1st Advantage MortgageIn Gaines County, Texas, the typical household earns $74,132 a year and the typical rent is $789. 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
- Gaines County at a glance
- Household income in Gaines County
- Employment and commuting in Gaines County
- Renting and owning in Gaines County
- The counties around Gaines County
- The communities that make up Gaines County
- People and households in Gaines County
- Borrowing situations common in Gaines County
- Budget math at the Gaines County median
- Before you sign
- Who licenses lenders for Gaines County residents
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Gaines County at a glance
Roughly 22,232 residents live in Gaines County, Texas, 109th by population among the state's 254 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 1,502 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 15 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Gaines County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 3 Census places inside Gaines County, Seminole leads by population with about 7,184; 2 of the 3 are incorporated.
Household income in Gaines County
At $74,132, the typical Gaines County household income is 13% above the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Household income | Gaines County | vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.6% | +1.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.6% | +2.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.4% | -0.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 9.4% | -3.1 pts |
The spread is wide: 36% of Gaines County households make $100,000 or more, and 23% make less than $35,000. 6.8% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.8%). 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 Gaines County
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed Gaines County residents work in agriculture, forestry and mining and 16% in construction. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 23% locally and 2% for Texas. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 2.4% in Gaines County. 25% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 3% work from home. Only 5.6% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Gaines County share | +/- vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 22.6% | +20.3 pts |
| Construction | 16.2% | +7.7 pts |
| Education and health care | 15.0% | -6.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.6% | +1.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.7% | -1.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 6.0% | -2.6 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Renting and owning in Gaines County
Renters in Gaines County pay a median of $789 a month, 44% below the Texas figure of $1,403. 31% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 12% spend half or more. Home values center on $200,700, or 2.7 years of median income. The ownership rate is 75%. The median year built is 1986.
| Cost | Gaines County | Texas figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $789/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $200,700 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 75% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 31% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 35% | 29% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 24.8% | 6.4% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 10% | 9% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Gaines 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 counties around Gaines County
Distances run center to center, from Andrews County at 30 miles out to Martin County at 49. Income ranges from $44,100 in Terry County to $93,734 in Martin County; 2 of these neighbors top Gaines County's median. Some neighbors are in New Mexico. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Gaines County resident follows Texas rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaines County | - | $74,132 | $789/mo | 75% |
| Andrews County, TX | 30 mi | $72,242 | $1,305/mo | 79% |
| Yoakum County, TX | 31 mi | $84,925 | $973/mo | 67% |
| Terry County, TX | 34 mi | $44,100 | $817/mo | 67% |
| Dawson County, TX | 40 mi | $54,360 | $777/mo | 71% |
| Lea County, NM | 46 mi | $68,015 | $1,101/mo | 71% |
| Martin County, TX | 49 mi | $93,734 | $971/mo | 78% |
The communities that make up Gaines County
3 Census places fall mainly inside Gaines County; the 3 biggest are below. They account for 10,003 residents, leaving about 55% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. No Gaines County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 3.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seminole | city | 7,184 | $60,390 | $858 | 2 mi |
| Seagraves | city | 2,691 | $46,433 | $654 | 14 mi |
| Loop | CDP | 128 | $39,250 | n/a | 17 mi |
People and households in Gaines County
College graduates make up 12% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 36.7%, against 17.1% for Texas.
| Gaines County | Texas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 29.3 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 11.7% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 42.5% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 36.7% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.6% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 3.0% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 6.8% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.4% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Gaines County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 51.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 17.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 6.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.6% |
| 60+ min | 17.1% |
Borrowing situations common in Gaines County
A few patterns in the Gaines County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Uninsured care. 37% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Commuter costs. 25% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- 25% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
Budget math at the Gaines County median
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Gaines County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Monthly gross at the median, Gaines County: $6,178
- Housing at the median rent of $789 uses 13%
- Under a 43% cap, $2,656 total minus rent leaves $1,867
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Before you sign
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Texas.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Who licenses lenders for Gaines County residents
Before sharing details with a lender, a Gaines County resident can confirm its license with the Texas Department of Banking. Consumer lending in Texas is also overseen by the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The Texas guide covers state rules in more detail.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Texas guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gaines County a high-income county?
Its $74,132 median ranks 56th of 254 Texas counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Gaines County rent compare with Texas?
$789 locally versus $1,403 for the state, 44% below.
I own my home in Gaines County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 75% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
What are the biggest places in Gaines County?
By population: Seminole, Seagraves, Loop. The county has 3 Census places in all.
Will a Gaines County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Texas as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.