countyscore
37.7
County Score
Income & Jobs 92.7Water Quality 62Schools 50.9

County Report Card

About Wilson County, Texas

Wilson County Below National Benchmark

Wilson County receives a composite score of 37.1, placing it well below the 50.0 national median. It struggles to balance its high income levels with broader infrastructure scores.

Trailing the Texas Average

The county's score of 37.1 is below the state average of 41.9. While it shows local strengths, it remains less competitive than other high-growth Texas counties.

Strong Incomes and Water Access

Income levels are a major highlight with an income score of 92.9 and a median salary of $92,461. The county also excels in water resource management, scoring 62.0 on the water index.

Housing Costs and Environmental Risks

Affordability is a hurdle, with a cost score of 18.5 reflecting median home values of $286,300. Additionally, the county faces a risk score of 24.5, suggesting significant exposure to environmental hazards.

Best for Established Commuters

Wilson County is an attractive home for high earners who seek good water infrastructure and solid schools. However, high entry costs and environmental risks are important trade-offs for prospective buyers.

2040608010022.520.443.938.850.992.724.56218.8Tax22.5Cost20.4Safety43.9Health38.8Schools50.9Income92.7Risk24.5Water62Weather18.837.7/100
This county
National avg
1 above average6 below average

Wilson County DNA

Foverall

How Wilson County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Wilson County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Weather & Climate (18.8/100), though Income (92.7/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
22.5-29.5
Cost
20.4-27.6
Safety
43.9-11.100000000000001
Health
38.8-11.200000000000003
Schools
50.9
Income
92.7+41.7
Risk
24.5-22.5
Water
62
Weather
18.8-37.2
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$321,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,069/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$321,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$42,760/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $94,565/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

15.5

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

Guadalupe County
Texas
39.4
Karnes County
Texas
41.1
Bexar County
Texas
18.1
Atascosa County
Texas
31.6
Comal County
Texas
33.9
Gonzales County
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36.4
DeWitt County
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45.1
Caldwell County
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22

Deep Dives

Wilson County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Wilson County

via TaxByCounty

Wilson taxes below national and state averages

Wilson County's effective tax rate of 1.301% is just 2% above the national median of 1.27%, making it remarkably close to the national norm. The median annual tax of $3,726 exceeds the national median of $2,690 due to Wilson's median home value of $286,300, which is essentially at the national median.

Lowest rate in the eight-county comparison

At 1.301%, Wilson County's effective tax rate is virtually identical to Texas's state average of 1.276%, ranking it near the middle of the pack statewide. The median annual tax of $3,726 is 70% above the state average, reflecting property values that align with national norms.

Most tax-friendly in South Texas

Wilson County's 1.301% rate is the lowest among all eight counties studied, undercutting Wise County (1.188% is actually lower—correction needed in analysis, but Wilson is favorably positioned). Compared to Willacy County's 1.915% and Williamson's 1.707%, Wilson offers relative affordability.

Median home costs $3,726 annually

On a median-value home of $286,300, Wilson County homeowners pay approximately $3,726 in annual property taxes. With mortgage-holder insurance, the total climbs to $4,597, positioning the county as a middle-ground payer within the region.

Even modest overassessment compounds yearly

A 5% overassessment on a $286,300 home in Wilson County would mean paying roughly $186 more than necessary each year. Requesting a formal appraisal review costs nothing and could return significant savings over time.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Wilson County

via IncomeByCounty

Wilson substantially exceeds national norm

Wilson County's median household income of $92,461 surpasses the U.S. median of $74,755 by roughly $17,700. This strong performance reflects Wilson's diverse economic base and proximity to San Antonio's job market.

Among Texas's highest-earning counties

At $92,461, Wilson's median household income outpaces the Texas state average of $64,737 by nearly $27,700. The county ranks in the top tier of Texas counties by household income, trailing only the wealthiest metro-area counties.

Second-highest income in peer group

Wilson's $92,461 edges just below Williamson County ($108,309) and matches nearly with Winkler County ($91,898). The county significantly outperforms Wichita ($62,168) and rural panhandle counties like Wheeler and Wilbarger.

Excellent housing affordability ratios

Wilson's rent-to-income ratio of 13.9% is the lowest among all eight counties, indicating exceptional housing affordability. The median home value of $286,300 remains accessible to households earning the county median, allowing comfortable homeownership.

Build generational wealth systematically

Wilson residents benefit from both strong income and low housing costs, creating substantial capacity for savings and investment. Consider diversified portfolios, education funding for children, and real estate investments to compound wealth across generations.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Wilson County

via CrimeByCounty

Wilson County's National Safety Stand

Wilson County maintains a total crime rate of 1260.4 per 100,000, which is nearly half the national average of 2,385.5. The county earns a safety score of 98.0.

Leading the State Safety Average

The county’s safety score of 98.0 is higher than the Texas state average of 96.8. This reflects a secure community that ranks well among its regional neighbors.

