Walker
Texas

What stands out

Three things set Walker County apart from the other 3,142 counties: homeownership is in the bottom 4% of American counties (55%), the uninsured rate is in the top 5% of American counties (19.6%), and the average temperature is in the top 5% of American counties (70°F). Within Texas it ranks 10th of 254 counties for homeownership, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Walker County, Texas. 77,182 people live here with you. The population grew 2.0% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +1,335).

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 $47,193 a year, lower than 84% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $52,613. Unemployment runs 4.7%, higher than 84% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 25 minutes each way.

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

Home

The median home costs $274K, pricier than 63% of American counties, about 2.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,036 a month. Property tax is 1.18% of home value, roughly $2,200 a year on that median home, higher than 71% of American counties. 55% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.2 per 1,000 residents, higher than 69% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 20 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 77.1 years, longer than 66% of American counties. There are 62 active physicians in the county, about 8.0 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 19.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.61 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 85% of American counties. 85% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 36 points. 41% 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 70°F, highs near 80 and lows near 59, warmer than 95% of American counties. About 44 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 80 out of 100, riskier than 81% of American counties; the county has had 39 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 225 Mbps down, faster than 62% of American counties. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 3 museums.