1st Advantage MortgageIrion County households have a median income of $70,357 and median rent of $1,950 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
- Irion County by the numbers
- How Irion County residents earn a living
- Paychecks and income spread in Irion County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Irion County
- The communities that make up Irion County
- Irion County and the counties next door
- Who lives in Irion County, in numbers
- What the numbers mean for Irion County borrowers
- Budget math at the Irion County median
- Before you sign
- Texas rules that apply in Irion County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Irion County by the numbers
Roughly 1,409 residents live in Irion County, Texas, 239th by population among the state's 254 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 1,052 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 1 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the San Angelo, TX metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Of the 1 Census place inside Irion County, Mertzon leads by population with about 764. Because Irion County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
How Irion County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 22% of employed Irion County residents work in education and health care and 21% in agriculture, forestry and mining. Compared with Texas, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (21% against 2%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 0.4% in Irion County. About 79% drive to work alone and 23% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 1.2% of the total (5.4% statewide).
| Where residents work | Irion County | Difference from Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.4% | +0.8 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 20.8% | +18.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.5% | +0.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.3% | +0.9 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.3% | +1.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.0% | -6.9 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Paychecks and income spread in Irion County
The median household income in Irion County is $70,357; statewide it is $78,476, so Irion County runs 10% below Texas as a whole. In the state ranking that is 80th of 254.
| Households earning | Irion County | +/- vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.6% | +2.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.9% | +6.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 14.5% | -12.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 16.0% | +3.5 pts |
The spread is wide: 30% of Irion County households make $100,000 or more, and 24% make less than $35,000. 10.8% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.8%). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Irion County median.
Rent, home values and ownership in Irion County
Renters in Irion County pay a median of $1,950 a month, 39% above the Texas figure of $1,403. 12% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent. With a median value of $204,400, a typical Irion County house costs 2.9 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 83% of homes.
| Home costs | Irion County | Texas | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,950/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $204,400 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 83% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 12% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 52% | 29% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 14.3% | 6.4% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Irion 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.
The communities that make up Irion County
Just one Census place, Mertzon, lies mainly within Irion County; it holds about 764 people. This guide covers each of the 1 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mertzon | city | 764 | $67,500 | $2,633 | 10 mi |
Irion County and the counties next door
Tom Green County is closest, 31 miles from center to center; the sixth, Crockett County, is 48 miles off. Income ranges from $43,333 in Coke County to $86,694 in Schleicher County; 2 of these neighbors top Irion County's median.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irion County | - | $70,357 | $1,950/mo | 83% |
| Tom Green County, TX | 31 mi | $68,370 | $1,154/mo | 65% |
| Reagan County, TX | 32 mi | $57,813 | $746/mo | 70% |
| Sterling County, TX | 37 mi | $64,954 | $952/mo | 78% |
| Schleicher County, TX | 39 mi | $86,694 | $660/mo | 84% |
| Coke County, TX | 45 mi | $43,333 | $729/mo | 71% |
| Crockett County, TX | 48 mi | $81,022 | $558/mo | 74% |
Who lives in Irion County, in numbers
College graduates make up 28% of the adult population. About 15% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Irion County | Texas | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.5 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 28.3% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.3% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 14.8% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 1.2% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.8% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.8% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 0.4% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
What the numbers mean for Irion County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Irion County borrowers.
- Medical bills. 15% of Irion County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Vehicle repairs. 23% of Irion County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Mobile home upkeep. 14% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
Budget math at the Irion County median
Here is the Irion County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Start: $5,863 gross per month ($70,357 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $1,950, takes 33% of that
- $571: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Irion County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Before you sign
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Texas rules that apply in Irion County
Consumer lenders serving Irion County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Texas that is 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. The Texas guide covers state rules in more detail.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Texas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Irion County earn?
The median is $70,357; 30% earn $100,000 or more and 24% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Irion County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,950 against $1,403 statewide, and 12% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Should Irion County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 83% of Irion County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in Irion County?
By population: Mertzon. The county has 1 Census place in all.
Is the fit check different in Irion County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.