countyscore
35.2
County Score
Disaster Risk 53.9Cost of Living 51.8Schools 51.8

County Report Card

About Wilbarger County, Texas

Wilbarger County Faces National Gaps

Wilbarger County earns a composite score of 35.2, falling well short of the 50.0 national median. It struggles to match the livability standards of most U.S. counties.

Below the Texas State Median

The county ranks below the Texas average composite score of 41.9. Its score of 35.2 indicates significant hurdles in regional competitiveness.

Affordable Housing and Low Risk

Affordability is a major draw, with a cost score of 51.8 and a median home value of just $98,800. The county also maintains a respectable risk score of 53.9, indicating lower environmental hazards.

Severe Water and Health Deficits

Water infrastructure is a critical weakness with a score of only 4.7. Low scores in health (7.8) and income (17.8) suggest a difficult economic and wellness environment for residents.

Best for Budget-Focused Relocators

Wilbarger County suits individuals looking for extremely low-cost housing who are willing to compromise on infrastructure. Success here requires navigating a landscape of low healthcare access and limited income potential.

2040608010014.151.846.97.851.817.853.94.741.7Tax14.1Cost51.8Safety46.9Health7.8Schools51.8Income17.8Risk53.9Water4.7Weather41.735.2/100
This county
National avg
5 below average

Wilbarger County DNA

Foverall

How Wilbarger County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Wilbarger County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Water Quality (4.7/100), though Disaster Risk (53.9/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
14.1-37.9
Cost
51.8
Safety
46.9-8.100000000000001
Health
7.8-42.2
Schools
51.8
Income
17.8-33.2
Risk
53.9
Water
4.7-53.3
Weather
41.7-14.299999999999997
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Many homeowners in Wilbarger County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$98,800

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$862/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$98,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$34,480/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $51,626/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

15.7

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Tillman County
Oklahoma
43.6
Jackson County
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36.9
Hardeman County
Texas
57.2
Foard County
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55.3
Wichita County
Texas
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Baylor County
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57.7
Knox County
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Kiowa County
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55.5

Deep Dives

Wilbarger County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 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

Safety in Wilbarger County

via CrimeByCounty

Wilbarger County is Safer Than Average

Wilbarger County reports a total crime rate of 1195.7 per 100,000, roughly half the national average of 2,385.5. This earns the county a strong safety score of 98.1.

Ranking Above the Texas Average

With a safety score of 98.1, Wilbarger outperforms the Texas state average of 96.8. It ranks favorably among counties providing a more secure environment for its citizens.

Crime Trends Below State Levels

Wilbarger’s crime rate is about 42% lower than the Texas average of 2,052.5 per 100,000. Four reporting agencies actively monitor and manage safety across the county.

Property and Violent Crime Breakdown

Property crime occurs at a rate of 875.3 per 100,000, while the violent crime rate is 320.4. While property crime is quite low, violent crime is closer to the national average of 369.8.

Smart Security for Wilbarger Homes

Reducing property crime starts with good visibility and secure perimeters. Installing motion-activated lights and checking window locks can further lower the risk of local theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Wilbarger County

via SchoolsByCounty

Dedicated Education in North Texas

Wilbarger County provides education for 2,173 students through eight public schools distributed among three districts. The facilities include two elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools, alongside three alternative or specialized campuses. This structure ensures coverage for students from kindergarten through high school graduation.

Competitive Graduation Rates and Outcomes

The county's graduation rate is 91.1%, nearly matching the Texas state average of 91.6% and beating the national 87.0% benchmark. Spending remains consistent with regional trends at $7,218 per pupil, just below the state average of $7,498. The county's composite school score of 54.6 reflects a steady educational performance.

Vernon ISD Serves the Majority

Vernon ISD is the largest district by far, managing six schools and 1,792 students, which is over 80% of the county's total enrollment. Northside ISD and Harrold ISD provide smaller, more focused environments for their respective student bodies. No charter schools exist in the county, focusing all public resources on traditional district schools.

Town-Centered Schools with Personal Scale

Six of the county's eight schools are located in town settings, creating a centralized community feel for most students. The average campus size is 272 students, ranging from Vernon High School with 532 students down to smaller specialized programs. This scale allows for manageable student-to-teacher ratios and a community-oriented atmosphere.

Cozy Living Near Vernon Schools

Wilbarger County offers a stable, town-focused education system that successfully prepares students for graduation. Families will appreciate the lack of overcrowding and the consistent performance across the local districts. Look for homes in Vernon or the surrounding countryside to enjoy these accessible public school options.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

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

Water Quality in Wilbarger County

via WaterByCounty

Water Compliance Rates Fail Safety Standards

Wilbarger County receives an F grade due to a high volume of 107 health violations over five years. The violation rate of 838.0 per 100,000 residents significantly exceeds the Texas state average of 581.9. This data reveals a critical need for infrastructure investment to ensure consistent delivery of safe drinking water.

Federal Watershed Health Assessments are Pending

The county's water bodies are not yet included in the federal Clean Water Act §303(d) assessment database. Without these federal ATTAINS metrics, there is no official percentage of impaired water bodies for the current cycle. Local health data and compliance records remain the most active indicators of water quality here.

Sparse Monitoring Leaves Data Gaps

Monitoring is limited in Wilbarger County, with only 4 sites recording 573 measurements over the past five years. Researchers primarily track physical properties, inorganics, and nutrients to assess basic water safety. This small footprint means many rural areas may lack frequent or detailed water quality testing.

