Brazos
Texas

What stands out

If you had to describe Brazos County in numbers, start here: homeownership is among the lowest in America (47%), the average temperature is in the top 4% of American counties (70°F), and the property tax rate is in the top 8% of American counties (1.71%). Within Texas it ranks 4th of 254 counties for homeownership, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Brazos County, Texas. 234,548 people live here with you. The population grew 1.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +184).

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 $57,562 a year, lower than 59% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $54,374. Unemployment runs 3.1%, lower than 62% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 16 minutes each way.

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

Home

The median home costs $316K, pricier than 73% of American counties, about 3.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,051 a month. Property tax is 1.71% of home value, roughly $4,463 a year on that median home, higher than 92% of American counties. 47% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.8 per 1,000 residents, lower than 56% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 6 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 79.2 years, longer than 86% of American counties. There are 671 active physicians in the county, about 28.6 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 17.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.07 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 76% of American counties. 89% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 21 points. 53% 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 70°F, highs near 81 and lows near 59, warmer than 96% of American counties. About 35 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 85 out of 100, riskier than 85% of American counties; the county has had 19 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 257 Mbps down, faster than 77% of American counties. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery, 5 museums.