Stephens
Texas

What stands out

Three things set Stephens County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000), the uninsured rate is in the top 4% of American counties (20.7%), and the property tax rate is in the top 9% of American counties (1.68%). Within Texas it ranks 90th of 254 counties for the overdose death rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Stephens County, Texas. 9,260 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 0.4% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +23).

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 $44,712 a year, lower than 89% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $46,145. Unemployment runs 3.7%, higher than 62% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 21 minutes each way.

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

Home

The median home costs $156K, cheaper than 82% of American counties, about 1.6 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,015 a month. Property tax is 1.68% of home value, roughly $1,644 a year on that median home, higher than 91% of American counties. 79% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.0 per 1,000 residents, higher than 57% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 73.7 years, shorter than 74% of American counties. There are 4 active physicians in the county, about 4.3 per 10,000 people. 20.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.78 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 70% of American counties. 83% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 74 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 54% 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 67°F, highs near 80 and lows near 54, warmer than 88% of American counties. About 31 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 23 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 152 Mbps down, slower than 70% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.9 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.