ward County residents live to just 72.3 years on average, more than two years below the U.S. median of 74.5 years. Over 1 in 4 (26.1%) report poor or fair health, well above the national average and signaling serious daily health challenges across the population.

Significantly behind Texas averages

At 72.3 years, Ward County's life expectancy falls 2 years short of Texas's 74.3-year average—the lowest in this eight-county group. The uninsured rate of 23.3% markedly exceeds the state average of 19.8%, making access to care a critical barrier for Ward residents.

Worst health outcomes in peer group

Ward's 72.3-year life expectancy ranks lowest by far; the next-lowest peer is Van Zandt at 73.8 years. The 23.3% uninsured rate also trails only Webb County (27.1%) among these eight counties, compounding healthcare access challenges.

Severe shortage of healthcare providers

Ward has just 9 primary care providers per 100,000—roughly one-sixth of the national standard—leaving residents with few local options for basic care. Mental health support is critically scarce at 18 per 100,000, the lowest among all eight counties, leaving vulnerable populations with minimal access to behavioral health services.

Insurance access is urgent priority

Nearly 1 in 4 Ward County residents lack health insurance, making coverage critical for preventing illness and managing existing conditions. Contact a local health navigator or visit Healthcare.gov immediately to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, and community health resources available to you.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Ward County

via RiskByCounty

Ward County's Very Low Risk Profile

Ward County scores just 15.36 on the composite risk scale, ranking as very low and far below the Texas state average of 49.00. This makes Ward one of the safest counties nationally from natural disaster exposure, with minimal multi-hazard risk.

Ward's Safest Standing in Texas

Ward County ranks among the lowest-risk counties in all of Texas, with its 15.36 composite score placing it in a rare group of minimal-exposure communities. The county's West Texas location provides inherent protection against many disaster types.

Ward vs. Regional Comparisons

Ward's 15.36 score is dramatically lower than Val Verde County (76.08) and all other comparable Texas counties, making Ward exceptionally safe by regional standards. The county's isolation and sparse development in West Texas contribute to its remarkably low overall risk.

Ward's Limited Natural Hazards

Wildfire presents Ward's highest risk at 75.29, though this is still manageable in an otherwise very-low-risk environment. All other hazards—tornado (26.53), flood (27.10), earthquake (21.28), and hurricane (21.19)—remain minimal, making Ward an exceptionally safe county overall.

Ward County Home Protection Basics

While Ward faces minimal natural disaster risk, standard homeowners insurance and wildfire awareness remain prudent precautions for rural property owners. Focus on routine home maintenance and fire-safe landscaping to maintain the county's exceptional safety record.

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.