Carson
Texas

What stands out

Three things set Carson County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the home price against local income is in the bottom 2% of American counties (1.2 years of income), the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000), and winter sunshine is in the top 5% of American counties (1.9 on the USDA scale). Within Texas it ranks 20th of 252 counties for the home price against local income, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Carson County, Texas. 5,801 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population grew 1.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +77).

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 $83,199 a year, higher than 90% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $98,977. Unemployment runs 3.1%, lower than 64% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 21 minutes each way.

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

Home

The median home costs $168K, cheaper than 77% of American counties, about 1.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $774 a month. Property tax is 1.39% of home value, roughly $1,807 a year on that median home, higher than 81% of American counties. 84% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.5 per 1,000 residents, lower than 70% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 73.6 years, shorter than 75% 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. 12.9% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.28 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 90% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 77 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 69% 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 60°F, highs near 73 and lows near 46, warmer than 66% of American counties. About 24 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 61 out of 100, riskier than 61% of American counties; the county has had 15 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 269 Mbps down, faster than 83% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.