Town in Hudspeth County, part of the El Paso metro

Living in Fort Hancock, TX

D

616th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 17 of 100
12th of 16 in the El Paso area

We give Fort Hancock a D. It ranks 616th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and internet access, and trails on education levels and getting around. It is a strong pick for people on a budget.

  • Good for people on a budget
  • Affordable
  • Schools scores low (19 of 100)
  • Errands and things to do scores low (12 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Fort Hancock isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthFort Hancock
Where Fort Hancock is in Texas.
Population
1,345
Median rent
$54062% lower than Texas
Median home value
$52,80081% lower than Texas
Household income
$48,000Median
Average commute
29 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Fort Hancock

Fort Hancock sits about 52 miles from downtown El Paso, in the El Paso metro. About 1,345 people live here. It is small-town and rural in feel.

The median age is 43.1, 51% of households have children, 69% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $48,000 a year (39% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Fort Hancock

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $540, 62% lower than the Texas median.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 1.1 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.

Cons of living in Fort Hancock

  • Errands mean a drive. Compared with similar Texas places, fewer homes here are within a mile of a grocery store, pharmacy, park or clinic.
  • Many adults uninsured. 40% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of hail, wildfires and winter storms as very high here.
  • Long, hot summers. Expect about 133 days a year at 90°F or hotter.

Who Fort Hancock suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 13% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 39% lower than the Texas median, with 0 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 12% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 40% of working-age adults are uninsured. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 49% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 88% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $540 is 62% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 60% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $540 is 62% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 96% for people on a budget.

Fort Hancock report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Fort Hancock 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 A+

    Median rent $540, homes cost 1.1x income.

    100 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade C-

    Median household income $48,000, 3.2% unemployed.

    36 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade D

    2 rated campuses, 0% rated A or B.

    19 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 D-

    1 grocery store, 0 restaurants, 1 park mapped in town.

    12 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade D-

    Average commute 29 min, 13% work from home.

    9 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade F

    6.1% have a bachelor’s degree.

    1 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D-

    40% of adults uninsured.

    15 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade D

    69% of homes owner-occupied.

    17 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade C

    88% of homes have broadband.

    40 of 100 vs US towns

Where Fort Hancock stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 0%52 points lower than Texas (52%)
  • Home value to income: 1.1x70% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Median rent: $54062% lower than Texas ($1,403)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 6.1%28 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 40%20 points higher than Texas (20%)
  • Median household income: $48,00039% lower than Texas ($78,476)

Cost of living in Fort Hancock

Fort Hancock renters pay a median of $540 a month, 62% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $22,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 0% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $858 for a one-bedroom, $1,014 for a two-bedroom and $1,208 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 $52,800, 81% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $289 before tax, or $343 with property tax. That is close to the median rent, so buying can make sense if you plan to stay.

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 Fort Hancock pays $652 a year, 85% 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 Fort HancockStudio$7061 bedroom$8582 bedrooms$1,0143 bedrooms$1,2084 bedrooms$1,695
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Hudspeth County, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent62% lower than Texas$540$1,403$1,413
Median home value81% lower than Texas$52,800$283,800$332,700
Home value to income70% lower than Texas1.1x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent52 points lower than Texas0%52%51%
Median property tax per year85% lower than Texas$652$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them6 points higher than Texas69%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas198419921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$343
Mortgage payment
$289
Property tax
$54
Median rent, for comparison
$540

Based on a $52,800 home in Fort Hancock, 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.

Schools in Fort Hancock

Fort Hancock has 2 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 0% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Ft Hancock ISD.

Texas districts usually assign students by attendance zone rather than the closest campus, so check the zone for a specific address with the district before you sign a lease or buy.

Schools grade
19
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
74
Texas median 81

Ratings are the 2025 Texas Education Agency A to F accountability ratings. Always check which school serves a specific address with the district.

Top-rated schools

  • CFort Hancock High SchoolOther, Ft Hancock ISD79 of 100
  • DBenito Martinez ElementaryElementary, Ft Hancock ISD68 of 100

Daily life in Fort Hancock

Everyday places mapped inside Fort Hancock, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Lovelady Park.

The average one-way commute is 29 minutes, 7% longer than the Texas average. 13% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown El Paso is about 52 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Fort Hancock work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $48,000, income per person is $19,755, unemployment is 3.2% and 6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

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

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income39% lower than Texas$48,000$78,476$80,734
Income per person52% lower than Texas$19,755$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate2 points lower than Texas3.2%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line1 points lower than Texas12%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher28 points lower than Texas6.1%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher38 points lower than Texas48%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance20 points higher than Texas40%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet3 points lower than Texas88%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute7% higher than Texas29 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home2 points lower than Texas13%14%15%
Workers who work from home13%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Fort Hancock

Under 1814%
18 to 3432%
35 to 6447%
65 and over6.2%

Median age 43.1 years. 51% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White9.2%
Hispanic or Latino91%
Black0%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race0%

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

Weather in Fort Hancock

Fort Hancock has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 96°F and January lows about 27°F. There are about 133 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 8 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Fort Hancock20°40°60°80°100°61J67F75M83A91M98J96J94A90S82O70N61DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Ft Hancock 8sse, 9 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is high, hurricane risk is low, tornado risk is very low 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 floodingHigh
  • HurricanesLow
  • TornadoesVery low
  • 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 Fort Hancock

Nearby, Tornillo gets an F, Fabens gets a C- and Agua Dulce gets a D+. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

  1. FTornilloTown, 1,341 people19 mi
  2. C-FabensTown, 4,818 people24 mi
  3. D+Agua DulceTown, 2,697 people30 mi
  4. D+ClintTown, 1,258 people31 mi
  5. D-San ElizarioSmall city, 10,116 people32 mi
  6. C+Horizon CitySmall city, 23,668 people34 mi

Fort Hancock in the El Paso area

How it ranks among 16 places in the metro.

  1. 1BVinton2,585 people12 mito downtown
  2. 2C+El Paso680,130 people0 mito downtown
  3. 3C+Horizon City23,668 people18 mito downtown
  4. 9D+Agua Dulce2,697 people22 mito downtown
  5. 10D+Clint1,258 people21 mito downtown
  6. 11D+Sparks4,134 people16 mito downtown
  7. 12DFort Hancock1,345 people52 mito downtown
  8. 13D-San Elizario10,116 people21 mito downtown
  9. 14D-Homestead Meadows South6,660 people16 mito downtown
  10. 15D-Homestead Meadows North5,795 people15 mito downtown

See all of the best suburbs of el paso

Living in Fort Hancock: common questions

Is Fort Hancock, TX a good place to live?

We give Fort Hancock a D. It ranks 616th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and internet access, and trails on education levels and getting around. It is a strong pick for people on a budget.

How much does it cost to live in Fort Hancock?

Renters in Fort Hancock pay a median of $540 a month, 62% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $52,800, 81% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 1.1x 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 $343, including property tax.

Are the schools good in Fort Hancock?

We found 2 rated public school campuses inside Fort Hancock. 0% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 19 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

Does Fort Hancock flood?

FEMA rates river flooding risk in Fort Hancock as high, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: river flooding, 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 Fort Hancock?

Summers in Fort Hancock peak at about 96°F in July, and January nights fall to about 27°F. Expect around 133 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 8 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Fort Hancock?

The average one-way commute is 29 min, 7% higher than the Texas average. About 13% of workers work from home. It is about 52 miles from downtown El Paso.

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.