Upton
Texas

What stands out

Three things set Upton County apart from the other 3,142 counties: rainfall is in the bottom 3% of American counties (12 inches a year), the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000), and the home price against local income is in the bottom 5% of American counties (1.3 years of income). Within Texas it ranks 16th of 254 counties for rainfall, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Upton County, Texas. 3,284 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 1.2% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -34).

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 $55,284 a year, lower than 66% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $87,660. Unemployment runs 2.7%, lower than 77% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home.

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

Home

The median home costs $122K, cheaper than 93% of American counties, about 1.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,015 a month. Property tax is 1.12% of home value, roughly $1,075 a year on that median home, higher than 68% of American counties. 77% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.2 per 1,000 residents, higher than 68% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 76.1 years, longer than 53% 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. 16.9% 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 60% of American counties. 79% 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. 58% 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 69°F, highs near 82 and lows near 55, warmer than 94% of American counties. About 12 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 9 out of 100, safer than 91% of American counties; the county has had 13 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 102 Mbps down, slower than 87% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation.