1st Advantage MortgageAbout 71% of Houston County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $56,531. 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
- Houston County at a glance
- Employment and commuting in Houston County
- How much Houston County households make
- Housing costs in Houston County
- Places inside Houston County
- Houston County and the counties next door
- Debt-to-income at Houston County's medians
- More Houston County figures
- Borrowing situations common in Houston County
- A Houston County borrower's checklist
- Licensing and complaints for Houston County
- More guides for Houston County
- Frequently asked questions
Houston County at a glance
Roughly 22,051 residents live in Houston County, Texas, 110th by population among the state's 254 counties and county equivalents. It covers 1,231 square miles of land, or about 18 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Houston County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 5 places in the county (5 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Crockett, with about 6,364 residents, or 29% of the county.
Employment and commuting in Houston County
Education and health care employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 11%. Compared with Texas, the county leans toward public administration (9% against 4%). The survey's unemployment rate for Houston County averages 6.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.3%). 23% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 6% work from home. Only 8.8% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Houston County workers | vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.1% | +2.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.7% | -0.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.7% | +1.1 pts |
| Public administration | 8.5% | +4.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.1% | -0.4 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.0% | +1.2 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 much Houston County households make
Half of Houston County households take in less than $56,531 a year and half take in more, 28% below the Texas median of $78,476.
| Band | Houston County | Compared with Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.8% | +11.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.4% | 0.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.1% | -4.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.7% | -6.8 pts |
Some 33% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 28% have six-figure incomes. 15.0% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.8%). A household earning below the $56,531 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Housing costs in Houston County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $887 in Houston County versus $1,403 statewide. By the Census definition, 50% of Houston County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $164,900, or 2.9 years of median income. Owners occupy 71% of homes. The median year built is 1981.
| Measure | Houston County | Texas | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $887/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $164,900 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 71% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 29% | n/a |
Places inside Houston County
5 Census places fall mainly inside Houston County; the 5 biggest are below. They account for 8,965 residents, leaving about 59% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. This guide covers each of the 5 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crockett | city | 6,364 | $38,869 | $855 | 2 mi |
| Grapeland | city | 1,595 | $39,643 | $872 | 12 mi |
| Lovelady | city | 490 | $47,500 | $1,063 | 14 mi |
| Kennard | city | 270 | $82,500 | $1,125 | 14 mi |
| Latexo | city | 246 | $58,864 | $1,125 | 6 mi |
Houston County and the counties next door
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (22 to 41 miles). 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Houston County; Madison County is highest at $74,596 and Trinity County lowest at $52,018.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston County | - | $56,531 | $887/mo | 71% |
| Trinity County, TX | 22 mi | $52,018 | $856/mo | 79% |
| Leon County, TX | 34 mi | $61,449 | $907/mo | 77% |
| Anderson County, TX | 38 mi | $62,068 | $1,041/mo | 72% |
| Madison County, TX | 39 mi | $74,596 | $851/mo | 75% |
| Cherokee County, TX | 39 mi | $61,261 | $933/mo | 74% |
| Walker County, TX | 41 mi | $52,324 | $1,031/mo | 56% |
Debt-to-income at Houston County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Houston County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Monthly gross at the median, Houston County: $4,711
- Less median rent of $887, which is 19% of it
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $809 left for all other debt payments
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,139 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
More Houston County figures
15% of Houston County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 12% go without health insurance.
| Houston County | Texas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.7 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.8% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 17.0% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.5% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.8% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.6% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.0% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.7% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Houston County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 36.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 23.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.2% |
| 60+ min | 11.4% |
Borrowing situations common in Houston County
Where the Houston County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Medical bills. 12% of Houston County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Commuter costs. 23% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Mobile home upkeep. 18% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Tight rental budgets. With 50% of Houston County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
A Houston County borrower's checklist
A short checklist for Houston County borrowers:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Licensing and complaints for Houston County
Houston County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Texas Department of Banking. The Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner handles consumer-credit questions as well. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. See the Texas state guide for the statewide picture.
More guides for Houston County
For statewide rules and data, see the Texas guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Houston County earn?
The median is $56,531; 28% earn $100,000 or more and 33% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Houston County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $887 a month; 50% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I own my home in Houston County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 71% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Which towns does the Houston County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 5 Census places: Crockett, Grapeland, Lovelady, Kennard, Latexo.
Are Houston County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.