1st Advantage MortgageBrewster County households have a median income of $56,212 and median rent of $839 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Texas before sharing details.
On this page
- Brewster County at a glance
- Renting and owning in Brewster County
- Household income in Brewster County
- The Brewster County job picture
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Brewster County
- Brewster County next to its neighbors
- Debt-to-income at Brewster County's medians
- Borrowing situations common in Brewster County
- More Brewster County figures
- Who licenses lenders for Brewster County residents
- A Brewster County borrower's checklist
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Brewster County at a glance
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Brewster County's population at 9,503; only 168 of Texas's 254 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 6,184 square miles, that works out to roughly 1.5 residents per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Alpine is the biggest of its 4 Census places, at roughly 6,014 people (63% of the county total). Because Brewster County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Renting and owning in Brewster County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $839 in Brewster County versus $1,403 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 38% of renter households here. With a median value of $227,000, a typical Brewster County house costs 4.0 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 62%. Half the housing stock was built before 1979.
| Home costs | Brewster County | Texas | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $839/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $227,000 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 62% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 38% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 29% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 15.3% | 6.4% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 16% | 9% | n/a |
Household income in Brewster County
At $56,212, the typical Brewster County household income is 14% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 201st among Texas's 254 county-level areas.
| Yearly household income | Brewster County | Gap to Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.3% | +4.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.0% | +5.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.3% | -1.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.4% | -9.1 pts |
About 26% of households earn under $35,000, while 29% clear $100,000. 8.9% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.8%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.417 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Brewster County median.
The Brewster County job picture
Education and health care employs 22% of working residents, the largest share; arts, lodging and food service is next with 19%. Arts, lodging and food service stands out: 19% of workers here, versus 8% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Brewster County averages 3.0% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.3%). About 66% drive to work alone and 5% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 5.7% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Brewster County | Gap to Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.2% | +0.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 19.1% | +10.7 pts |
| Public administration | 13.7% | +9.6 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 8.5% | +1.5 pts |
| Information | 6.0% | +4.3 pts |
| Construction | 5.8% | -2.7 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Brewster County
The table lists the 4 largest of 4 Census places in Brewster County, by population. Together all 4 hold about 6,589 people, so roughly 31% of residents live outside any named place. Live in one of these Brewster County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine | city | 6,014 | $60,139 | $891 | 46 mi |
| Marathon | CDP | 283 | $45,635 | n/a | 28 mi |
| Terlingua | CDP | 178 | $46,094 | n/a | 41 mi |
| Study Butte | CDP | 114 | n/a | $1,286 | 37 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Brewster County next to its neighbors
Presidio County is closest, 62 miles from center to center; the sixth, Ward County, is 118 miles off. Pecos County leads the group on income ($72,750), Presidio County trails ($43,802), and Brewster County out-earns 2 of the six.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brewster County | - | $56,212 | $839/mo | 62% |
| Presidio County, TX | 62 mi | $43,802 | $448/mo | 77% |
| Pecos County, TX | 74 mi | $72,750 | $918/mo | 72% |
| Terrell County, TX | 76 mi | $44,886 | n/a | 89% |
| Jeff Davis County, TX | 80 mi | $59,286 | $1,241/mo | 88% |
| Reeves County, TX | 107 mi | $64,297 | $981/mo | 74% |
| Ward County, TX | 118 mi | $65,952 | $1,118/mo | 79% |
Debt-to-income at Brewster County's medians
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Brewster County's medians:
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,684 before taxes
- 18% goes to median rent ($839)
- With a 36% ceiling, about $847 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- Under a 43% cap, $2,014 total minus rent leaves $1,175
Two-income households and single earners in Brewster County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Borrowing situations common in Brewster County
Based on the Brewster County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Hospital bills in Brewster County. For the 15% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 15% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Brewster County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
More Brewster County figures
45% of Brewster County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 15.4% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Brewster County | Texas | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.9 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 45.5% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.8% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 15.4% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.7% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.6% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 8.9% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.0% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Brewster County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 64.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 19.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 0.3% |
| 60+ min | 4.4% |
Who licenses lenders for Brewster County residents
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Brewster County borrowers answers to the Texas Department of Banking. Texas also has the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner for consumer credit. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: Texas guide.
A Brewster County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Brewster County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Related local guides
The Texas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Brewster County household make?
About $56,212 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 28% below the Texas median.
How does Brewster County rent compare with Texas?
$839 locally versus $1,403 for the state, 40% below.
What are the biggest places in Brewster County?
By population: Alpine, Marathon, Terlingua, Study Butte. The county has 4 Census places in all.
Are Brewster 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 Brewster 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.