Does Marshall, TX need an earthquake retrofit?

Under the seismic model IBC and ASCE 7 use for new construction, Marshall is Category B. Low seismic hazard. Code requires basic seismic detailing (bracing, connections) but no special structural system restrictions. Nationally, Marshall ranks above 30% of the 4,875 cities in this dataset for seismic hazard - the 30th percentile.

Marshall by the numbers

USGS's underlying values for Marshall: 0.05g peak ground acceleration, 0.104g at short period, 0.064g at 1 second. Within Texas alone, Marshall ranks 88 of 384 cities by seismic hazard - the 77th percentile in-state. Marshall has a population of about 24,263.

Bracing and bolting: the actual cost

A full earthquake retrofit typically runs $5,000-$10,000 nationally (around $7,000 typical), driven mainly by house size and foundation type, not by Texas specifically. California's Earthquake Brace + Bolt grant, which covers a large share of this cost, is a California-only program and does not apply in Texas.

Earthquake insurance for a Marshall home

A Marshall homeowner cannot buy a standalone earthquake policy in most cases - it is added to an existing homeowners policy as an endorsement, so the place to start is a regular home-insurance quote.

Where Marshall's figures come from

Marshall's Category B and every number above trace to USGS's own ASCE 7-16 Design Maps service - see the methodology guide. See the category explainer for what Category B does and doesn't tell you about Marshall.