Webb County

Texas · TX

#246 in Texas
51.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Webb County, Texas

Webb Meets National Baseline

Webb County's composite score of 58.6 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 8.6 points, placing it above the national middle but notably below national upper tiers. The score trails Texas's state average of 66.8 by 8.2 points, indicating below-state-average livability.

Below Texas State Average

Webb's 58.6 score ranks below the Texas state average of 66.8, placing it in the lower half of the state's 254 counties among this group. The county faces measurable livability headwinds requiring focused improvement.

Housing Affordability Provides Value

Webb's cost score of 73.4 offers genuine affordability, with median home values at $178,900 and gross rent at $997 monthly, providing solid value for budget-conscious families. The median household income of $62,506 provides baseline earning potential.

Tax Burden and Low Income Weigh Down

Webb's tax score of 50.2 reflects the highest effective tax rate at 1.851%—a significant burden that cuts into household budgets, particularly for lower-income residents. The income score of 24.2 compounds this pressure, with median household income trailing both state and national norms; missing safety, health, and school data further clouds livability assessment.

For Cost-Focused, Tax-Savvy Families

Webb County appeals most to families prioritizing minimal housing costs over other amenities, though the higher tax burden requires careful financial planning. The county offers baseline livability but would benefit from improvements in tax policy and income-generation opportunities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax50.2Cost73.4SafetyComing SoonHealth45.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.2Risk10.8WaterComing Soon
🏛50.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠73.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼24.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
45.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
10.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Webb County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Webb County

via TaxByCounty

Webb County's taxes rank among nation's highest

Webb County's effective tax rate of 1.851% ranks in the top 5% of U.S. counties by tax burden, nearly double the national median of 1.1%. The median property tax of $3,312 exceeds the national median by 23%, making Webb one of the priciest counties for property owners nationwide.

Highest-taxed county in this Texas group

Webb County's 1.851% effective rate is the highest among these eight counties and ranks in the top 10% statewide, far exceeding the Texas average of 1.276%. The median property tax of $3,312 is 51% above the state median of $2,193, the steepest burden here.

Significantly higher than all regional peers

Webb County's 1.851% rate substantially exceeds every other county in this comparison; Waller County (1.360%) is the next-closest. Only Ward County at 0.600% comes close to offsetting Webb's top position.

A $178,900 home costs $3,312 annually

The median Webb County homeowner pays approximately $3,312 per year on a home valued at $178,900—the highest median tax despite the county's lower home values. With a mortgage, expect roughly $3,946 withheld; without one, about $2,522.

High taxes make appeals especially worthwhile

At the nation's top tax rates, any assessment error in Webb County can cost hundreds or thousands annually. Homeowners should prioritize a formal appeal or reassessment challenge; the potential savings make the effort highly worthwhile.

Cost of Living in Webb County

via CostByCounty

Webb County's rents squeeze below-median incomes

Webb County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.1% exceeds the state average of 18.1%, pushing renters toward affordability strain despite modest rents. The median household income of $62,506 trails the national average by $12,249, creating a squeeze where even affordable rents consume a larger share of earnings.

South Texas affordability challenges emerge

Webb County ranks above the state average with a 19.1% rent-to-income ratio, reflecting income challenges across South Texas's border region. At $997 monthly rent, the county is roughly aligned with state medians, but significantly lower household income elevates affordability pressure.

Lowest incomes with moderate rent burden

Webb County's $62,506 income lags most peers—only Walker County ($49,862) earns less—while $997 rent falls in the middle of the regional range. The combination creates proportionally higher affordability stress than wealthier neighboring counties like Waller or Washington.

Ownership costs exceed rent significantly

Webb County renters pay $997 monthly (19.1% of income) while homeowners face $1,110—suggesting ownership is actually less affordable than renting for many households. Median home values of $178,900 represent substantial multiples of the county's relatively modest household incomes.

Better for renters than buyers here

Webb County works best for renters with solid local employment in border trade, government, or services sectors; the 19.1% rent-to-income ratio is manageable for stable earners. Prospective homebuyers should note that ownership costs ($1,110) exceed rent, suggesting the rental market offers better value.

