Town in Llano County

Living in Buchanan Dam, TX

D-

649th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 13 of 100

Buchanan Dam earns a grade of D- on our index, 649th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on getting around and education levels, and trails on errands and things to do and internet access.

  • Errands and things to do scores low (3 of 100)
  • Internet access scores low (11 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Buchanan Dam isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthBuchanan Dam
Where Buchanan Dam is in Texas.
Population
1,513
Median rent
$1,03027% lower than Texas
Median home value
$288,900about the same as Texas
Household income
$56,429Median
Average commute
30 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Buchanan Dam

Buchanan Dam is a town in Llano County. About 1,513 people live here. It is small-town and rural in feel.

Local spots people know include Llano County Park, Black Rock Park and Lakeshore Library.

The median age is 59.9, 12% of households have children, 78% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $56,429 a year (28% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Buchanan Dam

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $1,030, 27% lower than the Texas median.

Cons of living in Buchanan Dam

  • Homes are pricey for local incomes. The median home costs 5.1 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Higher poverty. 23% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
  • Errands mean a drive. Compared with similar Texas places, fewer homes here are within a mile of a grocery store, pharmacy, park or clinic.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of river flooding, tornadoes and hail as very high here.
  • Spotty home internet. Only 80% of homes have a broadband plan.

Who Buchanan Dam suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 4% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 28% lower than the Texas median, with 6 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 23% for young professionals.
  • RetireesNot the best fit: 11% of working-age adults are uninsured. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 12% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 80% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,030 is 27% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 2% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetNot the best fit: the median rent of $1,030 is 27% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 11% for people on a budget.

Buchanan Dam report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Buchanan Dam with other US towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

  • Cost of living: grade D

    Median rent $1,030, homes cost 5.1x income.

    20 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade C

    Median household income $56,429, 0% unemployed.

    45 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade D

    Not enough data.

    24 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: no grade

    No full year of crime data from local police.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: grade F

    0 grocery stores, 6 restaurants, 4 parks mapped in town.

    3 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade B-

    Average commute 30 min, 11% work from home.

    57 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade C+

    23% have a bachelor’s degree.

    50 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade C

    11% of adults uninsured.

    47 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade D+

    78% of homes owner-occupied.

    29 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade D-

    80% of homes have broadband.

    11 of 100 vs US towns

Where Buchanan Dam stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 78%16 points higher than Texas (63%)
  • Median rent: $1,03027% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 11%9 points lower than Texas (20%)

Worse than Texas

  • Vacant homes: 27%17 points higher than Texas (9.4%)
  • Home value to income: 5.1x42% higher than Texas (3.6x)
  • Homes with broadband internet: 80%12 points lower than Texas (91%)

Cost of living in Buchanan Dam

Buchanan Dam renters pay a median of $1,030 a month, 27% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $41,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 57% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $878 for a one-bedroom, $1,102 for a two-bedroom and $1,526 for a three-bedroom (fiscal year 2027). These figures include utilities and describe a modest unit, so newer apartments often ask for more.

The median home is worth $288,900, about the same as the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,581 before tax, or $1,768 with property tax. That is $738 a month more than the median rent, so renting is the cheaper monthly choice unless you plan to stay for years.

Texas has no state income tax, but it leans on property taxes instead, though they are lighter here than in much of the state. The median homeowner in Buchanan Dam pays $2,245 a year, 47% lower than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in Buchanan DamStudio$8381 bedroom$8782 bedrooms$1,1023 bedrooms$1,5264 bedrooms$1,576
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Llano County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent27% lower than Texas$1,030$1,403$1,413
Median home valueAbout the same as Texas$288,900$283,800$332,700
Home value to income42% higher than Texas5.1x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent5 points higher than Texas57%52%51%
Median property tax per year47% lower than Texas$2,245$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them16 points higher than Texas78%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas198519921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$1,768
Mortgage payment
$1,581
Property tax
$187
Median rent, for comparison
$1,030

Based on a $288,900 home in Buchanan Dam, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median paid locally, or the county median where the local figure is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.

Daily life in Buchanan Dam

Everyday places mapped inside Buchanan Dam, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Llano County Park, Black Rock Park, Lakeshore Library.

The average one-way commute is 30 minutes, 11% longer than the Texas average. 11% of workers work from home. 6.4% walk, bike or take transit to work.

The median household income is $56,429, income per person is $42,770, unemployment is 0% and 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
0
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
6
Cafes
0
Bars
4
Parks
4
Gyms
0
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
0
Libraries
1

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income28% lower than Texas$56,429$78,476$80,734
Income per person5% higher than Texas$42,770$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate5 points lower than Texas0%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line9 points higher than Texas23%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher11 points lower than Texas23%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher6 points higher than Texas92%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance9 points lower than Texas11%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet12 points lower than Texas80%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute11% higher than Texas30 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home4 points lower than Texas11%14%15%
Workers who work from home11%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk6.4%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Buchanan Dam

Under 1812%
18 to 347.7%
35 to 6442%
65 and over38%

Median age 59.9 years. 12% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White88%
Hispanic or Latino7.5%
Black0.9%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race3.6%

Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.

Weather in Buchanan Dam

Buchanan Dam has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 94°F and January lows about 34°F. There are about 98 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 32 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Buchanan Dam30°50°70°90°59J63F70M77A84M90J94J94A88S78O68N60DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Burnet, 13 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is very high, hurricane risk is moderate, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is very high. Before you buy, look up the FEMA flood zone for the exact address and get a flood insurance quote, since standard home policies do not cover floods.

  • River floodingVery high
  • HurricanesModerate
  • TornadoesVery high
  • HailVery high
  • Heat wavesModerate
  • WildfiresVery high
  • Winter stormsVery high
  • Strong windVery high

Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025, Census tract level averaged for the city. Check the FEMA flood map for any address before you buy.

Places near Buchanan Dam

Nearby, Kingsland gets an F, Burnet gets a C- and Llano gets a C. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

  1. FKingslandTown, 7,330 people8 mi
  2. C-BurnetTown, 6,732 people12 mi
  3. CLlanoTown, 3,494 people14 mi
  4. D+Granite ShoalsTown, 5,328 people14 mi
  5. B-Horseshoe BayTown, 4,854 people17 mi
  6. C+Cottonwood ShoresTown, 1,859 people17 mi

Living in Buchanan Dam: common questions

Is Buchanan Dam, TX a good place to live?

Buchanan Dam earns a grade of D- on our index, 649th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on getting around and education levels, and trails on errands and things to do and internet access.

How much does it cost to live in Buchanan Dam?

Renters in Buchanan Dam pay a median of $1,030 a month, 27% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $288,900, about the same as the Texas median. A median home costs 5.1x the median household income, compared with 3.6x across Texas. With 20% down at a 7.28% rate, the monthly payment on a median home is about $1,768, including property tax.

Does Buchanan Dam flood?

FEMA rates river flooding risk in Buchanan Dam as very high, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: river flooding, tornadoes, hail, wildfires, winter storms and strong wind. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.

What is the weather like in Buchanan Dam?

Summers in Buchanan Dam peak at about 94°F in July, and January nights fall to about 34°F. Expect around 98 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 32 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Buchanan Dam?

The average one-way commute is 30 min, 11% higher than the Texas average. About 11% of workers work from home.

Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year and 2025 population estimates, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings, FBI Crime Data Explorer, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, Overture Maps. Updated 2026-10-04. How we grade.