1st Advantage MortgageAbout 81% of Houston County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $59,576. 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
- Who lives in Houston County
- Employment and commuting in Houston County
- Income in Houston County compared with Tennessee
- Houston County housing compared with Tennessee
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Houston County
- Who lives in Houston County, in numbers
- Borrowing situations common in Houston County
- Budget math at the Houston County median
- A Houston County borrower's checklist
- Who licenses lenders for Houston County residents
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Houston County
Houston County is home to about 8,353 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 89th most populous of 95 county-level areas in Tennessee. Spread over 200 square miles, that works out to roughly 41.7 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Houston County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 2 places in the county (2 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Tennessee Ridge, with about 1,726 residents, or 21% of the county. Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Houston County figure on this page as a rough guide.
Employment and commuting in Houston County
The biggest employer of Houston County residents, by industry, is manufacturing at 19% of workers, followed by education and health care (16%). Construction stands out: 16% of workers here, versus 7% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.9% in Houston County. About 81% drive to work alone and 37% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 2.7% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Houston County workers | vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 19.1% | +6.6 pts |
| Education and health care | 16.3% | -6.1 pts |
| Construction | 16.2% | +9.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.1% | -1.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.6% | -3.1 pts |
| Public administration | 7.3% | +3.1 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Income in Houston County compared with Tennessee
The median household income in Houston County is $59,576; statewide it is $69,595, so Houston County runs 14% below Tennessee as a whole.
| Households earning | Houston County | +/- vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.2% | -1.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 53.4% | +11.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.4% | -4.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.0% | -5.0 pts |
Some 22% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 24% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 11.1% of Houston County residents in poverty, against 13.8% across Tennessee. A household earning below the $59,576 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Houston County housing compared with Tennessee
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $735 in Houston County versus $1,189 statewide. By the Census definition, 23% of Houston County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $172,700, a typical Houston County house costs 2.9 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 81%.
| Measure | Houston County | Tennessee | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $735/mo | $1,189/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $172,700 | $286,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 81% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 23% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 25% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 15% | 10% | n/a |
Because most Houston 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.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Six nearby counties, 13 to 33 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $50,613 in Henry County to $75,613 in Montgomery County; 4 of these neighbors top Houston County's median.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston County | - | $59,576 | $735/mo | 81% |
| Stewart County, TN | 13 mi | $63,114 | $945/mo | 81% |
| Humphreys County, TN | 18 mi | $60,616 | $862/mo | 78% |
| Dickson County, TN | 21 mi | $75,003 | $1,015/mo | 80% |
| Montgomery County, TN | 23 mi | $75,613 | $1,308/mo | 62% |
| Benton County, TN | 25 mi | $51,746 | $768/mo | 75% |
| Henry County, TN | 33 mi | $50,613 | $761/mo | 74% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Houston County
The table lists the 2 largest of 2 Census places in Houston County, by population. Together all 2 hold about 2,784 people, so roughly 67% of residents live outside any named place. This guide covers each of the 2 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Ridge | town | 1,726 | $74,271 | $935 | 4 mi |
| Erin | city | 1,058 | $36,488 | $512 | 2 mi |
Who lives in Houston County, in numbers
College graduates make up 14% of the adult population. About 12% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Houston County | All of Tennessee | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.0 | 38.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 13.6% | 31.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.8% | 10.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.6% | 10.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.7% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.2% | 12.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.1% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.9% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 15.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 13.4% |
| 60+ min | 23.6% |
Borrowing situations common in Houston County
Based on the Houston County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Uninsured care. 12% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Keeping the car running. At 37% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Houston County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Manufactured homes. 17% of Houston County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
Budget math at the Houston County median
Houston County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Monthly gross at the median, Houston County: $4,965
- Less median rent of $735, which is 15% of it
- 35% debt-to-income limit: $1,003 left for all other debt payments
- With a 45% ceiling, about $1,499 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
If your rent is above $735, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
A Houston County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Houston County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Houston County.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Tennessee.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Who licenses lenders for Houston County residents
The Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Tennessee license. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the Tennessee state guide for the statewide picture.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Tennessee guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Houston County a high-income county?
Its $59,576 median ranks 46th of 95 Tennessee counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Houston County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $735 a month; 23% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Houston County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 81% of Houston County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Does this page cover Tennessee Ridge?
Yes, along with the other 1 Census place in Houston County, such as Erin.
Is the fit check different in Houston County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.