Income & Jobs in Webb County

via IncomeByCounty

Webb trails national income markedly

Webb County's median household income of $62,506 falls approximately $12,250 below the national median of $74,755, representing a 16% gap. This shortfall reflects economic pressures that limit household earning capacity relative to typical American standards.

Below Texas state average

Webb's $62,506 median household income trails Texas's state average of $64,737 by roughly $2,200, placing it slightly below the state norm. Per capita income of $24,408 significantly lags the state average of $33,197, indicating concentrated earning opportunities among fewer workers.

Mid-range performer among regional peers

Webb's $62,506 median income ranks sixth among the eight comparison counties, exceeding only Walker ($49,862) and Val Verde ($59,673). The county performs below stronger neighbors like Waller, Washington, and Ward.

Housing costs manageable but notable

Webb's 19.1% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably within affordability guidelines, though slightly elevated compared to highest-income peers. With a median home value of $178,900, housing remains accessible while still consuming a meaningful share of household income.

Webb: build gradual financial stability

Webb residents should prioritize establishing emergency savings and low-cost retirement accounts to build financial resilience. Even modest contributions to employer 401(k)s or IRA accounts help bridge the gap between current incomes and long-term security goals.

Health in Webb County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy strong despite health challenges

Webb County residents live to 75.8 years on average, 1.3 years above the U.S. median of 74.5 years. However, 26.4% report poor or fair health—among the highest in this eight-county group—indicating that longer lifespans mask significant daily health struggles.

Above Texas average, far below on coverage

Webb's 75.8-year life expectancy exceeds Texas's 74.3-year average by 1.5 years, a positive sign. Yet the uninsured rate of 27.1% far exceeds the state average of 19.8%—the highest among all eight counties—meaning cost barriers prevent many residents from accessing care.

Highest uninsured rate in the region

Webb County's 27.1% uninsured rate stands alone among these eight peers, more than 3 percentage points above the next-highest (Ward at 23.3%). Despite decent life expectancy, this uninsurance burden signals economic hardship and healthcare access challenges.

Moderate providers, but cost barriers block access

Webb has 31 primary care providers and 59 mental health providers per 100,000—decent numbers on the surface. However, the 27.1% uninsured rate means more than 1 in 4 residents cannot afford to use even these available services, creating a tragic access gap.

Coverage is critical for Webb families

More than 1 in 4 Webb County residents lack health insurance—the highest rate in this eight-county group—making coverage exploration urgent. Visit Healthcare.gov during open enrollment or call 211 to connect with local navigators who can help you find affordable Medicaid, marketplace plans, or community health resources.

Disaster Risk in Webb County

via RiskByCounty

Webb Faces Elevated National Risk

Webb County scores 89.25 on the composite risk scale, ranking as relatively moderate and far exceeding the Texas state average of 49.00 by 40 points. This places Webb among the highest-risk counties nationally, with exposure levels in the top tier.

Webb's High Standing in Texas

Webb County ranks as one of the highest-risk counties in Texas, with only a small number of counties scoring above its 89.25 composite score. The county's Lower Rio Grande Valley location and geographic exposure drive this elevated risk profile.

Webb Compared to Regional Peers

Webb's 89.25 score is among the highest in the region, exceeding Victoria County (86.48) and dramatically surpassing Val Verde County (76.08). Webb stands out as the riskiest county in this geographic cluster, reflecting its unique vulnerability to multiple hazard types.

Webb's Most Serious Hazards

Flooding dominates Webb County's risk profile with a score of 91.03, making it the county's defining natural disaster threat. Hurricane risk reaches 85.73 and tornado exposure sits at 76.91, creating a multi-hazard environment where water-related disasters are the primary concern.

Protecting Your Webb County Home

Flood insurance is absolutely essential in Webb County—standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage, and elevation risk is significant along the Rio Grande and in flood-prone neighborhoods. Pair this with windstorm coverage for hurricane protection and keep emergency supplies on hand, as Webb faces recurring exposure to both flooding and tropical systems.

ByCounty Network

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