1st Advantage MortgageThe median Gonzales County household earns $58,672, and 16% of residents live below the poverty line. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Gonzales County at a glance
- Housing costs in Gonzales County
- What Gonzales County households earn
- Jobs and commutes in Gonzales County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Gonzales County
- Gonzales County and the counties next door
- Gonzales County households compared
- Borrowing situations common in Gonzales County
- Room for a loan payment in Gonzales County
- A Gonzales County borrower's checklist
- Lender oversight for Gonzales County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Gonzales County at a glance
Roughly 19,851 residents live in Gonzales County, Texas, 125th by population among the state's 254 counties and county equivalents. It covers 1,067 square miles of land, or about 19 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Gonzales County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 4 Census places inside Gonzales County, Gonzales leads by population with about 7,200; 4 of the 4 are incorporated.
Housing costs in Gonzales County
Renters in Gonzales County pay a median of $840 a month, 40% below the Texas figure of $1,403. By the Census definition, 46% of Gonzales County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $159,100, or 2.7 years of median income. The ownership rate is 66%. The median year built is 1983.
| Housing | Gonzales County | Texas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $840/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $159,100 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 66% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 33% | 29% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 12% | 9% | n/a |
What Gonzales County households earn
Gonzales County households have a median income of $58,672 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 181st of 254 in Texas.
| Households earning | Gonzales County | +/- vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.1% | +10.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.1% | +4.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.7% | -6.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.1% | -9.4 pts |
About 32% of households earn under $35,000, while 24% clear $100,000. 15.8% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.8%). None of these numbers decides a Gonzales County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Jobs and commutes in Gonzales County
Education and health care employs 19% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 17%. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 12% locally and 2% for Texas. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.3% in Gonzales County. About 82% drive to work alone and 21% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Top industries | Gonzales County share | +/- vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 18.6% | -3.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.0% | +8.5 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 11.8% | +9.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.2% | +0.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.9% | +1.1 pts |
| Construction | 7.4% | -1.1 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Gonzales County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Gonzales County
The table lists the 4 largest of 4 Census places in Gonzales County, by population. Together all 4 hold about 8,346 people, so roughly 58% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $36,750 in Smiley to $61,214 in Waelder. Median rent ranges from $751 in Gonzales to $959 in Waelder. Live in one of these Gonzales County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gonzales | city | 7,200 | $51,929 | $751 | 4 mi |
| Waelder | city | 603 | $61,214 | $959 | 20 mi |
| Smiley | city | 543 | $36,750 | $921 | 16 mi |
| Harwood | town | 0 | n/a | n/a | 14 mi |
Gonzales County and the counties next door
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Gonzales County's, from 27 to 44 miles away. Income ranges from $60,214 in Karnes County to $94,565 in Wilson County; all six of these neighbors top Gonzales County's median.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gonzales County | - | $58,672 | $840/mo | 66% |
| Caldwell County, TX | 27 mi | $69,758 | $1,173/mo | 75% |
| DeWitt County, TX | 27 mi | $63,730 | $921/mo | 74% |
| Guadalupe County, TX | 29 mi | $92,375 | $1,517/mo | 78% |
| Lavaca County, TX | 35 mi | $63,240 | $910/mo | 78% |
| Wilson County, TX | 41 mi | $94,565 | $1,069/mo | 85% |
| Karnes County, TX | 44 mi | $60,214 | $957/mo | 62% |
Gonzales County households compared
12% of Gonzales County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 18.0% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Gonzales County | Texas | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.3 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 11.9% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 24.7% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 18.0% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.6% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.0% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.8% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.3% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Gonzales County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 38.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 20.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.3% |
| 60+ min | 10.7% |
Borrowing situations common in Gonzales County
Where the Gonzales County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Uninsured care. 18% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Vehicle repairs. 21% of Gonzales County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Mobile home upkeep. 22% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Rent squeeze. 46% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Room for a loan payment in Gonzales County
How much room does a median Gonzales County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,889 before taxes
- 17% goes to median rent ($840)
- 35% debt-to-income limit: $871 left for all other debt payments
- $1,360: what a 45% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Gonzales County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
A Gonzales County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in Gonzales County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Lender oversight for Gonzales County
Consumer lenders serving Gonzales County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Texas that is the Texas Department of Banking. 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. More on Texas: Texas personal loans.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Texas guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gonzales County a high-income county?
Its $58,672 median ranks 181st of 254 Texas counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Gonzales County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $840 against $1,403 statewide, and 46% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Gonzales County?
By population: Gonzales, Waelder, Smiley, Harwood. The county has 4 Census places in all.
Can Gonzales 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.
Where can someone in Gonzales 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.