1st Advantage MortgageCallahan County households have a median income of $72,436 and median rent of $817 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
- Getting oriented in Callahan County
- How much Callahan County households make
- Housing costs in Callahan County
- Work, industries and travel time in Callahan County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Callahan County towns compared
- Callahan County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Before borrowing in Callahan County
- Budget math at the Callahan County median
- Checklist for Callahan County applicants
- Lender oversight for Callahan County
- More guides for Callahan County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Callahan County
With an estimated 14,241 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Callahan County ranks 142nd of 254 in Texas for population. Spread over 899 square miles, that works out to roughly 15.8 residents per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Abilene, TX metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Clyde is the biggest of its 4 Census places, at roughly 3,954 people (28% of the county total).
How much Callahan County households make
The median household income in Callahan County is $72,436; statewide it is $78,476, so Callahan County runs 8% below Texas as a whole.
| Household income | Callahan County | vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.5% | -0.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.9% | +4.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 31.4% | +4.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.2% | -8.3 pts |
Some 21% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 36% have six-figure incomes. 9.6% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.8%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.386 here. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Callahan County median.
Housing costs in Callahan County
Renters in Callahan County pay a median of $817 a month, 42% below the Texas figure of $1,403. By the Census definition, 49% of Callahan County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $145,500, about 2.0 times the median household income. 81% of Callahan County households own their home and 19% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1977.
| Housing | Callahan County | Texas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $817/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $145,500 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 81% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 18% | 29% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 15.9% | 6.4% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Callahan County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Work, industries and travel time in Callahan County
By the Census industry count, 21% of employed Callahan County residents work in education and health care and 12% in retail trade. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 6% locally and 2% for Texas. The survey's unemployment rate for Callahan County averages 4.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.3%). About 77% drive to work alone and 11% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Callahan County | Gap to Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.0% | -0.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.3% | +1.3 pts |
| Construction | 11.9% | +3.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.2% | -0.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.1% | -0.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.5% | -6.4 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (26 to 43 miles). Income ranges from $49,159 in Coleman County to $73,047 in Shackelford County; 1 of these neighbors top Callahan County's median.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Callahan County | - | $72,436 | $817/mo | 81% |
| Coleman County, TX | 26 mi | $49,159 | $653/mo | 77% |
| Taylor County, TX | 30 mi | $67,139 | $1,159/mo | 61% |
| Shackelford County, TX | 31 mi | $73,047 | $718/mo | 79% |
| Eastland County, TX | 31 mi | $53,549 | $866/mo | 72% |
| Brown County, TX | 43 mi | $57,470 | $919/mo | 68% |
| Jones County, TX | 43 mi | $59,464 | $866/mo | 80% |
Callahan County towns compared
4 Census places fall mainly inside Callahan County; the 4 biggest are below. They account for 6,624 residents, leaving about 53% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $47,292 in Cross Plains to $68,184 in Clyde. No Callahan County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 4.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clyde | city | 3,954 | $68,184 | $1,017 | 11 mi |
| Baird | city | 1,642 | $50,772 | $622 | 7 mi |
| Cross Plains | town | 1,019 | $47,292 | $720 | 17 mi |
| Putnam | town | 9 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
Callahan County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 24% of the adult population. About 15% go without health insurance.
| Callahan County | Texas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.1 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.0% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.8% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 15.5% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.7% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.1% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.6% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.7% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 25.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 42.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 21.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.5% |
| 60+ min | 7.2% |
Before borrowing in Callahan County
What the Callahan County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Medical bills. 15% of Callahan County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Manufactured homes. 16% of Callahan County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- 49% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
Budget math at the Callahan County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Callahan County's medians:
- Start: $6,036 gross per month ($72,436 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $817, takes 14% of that
- $1,779: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Callahan County's.
Checklist for Callahan County applicants
A short checklist for Callahan County borrowers:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- A Texas license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Lender oversight for Callahan County
Consumer lenders serving Callahan 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. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: Texas guide.
More guides for Callahan County
The Texas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Callahan County a high-income county?
Its $72,436 median ranks 64th of 254 Texas counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Callahan County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $817 against $1,403 statewide, and 49% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I live in a small Callahan County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Clyde, Baird, Cross Plains, Putnam.
Will a Callahan County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Texas as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Is there a Callahan County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Texas it is the Texas Department of Banking.