Town in Henderson County

Living in Tool, TX

C-

489th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 34 of 100

Tool earns a grade of C- on our index, 489th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on schools and safety, and trails on getting around and errands and things to do.

  • Top-rated schools
  • Fast-growing
  • Errands and things to do scores low (17 of 100)
  • Getting around scores low (0 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Tool isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthTool
Where Tool is in Texas.
Population
2,427+11.8% since 2020
Median rent
$1,386about the same as Texas
Median home value
$213,30025% lower than Texas
Household income
$71,333Median
Average commute
47 minOne way
Violent crime
123Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Tool

Tool is a town in Henderson County. 2,427 people lived here in 2025, up 11.8% from 2020, so it is one of the faster-growing places in Texas. It is small-town and rural in feel.

The median age is 49.6, 26% of households have children, 81% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $71,333 a year (9% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Tool

  • Low violent crime. 123 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 68% lower than the Texas rate.

Cons of living in Tool

  • Long commutes. The average trip to work takes 47 minutes, against 27 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 tornadoes and wildfires as very high here.

Who Tool suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit: violent crime is 68% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 63% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 9% lower than the Texas median, with 3 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 6% for young professionals.
  • RetireesNot the best fit: 13% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 68% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 27% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 90% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,386 is about the same as the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 17% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetNot the best fit: the median rent of $1,386 is about the same as the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 11% for people on a budget.

Tool report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Tool 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 $1,386, homes cost 3.0x income.

    24 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade D+

    Median household income $71,333, 7.1% unemployed.

    28 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade A-

    1 rated campuses, 100% rated A or B.

    87 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: grade B

    123 violent crimes per 100k, 41 property crimes per 100k.

    71 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: grade D

    0 grocery stores, 3 restaurants, 1 park mapped in town.

    17 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade F

    Average commute 47 min, 11% work from home.

    0 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade C

    27% have a bachelor’s degree.

    48 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D+

    13% of adults uninsured.

    27 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade D+

    81% of homes owner-occupied.

    31 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade C+

    90% of homes have broadband.

    48 of 100 vs US towns

Where Tool stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 81%19 points higher than Texas (63%)
  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 13%7 points lower than Texas (20%)
  • Home value to income: 3.0x17% lower than Texas (3.6x)

Worse than Texas

  • Average commute: 47 min77% higher than Texas (27 min)
  • Vacant homes: 32%23 points higher than Texas (9.4%)
  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 63%11 points higher than Texas (52%)

Cost of living in Tool

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Tool is $1,386 a month, about the same as the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $55,000 a year. Right now 63% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $910 for a one-bedroom, $1,114 for a two-bedroom and $1,456 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 $213,300, 25% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,168 before tax, or $1,330 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 Tool pays $1,952 a year, 54% 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 ToolStudio$8221 bedroom$9102 bedrooms$1,1143 bedrooms$1,4564 bedrooms$1,648
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Henderson County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rentAbout the same as Texas$1,386$1,403$1,413
Median home value25% lower than Texas$213,300$283,800$332,700
Home value to income17% lower than Texas3.0x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent11 points higher than Texas63%52%51%
Median property tax per year54% lower than Texas$1,952$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them19 points higher than Texas81%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas198319921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$1,330
Mortgage payment
$1,168
Property tax
$163
Median rent, for comparison
$1,386

Based on a $213,300 home in Tool, 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 Tool safe?

In 2025, Tool Police Department reported 3 violent crimes and 1 property crimes. That works out to 123 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 68% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 41 property crimes per 100,000, 98% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime has been fairly steady since 2021.

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 Tool by yearTexas12320212022202320242025

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

Violent crime
123
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
41
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Tool by yearTexas4120212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

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

Schools in Tool

Tool has 1 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 Malakoff 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
87
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
89
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

  • BTool ElementaryElementary, Malakoff ISD89 of 100

Daily life in Tool

Everyday places mapped inside Tool, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Eight at Tool City Park.

The average one-way commute is 47 minutes, 77% longer than the Texas average. 11% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown Athens is about 20 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Tool work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $71,333, income per person is $43,181, unemployment is 7.1% and 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
0
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
3
Cafes
0
Bars
1
Parks
1
Gyms
0
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
0
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income9% lower than Texas$71,333$78,476$80,734
Income per person6% higher than Texas$43,181$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate2 points higher than Texas7.1%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line3 points higher than Texas17%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher7 points lower than Texas27%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher4 points higher than Texas90%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance7 points lower than Texas13%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet2 points lower than Texas90%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute77% higher than Texas47 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home3 points lower than Texas11%14%15%
Workers who work from home11%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Tool

Under 1817%
18 to 3418%
35 to 6443%
65 and over23%

Median age 49.6 years. 26% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White88%
Hispanic or Latino3.6%
Black0%
Asian3.1%
Other or more than one race4.8%

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

Weather in Tool

Tool has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 95°F and January lows about 35°F. There are about 100 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 42 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Tool30°50°70°90°57J61F68M76A83M90J95J96A90S79O67N59DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Corsicana, 21 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is moderate, hurricane risk is moderate, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is high. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.

  • River floodingModerate
  • HurricanesModerate
  • TornadoesVery high
  • HailHigh
  • Heat wavesHigh
  • WildfiresVery high
  • Winter stormsModerate
  • Strong windHigh

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 Tool

Nearby, Payne Springs gets a C-, Gun Barrel City gets a B- and Seven Points gets an F. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

  1. C-Payne SpringsTown, 1,201 people3 mi
  2. B-Gun Barrel CityTown, 6,570 people5 mi
  3. FSeven PointsTown, 1,167 people6 mi
  4. CMabankTown, 5,187 people8 mi
  5. C+EustaceTown, 1,039 people10 mi
  6. BKerensTown, 1,778 people11 mi

Living in Tool: common questions

Is Tool, TX a good place to live?

Tool earns a grade of C- on our index, 489th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on schools and safety, and trails on getting around and errands and things to do.

How much does it cost to live in Tool?

Median rent in Tool is $1,386 a month, about the same as the Texas median. The median home is worth $213,300, 25% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 3.0x 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 $1,330, including property tax.

Is Tool safe?

In 2025, Tool Police Department reported 123 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 68% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 41 per 100,000, 98% lower than the Texas rate.

Are the schools good in Tool?

We found 1 rated public school campuses inside Tool. 100% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 87 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

Does Tool flood?

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

What is the weather like in Tool?

Summers in Tool peak at about 95°F in July, and January nights fall to about 35°F. Expect around 100 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 42 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Tool?

The average one-way commute is 47 min, 77% higher than the Texas average. About 11% of workers work from home. It is about 20 miles from downtown Athens.

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.