1st Advantage MortgageBee County households have a median income of $57,673 and median rent of $1,065 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
- Bee County at a glance
- Rent, home values and ownership in Bee County
- Paychecks and income spread in Bee County
- Jobs and commutes in Bee County
- Places inside Bee County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Bee County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- What the numbers mean for Bee County borrowers
- What a median Bee County budget can carry
- Lender oversight for Bee County
- Four steps for Bee County borrowers
- More guides for Bee County
- Frequently asked questions
Bee County at a glance
Bee County is home to about 31,083 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 94th most populous of 254 county-level areas in Texas. It covers 880 square miles of land, or about 35 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Bee County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 9 places in the county (1 incorporated, 8 census-designated); the largest is Beeville, with about 13,412 residents, or 43% of the county.
Rent, home values and ownership in Bee County
A typical Bee County rental runs $1,065 a month including utilities, which is 24% below Texas. By the Census definition, 55% of Bee County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $111,300, about 1.9 times the median household income. Owners occupy 71% of homes. The median home was built in 1978, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Bee County | Texas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,065/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $111,300 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 71% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 55% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 29% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 19.7% | 6.4% | n/a |
When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Paychecks and income spread in Bee County
At $57,673, the typical Bee County household income is 12% below the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Income band | Share in Bee County | Difference from Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 33.6% | +12.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.4% | +3.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.0% | -7.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.1% | -7.4 pts |
Some 34% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 24% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 17.6% of Bee County residents in poverty, against 13.8% across Texas. A household earning below the $57,673 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Jobs and commutes in Bee County
Education and health care employs 26% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 14%. Public administration stands out: 10% of workers here, versus 4% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 5.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 17% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 5% work from home. Only 5.9% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | Bee County | Compared with Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.6% | +4.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.2% | +3.2 pts |
| Construction | 10.9% | +2.3 pts |
| Public administration | 10.4% | +6.3 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 7.9% | +5.7 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.7% | 0.0 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Places inside Bee County
9 Census places fall mainly inside Bee County; the 9 biggest are below. They account for 16,514 residents, leaving about 47% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Pettus has the highest median household income on the list ($70,654) and Skidmore the lowest ($36,744), counting places with at least 500 residents. No Bee County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 9.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beeville | city | 13,412 | $50,784 | $1,061 | 1 mi |
| Skidmore | CDP | 1,183 | $36,744 | $1,112 | 11 mi |
| Blue Berry Hill | CDP | 852 | $45,291 | n/a | 4 mi |
| Pettus | CDP | 602 | $70,654 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Tuleta | CDP | 302 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
| Pawnee | CDP | 81 | $47,000 | n/a | 23 mi |
| Tynan | CDP | 61 | n/a | n/a | 17 mi |
| Tulsita | CDP | 15 | n/a | n/a | 16 mi |
| Normanna | CDP | 6 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (24 to 49 miles). 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Bee County; San Patricio County is highest at $69,704 and Live Oak County lowest at $57,150.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bee County | - | $57,673 | $1,065/mo | 71% |
| Live Oak County, TX | 24 mi | $57,150 | $924/mo | 71% |
| Goliad County, TX | 25 mi | $59,359 | $754/mo | 87% |
| San Patricio County, TX | 31 mi | $69,704 | $1,291/mo | 67% |
| Karnes County, TX | 35 mi | $60,214 | $957/mo | 62% |
| Refugio County, TX | 36 mi | $60,181 | $795/mo | 77% |
| Nueces County, TX | 49 mi | $66,897 | $1,283/mo | 60% |
Bee County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 14% of adults over 25. About 19% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Bee County | Texas | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.7 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.0% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 18.4% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 18.8% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.9% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.3% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.6% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.2% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Bee County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 51.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 23.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 8.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.0% |
| 60+ min | 9.7% |
What the numbers mean for Bee County borrowers
What the Bee County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Medical bills. 19% of Bee County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 20% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Rent squeeze. 55% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
What a median Bee County budget can carry
Bee County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Start: $4,806 gross per month ($57,673 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $1,065, takes 22% of that
- At 36%, room after rent is $665 a month
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,002 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Lender oversight for Bee County
Bee County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Texas Department of Banking. The Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner handles consumer-credit questions as well. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. More on Texas: Texas personal loans.
Four steps for Bee County borrowers
Quick steps for Bee County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
More guides for Bee County
The Texas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Bee County?
$57,673 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $78,476 for Texas. It ranks 192nd of 254 in the state.
Is Bee County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,065 against $1,403 statewide, and 55% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Bee County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 71% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
What are the biggest places in Bee County?
By population: Beeville, Skidmore, Blue Berry Hill, Pettus, Tuleta. The county has 9 Census places in all.
Can Bee County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Texas county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.