1st Advantage MortgageJack County households have a median income of $68,079 and median rent of $960 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Texas before sharing details.
On this page
- Jack County at a glance
- Paychecks and income spread in Jack County
- Jack County housing compared with Texas
- Jobs and commutes in Jack County
- The communities that make up Jack County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Who lives in Jack County, in numbers
- What the numbers mean for Jack County borrowers
- A Jack County household budget, worked through
- Checking a lender's license in Texas
- Checklist for Jack County applicants
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Jack County at a glance
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Jack County's population at 8,882; only 172 of Texas's 254 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 911 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 10 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Jack County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 3 Census places inside Jack County, Jacksboro leads by population with about 4,334; 2 of the 3 are incorporated. Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Jack County figure on this page as a rough guide.
Paychecks and income spread in Jack County
Jack County households have a median income of $68,079 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 99th of 254 in Texas.
| Households earning | Jack County | +/- vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.9% | +4.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.5% | +4.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.6% | -3.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.9% | -5.6 pts |
About 26% of households earn under $35,000, while 31% clear $100,000. 13.0% 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 Jack County median.
Jack County housing compared with Texas
Renters in Jack County pay a median of $960 a month, 32% below the Texas figure of $1,403. 45% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 24% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $251,200, about 3.7 times the median household income. Owners occupy 72% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1975.
| Housing | Jack County | Texas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $960/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $251,200 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 72% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 39% | 29% | n/a |
Because most Jack 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 Jack County
Education and health care employs 18% of working residents, the largest share; agriculture, forestry and mining is next with 15%. Compared with Texas, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (15% against 2%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 9.6% in Jack County. 24% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 8% work from home.
| Where residents work | Jack County | Difference from Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 18.1% | -3.5 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 15.3% | +13.0 pts |
| Construction | 9.8% | +1.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.4% | -0.1 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.9% | +0.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.9% | -3.1 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Jack County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
The communities that make up Jack County
The table lists the 3 largest of 3 Census places in Jack County, by population. Together all 3 hold about 5,242 people, so roughly 41% of residents live outside any named place. None of the 3 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksboro | city | 4,334 | $55,040 | $760 | 1 mi |
| Bryson | city | 659 | $75,779 | $1,098 | 13 mi |
| Perrin | CDP | 249 | $67,569 | $992 | 15 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Young County is closest, 30 miles from center to center; the sixth, Archer County, is 40 miles off. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Jack County; Parker County is highest at $104,443 and Palo Pinto County lowest at $67,674.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jack County | - | $68,079 | $960/mo | 72% |
| Young County, TX | 30 mi | $68,010 | $862/mo | 74% |
| Wise County, TX | 30 mi | $93,421 | $1,299/mo | 81% |
| Palo Pinto County, TX | 34 mi | $67,674 | $1,093/mo | 71% |
| Parker County, TX | 38 mi | $104,443 | $1,500/mo | 81% |
| Clay County, TX | 38 mi | $80,114 | $811/mo | 84% |
| Archer County, TX | 40 mi | $72,159 | $770/mo | 84% |
Who lives in Jack County, in numbers
College graduates make up 14% of the adult population. About 18% go without health insurance.
| Jack County | Texas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.0 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.5% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 18.8% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 18.0% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 11.6% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.7% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.0% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 9.6% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Jack County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 39.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.8% |
| 60+ min | 16.9% |
What the numbers mean for Jack County borrowers
A few patterns in the Jack County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Medical bills. 18% of Jack County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Long drives. With 24% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Jack County budgets.
- Manufactured homes. 16% of Jack County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
A Jack County household budget, worked through
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Jack County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $68,079 a year is $5,673 of gross monthly income
- Rent at the median, $960, takes 17% of that
- Under a 35% cap, $1,986 total minus rent leaves $1,026
- 45% debt-to-income limit: $1,593 left for all other debt payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Jack County's.
Checking a lender's license in Texas
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Jack County borrowers answers to the Texas Department of Banking. Texas also has the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner for consumer credit. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Texas: Texas personal loans.
Checklist for Jack County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Jack County-area credit union.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Related local guides
The Texas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Jack County earn?
The median is $68,079; 31% earn $100,000 or more and 26% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Jack County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $960 against $1,403 statewide, and 45% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Jack County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 72% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
I live in a small Jack County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Jacksboro, Bryson, Perrin.
Can Jack 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.