Dickens
Texas

What stands out

If you had to describe Dickens County in numbers, start here: the home price against local income is among the most affordable in America (1.0 years of income), the share working from home is in the bottom 3% of American counties (2%), and the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000). Within Texas it ranks 10th of 252 counties for the home price against local income, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Dickens County, Texas. 1,570 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 -18).

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 $46,638 a year, lower than 85% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $48,702. Unemployment runs 4.8%, higher than 85% 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 $116K, cheaper than 94% of American counties, about 1.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $565 a month. Property tax is 1.20% of home value, roughly $807 a year on that median home, higher than 73% of American counties. 83% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.1 per 1,000 residents, higher than 62% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 73.0 years, shorter than 80% of American counties. There is 1 active physician in the county, about 6.4 per 10,000 people. 19.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.69 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 58% of American counties. 86% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 68 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 62% 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 22 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 17 out of 100, safer than 83% of American counties; the county has had 16 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 105 Mbps down, slower than 86% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation.