1st Advantage MortgageChambers County households have a median income of $109,804 and median rent of $1,609 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
- Getting oriented in Chambers County
- Chambers County housing compared with Texas
- Paychecks and income spread in Chambers County
- The Chambers County job picture
- Chambers County next to its neighbors
- The communities that make up Chambers County
- Debt-to-income at Chambers County's medians
- People and households in Chambers County
- Before borrowing in Chambers County
- Steps before you apply in Chambers County
- Who licenses lenders for Chambers County residents
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Chambers County
With an estimated 51,498 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Chambers County ranks 70th of 254 in Texas for population. It covers 597 square miles of land, or about 86 people 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. Of the 12 Census places inside Chambers County, Baytown leads by population with about 85,205; 9 of the 12 are incorporated.
Chambers County housing compared with Texas
Renters in Chambers County pay a median of $1,609 a month, 15% above the Texas figure of $1,403. 41% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 24% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $329,500, about 3.0 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 82%. Half the housing stock was built before 2004.
| Cost | Chambers County | Texas figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,609/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $329,500 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 82% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 29% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 9% | 9% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Chambers 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.
Paychecks and income spread in Chambers County
At $109,804, the typical Chambers County household income is 67% above the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Income band | Share in Chambers County | Difference from Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 17.8% | -3.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 29.7% | -9.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 34.9% | +8.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 17.6% | +5.1 pts |
About 18% of households earn under $35,000, while 52% clear $100,000. Census counts 11.9% of Chambers County residents in poverty, against 13.8% across Texas. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.421 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 Chambers County median.
The Chambers County job picture
Education and health care employs 15% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 14%. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 14% locally and 9% for Texas. The survey's unemployment rate for Chambers County averages 7.3% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.3%). 27% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 7% work from home.
| Top industries | Chambers County share | +/- vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 14.7% | -6.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 13.5% | +5.0 pts |
| Construction | 12.8% | +4.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.2% | -2.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.0% | +0.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.3% | -2.7 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Chambers County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Chambers County next to its neighbors
Jefferson County is closest, 33 miles from center to center; the sixth, Orange County, is 55 miles off. Galveston County leads the group on income ($86,105), Jefferson County trails ($60,026), and Chambers County out-earns 6 of the six.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chambers County | - | $109,804 | $1,609/mo | 82% |
| Jefferson County, TX | 33 mi | $60,026 | $1,117/mo | 63% |
| Liberty County, TX | 34 mi | $68,703 | $1,044/mo | 82% |
| Galveston County, TX | 35 mi | $86,105 | $1,404/mo | 68% |
| Harris County, TX | 45 mi | $74,983 | $1,401/mo | 55% |
| Hardin County, TX | 47 mi | $75,808 | $1,049/mo | 82% |
| Orange County, TX | 55 mi | $72,104 | $1,100/mo | 75% |
The communities that make up Chambers County
12 Census places fall mainly inside Chambers County; the 12 biggest are below. They account for 124,300 residents, leaving about 0% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Beach City has the highest median household income on the list ($148,574) and Baytown the lowest ($59,910), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Stowell ($842) and steepest in Mont Belvieu ($1,701). This guide covers each of the 12 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baytown | city | 85,205 | $59,910 | $1,307 | 18 mi |
| Seabrook | city | 13,768 | $102,726 | $1,476 | 21 mi |
| Mont Belvieu | city | 9,020 | $132,781 | $1,701 | 16 mi |
| Beach City | city | 3,309 | $148,574 | $1,669 | 11 mi |
| Winnie | CDP | 3,290 | $80,913 | $1,417 | 19 mi |
| Anahuac | city | 2,892 | $77,500 | $1,566 | 5 mi |
| Old River-Winfree | city | 2,448 | $72,188 | $1,430 | 16 mi |
| Stowell | CDP | 1,823 | n/a | $842 | 19 mi |
| Shoreacres | city | 1,580 | $130,815 | $1,176 | 22 mi |
| Cove | city | 378 | $57,292 | $1,232 | 12 mi |
| Oak Island | CDP | 354 | $55,054 | n/a | 3 mi |
| Morgan's Point | city | 233 | $76,250 | $1,354 | 20 mi |
Debt-to-income at Chambers County's medians
How much room does a median Chambers County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $109,804 a year is $9,150 of gross monthly income
- Housing at the median rent of $1,609 uses 18%
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $2,326 left for all other debt payments
If your rent is above $1,609, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
People and households in Chambers County
Degree holders: 22% of adults over 25. About 16% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Chambers County | Texas | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.1 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.9% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.4% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 15.9% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.4% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.1% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.9% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.3% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Chambers County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 22.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 22.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 12.1% |
| 60+ min | 15.0% |
Before borrowing in Chambers County
What the Chambers County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Uninsured care. 16% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Keeping the car running. At 27% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Chambers County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- 14% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Consolidation math. With 52% at six figures, card consolidation is common; it pays only if total cost falls (guide).
Steps before you apply in Chambers County
Quick steps for Chambers County:
- Price the Chambers County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Verify the Texas license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Who licenses lenders for Chambers County residents
The Texas Department of Banking is the place to verify any lender's Texas license. Texas also has the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner for consumer credit. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the Texas state guide for the statewide picture.
Related local guides
The Texas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Chambers County?
$109,804 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $78,476 for Texas. It ranks 7th of 254 in the state.
How does Chambers County rent compare with Texas?
$1,609 locally versus $1,403 for the state, 15% above.
Which towns does the Chambers County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 12 Census places: Baytown, Seabrook, Mont Belvieu, Beach City, Winnie.
Is the fit check different in Chambers County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Where can someone in Chambers 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.