Childress
Texas

What stands out

If you had to describe Childress County in numbers, start here: the overdose death rate is among the lowest in America (-999 per 100,000), the share working from home is in the bottom 2% of American counties (2%), and the school test score is in the top 2% of American counties (3.59 where 3.0 is grade level). Within Texas it ranks 14th of 254 counties for the overdose death rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Childress County, Texas. 6,781 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 0.8% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -47).

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 $56,063 a year, lower than 64% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $49,760. Unemployment runs 2.8%, lower than 72% of American counties. 2% of workers work from home.

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

Home

The median home costs $131K, cheaper than 91% of American counties, about 1.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $834 a month. Property tax is 1.75% of home value, roughly $1,941 a year on that median home, higher than 93% of American counties. 71% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.1 per 1,000 residents, higher than 64% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 74.1 years, shorter than 69% of American counties. There are 11 active physicians in the county, about 16.2 per 10,000 people. 12.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.46 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 98% of American counties. 82% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 73 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 42% 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 64°F, highs near 78 and lows near 50, warmer than 80% of American counties. About 21 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 84 out of 100, riskier than 84% of American counties; the county has had 14 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 98 Mbps down, slower than 88% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.0 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.