El Paso
Texas

What stands out

What stands out about El Paso County: rainfall is among the driest in America (7 inches a year), winter sunshine is among the sunniest in America (2.9 on the USDA scale), and the uninsured rate is in the top 2% of American counties (23.7%). Within Texas it ranks 1st of 254 counties for rainfall, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in El Paso County, Texas. 863,832 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -3,840).

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 $55,417 a year, lower than 66% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $50,230. Unemployment runs 4.3%, higher than 76% 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 $233K, pricier than 50% of American counties, about 2.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $922 a month. Property tax is 2.14% of home value, roughly $3,282 a year on that median home, higher than 97% of American counties. 63% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.9 per 1,000 residents, higher than 50% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 14 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 77.0 years, longer than 64% of American counties. There are 2,344 active physicians in the county, about 27.1 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.2 of 5 stars. 23.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.08 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 76% of American counties. 80% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 20 points. 52% 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 67°F, highs near 81 and lows near 52, warmer than 88% of American counties. About 7 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 94 out of 100, riskier than 94% of American counties; the county has had 16 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 304 Mbps down, faster than 96% 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, 2 breweries, 8 museums, 1 National Park Service site.