Town in Lubbock County, part of the Lubbock metro
Living in Idalou, TX
268th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 63 of 100
6th of 14 in the Lubbock area
Idalou earns a grade of B- on our index, 268th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on schools and errands and things to do, and trails on getting around and home ownership.
- Top-rated schools
- Getting around scores low (10 of 100)
- Tornado risk is very high
- Population
- 2,105-4.1% since 2020
- Median rent
- $67852% lower than Texas
- Median home value
- $211,00026% lower than Texas
- Household income
- $58,500Median
- Average commute
- 28 minOne way
- Violent crime
- 191Per 100k, 2025
What it's like to live in Idalou
Idalou sits about 14 miles from downtown Lubbock, in the Lubbock metro. 2,105 people lived here in 2025, down 4.1% from 2020. It is suburban.
Places locals use include Idalou County Park and Idalou Community Library.
The median age is 44.2, 35% of households have children, 71% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $58,500 a year (25% lower than the Texas median).
Pros of living in Idalou
- Strong public schools. 100% of the 3 rated campuses here earn an A or B from the Texas Education Agency.
- Low violent crime. 191 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 51% lower than the Texas rate.
- Lower rent. Median rent is $678, 52% lower than the Texas median.
Cons of living in Idalou
- Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of tornadoes, hail and winter storms as very high here.
Who Idalou suits
- FamiliesA reasonable fit: 100% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 51% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 76% for families.
- Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 25% lower than the Texas median, with 9 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 45% for young professionals.
- RetireesA reasonable fit: 20% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 51% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 55% for retirees.
- Remote workersA reasonable fit: 90% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $678 is 52% 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 $678 is 52% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 46% for people on a budget.
Idalou report card
Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Idalou 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 C+
Median rent $678, homes cost 3.6x income.
52 of 100 vs US townsJobs and income: grade C-
Median household income $58,500, 2.9% unemployed.
40 of 100 vs US townsSchools: grade A+
3 rated campuses, 100% rated A or B.
96 of 100 vs TX townsSafety: grade C+
191 violent crimes per 100k, 334 property crimes per 100k.
52 of 100 vs TX townsErrands and things to do: grade B-
1 grocery store, 9 restaurants, 2 parks mapped in town.
59 of 100 vs TX townsGetting around: grade D-
Average commute 28 min, 9.3% work from home.
10 of 100 vs US townsEducation levels: grade C
22% have a bachelor’s degree.
44 of 100 vs US townsHealth: grade D+
20% of adults uninsured.
26 of 100 vs US townsHome ownership: grade D+
71% of homes owner-occupied.
25 of 100 vs US townsInternet access: grade C+
90% of homes have broadband.
50 of 100 vs US towns
Where Idalou stands out compared with Texas
Better than Texas
- Median rent: $67852% lower than Texas ($1,403)
- Homes owned by the people living in them: 71%8 points higher than Texas (63%)
- Unemployment rate: 2.9%2 points lower than Texas (5.3%)
Worse than Texas
- Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 22%12 points lower than Texas (34%)
- Median household income: $58,50025% lower than Texas ($78,476)
- Vacant homes: 17%7 points higher than Texas (9.4%)
Cost of living in Idalou
Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Idalou is $678 a month, 52% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $27,000 a year. Right now 56% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.
HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,050 for a one-bedroom, $1,241 for a two-bedroom and $1,718 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 $211,000, 26% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,155 before tax, or $1,383 with property tax. That is $705 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 Idalou pays $2,732 a year, 35% 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
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent52% lower than Texas | $678 | $1,403 | $1,413 |
| Median home value26% lower than Texas | $211,000 | $283,800 | $332,700 |
| Home value to incomeAbout the same as Texas | 3.6x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent4 points higher than Texas | 56% | 52% | 51% |
| Median property tax per year35% lower than Texas | $2,732 | $4,232 | $3,119 |
| Homes owned by the people living in them8 points higher than Texas | 71% | 63% | 65% |
| Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas | 1969 | 1992 | 1980 |
Monthly cost to buy a median home
- Mortgage payment
- $1,155
- Property tax
- $228
- Median rent, for comparison
- $678
Based on a $211,000 home in Idalou, 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.
Is Idalou safe?
In 2025, Idalou Police Department reported 4 violent crimes and 7 property crimes. That works out to 191 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 51% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 334 property crimes per 100,000, 84% lower than the state rate.
