1st Advantage MortgageEllis County households have a median income of $99,595 and median rent of $1,594 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
- Ellis County at a glance
- What it costs to live in Ellis County
- Income in Ellis County compared with Texas
- Employment and commuting in Ellis County
- Ellis County next to its neighbors
- The communities that make up Ellis County
- What a median Ellis County budget can carry
- People and households in Ellis County
- Before borrowing in Ellis County
- Before you sign
- Texas rules that apply in Ellis County
- More guides for Ellis County
- Frequently asked questions
Ellis County at a glance
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Ellis County's population at 213,160; only 24 of Texas's 254 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 936 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 228 per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metropolitan area. Of the 17 Census places inside Ellis County, Waxahachie leads by population with about 45,347; 16 of the 17 are incorporated.
What it costs to live in Ellis County
A typical Ellis County rental runs $1,594 a month including utilities, which is 14% above Texas. 50% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 26% spend half or more. Home values center on $348,600, or 3.5 years of median income. The ownership rate is 76%. Half the housing stock was built before 2002.
| Ellis County | Texas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,594/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $348,600 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 29% | n/a |
Because most Ellis 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. High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Income in Ellis County compared with Texas
Half of Ellis County households take in less than $99,595 a year and half take in more, 27% above the Texas median of $78,476. Only 11 Texas counties post a higher median.
| Band | Ellis County | Compared with Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 14.1% | -7.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 36.1% | -3.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 37.0% | +10.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 12.8% | +0.3 pts |
Some 14% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 50% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 6.9% of Ellis County residents in poverty, against 13.8% across Texas. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Employment and commuting in Ellis County
Education and health care employs 22% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 12%. Compared with Texas, the county leans toward manufacturing (12% against 9%). The survey's unemployment rate for Ellis County averages 4.5% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.3%). 26% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 12% work from home. 3.7% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Ellis County workers | vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.0% | +0.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.2% | +3.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.1% | +1.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.7% | -3.2 pts |
| Construction | 8.2% | -0.3 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.9% | +0.2 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Ellis County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Ellis County next to its neighbors
Navarro County is closest, 28 miles from center to center; the sixth, Tarrant County, is 41 miles off. Income ranges from $63,111 in Navarro County to $89,485 in Kaufman County; none of these neighbors top Ellis County's median.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellis County | - | $99,595 | $1,594/mo | 76% |
| Navarro County, TX | 28 mi | $63,111 | $1,076/mo | 69% |
| Dallas County, TX | 29 mi | $76,547 | $1,565/mo | 51% |
| Hill County, TX | 32 mi | $64,591 | $946/mo | 78% |
| Johnson County, TX | 33 mi | $84,859 | $1,398/mo | 75% |
| Kaufman County, TX | 34 mi | $89,485 | $1,554/mo | 78% |
| Tarrant County, TX | 41 mi | $84,207 | $1,547/mo | 59% |
The communities that make up Ellis County
17 Census places fall mainly inside Ellis County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 162,800 residents, leaving about 24% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $131,806 at the median in Oak Leaf, $30,850 in Milford. This guide covers each of the 17 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waxahachie | city | 45,347 | $85,723 | $1,618 | 5 mi |
| Midlothian | city | 39,356 | $126,641 | $2,013 | 14 mi |
| Ennis | city | 22,588 | $75,074 | $1,362 | 10 mi |
| Glenn Heights | city | 18,096 | $81,718 | $1,675 | 15 mi |
| Red Oak | city | 17,077 | $104,561 | $1,920 | 11 mi |
| Ovilla | city | 4,375 | $131,434 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Ferris | city | 3,238 | $89,722 | $1,295 | 15 mi |
| Palmer | town | 2,515 | $104,258 | $1,718 | 9 mi |
| Italy | town | 2,372 | $60,754 | $1,285 | 12 mi |
| Oak Leaf | city | 1,827 | $131,806 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Garrett | town | 1,260 | $79,792 | $1,593 | 9 mi |
| Milford | town | 966 | $30,850 | $924 | 18 mi |
| Bardwell | city | 963 | $61,000 | $1,283 | 8 mi |
| Maypearl | city | 907 | $69,550 | $1,570 | 12 mi |
What a median Ellis County budget can carry
Ellis County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Start: $8,300 gross per month ($99,595 / 12)
- 19% goes to median rent ($1,594)
- Under a 36% cap, $2,988 total minus rent leaves $1,394
If your rent is above $1,594, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
People and households in Ellis County
Degree holders: 30% of adults over 25. 15.0% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Ellis County | All of Texas | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.3 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 30.1% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.8% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 15.0% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.7% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 12.4% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 6.9% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.5% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 22.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 24.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 13.7% |
| 60+ min | 11.8% |
Before borrowing in Ellis County
Where the Ellis County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Medical bills. 15% of Ellis County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Keeping the car running. At 26% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Ellis County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Strong incomes, long terms. 50% of Ellis County households earn $100,000+. The risk is a term that outlasts the need.
- Rent squeeze. 50% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Before you sign
Before you apply, wherever you live in Ellis County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Texas rules that apply in Ellis County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Ellis County borrowers answers to the Texas Department of Banking. Texas also has the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner for consumer credit. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. See the Texas state guide for the statewide picture.
More guides for Ellis County
The Texas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ellis County a high-income county?
Its $99,595 median ranks 12th of 254 Texas counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Ellis County?
$1,594 a month at the median, about 19% of median household income.
I live in a small Ellis County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Waxahachie, Midlothian, Ennis, Glenn Heights, Red Oak and 12 more.
Are Ellis 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.
Is there a Ellis County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Texas it is the Texas Department of Banking.