Baylor
Texas

What stands out

If you had to describe Baylor County in numbers, start here: the home price against local income is in the bottom 3% of American counties (1.3 years of income), the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000), and life expectancy is in the bottom 5% of American counties (70.7 years). Within Texas it ranks 24th of 252 counties for the home price against local income, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Baylor County, Texas. 3,475 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population held steady at 0.0% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +32).

Texas has no income tax and no estate tax, and its constitution prohibits an income tax without a statewide vote. Property taxes are among the highest in the country and are the main source of local school funding; the 2023 legislature raised the homestead exemption to $100,000 to offset that. Homeowner insurance costs are high along the Gulf coast and rising statewide after hail and freeze events. The grid is independent of the rest of the country.

Money

The typical household here brings in $52,716 a year, lower than 73% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $52,434. Unemployment runs 2.7%, lower than 76% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home.

Texas has no state income tax, so none of that goes to the state.

Home

The median home costs $139K, cheaper than 88% of American counties, about 1.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $606 a month. Property tax is 1.58% of home value, roughly $1,456 a year on that median home, higher than 88% of American counties. 68% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.9 per 1,000 residents, higher than 53% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 70.7 years, shorter than 95% of American counties. There are 8 active physicians in the county, about 23.0 per 10,000 people. 17.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.15 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 87% of American counties. 87% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 74 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 63% of eligible voters turned out. Under Texas law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 66°F, highs near 79 and lows near 53, warmer than 86% of American counties. About 29 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 16 out of 100, safer than 84% of American counties; the county has had 19 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 164 Mbps down, slower than 65% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.