1st Advantage MortgageThe median Falls County household earns $57,247, and 15% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Falls County by the numbers
- Employment and commuting in Falls County
- Income in Falls County compared with Texas
- Renting and owning in Falls County
- Towns and communities in Falls County
- Falls County next to its neighbors
- Debt-to-income at Falls County's medians
- Who lives in Falls County, in numbers
- What the numbers mean for Falls County borrowers
- Checklist for Falls County applicants
- Checking a lender's license in Texas
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Falls County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Falls County's population at 17,291; only 133 of Texas's 254 county-level areas are larger. It covers 765 square miles of land, or about 23 people per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Waco, TX metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Marlin is the biggest of its 5 Census places, at roughly 5,516 people (32% of the county total).
Employment and commuting in Falls County
Education and health care employs 20% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 12%. Public administration stands out: 11% of workers here, versus 4% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 6.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 14% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 9% work from home.
| Industry | Share of Falls County workers | vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.1% | -1.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.5% | +0.5 pts |
| Public administration | 11.1% | +7.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.2% | +1.7 pts |
| Construction | 9.9% | +1.4 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.8% | 0.0 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Income in Falls County compared with Texas
Half of Falls County households take in less than $57,247 a year and half take in more, 27% below the Texas median of $78,476.
| Household income | Falls County | vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.9% | +11.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.7% | +4.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 17.9% | -8.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.5% | -7.0 pts |
Some 33% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 23% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 14.7% of Falls County residents in poverty, against 13.8% across Texas. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Falls County median.
Renting and owning in Falls County
Renters in Falls County pay a median of $731 a month, 48% below the Texas figure of $1,403. 38% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 14% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $110,900, about 1.9 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 76%.
| Cost | Falls County | Texas figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $731/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $110,900 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 38% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 29% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 12.3% | 6.4% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 15% | 9% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Falls 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.
Towns and communities in Falls County
The table lists the 5 largest of 5 Census places in Falls County, by population. Together all 5 hold about 8,640 people, so roughly 50% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $36,426 in Marlin to $93,875 in Chilton. This guide covers each of the 5 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marlin | city | 5,516 | $36,426 | $689 | 5 mi |
| Rosebud | city | 1,007 | $45,057 | $728 | 12 mi |
| Golinda | city | 836 | $62,438 | $792 | 11 mi |
| Chilton | CDP | 698 | $93,875 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Lott | city | 583 | $54,615 | $733 | 7 mi |
Falls County next to its neighbors
McLennan County is closest, 26 miles from center to center; the sixth, Hill County, is 52 miles off. All of the six report a higher median household income than Falls County; Robertson County is highest at $72,236 and Limestone County lowest at $60,573.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falls County | - | $57,247 | $731/mo | 76% |
| McLennan County, TX | 26 mi | $66,643 | $1,173/mo | 62% |
| Limestone County, TX | 29 mi | $60,573 | $905/mo | 72% |
| Robertson County, TX | 29 mi | $72,236 | $779/mo | 72% |
| Milam County, TX | 32 mi | $66,141 | $984/mo | 77% |
| Bell County, TX | 35 mi | $68,865 | $1,224/mo | 57% |
| Hill County, TX | 52 mi | $64,591 | $946/mo | 78% |
Debt-to-income at Falls County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Falls County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $57,247 a year is $4,771 of gross monthly income
- Less median rent of $731, which is 15% of it
- $939: what a 35% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- At 45%, room after rent is $1,416 a month
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Who lives in Falls County, in numbers
19% of Falls County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 16.9%, against 17.1% for Texas.
| Indicator | Falls County | All of Texas | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.6 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.5% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.0% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 16.9% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.8% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.8% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.7% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.0% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Falls County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 23.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 34.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 28.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.1% |
| 60+ min | 8.8% |
What the numbers mean for Falls County borrowers
A few patterns in the Falls County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Health costs. With 17% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Mobile home upkeep. 12% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
Checklist for Falls County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Falls County.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Checking a lender's license in Texas
Before sharing details with a lender, a Falls County resident can confirm its license with 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. The Texas guide covers state rules in more detail.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Texas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Falls County household make?
About $57,247 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 27% below the Texas median.
What do renters pay in Falls County?
$731 a month at the median, about 15% of median household income.
I own my home in Falls County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 76% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Which towns does the Falls County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 5 Census places: Marlin, Rosebud, Golinda, Chilton, Lott.
Does living in Falls County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Falls County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.