Willacy
Texas

What stands out

If you had to describe Willacy County in numbers, start here: high-school completion is among the lowest in America (67%), the average temperature is among the warmest in America (77°F), and unemployment is among the highest in America (8.2%). Within Texas it ranks 9th of 254 counties for high-school completion, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Willacy County, Texas. 20,308 people live here with you. The population shrank 1.1% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -258).

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 $42,839 a year, lower than 91% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $44,749. Unemployment runs 8.2%, higher than almost every county in America. 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 $181K, cheaper than 71% of American counties, about 1.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $685 a month. Property tax is 1.74% of home value, roughly $1,161 a year on that median home, higher than 92% of American counties. 69% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 5.0 per 1,000 residents, higher than 95% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 9 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 74.1 years, shorter than 69% of American counties. There are 8 active physicians in the county, about 3.9 per 10,000 people. 22.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.91 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 52% of American counties. 67% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 10 points. 37% 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 77°F, highs near 86 and lows near 67, warmer than almost every county in America. About 31 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 85 out of 100, riskier than 85% of American counties; the county has had 29 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 215 Mbps down, faster than 57% of American counties. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.