Borden
Texas

What stands out

Three things set Borden County apart from the other 3,142 counties: unemployment is in the bottom 2% of American counties (1.9%), the home price against local income is in the bottom 4% of American counties (1.3 years of income), and the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000). Within Texas it ranks 4th of 254 counties for unemployment, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Borden County, Texas. 686 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 1.4% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -6).

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 $80,625 a year, higher than 88% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $64,655. Unemployment runs 1.9%, lower than 98% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home.

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

Home

A two-bedroom rents for around $1,015 a month. Property tax is 0.56% of home value, roughly $583 a year on that median home, lower than 82% of American counties. 73% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.1 per 1,000 residents, lower than 88% of American counties.

There are 0 active physicians in the county, about 0.0 per 10,000 people; the nearest doctor is in another county. 13.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

95% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 92 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 95% 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 85% of American counties. About 15 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 10 out of 100, safer than 90% of American counties; the county has had 15 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 110 Mbps down, slower than 84% of American counties.