1st Advantage MortgageGrimes County households have a median income of $69,803 and median rent of $1,069 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Grimes County, TX: the basics
- How much Grimes County households make
- Housing costs in Grimes County
- Jobs and commutes in Grimes County
- How Grimes County compares with nearby counties
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Grimes County
- Room for a loan payment in Grimes County
- Grimes County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Before borrowing in Grimes County
- Texas rules that apply in Grimes County
- Steps before you apply in Grimes County
- More guides for Grimes County
- Frequently asked questions
Grimes County, TX: the basics
Grimes County is home to about 31,340 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 92nd most populous of 254 county-level areas in Texas. It covers 787 square miles of land, or about 40 people per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 9 places in the county (6 incorporated, 3 census-designated); the largest is Navasota, with about 8,542 residents, or 27% of the county.
How much Grimes County households make
Grimes County households have a median income of $69,803 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 84th of 254 in Texas.
| Income band | Share in Grimes County | Difference from Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.2% | +1.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.8% | +4.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.6% | -0.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.4% | -6.1 pts |
About 23% of households earn under $35,000, while 33% clear $100,000. 14.6% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.8%). A household earning below the $69,803 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Housing costs in Grimes County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,069 in Grimes County versus $1,403 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 45% of renter households here. With a median value of $237,400, a typical Grimes County house costs 3.4 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 80% of homes. The median year built is 1997.
| Home costs | Grimes County | Texas | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,069/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $237,400 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 80% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 31% | 29% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 21.7% | 6.4% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 17% | 9% | n/a |
Because most Grimes County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Jobs and commutes in Grimes County
Education and health care employs 21% of working residents, the largest share; construction is next with 13%. The sharpest difference from the state is in construction, at 13% locally and 9% for Texas. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 5.1% in Grimes County. Long commutes are common here: 32% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 4.8% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Grimes County | Difference from Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.6% | -1.0 pts |
| Construction | 13.4% | +4.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.2% | +0.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.7% | -0.8 pts |
| Other services | 7.5% | +2.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.4% | -5.5 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
How Grimes County compares with nearby counties
Distances run center to center, from Brazos County at 20 miles out to Waller County at 37. Income ranges from $52,324 in Walker County to $97,701 in Montgomery County; 4 of these neighbors top Grimes County's median.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grimes County | - | $69,803 | $1,069/mo | 80% |
| Brazos County, TX | 20 mi | $58,553 | $1,193/mo | 47% |
| Walker County, TX | 28 mi | $52,324 | $1,031/mo | 56% |
| Madison County, TX | 29 mi | $74,596 | $851/mo | 75% |
| Montgomery County, TX | 33 mi | $97,701 | $1,532/mo | 72% |
| Washington County, TX | 34 mi | $77,825 | $1,165/mo | 70% |
| Waller County, TX | 37 mi | $80,397 | $1,169/mo | 72% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Grimes County
Here are the 9 most populous of the county's 9 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 35% of Grimes County residents live in one of the 9. None of the 9 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navasota | city | 8,542 | $51,276 | $860 | 12 mi |
| Plantersville | city | 579 | $103,627 | $960 | 16 mi |
| Bedias | city | 478 | $36,250 | $1,102 | 17 mi |
| Iola | city | 372 | $50,000 | $735 | 17 mi |
| Pinebrook | CDP | 307 | n/a | n/a | 17 mi |
| Anderson | city | 202 | $85,000 | n/a | 4 mi |
| Shiro | CDP | 159 | n/a | n/a | 7 mi |
| Todd Mission | city | 132 | n/a | n/a | 22 mi |
| Richards | CDP | 67 | $75,500 | n/a | 8 mi |
Room for a loan payment in Grimes County
How much room does a median Grimes County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Start: $5,817 gross per month ($69,803 / 12)
- 18% goes to median rent ($1,069)
- Under a 36% cap, $2,094 total minus rent leaves $1,025
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Grimes County residents: age, schooling, coverage
20% of Grimes County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 18% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Grimes County | Texas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.1 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.7% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 19.5% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 18.3% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.8% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.2% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.6% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.1% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Grimes County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 20.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 19.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 29.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 13.6% |
| 60+ min | 17.9% |
Before borrowing in Grimes County
What the Grimes County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Medical bills. 18% of Grimes County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Commuter costs. 32% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Mobile home upkeep. 22% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
Texas rules that apply in Grimes County
Grimes County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by 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.
Steps before you apply in Grimes County
Steps that save money for Grimes County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Grimes County-area credit union.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Texas borrowers.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
More guides for Grimes County
The Texas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Grimes County earn?
The median is $69,803; 33% earn $100,000 or more and 23% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Grimes County rent compare with Texas?
$1,069 locally versus $1,403 for the state, 24% below.
Does this page cover Navasota?
Yes, along with the other 8 Census places in Grimes County, such as Plantersville, Bedias, Iola.
Is the fit check different in Grimes County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Where can someone in Grimes 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.