CountyScore

Washington County

Texas · TX

#120 in Texas
63.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Washington County, Texas

Washington Exceeds National Median

Washington County's composite score of 67.5 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 17.5 points, placing it firmly in the upper half of U.S. counties. The score also edges slightly above Texas's state average of 66.8, indicating above-average livability overall.

Slightly Above Texas Average

Washington's 67.5 score ranks marginally above the Texas state average of 66.8, positioning it among the solid performers in the state's 254 counties. The county maintains steady strength across its measured dimensions.

Strong Income and Low Taxes

Washington County scores 32.4 on income, supported by a median household income of $75,085 that ranks among the group's strongest. The tax score of 69.9 with an effective rate of 1.150% adds to the county's appeal, combining solid earning potential with reasonable tax burden.

Housing Costs Higher Than Peers

The cost score of 74.4 reflects the county's higher median home value of $270,100 and gross rent of $1,091 monthly, moderating overall affordability compared to lower-cost counties. Missing data on safety, health, schools, water, and risk limit comprehensive livability evaluation.

Best for Affluent Families

Washington County suits established families with above-average incomes who value strong earning potential and reasonable tax burden despite higher housing costs. The balanced profile appeals to professionals seeking both financial stability and community amenities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax69.9Cost74.4SafetyComing SoonHealth63.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome32.4Risk28WaterComing Soon
🏛69.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠74.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼32.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡28
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 Washington County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Weld County
Colorado
63.1
Median income: $93,287
Indian River County
Florida
63.1
Median income: $71,049
Newton County
Georgia
63.1
Median income: $73,732
Clinton County
Illinois
63.1
Median income: $82,314
Scott County
Kansas
63.1
Median income: $67,788

Deep Dives

Washington County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Washington County

via TaxByCounty

Washington's taxes sit near U.S. median

Washington County's effective tax rate of 1.150% is just slightly above the national median of 1.1%, positioning it squarely in the middle of the U.S. property tax distribution. The median property tax of $3,105 exceeds the national median by $415, partly reflecting the county's median home value of $270,100, which approaches the national average.

Slightly below Texas state average

Washington's 1.150% effective rate ranks in the middle of Texas counties, falling just short of the state average of 1.276%. The median tax of $3,105 exceeds the state median of $2,193, reflecting the county's slightly higher home values.

Middle-ground among regional peers

Washington County's 1.150% rate places it between Walker County (1.112%) and Victoria County (1.488%) in this cluster. It's well below Webb's 1.851% but above Ward's rock-bottom 0.600%, making it a reasonable middle position regionally.

A $270,100 home means $3,105 yearly

The median Washington County homeowner pays approximately $3,105 annually on a home valued at $270,100. With a mortgage, you'll see roughly $3,728 withheld per year; without one, about $2,730.

Appeal if your assessment seems high

Washington County homeowners with properties above the median should verify their assessments haven't drifted above fair market value. A reassessment appeal can be filed at the local appraisal district and often succeeds when market conditions have shifted.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Washington County

via CostByCounty

Washington County balances affordability with income

Washington County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.4% sits comfortably below both the state average of 18.1% and national norms, signaling sustainable housing costs. The median household income of $75,085 nearly matches the national average of $74,755, making Washington a well-balanced housing market.

Among Texas's most affordable counties

Washington County ranks in the top tier statewide with a 17.4% rent-to-income ratio, below the Texas average and reflecting strong affordability for renters. The $1,091 median rent sits above the state median, but household incomes are correspondingly stronger, creating favorable balance.

Solid middle ground in the region

Washington County's $1,091 rent splits the difference between cheaper rural counties and expensive suburbs, while its $75,085 income ranks second in the cluster after Waller County. The county combines reasonable rents with strong earning capacity, making it a stable choice.

Rent takes modest slice of household budget

The typical Washington County renter pays $1,091 monthly—just 17.4% of household income—while homeowners spend $930, making the county affordable across both tenure types. Median home values of $270,100 sit above the county median income, suggesting ownership requires significant down payments.

