1st Advantage MortgageCrane County households have a median income of $62,212 and median rent of $882 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
- Crane County at a glance
- Employment and commuting in Crane County
- How much Crane County households make
- Renting and owning in Crane County
- Regional comparison for Crane County
- Crane County towns compared
- What a median Crane County budget can carry
- Crane County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Reading the Crane County data as a borrower
- A Crane County borrower's checklist
- Texas rules that apply in Crane County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Crane County at a glance
With an estimated 4,610 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Crane County ranks 205th of 254 in Texas for population. Land area is 785 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 6 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Crane County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 1 Census place inside Crane County, Crane leads by population with about 2,640. Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Crane County figure on this page as a rough guide.
Employment and commuting in Crane County
The biggest employer of Crane County residents, by industry, is agriculture, forestry and mining at 21% of workers, followed by education and health care (17%). Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 21% of workers here, versus 2% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Crane County averages 4.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.3%). 23% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 2% work from home.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Crane County | Gap to Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 21.5% | +19.2 pts |
| Education and health care | 17.0% | -4.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 12.0% | +3.5 pts |
| Construction | 9.2% | +0.6 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.6% | +0.6 pts |
| Other services | 7.3% | +2.4 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
How much Crane County households make
Half of Crane County households take in less than $62,212 a year and half take in more, 21% below the Texas median of $78,476.
| Households earning | Crane County | +/- vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.5% | +5.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.5% | +5.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.4% | -2.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.5% | -7.9 pts |
About 26% of households earn under $35,000, while 29% clear $100,000. Census counts 10.9% of Crane County residents in poverty, against 13.8% across Texas. For a borrower in Crane 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.
Renting and owning in Crane County
Renters in Crane County pay a median of $882 a month, 37% below the Texas figure of $1,403. By the Census definition, 7% of Crane County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $129,400, a typical Crane County house costs 2.1 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 84%. Half the housing stock was built before 1977.
| Crane County | Texas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $882/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $129,400 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 84% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 7% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 35% | 29% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 33.5% | 6.4% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 11% | 9% | n/a |
Because most Crane 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.
Regional comparison for Crane County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (27 to 47 miles). 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Crane County; Midland County is highest at $92,874 and Upton County lowest at $49,167.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crane County | - | $62,212 | $882/mo | 84% |
| Upton County, TX | 27 mi | $49,167 | $720/mo | 77% |
| Ector County, TX | 31 mi | $71,536 | $1,259/mo | 65% |
| Ward County, TX | 37 mi | $65,952 | $1,118/mo | 79% |
| Midland County, TX | 39 mi | $92,874 | $1,407/mo | 68% |
| Winkler County, TX | 44 mi | $86,900 | $1,037/mo | 86% |
| Pecos County, TX | 47 mi | $72,750 | $918/mo | 72% |
Crane County towns compared
Just one Census place, Crane, lies mainly within Crane County; it holds about 2,640 people. None of the 1 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crane | city | 2,640 | $73,150 | $872 | 8 mi |
What a median Crane County budget can carry
Crane County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $62,212 a year is $5,184 of gross monthly income
- Median rent: $882, or 17 cents of every gross dollar
- $984: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,347 a month
If your rent is above $882, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Crane County residents: age, schooling, coverage
13% of Crane County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 19% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Crane County | Texas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.0 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 12.6% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 27.8% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 18.6% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 11.8% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 2.1% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.9% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.6% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Crane County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 48.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 15.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.0% |
| 60+ min | 14.6% |
Reading the Crane County data as a borrower
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Crane County borrowers.
- Health costs. With 19% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Long drives. With 23% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Crane County budgets.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 34% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
A Crane County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Crane County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Texas rules that apply in Crane County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Crane 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. Statewide data and rules: Texas guide.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Texas guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Crane County a high-income county?
Its $62,212 median ranks 143rd of 254 Texas counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Crane County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $882 against $1,403 statewide, and 7% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Crane County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 84% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
What are the biggest places in Crane County?
By population: Crane. The county has 1 Census place in all.
Are Crane 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.