Town in Freestone County
Living in Wortham, TX
701st of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 6 of 100
We give Wortham an F. It ranks 701st of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and safety, and trails on home ownership and internet access.
- Schools scores low (14 of 100)
- Education levels scores low (4 of 100)
- Population
- 1,041+5.5% since 2020
- Median rent
- $85039% lower than Texas
- Median home value
- $129,00055% lower than Texas
- Household income
- $46,316Median
- Average commute
- 24 minOne way
- Violent crime
- 478Per 100k, 2025
What it's like to live in Wortham
Wortham is a town in Freestone County. 1,041 people lived here in 2025, up 5.5% from 2020. It is small-town and rural in feel.
The median age is 40.7, 32% of households have children, 47% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $46,316 a year (41% lower than the Texas median).
Pros of living in Wortham
- Lower rent. Median rent is $850, 39% lower than the Texas median.
Cons of living in Wortham
- Weaker school ratings. Only 33% of the 3 rated campuses earn an A or B from the state.
- Spotty home internet. Only 72% of homes have a broadband plan.
Who Wortham suits
- FamiliesNot the best fit: 33% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 23% higher than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 7% for families.
- Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 41% lower than the Texas median, with 3 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 15% for young professionals.
- RetireesNot the best fit: 15% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 23% higher than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 38% for retirees.
- Remote workersNot the best fit: 72% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $850 is 39% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 13% for remote workers.
- People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $850 is 39% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 65% for people on a budget.
Wortham report card
Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Wortham 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 $850, homes cost 2.8x income.
71 of 100 vs US townsJobs and income: grade D+
Median household income $46,316, 5.1% unemployed.
25 of 100 vs US townsSchools: grade D-
3 rated campuses, 33% rated A or B.
14 of 100 vs TX townsSafety: grade C-
478 violent crimes per 100k, 191 property crimes per 100k.
33 of 100 vs TX townsErrands and things to do: no grade
1 grocery store, 3 restaurants, 0 parks mapped in town.
No score vs TX townsGetting around: grade D
Average commute 24 min, 7.4% work from home.
23 of 100 vs US townsEducation levels: grade F
6.2% have a bachelor’s degree.
4 of 100 vs US townsHealth: grade D
15% of adults uninsured.
20 of 100 vs US townsHome ownership: grade F
47% of homes owner-occupied.
4 of 100 vs US townsInternet access: grade F
72% of homes have broadband.
4 of 100 vs US towns
Where Wortham stands out compared with Texas
Better than Texas
- Median rent: $85039% lower than Texas ($1,403)
- Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 41%11 points lower than Texas (52%)
- Home value to income: 2.8x23% lower than Texas (3.6x)
Worse than Texas
- Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 6.2%28 points lower than Texas (34%)
- Homes with broadband internet: 72%19 points lower than Texas (91%)
- Median household income: $46,31641% lower than Texas ($78,476)
Cost of living in Wortham
Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Wortham is $850 a month, 39% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $34,000 a year. Right now 41% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.
HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $775 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 $129,000, 55% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $706 before tax, or $818 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 Wortham pays $1,344 a year, 68% 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 rent39% lower than Texas | $850 | $1,403 | $1,413 |
| Median home value55% lower than Texas | $129,000 | $283,800 | $332,700 |
| Home value to income23% lower than Texas | 2.8x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent11 points lower than Texas | 41% | 52% | 51% |
| Median property tax per year68% lower than Texas | $1,344 | $4,232 | $3,119 |
| Homes owned by the people living in them16 points lower than Texas | 47% | 63% | 65% |
| Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas | 1979 | 1992 | 1980 |
Monthly cost to buy a median home
- Mortgage payment
- $706
- Property tax
- $112
- Median rent, for comparison
- $850
Based on a $129,000 home in Wortham, 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 Wortham safe?
In 2025, Wortham Police Department reported 5 violent crimes and 2 property crimes. That works out to 478 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 23% higher than the Texas rate of 387, and 191 property crimes per 100,000, 91% lower than the state rate.
Violent crime is up about 59% 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, Wortham Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.
Schools in Wortham
Wortham 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 Wortham 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.
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
- BWortham High SchoolHigh, Wortham ISD85 of 100
- DWortham MiddleMiddle, Wortham ISD69 of 100
- DWortham ElementaryElementary, Wortham ISD62 of 100
Daily life in Wortham
Everyday places mapped inside Wortham, from Overture Maps.
The average one-way commute is 24 minutes, 10% shorter than the Texas average. 7% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.
The median household income is $46,316, income per person is $22,594, unemployment is 5.1% and 6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Jobs, income and education
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income41% lower than Texas | $46,316 | $78,476 | $80,734 |
| Income per person45% lower than Texas | $22,594 | $40,752 | $44,673 |
| Unemployment rateAbout the same as Texas | 5.1% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty lineAbout the same as Texas | 13% | 14% | 12% |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher28 points lower than Texas | 6.2% | 34% | 36% |
| Adults with a high school diploma or higher6 points lower than Texas | 80% | 86% | 90% |
| Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance5 points lower than Texas | 15% | 20% | 11% |
| Homes with broadband internet19 points lower than Texas | 72% | 91% | 91% |
Getting to work
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average commute10% lower than Texas | 24 min | 27 min | 26 min |
| Workers who work from home7 points lower than Texas | 7.4% | 14% | 15% |
Who lives in Wortham
Median age 40.7 years. 32% of households have children.
Race and ethnicity
Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.
Weather in Wortham
Wortham has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 94°F and January lows about 36°F. There are about 91 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 43 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Fairfield 3w, 15 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 Wortham
Nearby, Mexia gets a D-, Teague gets a B- and Dawson 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.
Living in Wortham: common questions
Is Wortham, TX a good place to live?
We give Wortham an F. It ranks 701st of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and safety, and trails on home ownership and internet access.
How much does it cost to live in Wortham?
Median rent in Wortham is $850 a month, 39% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $129,000, 55% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 2.8x 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 $818, including property tax.
Is Wortham safe?
In 2025, Wortham Police Department reported 478 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 23% higher than the Texas rate. Property crime was 191 per 100,000, 91% lower than the Texas rate.
Are the schools good in Wortham?
We found 3 rated public school campuses inside Wortham. 33% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 14 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.
What is the weather like in Wortham?
Summers in Wortham peak at about 94°F in July, and January nights fall to about 36°F. Expect around 91 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 43 inches of rain.
How long is the commute in Wortham?
The average one-way commute is 24 min, 10% lower than the Texas average. About 7.4% 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.