Stable rural living with reliable affordability

Washington County appeals to families and remote workers seeking rural character without affordability sacrifice: the 17.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Texas's best. With strong median income and balanced housing costs, the county offers sustainable housing economics for most household profiles.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Washington County

via IncomeByCounty

Washington nearly matches national income

Washington County's median household income of $75,085 trails the national median of $74,755 by just $330, essentially equaling typical U.S. household earnings. This near-perfect alignment reflects economic strength comparable to the broader American economy.

Top earner among Texas counties

Washington's $75,085 median household income significantly exceeds Texas's state average of $64,737 by over $10,300, ranking it among the state's highest-income counties. Per capita income of $41,902 substantially surpasses the state average of $33,197, indicating exceptionally strong individual earning power.

Second-highest earner in the region

Washington's $75,085 income ranks second only to Waller County ($76,135) among the eight comparison counties, significantly surpassing all others. The county stands as a regional economic powerhouse alongside Waller.

Solid affordability despite premium home values

Washington's 17.4% rent-to-income ratio indicates healthy housing cost burden despite median home values reaching $270,100—among the region's highest. Strong incomes readily accommodate the county's premium real estate market.

Washington: maximize premium earning position

Washington residents commanding both high household and per-capita incomes should develop comprehensive wealth strategies including real estate portfolios, tax-advantaged retirement accounts, and diversified investments. Working with financial professionals helps optimize these advantages for intergenerational wealth building.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Washington County

via HealthByCounty

Highest life expectancy in the group

Washington County residents live to 76.9 years on average, well above the U.S. median of 74.5 years—a remarkable 2.4-year advantage. Just 19.3% report poor or fair health, the best rate among all eight counties and below the national average, reflecting consistently strong wellness.

Texas's healthiest in this cohort

At 76.9 years, Washington County's life expectancy leads Texas's 74.3-year average by 2.6 years, marking it among the state's healthiest. The uninsured rate of 16.3% is the lowest in this eight-county group and well below the state average of 19.8%.

Best health outcomes across metrics

Washington County tops the peer group on life expectancy (76.9 years), uninsured rate (16.3%), and poor/fair health reports (19.3%). Its 61 primary care providers per 100,000 rank second-highest, supporting the county's exceptional health profile.

Strong healthcare infrastructure and access

With 61 primary care providers and 89 mental health providers per 100,000, Washington County offers above-average healthcare capacity. Combined with the lowest uninsured rate (16.3%) in this group, residents enjoy both availability and affordability of care.

Protect your health leadership role

Washington County leads the region in health outcomes—maintain that advantage by keeping insurance current. Review coverage annually at Healthcare.gov or through your employer to sustain the county's strong foundation.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Washington County

via RiskByCounty

Washington's Above-Average Risk Exposure

Washington County scores 71.98 on the composite risk scale, ranking as relatively low while exceeding the Texas state average of 49.00 by 23 points. This places Washington in the upper range of national risk, well above the median.

Washington's Position Among Texas Counties

Washington County ranks in the upper-middle range of Texas counties for overall disaster risk, with its 71.98 score solidly above the state average. The county faces meaningful but manageable multi-hazard exposure.

Washington Compared to Adjacent Counties

Washington's 71.98 score sits near Waller County (70.26) and Walker County (73.82), placing it in a tight cluster of moderately elevated-risk Southeast Texas counties. All three exceed the state average substantially, reflecting strong regional vulnerability patterns.

Washington's Dominant Threats

Tornadoes pose Washington's greatest hazard with a risk score of 82.63, followed by hurricane exposure at 84.69 and flooding at 72.68. Wildfire risk is more moderate at 48.82, while earthquakes remain minimal at 26.72.

Securing Your Washington Property

Establish a tornado safe room or reinforced shelter space, as tornadoes are your county's defining natural hazard. Combine this with windstorm/hurricane insurance, keep gutters clear to manage flooding, and maintain your roof to withstand the combination of tornadoes and tropical systems that regularly impact the 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.