1st Advantage MortgageAnderson County households have a median income of $62,068 and median rent of $1,041 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Anderson County, TX: the basics
- Earnings across Anderson County households
- Homes and rents, Anderson County
- How Anderson County ranks in Texas
- Where Anderson County works
- Census places in Anderson County
- Counties near Anderson County
- More Anderson County figures
- Local borrowing considerations for Anderson County
- Debt-to-income, Anderson County edition
- Steps before you apply in Anderson County
- Texas lender licensing
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Anderson County, TX: the basics
Roughly 58,439 residents live in Anderson County, Texas, 59th by population among the state's 254 counties and county equivalents. Anderson County spans 1,063 square miles; with 58,439 people, that is 55.0 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Anderson County is not part of any metropolitan area. Palestine (19,136 people) heads the county's list of 4 Census places, 3 incorporated and 1 census-designated.
Earnings across Anderson County households
$62,068 is the median household income for Anderson County, set against $78,476 for Texas. In the state ranking that is 144th of 254.
| Income band | Share in Anderson County | Difference from Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.2% | +7.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.8% | +4.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.7% | -4.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.2% | -8.2 pts |
The spread is wide: 27% of Anderson County households make $100,000 or more, and 29% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 17.4%, 4 points higher than the state's 13.8%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.461 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Homes and rents, Anderson County
Renters in Anderson County pay a median of $1,041 a month, 26% below the Texas figure of $1,403. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 55% in Anderson County, 52% statewide. Home values center on $185,300, or 3.0 years of median income. The ownership rate is 72%.
| Cost | Anderson County | Texas figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile homes | 21.6% | 6.4% | +15.2 pts |
| Owners | 72% | 63% | +9.8 pts |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 29% | -4.6 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 55% | 52% | +3.6 pts |
| Median home value | $185,300 | $283,800 | 35% lower |
| Median gross rent | $1,041/mo | $1,403/mo | 26% lower |
Anderson County owners: get one secured and one unsecured quote, then compare the total cost and what you would put up as collateral (side by side). 55% of Anderson County renters are already past the 30% line; one more payment should leave room for a late paycheck.
How Anderson County ranks in Texas
Ranked against the other 248 county-level areas in Texas, these are the Anderson County figures furthest from the middle.
- Anderson County ranks 24th highest of 249 Texas counties for the share of renters paying 30% or more of income for rent: 55%, against 52% statewide. Make sure a consolidation loan lowers what you pay each month.
- Few Texas counties match Anderson County on the share of mobile homes: 21.6% here, 6.4% for the state, ranking 46th highest of 254. Manufactured homes often do not qualify for home equity loans, so unsecured loans fill the gap.
Where Anderson County works
By the Census industry count, 20% of employed Anderson County residents work in education and health care and 14% in retail trade. Compared with Texas, the county leans toward public administration (10% against 4%). Unemployment in Anderson County, ACS five-year: 6.0%; Texas: 5.3%. 15% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 5% work from home.
| Top industries | Anderson County share | +/- vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.8% | -1.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.1% | +3.1 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 11.0% | +4.3 pts |
| Public administration | 10.5% | +6.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.4% | -0.1 pts |
| Construction | 8.4% | -0.1 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Anderson County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Census places in Anderson County
Places, by size: the top 4 of 4. Roughly 62% of Anderson County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $44,981 in Palestine to $56,667 in Frankston. Median rent ranges from $756 in Elkhart to $1,062 in Palestine. This guide covers each of the 4 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palestine | city | 19,136 | $44,981 | $1,062 | 6 mi |
| Elkhart | town | 1,701 | $52,891 | $756 | 15 mi |
| Frankston | town | 1,088 | $56,667 | $923 | 18 mi |
| Neches | CDP | 352 | $82,143 | n/a | 11 mi |
Counties near Anderson County
Six nearby counties, 28 to 43 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Richest neighbor: Smith County, $74,192. Poorest: Houston County, $56,531. Anderson County: $62,068.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson County | - | $62,068 | $1,041/mo | 72% |
| Henderson County, TX | 28 mi | $65,179 | $1,048/mo | 78% |
| Cherokee County, TX | 30 mi | $61,261 | $933/mo | 74% |
| Freestone County, TX | 30 mi | $59,960 | $853/mo | 75% |
| Houston County, TX | 38 mi | $56,531 | $887/mo | 71% |
| Leon County, TX | 42 mi | $61,449 | $907/mo | 77% |
| Smith County, TX | 43 mi | $74,192 | $1,238/mo | 69% |
More Anderson County figures
Degree holders: 15% of adults over 25. Uninsured, Anderson County: 18.5%; Texas: 17.1%.
| Residents | Anderson County | Difference from Texas | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.4% | -18.4 pts | -6.8 pts |
| Work from home | 5.0% | -9.4 pts | -3.7 pts |
| Median age | 39.7 | +4.1 yrs | -1.8 yrs |
| Poverty rate | 17.4% | +3.6 pts | +4.2 pts |
| No health insurance | 18.5% | +1.4 pts | +10.7 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.0% | +0.7 pts | +1.5 pts |
| No high school diploma | 14.4% | +0.4 pts | n/a |
| No vehicle | 5.8% | +0.3 pts | +0.3 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Anderson County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 37.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.5% |
| 60+ min | 6.1% |
Local borrowing considerations for Anderson County
Anderson County-specific points to check:
- Care without coverage. About 10,834 Anderson County residents lack insurance; check charity care before a loan (how).
- Manufactured homes. 22% of Anderson County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Tight rental budgets. With 55% of Anderson County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Debt-to-income, Anderson County edition
Anderson County's $62,068 median income, run through a debt-to-income check:
- $62,068 a year is $5,172 of gross monthly income
- Housing at the median rent of $1,041 uses 20%
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $821 left for all other debt payments
These are gross figures; take-home pay in Anderson County will be lower after taxes and deductions.
Steps before you apply in Anderson County
Quick steps for Anderson County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Texas.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Texas lender licensing
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Anderson County, check the Texas Department of Banking. Consumer lending in Texas is also overseen by the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB.
Nearby and statewide guides
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
Where does Anderson County rank on income in Texas?
144th of 254, with a median of $62,068. The state median is $78,476.
What is the median rent in Anderson County, TX?
$1,041 a month, utilities included, or $12,492 a year.
Which towns does the Anderson County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 4 Census places: Palestine, Elkhart, Frankston, Neches.
Are Anderson County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
What agency protects Anderson County borrowers?
The Texas Department of Banking at the state level and the CFPB federally.