1st Advantage MortgageBandera County (22,021 residents) has a $75,813 median household income and $1,149 median rent, by the latest Census five-year survey. Use those as context only. A lender looks at your own documented income and debts; compare APR and total repaid on every Bandera County offer.
On this page
- Bandera County at a glance
- Bandera County's most unusual numbers
- Where Bandera County works
- Earnings across Bandera County households
- Renting and owning in Bandera County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Bandera County
- Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
- $6,318 a month: the Bandera County median budget
- Bandera County households compared
- Reading the Bandera County data as a borrower
- Before you sign
- Who licenses lenders for Bandera County residents
- Beyond Bandera County
- Frequently asked questions
Bandera County at a glance
Bandera County is home to about 22,021 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 111th most populous of 254 county-level areas in Texas. It covers 791 square miles of land, or about 28 people per square mile. Metro area: San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX (OMB, 2023). Of the 3 Census places inside Bandera County, Lakehills leads by population with about 6,130; 1 of the 3 are incorporated.
Bandera County's most unusual numbers
- On the share of commutes over 45 minutes, Bandera County sits near the top of Texas at 40%, 2nd highest of 253. With long commutes, a reliable car is part of keeping the job.
- On homeownership, Bandera County sits near the top of Texas at 86%, 6th highest of 254. Most households here own, so home equity is often an alternative to weigh.
- On median age, Bandera County sits near the top of Texas at 53.5, 10th highest of 254. Retirement income counts when documented; favor loans with no prepayment penalty.
- On the share of mobile homes, Bandera County sits near the top of Texas at 29.1%, 14th highest of 254. Repairs on manufactured homes are a common loan purpose; get written quotes.
Where Bandera County works
The biggest employer of Bandera County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 18% of workers, followed by professional and administrative services (13%). Construction stands out: 13% of workers here, versus 9% statewide. Unemployment in Bandera County, ACS five-year: 8.7%; Texas: 5.3%. 40% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 9% work from home.
| Sector | Bandera County | Compared with Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 18.5% | -3.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 13.1% | +0.2 pts |
| Construction | 13.1% | +4.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.1% | +1.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.3% | +1.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 6.4% | -2.2 pts |
Seasonal work is common in many Bandera County industries; if that is you, show a full year of income rather than one strong month.
Earnings across Bandera County households
At $75,813, the typical Bandera County household income is 15% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 49th of 254.
| Band | Bandera County | Compared with Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.8% | +1.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.2% | +1.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.4% | +0.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.6% | -3.9 pts |
23% under $35,000 and 36% at $100,000 or more: that is the Bandera County income split. Poverty rate, Bandera County: 13.5%; Texas: 13.8%. Gini index for Bandera County: 0.453. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Bandera County median.
Renting and owning in Bandera County
Half of Bandera County renters pay more than $1,149 a month and half pay less; the Texas midpoint is $1,403. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 41% of renter households here. Bandera County homes are worth $278,400 at the median, a 3.7-to-1 ratio to income. 86% of Bandera County households own their home and 14% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1997. Nationally, Bandera County's $1,149 rent is 31% above the middle county.
| Bandera County | Texas | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 86% | 63% | +23.3 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 52% | -10.5 pts |
| Burdened owners | 37% | 29% | +7.9 pts |
| Median gross rent | $1,149/mo | $1,403/mo | 18% lower |
| Median home value | $278,400 | $283,800 | 2% lower |
Because most Bandera County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Bandera County
Here are the 3 most populous of the county's 3 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 37% of Bandera County residents live in one of the 3. Incomes vary by place: $90,110 at the median in Lakehills, $45,625 in Bandera. Rent is cheapest in Lakehills ($1,046) and steepest in Lake Medina Shores ($1,793). Live in one of these Bandera County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakehills | CDP | 6,130 | $90,110 | $1,046 | 20 mi |
| Lake Medina Shores | CDP | 1,411 | $47,147 | $1,793 | 17 mi |
| Bandera | city | 655 | $45,625 | $1,112 | 11 mi |
Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
Six nearby counties, 22 to 43 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Richest neighbor: Kendall County, $114,962. Poorest: Real County, $39,605. Bandera County: $75,813.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bandera County | - | $75,813 | $1,149/mo | 86% |
| Kerr County, TX | 22 mi | $69,395 | $1,109/mo | 70% |
| Medina County, TX | 29 mi | $78,074 | $1,196/mo | 84% |
| Real County, TX | 34 mi | $39,605 | $1,188/mo | 78% |
| Kendall County, TX | 35 mi | $114,962 | $1,606/mo | 79% |
| Uvalde County, TX | 42 mi | $53,801 | $981/mo | 71% |
| Gillespie County, TX | 43 mi | $76,162 | $1,340/mo | 75% |
$6,318 a month: the Bandera County median budget
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Bandera County's medians:
- $6,318 a month: gross income for a household at the Bandera County median
- 18% goes to median rent ($1,149)
- At 36%, room after rent is $1,125 a month
- $1,568: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
A household below the $75,813 median has less room than this, often none.
Bandera County households compared
In Bandera County, 27% of adults have at least a four-year degree (34% in Texas). Uninsured, Bandera County: 13.3%; Texas: 17.1%.
| People and households | Bandera County | Compared with Texas | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 53.5 | +17.9 yrs | +12.0 yrs |
| No high school diploma | 7.3% | -6.8 pts | n/a |
| Bachelor's or higher | 27.2% | -6.6 pts | +5.1 pts |
| Work from home | 9.5% | -4.9 pts | +0.8 pts |
| No health insurance | 13.3% | -3.8 pts | +5.5 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 8.7% | +3.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
| No vehicle | 2.2% | -3.3 pts | -3.3 pts |
| Poverty rate | 13.5% | -0.3 pts | +0.3 pts |
| Minutes to work | Bandera County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 18.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 17.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 12.1% |
| 60+ min | 28.4% |
Reading the Bandera County data as a borrower
Bandera County-specific points to check:
- Uninsured care. 13% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Commuter costs. 40% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Mobile homes in Bandera County. At 29% of units, they are a big part of local housing; check whether yours is titled as real or personal property.
- Fixed incomes. Bandera County's median age is 53.5. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
Before you sign
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Texas borrowers.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Who licenses lenders for Bandera County residents
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Bandera County, check the Texas Department of Banking. For consumer-credit complaints, Texas residents can also contact the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner. If a Bandera County lender ignores a dispute, the CFPB complaint portal is the federal backstop. See the Texas state guide for the statewide picture.
Beyond Bandera County
For statewide rules and data, see the Texas guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is $75,813 a good income in Bandera County?
It is the county median, so half of Bandera County households earn more and half less; 36% earn $100,000 or more.
What do renters pay in Bandera County?
$1,149 a month at the median, about 18% of median household income.
What are the biggest places in Bandera County?
By population: Lakehills, Lake Medina Shores, Bandera. The county has 3 Census places in all.
Are Bandera 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.
Where can someone in Bandera County check a lender's license?
With the Texas Department of Banking. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.