Violent crime is up about 121% since 2021, based on the yearly rates below.
Crime rates describe the whole area a police department covers. Some streets are much quieter than the average and some are busier, so look at the neighborhood grades and visit at different times of day.
Violent crimes per 100,000 people by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.
Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Idalou Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.
Schools in Idalou
Idalou has 3 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 100% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Idalou ISD.
Top-rated campuses include Idalou High School and Idalou Elementary. The average rating score across all campuses is 92 out of 100, against a Texas median of 81.
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.
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
- AIdalou High SchoolHigh, Idalou ISD97 of 100
- AIdalou ElementaryElementary, Idalou ISD90 of 100
- BIdalou MiddleMiddle, Idalou ISD89 of 100
Daily life in Idalou
Everyday places mapped inside Idalou, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Idalou County Park, Idalou Community Library.
The average one-way commute is 28 minutes, 5% longer than the Texas average. 9% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.
Downtown Lubbock is about 14 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Idalou work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.
The median household income is $58,500, income per person is $30,880, unemployment is 2.9% and 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Jobs, income and education
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income25% lower than Texas | $58,500 | $78,476 | $80,734 |
| Income per person24% lower than Texas | $30,880 | $40,752 | $44,673 |
| Unemployment rate2 points lower than Texas | 2.9% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty line2 points higher than Texas | 16% | 14% | 12% |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher12 points lower than Texas | 22% | 34% | 36% |
| Adults with a high school diploma or higher5 points higher than Texas | 91% | 86% | 90% |
| Adults 18 to 64 without health insuranceAbout the same as Texas | 20% | 20% | 11% |
| Homes with broadband internet1 points lower than Texas | 90% | 91% | 91% |
Getting to work
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average commute5% higher than Texas | 28 min | 27 min | 26 min |
| Workers who work from home5 points lower than Texas | 9.3% | 14% | 15% |
Who lives in Idalou
Median age 44.2 years. 35% of households have children.
Race and ethnicity
Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.
Weather in Idalou
Idalou has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 93°F and January lows about 27°F. There are about 92 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 18 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Lubbock, 7 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.
Natural hazard risk
FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is low, hurricane risk is low, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is very high. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.
- River floodingLow
- HurricanesLow
- TornadoesVery high
- HailVery high
- Heat wavesLow
- WildfiresModerate
- 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 Idalou
Nearby, Ransom Canyon gets an A+, Lubbock gets a C- and Slaton 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.
- A+Ransom CanyonTown, 1,041 people9 mi
- C-LubbockCity, 264,814 people14 mi
- D+SlatonTown, 5,761 people15 mi
- AAbernathyTown, 3,278 people15 mi
- D-RallsTown, 1,463 people17 mi
- AShallowaterTown, 2,955 people18 mi
Idalou in the Lubbock area
How it ranks among 14 places in the metro.
- 1A+Ransom Canyon1,041 people12 mito downtown
- 2AShallowater2,955 people11 mito downtown
- 3ASundown1,374 people35 mito downtown
- 4A-Wolfforth6,701 people8 mito downtown
- 5BAnton1,053 people23 mito downtown
- 6B-Idalou2,151 people14 mito downtown
- 7C+Crosbyton1,774 people38 mito downtown
- 8C-Lubbock264,814 people0 mito downtown
- 9D+Levelland12,466 people27 mito downtown
Living in Idalou: common questions
Is Idalou, TX a good place to live?
Idalou earns a grade of B- on our index, 268th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on schools and errands and things to do, and trails on getting around and home ownership.
How much does it cost to live in Idalou?
Median rent in Idalou is $678 a month, 52% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $211,000, 26% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 3.6x 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 $1,383, including property tax.
Is Idalou safe?
In 2025, Idalou Police Department reported 191 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 51% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 334 per 100,000, 84% lower than the Texas rate.
Are the schools good in Idalou?
We found 3 rated public school campuses inside Idalou. 100% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 96 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.
Does Idalou flood?
FEMA rates river flooding risk in Idalou as low, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: tornadoes, hail, winter storms and strong wind. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.
What is the weather like in Idalou?
Summers in Idalou peak at about 93°F in July, and January nights fall to about 27°F. Expect around 92 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 18 inches of rain.
How long is the commute in Idalou?
The average one-way commute is 28 min, 5% higher than the Texas average. About 9.3% of workers work from home. It is about 14 miles from downtown Lubbock.
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.