riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Young County Disaster Risk

Young County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

36th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#155

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

35th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Young County, Texas

Young County has very low national disaster risk

Young County's composite risk score of 36.35 earns it a very low risk rating, placing it well below the national average for natural hazard exposure. The county's hazard profile is remarkably balanced, with no single threat dominating the overall risk landscape.

Among Texas's safest counties for disasters

Young County scores 36.35, significantly below the Texas state average of 49.00, and ranks among the safest counties in the state for natural disaster exposure. This favorable position reflects the county's distance from major hurricane paths and its low earthquake and flood exposure.

Safest county in its North Texas cluster

Young County (36.35) ranks as the lowest-risk neighbor in its peer group, notably safer than Wise County (58.97), Wood County (63.23), and Yoakum County (46.06). Only Zapata County (31.36) presents lower composite risk in the broader regional comparison.

Wildfire is primary concern in Young County

Wildfire risk at 90.11 is Young County's dominant hazard, requiring proactive defensible space maintenance and property hardening measures. Tornado (49.81) and hurricane (41.93) risks remain moderate and manageable with standard homeowners coverage and emergency preparedness.

Focus on wildfire preparedness and prevention

Young County residents should invest in wildfire-specific risk mitigation, including clearing 30+ feet of vegetation around homes and using fire-resistant roofing materials. Standard homeowners insurance covering tornado and wind is adequate for secondary hazards, but explicitly confirm wildfire coverage is included and understand any exclusions.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Young County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    90th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    50th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    42th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Young County

Risk Verdict

Young County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 36th percentile nationally. Residents of Young County can use the 36th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Young County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 50th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (42th percentile), flood (35th percentile), earthquake (27th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire is Young County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 90th percentile nationally. Young County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. A secondary tornado exposure at the 50th percentile nationally means Young County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. For Young County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.

Regional Context

The Texas county average exceeds Young County's score by 12.6 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Young County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Young County, TX?
Young County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 36th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Young County?
Young County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (90th percentile), tornado (50th percentile), hurricane (42th percentile), flooding (35th percentile), earthquake (27th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 90th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Young County risk compare to the Texas average?
Young County's composite risk percentile is 36th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Young County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Young County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Young County's wildfire risk is at the 90th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Young County is at the 35th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Young County a safe place to live?
Young County's composite risk score of 36th percentile is below the Texas state average of 49th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 90th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Dimmit County

Texas

-0.5

Very Low

36th percentile

Bosque County

Texas

+0.5

Very Low

37th percentile

Swisher County

Texas

+1.1

Very Low

37th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.

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