1st Advantage MortgageAustin County households have a median income of $75,789 and median rent of $1,137 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Texas license first.
On this page
- Austin County at a glance
- Employment and commuting in Austin County
- How much Austin County households make
- Housing costs in Austin County
- Towns and communities in Austin County
- How Austin County compares with nearby counties
- Room for a loan payment in Austin County
- People and households in Austin County
- Before borrowing in Austin County
- Lender oversight for Austin County
- Four steps for Austin County borrowers
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Austin County at a glance
With an estimated 31,170 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Austin County ranks 93rd of 254 in Texas for population. Spread over 646 square miles, that works out to roughly 48.2 residents per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Sealy is the biggest of its 8 Census places, at roughly 7,053 people (23% of the county total).
Employment and commuting in Austin County
The biggest employer of Austin County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 17% of workers, followed by construction (14%). Construction stands out: 14% of workers here, versus 9% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 4.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 80% drive to work alone and 24% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry | Share of Austin County workers | vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 16.7% | -5.0 pts |
| Construction | 14.0% | +5.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.0% | +3.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.7% | -3.2 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.6% | +0.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.5% | -1.1 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Austin County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
How much Austin County households make
Half of Austin County households take in less than $75,789 a year and half take in more, 3% below the Texas median of $78,476. Only 50 Texas counties post a higher median.
| Band | Austin County | Compared with Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.8% | +1.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 38.1% | -1.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 28.6% | +1.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 10.5% | -2.0 pts |
About 23% of households earn under $35,000, while 39% clear $100,000. Census counts 12.0% of Austin County residents in poverty, against 13.8% across Texas. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Housing costs in Austin County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,137 in Austin County versus $1,403 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 49% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $296,900, about 3.9 times the median household income. Owners occupy 77% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1992.
| Austin County | Texas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,137/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $296,900 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 38% | 29% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 15% | 9% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Towns and communities in Austin County
8 Census places fall mainly inside Austin County; the 8 biggest are below. They account for 15,569 residents, leaving about 50% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $43,102 in Wallis to $151,250 in Brazos Country. Median rent ranges from $744 in Wallis to $1,375 in San Felipe. This guide covers each of the 8 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sealy | city | 7,053 | $56,514 | $1,185 | 11 mi |
| Bellville | city | 4,221 | $59,583 | $1,134 | 4 mi |
| Wallis | city | 1,701 | $43,102 | $744 | 22 mi |
| San Felipe | town | 1,334 | $51,875 | $1,375 | 12 mi |
| Brazos Country | city | 619 | $151,250 | n/a | 17 mi |
| Industry | city | 235 | $61,250 | n/a | 15 mi |
| South Frydek | city | 221 | $115,972 | n/a | 16 mi |
| New Ulm | CDP | 185 | $59,948 | n/a | 14 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
How Austin County compares with nearby counties
Distances run center to center, from Waller County at 19 miles out to Wharton County at 42. Fort Bend County leads the group on income ($114,041), Colorado County trails ($66,377), and Austin County out-earns 2 of the six.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin County | - | $75,789 | $1,137/mo | 77% |
| Waller County, TX | 19 mi | $80,397 | $1,169/mo | 72% |
| Washington County, TX | 24 mi | $77,825 | $1,165/mo | 70% |
| Colorado County, TX | 25 mi | $66,377 | $926/mo | 80% |
| Fayette County, TX | 39 mi | $75,854 | $988/mo | 79% |
| Fort Bend County, TX | 39 mi | $114,041 | $1,807/mo | 77% |
| Wharton County, TX | 42 mi | $66,924 | $1,046/mo | 72% |
Room for a loan payment in Austin County
Here is the Austin County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Austin County: $6,316
- 18% goes to median rent ($1,137)
- Under a 36% cap, $2,274 total minus rent leaves $1,137
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,579 a month
Two-income households and single earners in Austin County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
People and households in Austin County
College graduates make up 25% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 16.7%, against 17.1% for Texas.
| People and households | Austin County | Texas | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.1 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 25.1% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.8% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 16.7% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.8% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.8% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.0% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.3% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Austin County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 29.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.3% |
| 60+ min | 15.3% |
Before borrowing in Austin County
Based on the Austin County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Hospital bills in Austin County. For the 17% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Commuter costs. 24% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- 22% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Tight rental budgets. With 49% of Austin County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Lender oversight for Austin County
Consumer lenders serving Austin County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Texas that is the Texas Department of Banking. Texas also has the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner for consumer credit. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The Texas guide covers state rules in more detail.
Four steps for Austin County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Price the Austin County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Verify the Texas license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Related local guides
The Texas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Austin County?
$75,789 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $78,476 for Texas. It ranks 51st of 254 in the state.
Is Austin County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,137 against $1,403 statewide, and 49% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Should Austin County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 77% of Austin County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
I live in a small Austin County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Sealy, Bellville, Wallis, San Felipe, Brazos Country and 3 more.
Are Austin 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.