Town in Harrison County, part of the Longview metro

Living in Waskom, TX

D-

673rd of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 10 of 100
15th of 16 in the Longview area

Waskom gets an overall grade of D- and ranks 673rd of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and home ownership, and trails on education levels and internet access.

  • Safety scores low (17 of 100)
  • Getting around scores low (13 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Waskom isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthWaskom
Where Waskom is in Texas.
Population
1,980+3.8% since 2020
Median rent
$92834% lower than Texas
Median home value
$92,00068% lower than Texas
Household income
$55,781Median
Average commute
27 minOne way
Violent crime
359Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Waskom

Waskom sits about 41 miles from downtown Longview, in the Longview metro. 1,980 people lived here in 2025, up 3.8% from 2020. It is spread out.

Places locals use include Waskom Park and Lions Club Park.

The median age is 36.2, 35% of households have children, 74% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $55,781 a year (29% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Waskom

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $928, 34% lower than the Texas median.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 1.6 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.

Cons of living in Waskom

  • Weaker school ratings. Only 33% of the 3 rated campuses earn an A or B from the state.
  • Spotty home internet. Only 79% of homes have a broadband plan.

Who Waskom suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit: 33% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 7% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 13% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 29% lower than the Texas median, with 10 restaurants and 1 cafe in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 14% for young professionals.
  • RetireesNot the best fit: 17% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 7% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 23% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 79% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $928 is 34% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 19% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $928 is 34% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 67% for people on a budget.

Waskom report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Waskom 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 $928, homes cost 1.6x income.

    72 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade D+

    Median household income $55,781, 3.8% unemployed.

    31 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade D

    3 rated campuses, 33% rated A or B.

    24 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: grade D

    359 violent crimes per 100k, 1,333 property crimes per 100k.

    17 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: no grade

    2 grocery stores, 10 restaurants, 2 parks mapped in town.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade D-

    Average commute 27 min, 5.3% work from home.

    13 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade F

    10% have a bachelor’s degree.

    6 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D

    17% of adults uninsured.

    18 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade C

    74% of homes owner-occupied.

    42 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade D-

    79% of homes have broadband.

    9 of 100 vs US towns

Where Waskom stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Home value to income: 1.6x54% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Median rent: $92834% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 74%12 points higher than Texas (63%)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 10%23 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Homes with broadband internet: 79%13 points lower than Texas (91%)
  • Median household income: $55,78129% lower than Texas ($78,476)

Cost of living in Waskom

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Waskom is $928 a month, 34% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $37,000 a year. Right now 50% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $951 for a one-bedroom, $1,244 for a two-bedroom and $1,482 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 $92,000, 68% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $504 before tax, or $572 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 Waskom pays $819 a year, 81% 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 WaskomStudio$8661 bedroom$9512 bedrooms$1,2443 bedrooms$1,4824 bedrooms$1,635
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Harrison County, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent34% lower than Texas$928$1,403$1,413
Median home value68% lower than Texas$92,000$283,800$332,700
Home value to income54% lower than Texas1.6x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent2 points lower than Texas50%52%51%
Median property tax per year81% lower than Texas$819$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them12 points higher than Texas74%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas197619921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$572
Mortgage payment
$504
Property tax
$68
Median rent, for comparison
$928

Based on a $92,000 home in Waskom, 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 Waskom safe?

In 2025, Waskom Police Department reported 7 violent crimes and 26 property crimes. That works out to 359 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 7% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 1,333 property crimes per 100,000, 36% lower than the state rate.

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 Waskom by yearTexas35920242025

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

Violent crime
359
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
1,333
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Waskom by yearTexas1,33320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

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

Schools in Waskom

Waskom has 3 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 33% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Waskom 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
24
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
75
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

  • BWaskom High SchoolHigh, Waskom ISD80 of 100
  • CWaskom MiddleMiddle, Waskom ISD76 of 100
  • DWaskom ElementaryElementary, Waskom ISD69 of 100

Daily life in Waskom

Everyday places mapped inside Waskom, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Waskom Park, Lions Club Park.

The average one-way commute is 27 minutes, about the same as the Texas average. 5% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown Longview is about 41 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Waskom work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $55,781, income per person is $24,782, unemployment is 3.8% and 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
2
Pharmacies
1
Restaurants
10
Cafes
1
Bars
0
Parks
2
Gyms
0
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
0
Libraries
1

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income29% lower than Texas$55,781$78,476$80,734
Income per person39% lower than Texas$24,782$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate2 points lower than Texas3.8%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line3 points higher than Texas17%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher23 points lower than Texas10%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher8 points lower than Texas78%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance3 points lower than Texas17%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet13 points lower than Texas79%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commuteAbout the same as Texas27 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home9 points lower than Texas5.3%14%15%
Workers who work from home5.3%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Waskom

Under 1825%
18 to 3424%
35 to 6434%
65 and over17%

Median age 36.2 years. 35% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White59%
Hispanic or Latino23%
Black13%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race4.5%

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

Weather in Waskom

Waskom has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 92°F and January lows about 37°F. There are about 92 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 53 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Waskom30°50°70°90°56J60F68M75A82M89J92J93A87S77O66N57DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Shreveport Wfo, La Us, 13 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 Waskom

    Nearby, Marshall gets a C-, Jefferson gets a D 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. C-MarshallSmall city, 23,825 people17 mi
    2. DJeffersonTown, 2,131 people26 mi
    3. C+CarthageTown, 6,601 people28 mi
    4. CTatumTown, 1,435 people29 mi
    5. AHallsvilleTown, 4,628 people30 mi
    6. B-Lake CherokeeTown, 3,093 people35 mi

    Waskom in the Longview area

    How it ranks among 16 places in the metro.

    1. 1AHallsville4,628 people11 mito downtown
    2. 2B+White Oak6,235 people6 mito downtown
    3. 3B-Lake Cherokee3,093 people13 mito downtown
    4. 12DOverton2,444 people21 mito downtown
    5. 13DNew London1,085 people20 mito downtown
    6. 14D-Big Sandy1,289 people21 mito downtown
    7. 15D-Waskom2,084 people41 mito downtown
    8. 16D-Gladewater6,227 people11 mito downtown

    See all of the best suburbs of longview

    Living in Waskom: common questions

    Is Waskom, TX a good place to live?

    Waskom gets an overall grade of D- and ranks 673rd of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and home ownership, and trails on education levels and internet access.

    How much does it cost to live in Waskom?

    Median rent in Waskom is $928 a month, 34% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $92,000, 68% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 1.6x 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 $572, including property tax.

    Is Waskom safe?

    In 2025, Waskom Police Department reported 359 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 7% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 1,333 per 100,000, 36% lower than the Texas rate.

    Are the schools good in Waskom?

    We found 3 rated public school campuses inside Waskom. 33% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 24 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

    What is the weather like in Waskom?

    Summers in Waskom peak at about 92°F in July, and January nights fall to about 37°F. Expect around 92 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 53 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Waskom?

    The average one-way commute is 27 min, about the same as the Texas average. About 5.3% of workers work from home. It is about 41 miles from downtown Longview.

    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.