Cameron
Texas

What stands out

If you had to describe Cameron County in numbers, start here: the uninsured rate is among the highest in America (26.6%), the average temperature is among the warmest in America (77°F), and high-school completion is among the lowest in America (71%). Within Texas it ranks 12th of 254 counties for the uninsured rate.

Where you are

You live in Cameron County, Texas. 421,854 people live here with you. The population grew 0.4% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -1,860).

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 $47,435 a year, lower than 84% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $44,590. Unemployment runs 5.7%, higher than 95% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home.

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

Home

The median home costs $207K, cheaper than 60% of American counties, about 2.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $821 a month. Property tax is 1.69% of home value, roughly $1,848 a year on that median home, higher than 91% of American counties. 65% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.3 per 1,000 residents, higher than 73% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 8 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 77.3 years, longer than 67% of American counties. There are 654 active physicians in the county, about 15.5 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.8 of 5 stars. 26.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.05 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 78% of American counties. 71% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 4 points. 48% 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 77°F, highs near 87 and lows near 67, warmer than almost every county in America. About 30 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 98 out of 100, riskier than 98% of American counties; the county has had 34 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 259 Mbps down, faster than 78% of American counties. There are 9 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, 4 museums, 1 National Park Service site.