1st Advantage MortgageIn Garza County, Texas, the typical household earns $46,314 a year and the typical rent is $838. 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
- Garza County, TX: the basics
- Employment and commuting in Garza County
- What Garza County households earn
- Housing costs in Garza County
- Garza County towns compared
- Garza County and the counties next door
- People and households in Garza County
- Before borrowing in Garza County
- Room for a loan payment in Garza County
- A Garza County borrower's checklist
- Texas rules that apply in Garza County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Garza County, TX: the basics
With an estimated 5,118 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Garza County ranks 201st of 254 in Texas for population. It covers 893 square miles of land, or about 6 people per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Lubbock, TX metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 1 place in the county (1 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Post, with about 4,326 residents, or 85% of the county. With so few households sampled, Garza County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Employment and commuting in Garza County
The biggest employer of Garza County residents, by industry, is agriculture, forestry and mining at 16% of workers, followed by education and health care (16%). The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 16% locally and 2% for Texas. The survey's unemployment rate for Garza County averages 11.5% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.3%). About 82% drive to work alone and 25% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 7.9% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | Garza County | Compared with Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 16.1% | +13.9 pts |
| Education and health care | 15.9% | -5.7 pts |
| Public administration | 12.5% | +8.4 pts |
| Other services | 10.5% | +5.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.0% | -2.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.4% | -4.5 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
What Garza County households earn
Garza County households have a median income of $46,314 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 236th of 254 in Texas.
| Households earning | Garza County | +/- vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.1% | +4.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 48.1% | +8.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.0% | -3.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.8% | -9.7 pts |
About 26% of households earn under $35,000, while 26% clear $100,000. Census counts 8.4% of Garza County residents in poverty, against 13.8% across Texas. None of these numbers decides a Garza County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Housing costs in Garza County
A typical Garza County rental runs $838 a month including utilities, which is 40% below Texas. By the Census definition, 17% of Garza County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $77,800, or 1.7 years of median income. 71% of Garza County households own their home and 29% rent. Median construction year: 1973.
| Home costs | Garza County | Texas | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $838/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $77,800 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 71% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 17% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 29% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 12.2% | 6.4% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 33% | 9% | n/a |
Garza County towns compared
Post is the only Census place mainly inside Garza County, with about 4,326 of the county's 5,118 residents. Live in one of these Garza County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Post | city | 4,326 | $41,304 | $822 | 5 mi |
Garza County and the counties next door
Six nearby counties, 29 to 42 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Lynn County leads the group on income ($73,679), Dickens County trails ($49,335), and Garza County out-earns 0 of the six.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garza County | - | $46,314 | $838/mo | 71% |
| Crosby County, TX | 29 mi | $52,188 | $684/mo | 69% |
| Lynn County, TX | 30 mi | $73,679 | $927/mo | 77% |
| Kent County, TX | 31 mi | $72,889 | $675/mo | 79% |
| Borden County, TX | 32 mi | $65,625 | n/a | 66% |
| Scurry County, TX | 38 mi | $60,039 | $1,020/mo | 77% |
| Dickens County, TX | 42 mi | $49,335 | $758/mo | 80% |
People and households in Garza County
10% of Garza County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 18% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Garza County | Texas | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.4 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 10.2% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 30.0% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 18.0% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.9% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 1.5% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 8.4% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 11.5% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 61.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 3.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 15.1% |
| 60+ min | 10.2% |
Before borrowing in Garza County
Where the Garza County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Hospital bills in Garza County. For the 18% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Vehicle repairs. 25% of Garza County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- 12% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
Room for a loan payment in Garza County
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Garza County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Monthly gross at the median, Garza County: $3,860
- Median rent: $838, or 22 cents of every gross dollar
- $551: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
A Garza County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Garza County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Garza County.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Texas.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Texas rules that apply in Garza County
Garza County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by 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
For statewide rules and data, see the Texas guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Garza County a high-income county?
Its $46,314 median ranks 236th of 254 Texas counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Garza County rent compare with Texas?
$838 locally versus $1,403 for the state, 40% below.
What are the biggest places in Garza County?
By population: Post. The county has 1 Census place in all.
Can Garza 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.
Is there a Garza County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Texas it is the Texas Department of Banking.