CountyScore

Wilbarger County

Texas · TX

#183 in Texas
59.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Wilbarger County, Texas

Solid Livability Well Above National Norm

Wilbarger's composite score of 65.3 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 31%, demonstrating above-average livability. The county ranks favorably compared to most U.S. counties overall.

Narrowly Below Texas State Standard

At 65.3, Wilbarger sits just under Texas's state average of 66.8, keeping it in the competitive middle range of state counties. The county maintains solid standing within Texas's broader landscape.

Remarkable Housing Affordability

Wilbarger shines with a cost score of 80.7, the lowest median home value in this group at $98,800, and minimal rent of $862 per month. The county ranks among Texas's most affordable places to live.

Significantly Lower Incomes

Wilbarger's income score of 17.1 is the lowest among these counties, with median household income of only $51,626, limiting overall economic mobility. Data gaps on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain.

Retirees and Fixed-Income Households

Wilbarger is best suited for retirees, seniors, and fixed-income households seeking maximum affordability with minimal tax burden. The county prioritizes low cost of living over economic opportunity.

Score breakdown

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

Tax60.8Cost80.7SafetyComing SoonHealth47.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.1Risk53.9WaterComing Soon
🏛60.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼17.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤47.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡53.9
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 Wilbarger County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Orleans Parish
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Median income: $55,339
Hinds County
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59.8
Median income: $49,966
Ontario County
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59.8
Median income: $79,814

Deep Dives

Wilbarger County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Wilbarger County

via TaxByCounty

Wilbarger taxes track slightly above average

Wilbarger County's effective tax rate of 1.474% exceeds the national median of 1.27% by about 16%, placing it in the moderate-to-high range nationally. At just $1,456 in median annual taxes, the county sits well below the national median of $2,690, reflecting its lower median home values.

Moderate rate within Texas standings

Wilbarger's 1.474% effective rate is 15% higher than Texas's state average of 1.276%, placing the county slightly above the middle of the pack statewide. The median tax of $1,456 is 34% below the state average of $2,193.

Lower-taxed than Wichita, higher than Winkler

Wilbarger County's rate of 1.474% falls between Wichita County (1.766%) to the east and Winkler County (0.952%) to the south. Within the rural West Texas region, Wilbarger represents a middle ground in tax burden.

Median home costs $1,456 yearly

On a median-value home of $98,800, Wilbarger County homeowners pay approximately $1,456 in annual property taxes. With mortgage-related requirements, the total can reach $2,152, still among the lowest in the state.

Verify your assessment for savings

Overassessment affects homeowners across rural Texas, and Wilbarger County residents should verify their property's assessment against recent market sales. Filing a tax protest with the county's appraisal district is free and often results in meaningful reductions.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Wilbarger County

via CostByCounty

Wilbarger Faces Housing Affordability Strain

Wilbarger County renters spend 20% of their income on housing—the highest ratio among this group and well above both the Texas average (18.1%) and national comfort zone. A $51,626 median household income stretched across $862 monthly rent creates genuine affordability pressure for renters.

Among Texas's Least Affordable Counties

Wilbarger ranks among the less affordable counties statewide, with a 20% rent-to-income ratio that places it in the lower affordability tier across Texas. Only the most economically challenged counties exceed Wilbarger's housing cost burden.

Lower Rents, Lower Incomes

Wilbarger's $862 monthly rent undercuts the Texas state average of $963 by $101, but the real story is the county's $51,626 median income—the lowest in this group. Even with below-average rents, the income-to-housing ratio is the most strained here.

20% Income Goes to Rent

Renters in Wilbarger allocate $862 monthly from a $51,626 household income to housing, consuming one-fifth of their budget with little left for other priorities. Homeowners manage slightly better at $798 monthly, but with median home values of $98,800, purchasing requires saving on lower incomes.

