Harris
Texas

What stands out

If you had to describe Harris County in numbers, start here: natural-hazard risk is among the riskiest in America (100 of 100), the uninsured rate is in the top 2% of American counties (22.8%), and the average temperature is in the top 2% of American counties (72°F). Within Texas it ranks 1st of 254 counties for natural-hazard risk.

Where you are

You live in Harris County, Texas. 4,726,177 people live here with you, which makes it one of the country's big urban counties. The population grew 1.1% last year.

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 $70,789 a year, higher than 76% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $88,554. Unemployment runs 4.2%, higher than 75% of American counties. 10% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 26 minutes each way.

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

Home

The median home costs $282K, pricier than 65% of American counties, about 2.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,289 a month. Property tax is 1.77% of home value, roughly $4,168 a year on that median home, higher than 93% of American counties. 55% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.4 per 1,000 residents, lower than 73% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 18 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 77.9 years, longer than 74% of American counties. There are 18,662 active physicians in the county, about 39.5 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.7 of 5 stars. 22.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.93 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 56% of American counties. 82% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 11 points. 59% 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 72°F, highs near 82 and lows near 63, warmer than 98% of American counties. About 40 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 100 out of 100, riskier than almost every county in America; the county has had 41 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 295 Mbps down, faster than 94% of American counties. There are 12 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 21 breweries, 61 museums.