1st Advantage MortgageGillespie County households have a median income of $76,162 and median rent of $1,340 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
- Who lives in Gillespie County
- Income in Gillespie County compared with Texas
- Renting and owning in Gillespie County
- Employment and commuting in Gillespie County
- Regional comparison for Gillespie County
- Places inside Gillespie County
- Who lives in Gillespie County, in numbers
- Borrowing situations common in Gillespie County
- Room for a loan payment in Gillespie County
- Checklist for Gillespie County applicants
- Texas rules that apply in Gillespie County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Gillespie County
Gillespie County is home to about 27,524 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 99th most populous of 254 county-level areas in Texas. Spread over 1,058 square miles, that works out to roughly 26.0 residents per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Gillespie County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Fredericksburg is the biggest of its 3 Census places, at roughly 11,419 people (41% of the county total).
Income in Gillespie County compared with Texas
The median household income in Gillespie County is $76,162; statewide it is $78,476, so Gillespie County runs 3% below Texas as a whole. That places it 46th among Texas's 254 county-level areas.
| Households earning | Gillespie County | +/- vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.0% | -1.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.6% | +1.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.7% | -1.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 13.7% | +1.2 pts |
The spread is wide: 39% of Gillespie County households make $100,000 or more, and 20% make less than $35,000. Census counts 9.2% of Gillespie 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 Gillespie County median.
Renting and owning in Gillespie County
A typical Gillespie County rental runs $1,340 a month including utilities, which is 4% below Texas. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 54% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $460,700, about 6.0 times the median household income. 75% of Gillespie County households own their home and 25% rent. Median construction year: 1991.
| Gillespie County | Texas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,340/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $460,700 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 75% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 54% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 38% | 29% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 15.0% | 6.4% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 20% | 9% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Gillespie 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. When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Employment and commuting in Gillespie County
The biggest employer of Gillespie County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 21% of workers, followed by construction (14%). Construction stands out: 14% of workers here, versus 9% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Gillespie County averages 2.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.3%). Long commutes are the exception here: 12% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Sector | Gillespie County | Compared with Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.3% | -0.3 pts |
| Construction | 13.8% | +5.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.9% | -0.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.8% | +1.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.7% | -3.2 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.8% | +0.8 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Regional comparison for Gillespie County
Kendall County is closest, 30 miles from center to center; the sixth, Bandera County, is 43 miles off. 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Gillespie County; Kendall County is highest at $114,962 and Llano County lowest at $67,530.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gillespie County | - | $76,162 | $1,340/mo | 75% |
| Kendall County, TX | 30 mi | $114,962 | $1,606/mo | 79% |
| Llano County, TX | 31 mi | $67,530 | $998/mo | 77% |
| Kerr County, TX | 31 mi | $69,395 | $1,109/mo | 70% |
| Mason County, TX | 32 mi | $74,180 | $800/mo | 80% |
| Blanco County, TX | 33 mi | $92,425 | $1,017/mo | 76% |
| Bandera County, TX | 43 mi | $75,813 | $1,149/mo | 86% |
Places inside Gillespie County
3 Census places fall mainly inside Gillespie County; the 3 biggest are below. They account for 12,928 residents, leaving about 53% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. No Gillespie County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 3.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fredericksburg | city | 11,419 | $64,534 | $1,386 | 6 mi |
| Harper | CDP | 1,214 | n/a | n/a | 20 mi |
| Stonewall | CDP | 295 | n/a | n/a | 17 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Who lives in Gillespie County, in numbers
Degree holders: 37% of adults over 25. 13.9% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Gillespie County | Texas | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 50.7 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 37.2% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.9% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 13.9% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.5% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 11.4% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.2% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.7% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 53.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 9.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.6% |
| 60+ min | 9.3% |
Borrowing situations common in Gillespie County
Where the Gillespie County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Uninsured care. 14% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Manufactured homes. 15% of Gillespie County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Retirees. At a median age of 50.7, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- 54% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
Room for a loan payment in Gillespie County
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Gillespie County's medians:
- $76,162 a year is $6,347 of gross monthly income
- 21% goes to median rent ($1,340)
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,389 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
If your rent is above $1,340, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Checklist for Gillespie County applicants
Before you apply, wherever you live in Gillespie County:
- Price the Gillespie County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Gillespie County-area credit union.
- Verify the Texas license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Texas rules that apply in Gillespie County
The Texas Department of Banking is the place to verify any lender's Texas license. Texas also has the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner for consumer credit. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. The Texas guide covers state rules in more detail.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Texas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Gillespie County?
$76,162 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $78,476 for Texas. It ranks 46th of 254 in the state.
How much is rent in Gillespie County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,340 a month; 54% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Which towns does the Gillespie County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 3 Census places: Fredericksburg, Harper, Stonewall.
Will a Gillespie County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Texas as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Where can someone in Gillespie 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.