Potter
Texas

What stands out

Three things set Potter County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the uninsured rate is in the top 2% of American counties (23.0%), high-school completion is in the bottom 4% of American counties (77%), and homeownership is in the bottom 4% of American counties (56%). Within Texas it ranks 52nd of 254 counties for the uninsured rate.

Where you are

You live in Potter County, Texas. 117,905 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -994).

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 $47,974 a year, lower than 83% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $59,781. Unemployment runs 3.2%, lower than 58% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 18 minutes each way.

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

Home

The median home costs $152K, cheaper than 83% of American counties, about 2.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $939 a month. Property tax is 1.59% of home value, roughly $1,912 a year on that median home, higher than 89% of American counties. 56% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.6 per 1,000 residents, higher than 86% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 13 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 71.1 years, shorter than 93% of American counties. There are 509 active physicians in the county, about 43.2 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.3 of 5 stars. 23.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.99 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 67% of American counties. 77% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 41 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 45% 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 60°F, highs near 74 and lows near 46, warmer than 66% of American counties. About 23 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 91 out of 100, riskier than 91% of American counties; the county has had 20 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 270 Mbps down, faster than 83% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.0 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 4 museums, 2 National Park Service sites.