1st Advantage MortgageThe median Donley County household earns $58,750, and 8% of residents live below the poverty line. 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 Donley County
- Paychecks and income spread in Donley County
- How Donley County residents earn a living
- Donley County housing compared with Texas
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Places inside Donley County
- Donley County households compared
- Reading the Donley County data as a borrower
- A Donley County household budget, worked through
- Steps before you apply in Donley County
- Who licenses lenders for Donley County residents
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Donley County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Donley County's population at 3,257; only 216 of Texas's 254 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 927 square miles, that works out to roughly 3.5 residents per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 4 Census places inside Donley County, Clarendon leads by population with about 1,859; 3 of the 4 are incorporated. With so few households sampled, Donley County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Paychecks and income spread in Donley County
The median household income in Donley County is $58,750; statewide it is $78,476, so Donley County runs 25% below Texas as a whole. Only 179 Texas counties post a higher median.
| Band | Donley County | Compared with Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.9% | +5.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 49.8% | +10.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.2% | -7.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.0% | -8.5 pts |
About 27% of households earn under $35,000, while 23% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 7.9%, 6 points lower than the state's 13.8%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.425 here. A household earning below the $58,750 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
How Donley County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 35% of working residents, the largest share; agriculture, forestry and mining is next with 17%. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 17% locally and 2% for Texas. Averaged over the five survey years, 1.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 17% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 3.2% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Donley County | Difference from Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 35.0% | +13.4 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 16.9% | +14.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.4% | +1.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.5% | -1.5 pts |
| Public administration | 8.4% | +4.3 pts |
| Construction | 5.6% | -2.9 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Donley County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Donley County housing compared with Texas
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $780 in Donley County versus $1,403 statewide. By the Census definition, 22% of Donley County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $96,400, or 1.6 years of median income. 75% of Donley County households own their home and 25% rent.
| Home costs | Donley County | Texas | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $780/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $96,400 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 75% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 22% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 29% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 14.1% | 6.4% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Neighboring counties at a glance
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Donley County's, from 31 to 44 miles away. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Donley County; Carson County is highest at $85,231 and Briscoe County lowest at $45,417.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donley County | - | $58,750 | $780/mo | 75% |
| Armstrong County, TX | 31 mi | $72,750 | $1,021/mo | 80% |
| Collingsworth County, TX | 31 mi | $61,280 | $714/mo | 74% |
| Gray County, TX | 31 mi | $59,614 | $933/mo | 76% |
| Briscoe County, TX | 37 mi | $45,417 | $631/mo | 83% |
| Hall County, TX | 37 mi | $48,459 | $529/mo | 74% |
| Carson County, TX | 44 mi | $85,231 | $956/mo | 79% |
Places inside Donley County
4 Census places fall mainly inside Donley County; the 4 biggest are below. They account for 2,619 residents, leaving about 20% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. This guide covers each of the 4 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarendon | city | 1,859 | $57,250 | $798 | 4 mi |
| Howardwick | city | 412 | $64,688 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Hedley | city | 318 | $38,750 | $622 | 11 mi |
| Lelia Lake | CDP | 30 | n/a | n/a | 5 mi |
Donley County households compared
17% of Donley County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 17.9% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Donley County | Texas | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.7 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.6% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.3% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 17.9% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.2% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.6% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 7.9% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.7% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Donley County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 53.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 22.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 7.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.8% |
| 60+ min | 10.8% |
Reading the Donley County data as a borrower
Based on the Donley County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Medical bills. 18% of Donley County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- 14% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
A Donley County household budget, worked through
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Donley County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Monthly gross at the median, Donley County: $4,896
- Rent at the median, $780, takes 16% of that
- Under a 36% cap, $1,762 total minus rent leaves $982
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Steps before you apply in Donley County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Price the Donley County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Verify the Texas license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Who licenses lenders for Donley County residents
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Donley County borrowers answers to the Texas Department of Banking. Consumer lending in Texas is also overseen by the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The Texas guide covers state rules in more detail.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Texas guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Donley County household make?
About $58,750 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 25% below the Texas median.
Is Donley County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $780 against $1,403 statewide, and 22% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Which towns does the Donley County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 4 Census places: Clarendon, Howardwick, Hedley, Lelia Lake.
Can Donley 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.
Where can someone in Donley 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.