Hartley
Texas

What stands out

If you had to describe Hartley County in numbers, start here: unemployment is in the bottom 4% of American counties (2.0%), the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000), and population growth is in the bottom 4% of American counties (-1.6% a year). Within Texas it ranks 5th of 254 counties for unemployment, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Hartley County, Texas. 5,369 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 1.6% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -117).

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 $78,065 a year, higher than 86% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $54,859. Unemployment runs 2.0%, lower than 96% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home.

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

Home

The median home costs $256K, pricier than 58% of American counties, about 2.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $890 a month. Property tax is 1.16% of home value, roughly $2,625 a year on that median home, higher than 70% of American counties. 80% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.3 per 1,000 residents, lower than 78% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 80.1 years, longer than 92% of American counties. There are 0 active physicians in the county, about 0.0 per 10,000 people; the nearest doctor is in another county. 18.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.60 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 78% of American counties. 84% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 82 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 51% 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 58°F, highs near 72 and lows near 43, warmer than 58% of American counties. About 16 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 52 out of 100, riskier than 52% of American counties; the county has had 13 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 153 Mbps down, slower than 70% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.