Martin
Texas

What stands out

Against every county in America, Martin County is unusual in three ways: the share working from home is among the lowest in America (1%), rainfall is in the bottom 3% of American counties (12 inches a year), and the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000). Within Texas it ranks 3rd of 254 counties for the share working from home, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Martin County, Texas. 5,228 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -41).

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 $70,217 a year, higher than 74% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $74,343. Unemployment runs 3.1%, lower than 61% of American counties. 1% of workers work from home.

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

Home

The median home costs $263K, pricier than 60% of American counties, about 1.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,772 a month. Property tax is 1.04% of home value, roughly $1,494 a year on that median home, higher than 63% of American counties. 61% 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.

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 1.9 per 10,000 people. 18.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.71 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 64% of American counties. 84% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 72 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 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 66°F, highs near 79 and lows near 52, warmer than 85% of American counties. About 12 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 22 out of 100, safer than 78% of American counties; the county has had 15 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 77 Mbps down, slower than 93% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.