Hale
Texas

What stands out

Three things set Hale County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the uninsured rate is in the top 2% of American counties (22.6%), high-school completion is in the bottom 2% of American counties (75%), and the share working from home is in the bottom 5% of American counties (2%). Within Texas it ranks 58th of 254 counties for the uninsured rate.

Where you are

You live in Hale County, Texas. 32,525 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.6% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -314).

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 $50,721 a year, lower than 78% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $48,708. Unemployment runs 4.9%, higher than 88% 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 $121K, cheaper than 93% of American counties, about 1.6 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $739 a month. Property tax is 1.43% of home value, roughly $1,398 a year on that median home, higher than 83% of American counties. 62% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.3 per 1,000 residents, higher than 75% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 9 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 73.1 years, shorter than 80% of American counties. There are 24 active physicians in the county, about 7.4 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 22.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.82 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 54% of American counties. 75% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 54 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 43% 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 61°F, highs near 75 and lows near 47, warmer than 70% of American counties. About 19 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 77 out of 100, riskier than 77% of American counties; the county has had 15 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 245 Mbps down, faster than 72% of American counties. There are 6 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.