1st Advantage MortgageAbout 80% of Colorado County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $66,377. 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 Colorado County
- How much Colorado County households make
- Colorado County housing compared with Texas
- The Colorado County job picture
- Towns and communities in Colorado County
- Counties near Colorado County
- Debt-to-income at Colorado County's medians
- Borrowing situations common in Colorado County
- People and households in Colorado County
- A Colorado County borrower's checklist
- Checking a lender's license in Texas
- More guides for Colorado County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Colorado County
Roughly 21,006 residents live in Colorado County, Texas, 116th by population among the state's 254 counties and county equivalents. Spread over 960 square miles, that works out to roughly 21.9 residents per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Columbus is the biggest of its 8 Census places, at roughly 3,860 people (18% of the county total).
How much Colorado County households make
At $66,377, the typical Colorado County household income sits near the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 113th of 254.
| Yearly household income | Colorado County | Gap to Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.9% | +0.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.4% | +3.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.2% | +0.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.6% | -3.9 pts |
Some 22% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 36% have six-figure incomes. 10.7% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.8%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.452 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Colorado County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Colorado County housing compared with Texas
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $926 in Colorado County versus $1,403 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 30% of renter households here. Home values center on $209,800, or 3.2 years of median income. The ownership rate is 80%. Median construction year: 1983.
| Colorado County | Texas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $926/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $209,800 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 80% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 30% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 29% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 15.9% | 6.4% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Colorado 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.
The Colorado County job picture
Education and health care employs 22% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 18%. Retail trade stands out: 18% of workers here, versus 11% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 2.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 83% drive to work alone and 19% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Colorado County | Gap to Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.2% | +0.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 18.1% | +7.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.3% | +1.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.0% | -3.9 pts |
| Construction | 8.1% | -0.4 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 6.1% | +3.9 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Towns and communities in Colorado County
Here are the 8 most populous of the county's 8 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 60% of Colorado County residents live in one of the 8. Glidden has the highest median household income on the list ($99,276) and Weimar the lowest ($47,548), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Weimar ($483) and steepest in Eagle Lake ($1,229). This guide covers each of the 8 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | city | 3,860 | $49,418 | $879 | 8 mi |
| Eagle Lake | city | 3,485 | $69,205 | $1,229 | 11 mi |
| Weimar | city | 2,928 | $47,548 | $483 | 18 mi |
| Glidden | CDP | 1,071 | $99,276 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Rock Island | CDP | 414 | $43,149 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Garwood | CDP | 386 | $62,024 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Sheridan | CDP | 208 | $61,492 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Nada | CDP | 177 | n/a | n/a | 15 mi |
Counties near Colorado County
Six nearby counties, 25 to 43 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Colorado County; Waller County is highest at $80,397 and Lavaca County lowest at $63,240.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado County | - | $66,377 | $926/mo | 80% |
| Austin County, TX | 25 mi | $75,789 | $1,137/mo | 77% |
| Wharton County, TX | 28 mi | $66,924 | $1,046/mo | 72% |
| Lavaca County, TX | 29 mi | $63,240 | $910/mo | 78% |
| Fayette County, TX | 31 mi | $75,854 | $988/mo | 79% |
| Waller County, TX | 43 mi | $80,397 | $1,169/mo | 72% |
| Washington County, TX | 43 mi | $77,825 | $1,165/mo | 70% |
Debt-to-income at Colorado County's medians
Colorado County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Monthly gross at the median, Colorado County: $5,531
- Median rent: $926, or 17 cents of every gross dollar
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,453 left for all other debt payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Colorado County's.
Borrowing situations common in Colorado County
Where the Colorado County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Medical bills. 13% of Colorado County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Keeping the car running. At 19% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Colorado County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Manufactured homes. 16% of Colorado County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
People and households in Colorado County
Degree holders: 23% of adults over 25. About 13% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Colorado County | Texas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.3 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.9% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.4% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.6% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.7% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.1% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.7% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.9% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Colorado County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 37.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.3% |
| 60+ min | 12.5% |
A Colorado County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Colorado County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Colorado County.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Texas.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Checking a lender's license in Texas
Before sharing details with a lender, a Colorado County resident can confirm its license with the Texas Department of Banking. Texas also has the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner for consumer credit. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. More on Texas: Texas personal loans.
More guides for Colorado County
The Texas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Colorado County?
$66,377 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $78,476 for Texas. It ranks 113th of 254 in the state.
How does Colorado County rent compare with Texas?
$926 locally versus $1,403 for the state, 34% below.
What are the biggest places in Colorado County?
By population: Columbus, Eagle Lake, Weimar, Glidden, Rock Island. The county has 8 Census places in all.
Can Colorado 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.
Who regulates personal lenders for Colorado County residents?
The Texas Department of Banking licenses consumer lenders in Texas; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.