Town in Shelby County

Living in Tenaha, TX

D+

538th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 28 of 100

Tenaha gets an overall grade of D+ and ranks 538th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on safety and cost of living, and trails on health and education levels.

  • Low crime
  • Schools scores low (4 of 100)
  • Education levels scores low (3 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Tenaha isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthTenaha
Where Tenaha is in Texas.
Population
1,005+1.7% since 2020
Median rent
$60057% lower than Texas
Median home value
$91,50068% lower than Texas
Household income
$27,813Median
Average commute
29 minOne way
Violent crime
0Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Tenaha

Tenaha is a town in Shelby County. 1,005 people lived here in 2025, up 1.7% from 2020. It is small-town and rural in feel.

The median age is 29.8, 33% of households have children, 46% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $27,813 a year (65% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Tenaha

  • Low violent crime. 0 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 100% lower than the Texas rate.
  • Lower rent. Median rent is $600, 57% lower than the Texas median.

Cons of living in Tenaha

  • Higher poverty. 43% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
  • Spotty home internet. Only 74% of homes have a broadband plan.

Who Tenaha suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit: violent crime is 100% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 32% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 65% lower than the Texas median, with 2 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 43% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 23% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 100% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 70% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 74% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $600 is 57% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 11% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $600 is 57% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 64% for people on a budget.

Tenaha report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Tenaha 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 B

    Median rent $600, homes cost 3.3x income.

    69 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade D+

    Median household income $27,813, 0% unemployed.

    27 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade F

    1 rated campuses, 0% rated A or B.

    4 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: grade A

    0 violent crimes per 100k, 0 property crimes per 100k.

    95 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: no grade

    0 grocery stores, 2 restaurants, 0 parks mapped in town.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade B-

    Average commute 29 min, 0.4% work from home.

    60 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade F

    8.0% have a bachelor’s degree.

    3 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade F

    23% of adults uninsured.

    2 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade F

    46% of homes owner-occupied.

    6 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade F

    74% of homes have broadband.

    5 of 100 vs US towns

Where Tenaha stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Median rent: $60057% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Unemployment rate: 0%5 points lower than Texas (5.3%)
  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 47%5 points lower than Texas (52%)

Worse than Texas

  • People below the poverty line: 43%29 points higher than Texas (14%)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 8.0%26 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Median household income: $27,81365% lower than Texas ($78,476)

Cost of living in Tenaha

Tenaha renters pay a median of $600 a month, 57% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $24,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 47% 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, $1,014 for a two-bedroom and $1,404 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 $91,500, 68% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $501 before tax, or $573 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 Tenaha pays $867 a year, 80% 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 TenahaStudio$7711 bedroom$8782 bedrooms$1,0143 bedrooms$1,4044 bedrooms$1,502
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Shelby County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent57% lower than Texas$600$1,403$1,413
Median home value68% lower than Texas$91,500$283,800$332,700
Home value to income9% lower than Texas3.3x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent5 points lower than Texas47%52%51%
Median property tax per year80% lower than Texas$867$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them17 points lower than Texas46%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas197919921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$573
Mortgage payment
$501
Property tax
$72
Median rent, for comparison
$600

Based on a $91,500 home in Tenaha, 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 Tenaha safe?

In 2025, Tenaha Police Department reported 0 violent crimes and 0 property crimes. That works out to 0 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 100% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 0 property crimes per 100,000, 100% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime is down about 100% 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 in Tenaha by yearTexas020212022202320242025

Violent crimes per 100,000 people by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.

Violent crime
0
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
0
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Tenaha by yearTexas020212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Tenaha Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.

Schools in Tenaha

Tenaha has 1 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 Tenaha 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
4
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
65
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

  • DTenaha SchoolsOther, Tenaha ISD65 of 100

Daily life in Tenaha

Everyday places mapped inside Tenaha, from Overture Maps.

The average one-way commute is 29 minutes, 8% longer than the Texas average. 0% of workers work from home. 6.3% walk, bike or take transit to work.

The median household income is $27,813, income per person is $27,442, unemployment is 0% and 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
0
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
2
Cafes
0
Bars
0
Parks
0
Gyms
0
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
0
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income65% lower than Texas$27,813$78,476$80,734
Income per person33% lower than Texas$27,442$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate5 points lower than Texas0%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line29 points higher than Texas43%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher26 points lower than Texas8.0%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher11 points lower than Texas75%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance3 points higher than Texas23%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet18 points lower than Texas74%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute8% higher than Texas29 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home14 points lower than Texas0.4%14%15%
Workers who work from home0.4%
Workers who take transit6.3%
Workers who walk0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Tenaha

Under 1830%
18 to 3424%
35 to 6434%
65 and over12%

Median age 29.8 years. 33% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White13%
Hispanic or Latino32%
Black53%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race2.5%

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

Weather in Tenaha

Tenaha has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 94°F and January lows about 36°F. There are about 97 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 56 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Tenaha30°50°70°90°58J63F70M77A84M90J94J94A89S80O68N60DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Center, 10 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

    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 Tenaha

    Nearby, Timpson gets a C, Center gets a C- and Carthage 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. CTimpsonTown, 1,063 people9 mi
    2. C-CenterTown, 5,271 people11 mi
    3. C+CarthageTown, 6,601 people15 mi
    4. C+GarrisonTown, 1,065 people17 mi
    5. FSan AugustineTown, 2,054 people30 mi
    6. CTatumTown, 1,435 people30 mi

    Living in Tenaha: common questions

    Is Tenaha, TX a good place to live?

    Tenaha gets an overall grade of D+ and ranks 538th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on safety and cost of living, and trails on health and education levels.

    How much does it cost to live in Tenaha?

    Renters in Tenaha pay a median of $600 a month, 57% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $91,500, 68% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 3.3x 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 $573, including property tax.

    Is Tenaha safe?

    In 2025, Tenaha Police Department reported 0 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 100% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 0 per 100,000, 100% lower than the Texas rate.

    Are the schools good in Tenaha?

    We found 1 rated public school campuses inside Tenaha. 0% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 4 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

    What is the weather like in Tenaha?

    Summers in Tenaha peak at about 94°F in July, and January nights fall to about 36°F. Expect around 97 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 56 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Tenaha?

    The average one-way commute is 29 min, 8% higher than the Texas average. About 0.4% 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.