1st Advantage MortgageCherokee County households have a median income of $61,261 and median rent of $933 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
- Getting oriented in Cherokee County
- How much Cherokee County households make
- The Cherokee County job picture
- What it costs to live in Cherokee County
- Cherokee County next to its neighbors
- Cherokee County towns compared
- What a median Cherokee County budget can carry
- Local borrowing considerations for Cherokee County
- Cherokee County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- A Cherokee County borrower's checklist
- Licensing and complaints for Cherokee County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Cherokee County
Cherokee County is home to about 51,886 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 69th most populous of 254 county-level areas in Texas. Spread over 1,053 square miles, that works out to roughly 49.3 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Cherokee County is not part of any metropolitan area. Jacksonville is the biggest of its 9 Census places, at roughly 14,325 people (28% of the county total).
How much Cherokee County households make
Half of Cherokee County households take in less than $61,261 a year and half take in more, 22% below the Texas median of $78,476. In the state ranking that is 153rd of 254.
| Households earning | Cherokee County | +/- vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.0% | +6.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.2% | +3.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.1% | -3.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.7% | -6.8 pts |
About 28% of households earn under $35,000, while 29% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 18.2%, 4 points higher than the state's 13.8%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.463 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Cherokee County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
The Cherokee County job picture
Education and health care employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 13%. Manufacturing stands out: 13% of workers here, versus 9% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Cherokee County averages 5.2% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.3%). About 74% drive to work alone and 18% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 6.5% of the total (5.4% statewide).
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Cherokee County | Gap to Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.4% | +3.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 13.4% | +4.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.6% | -1.4 pts |
| Construction | 9.3% | +0.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.2% | -4.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.4% | -2.0 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Cherokee County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
What it costs to live in Cherokee County
A typical Cherokee County rental runs $933 a month including utilities, which is 33% below Texas. 41% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 20% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $169,300, about 2.8 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 74%. The median year built is 1987.
| Cost | Cherokee County | Texas figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $933/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $169,300 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 32% | 29% | n/a |
Because most Cherokee 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.
Cherokee County next to its neighbors
Anderson County is closest, 30 miles from center to center; the sixth, Henderson County, is 48 miles off. Income ranges from $53,555 in Nacogdoches County to $74,192 in Smith County; 4 of these neighbors top Cherokee County's median.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherokee County | - | $61,261 | $933/mo | 74% |
| Anderson County, TX | 30 mi | $62,068 | $1,041/mo | 72% |
| Rusk County, TX | 30 mi | $68,658 | $1,015/mo | 79% |
| Nacogdoches County, TX | 35 mi | $53,555 | $965/mo | 59% |
| Smith County, TX | 37 mi | $74,192 | $1,238/mo | 69% |
| Houston County, TX | 39 mi | $56,531 | $887/mo | 71% |
| Henderson County, TX | 48 mi | $65,179 | $1,048/mo | 78% |
Cherokee County towns compared
Here are the 9 most populous of the county's 9 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 50% of Cherokee County residents live in one of the 9. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $51,375 in Jacksonville to $69,173 in Shadybrook. Median rent ranges from $643 in Rusk to $1,142 in Shadybrook. This guide covers each of the 9 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | city | 14,325 | $51,375 | $908 | 10 mi |
| Rusk | city | 5,477 | $53,438 | $643 | 3 mi |
| Shadybrook | CDP | 2,810 | $69,173 | $1,142 | 25 mi |
| Alto | town | 1,222 | $61,688 | n/a | 14 mi |
| New Summerfield | city | 618 | $54,716 | $970 | 10 mi |
| Wells | town | 484 | n/a | $510 | 27 mi |
| Gallatin | city | 384 | $79,432 | $888 | 4 mi |
| Reklaw | city | 255 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
| Cuney | town | 161 | n/a | n/a | 20 mi |
What a median Cherokee County budget can carry
Cherokee County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,105 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $933, takes 18% of that
- With a 36% ceiling, about $905 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Cherokee County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Local borrowing considerations for Cherokee County
Where the Cherokee County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Hospital bills in Cherokee County. For the 20% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Manufactured homes. 19% of Cherokee County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 18% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
Cherokee County residents: age, schooling, coverage
19% of Cherokee County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 20% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Cherokee County | Texas | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.2 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.9% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 18.0% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 19.9% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.5% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 11.4% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 18.2% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.2% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Cherokee County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 32.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.6% |
| 60+ min | 8.3% |
A Cherokee County borrower's checklist
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Licensing and complaints for Cherokee County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Cherokee County, check the Texas Department of Banking. The Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner handles consumer-credit questions as well. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. See the Texas state guide for the statewide picture.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Texas guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Cherokee County?
$61,261 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $78,476 for Texas. It ranks 153rd of 254 in the state.
How does Cherokee County rent compare with Texas?
$933 locally versus $1,403 for the state, 33% below.
Should Cherokee County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 74% of Cherokee County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Does this page cover Jacksonville?
Yes, along with the other 8 Census places in Cherokee County, such as Rusk, Shadybrook, Alto.
Will a Cherokee County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Texas as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.