Limited Affordability Without Income Growth

Wilbarger's 20% rent-to-income ratio makes it a challenging choice for budget-conscious relocators unless your job move brings significant income growth. The county's low housing costs don't offset the strain created by comparatively lower household earnings.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Wilbarger County

via IncomeByCounty

Wilbarger faces significant income challenges

Wilbarger County's median household income of $51,626 falls roughly $23,100 short of the national median of $74,755. This substantial gap reflects economic pressures facing isolated rural counties across the Texas panhandle.

Well below Texas state average

At $51,626, Wilbarger's median household income trails the Texas state average of $64,737 by more than $13,100. The county ranks among the lowest-income counties in Texas, indicating structural economic challenges.

The lowest earner in its peer group

Wilbarger's $51,626 median income significantly lags Wheeler County ($67,964), Wharton County ($66,100), and Wichita County ($62,168). Only Willacy County ($45,645) earns less among the eight counties profiled here.

Housing pressure from low incomes

Wilbarger's rent-to-income ratio of 20.0% is the highest in this comparison, meaning households spend one-fifth of earnings on housing alone. The median home value of $98,800 is affordable in absolute terms, but represents a larger burden on limited household earnings.

Focus on skills and opportunity seeking

Wilbarger residents should prioritize education, training, and job search strategies to access higher-wage employment. Even modest income gains of $5,000–10,000 annually can meaningfully expand saving capacity and long-term wealth potential.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Wilbarger County

via HealthByCounty

Wilbarger struggles with health outcomes

Wilbarger County residents live just 71.4 years on average, nearly 8 years below the U.S. average of 79.3 years, placing the county among America's lowest life expectancy regions. More than one in four adults (27.3%) report poor or fair health—well above the national rate of 21%.

Consistently below Texas health benchmarks

At 71.4 years, Wilbarger County life expectancy trails Texas's state average by nearly 3 years, while its 27.3% poor/fair health rate ranks among the worst in the state. The county's 20.9% uninsured rate also exceeds the state average of 19.8%.

One of the region's weakest performers

Wilbarger County (71.4 years, 27.3% poor health) ranks in the bottom tier alongside Wheeler (71.3 years) and Winkler (71.2 years), all facing similar rural healthcare scarcity. Only Willacy County's health statistics look worse, with 36.8% reporting poor/fair health.

Limited primary care, partially offset by mental health

With just 31 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Wilbarger County struggles to meet basic care needs, though mental health providers are available at 192 per 100,000. The 20.9% uninsured rate further limits preventive care access, leaving many residents vulnerable to untreated chronic conditions.

Coverage can improve your access today

Nearly one in five Wilbarger residents lack insurance—visit Healthcare.gov or your county health department to explore Medicaid and marketplace plans with subsidies. Getting covered opens doors to preventive care and chronic disease management that can directly improve your health outlook.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Wilbarger County

via RiskByCounty

Wilbarger sits near the national middle

With a composite risk score of 46.09 and a "Relatively Low" rating, Wilbarger County sits slightly below the national average for natural disaster risk. While not among the nation's safest counties, Wilbarger faces moderate exposure overall.

Lower-risk compared to Texas average

Wilbarger's score of 46.09 falls below Texas's state average of 49.00, placing it in the lower-risk half of Texas counties. The county benefits from relatively reduced exposure compared to many other Texas areas.

Safer than Wichita, comparable to Wheeler

Wilbarger County (46.09) faces notably lower risk than neighbor Wichita County (81.90) but slightly higher exposure than Wheeler County (41.28). It occupies a middle position in the Panhandle's risk spectrum.

Wildfire and tornado risks dominate

Wilbarger's wildfire risk of 63.52 and tornado risk of 61.86 emerge as the county's primary hazards, both elevated within its overall profile. Flood risk of 13.49 remains minimal, while hurricane exposure is negligible.

Focus on wind and wildfire coverage

Wilbarger County homeowners should prioritize wind damage coverage within their homeowners insurance policy for tornado and straight-line wind events. Verify that your policy covers wildfire damage, and create defensible space around your property during wildfire season.

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.