Tyler, TX: what USGS's seismic model says

Under the seismic model IBC and ASCE 7 use for new construction, Tyler is Category B. Low seismic hazard. Code requires basic seismic detailing (bracing, connections) but no special structural system restrictions. That puts Tyler in the 27th percentile nationally for seismic hazard - higher than 27% of the 4,875 US cities USGS was checked against here.

Tyler by the numbers

USGS's underlying values for Tyler: 0.046g peak ground acceleration, 0.096g at short period, 0.059g at 1 second. Within Texas alone, Tyler ranks 116 of 384 cities by seismic hazard - the 70th percentile in-state. Tyler has a population of about 112,219.

What a retrofit costs in Tyler

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.

Insuring against this, not just retrofitting

A Tyler 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 Tyler's figures come from

Tyler'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 Tyler.