Pease River Records Zero Streamflow

The Pease River near Vernon is currently reporting 0 cubic feet per second, effectively standing dry. This is a total loss of flow compared to the long-term mean of 89 cfs. Such conditions can lead to stagnant pools and severely degraded water quality for any remaining surface sources.

High Violation Rates Require Immediate Awareness

With 107 health violations and a dry Pease River, residents should be extremely cautious about their water sources. The high violation rate suggests that public systems are frequently out of compliance, making home filtration and testing vital. Stay alert to boil water notices and other emergency alerts from local health authorities.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Wilbarger County

via WeatherByCounty

Warmer and Drier than Median

Wilbarger County features a 63.4°F average temperature, keeping it warmer than the U.S. median. The annual precipitation of 28.4 inches marks it as a semi-arid region compared to the national average.

Slightly Cooler Than State Norms

This county ranks slightly cooler than the state average of 65.5°F. It belongs to the North Texas belt where temperatures are more moderate than the tropical southern counties.

Semi-Arid North Texas Border

Wilbarger's 28.4 inches of rain is just under the state average of 31.9 inches. Its climate closely mirrors neighboring Wichita County, though it sees slightly fewer extreme heat days at 102 per year.

Hot Summers and Chilly Winters

July averages a hot 84.9°F, and residents endure 102 days of temperatures at 90°F or above. Winters are cool, averaging 43.3°F with a modest 1.2 inches of annual snowfall.

Prepare for Wide Temperature Swings

Maintaining efficient cooling systems is a priority for the 102 days of extreme heat. Because winter temperatures average 43.3°F, residents should also prepare for occasional hard freezes by insulating outdoor pipes.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Wilbarger County

via SoilByCounty

Alkaline Alfisols of the Red River Valley

Wilbarger County is dominated by Alfisols, which are typically fertile soils often found under forests or grasslands. The average pH of 7.30 is more alkaline than the national median of 6.5 and slightly higher than the Texas average. These clay loam soils provide a robust, if somewhat basic, environment for agriculture.

The Texture of Clay Loam

The soil composition is 48.8% sand, 26.4% silt, and 20.9% clay, creating a classic clay loam texture. This mix offers a good balance between the drainage of sand and the nutrient retention of clay. Farmers find these soils manageable, though they require careful timing to avoid compaction when wet.

Thirsty Soils with Low Organic Content

Organic matter in Wilbarger is 1.03%, significantly lower than the Texas average of 1.66%. Despite low organic levels, the available water capacity matches the Wichita neighbor at 0.139 in/in, surpassing the state benchmark. This capacity is vital for sustaining crops in a region prone to dry spells.

Well-Drained Ground with Hydrologic Group C

The land is classified as well-drained, which is excellent for preventing root rot in sensitive plants. It belongs to Hydrologic Group C, indicating a somewhat slow infiltration rate when the soil is thoroughly wet. This combination makes it suitable for both grazing and cultivated crops.

Resilient Gardening in Zone 8a

In Zone 8a, your garden will thrive with plants like okra, peppers, and native wildflowers that handle alkaline conditions. Because the soil score is 25.3, just below the state average, adding compost can help improve the low organic matter. Your well-drained soil is a great asset for avoiding drainage issues in the backyard.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Wilbarger County

via LawnByCounty

Challenging Landscapes in Wilbarger

Wilbarger County is one of the more difficult places for lawns, with a score of 27.8 compared to the national average of 50.0. The USDA Zone 8a climate presents significant hurdles for traditional turf. Homeowners must work harder than the average Texan to maintain a green space here.

High Evaporation and Lean Rain

Annual precipitation is just 28.4 inches, falling below the 30-inch threshold needed for healthy lawns. With 102 extreme heat days and 5,840 growing degree days, the environment dries out turf quickly. This combination necessitates a strict irrigation schedule to prevent grass from entering premature dormancy.

Tackling Alkaline Clay Loam

The soil is a well-drained clay loam with a pH of 7.30, which is slightly more alkaline than most grasses prefer. While 48.8% sand helps with drainage, the 20.9% clay content can still lead to surface crusting in high heat. Adding sulfur or organic compost can help lower the pH and improve the soil's nutrient availability.

Severe Drought Affects Entire County

The county is currently 100% covered by severe drought conditions, following 30 weeks of water scarcity this past year. Conservation is no longer optional; it is a necessity for lawn survival. Focus on targeted watering and avoid fertilizing during peak drought to prevent chemical burn on stressed blades.

Resilient Grasses for Hard Ground

TifTuf Bermuda or Buffalo grass are the best bets for handling the local clay loam and severe drought. Aim to plant after the last frost on March 27 to take advantage of the spring growing window. Ensure your lawn is well-prepared before the November 9 frost date to survive the coming winter dormancy.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Wilbarger County's county score?
Wilbarger County, Texas has a composite county score of 35.2 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Wilbarger County rank among counties in Texas?
Wilbarger County ranks #180 among all counties in Texas on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Wilbarger County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Wilbarger County is $1,456, with an effective tax rate of 1.47%. This earns Wilbarger County a tax score of 14.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Wilbarger County?
The median household income in Wilbarger County, Texas is $51,626 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Wilbarger County earns an income score of 17.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Wilbarger County, Texas a good place to live?
Wilbarger County scores 35.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #180 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Wilbarger County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Wilbarger County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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