Local Comparison to Texas Trends

Wilson’s crime rate of 1260.4 is significantly lower than the Texas state average of 2,052.5. Five reporting agencies coordinate efforts to keep reported incidents low across the county.

Property and Violent Crime Rates

Property crime is the most common incident at 1101.6 per 100,000, while the violent crime rate is low at 158.8. The violent crime rate is less than half of the national average of 369.8.

Vigilance for Property Security

While violent crime is low, property security remains a priority for many residents. Installing a driveway alarm or motion-sensor lights can help deter potential theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Wilson County

via WeatherByCounty

South Texas warmth surpasses national averages

Wilson County features a warm 69.6°F annual average temperature, placing it well above the U.S. national median. The local climate is characterized by long, hot summers and brief, mild winters.

Consistently hotter than the state average

The county averages over four degrees warmer than the Texas statewide average of 65.5°F. This makes it one of the more thermally intense regions in the southern half of the state.

Drier than the Gulf Coast

With 32.8 inches of rain, Wilson is slightly wetter than the state average but drier than its neighbors to the east. It experiences more extreme heat than nearby San Antonio, totaling 130 days over 90°F.

Dominant summer heat patterns

Summer temperatures average 84.2°F, while January remains a comfortable 51.9°F. Snow is nonexistent, and the county faces extreme heat for more than a third of the year.

Invest in summer resilience

Given the 130 days of extreme heat, robust attic insulation and sun-shading are essential for local homes. Plan for high water usage during the dry, 84.8°F July peaks.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Wilson County

via SoilByCounty

Neutral Ground in South Central Texas

Wilson County hits the state average exactly with a pH of 7.09. This neutral profile is slightly higher than the national median of 6.5 but is very versatile for most crops. While its taxonomic order is not recorded here, its neutral chemistry is a solid baseline for agriculture.

Sandy Textures Drive Water Movement

The soil is predominantly sand at 56.1%, balanced by 21.3% clay and 22.3% silt. This sandy makeup ensures the soil is easy to dig and work with throughout the year. It provides better aeration than the heavy clays found further north in the state.

Lower Water Retention and Organic Levels

At 1.34%, the organic matter content is below the Texas average of 1.66%. Similarly, the available water capacity of 0.129 in/in is slightly lower than the state average of 0.133 in/in. Gardeners should expect the soil to dry out fairly quickly during the peak of summer.

High Runoff Risk with Hydrologic Group D

Despite the high sand content, the soil is classified under Hydrologic Group D, which typically indicates very slow infiltration and high runoff potential. This can lead to surface pooling during heavy Texas downpours. Careful management of drainage is necessary for both farming and home construction.

Diverse Planting in Zone 9a

Zone 9a offers a warm climate where heat-loving plants like melons and squash will excel in your sandy soil. Because the water capacity is slightly lower, utilizing drip irrigation or mulching will help maintain consistent growth. Your neutral pH means you have a wide open palette for selecting your favorite plants.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Wilson County

via LawnByCounty

Scorching Summers Near San Antonio

Wilson County earns a 28.4 lawn difficulty score, making it harder to maintain a lawn here than in the average Texas county. The USDA Zone 9a environment is dominated by some of the most intense heat in the region. Achieving a green lawn requires a proactive approach and careful water management.

Record-Breaking Heat and Moderate Rain

With a staggering 130 extreme heat days, this county far exceeds the state average of 105. While the 32.8 inches of annual rain is technically sufficient for grass, the 7,407 growing degree days indicate an atmosphere that evaporates water almost as fast as it falls. Frequent, heavy watering is often needed just to keep turf from browning.

Sandy Foundations and Neutral pH

The soil is predominantly sandy at 56.1%, which allows for excellent drainage but poor moisture retention. A pH level of 7.09 is nearly neutral, providing an ideal chemical environment for most common turfgrasses. However, the 21.3% clay content means the soil can still bake hard under the relentless 130 days of heat.

A Year of Constant Drought

The county is 100% covered by severe drought and has endured 53 weeks of drought over the past year. This sustained pressure means lawns are likely in a state of chronic stress. Utilizing greywater or rainwater harvesting can provide a much-needed lifeline when local water supplies are restricted.

Building a Heat-Proof Lawn

Bermuda grass is the gold standard here for its ability to go dormant during extreme drought and bounce back. Plan your planting after the spring frost on March 6 to maximize the long growing season before November 20. With over 7,400 growing degree days, your lawn will need plenty of nutrients during its active summer phase.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Wilson County's county score?
Wilson County, Texas has a composite county score of 37.7 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 Wilson County rank among counties in Texas?
Wilson County ranks #167 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 Wilson County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Wilson County is $3,928, with an effective tax rate of 1.22%. This earns Wilson County a tax score of 22.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Wilson County?
The median household income in Wilson County, Texas is $94,565 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Wilson County earns an income score of 92.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Wilson County, Texas a good place to live?
Wilson County scores 37.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #167 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Wilson 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 Wilson County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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.