1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Jim Wells County is $938 a month against a median household income of $51,896, about 22% of income (ACS 2020-24). Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Jim Wells County applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- Who lives in Jim Wells County
- Jim Wells County's most unusual numbers
- The Jim Wells County housing market in figures
- Where Jim Wells County works
- Paychecks and income spread in Jim Wells County
- Jim Wells County communities by population
- Jim Wells County next to its neighbors
- Reading the Jim Wells County data as a borrower
- Debt-to-income, Jim Wells County edition
- Age, degrees and coverage in Jim Wells County
- Steps before you apply in Jim Wells County
- Licensing and complaints for Jim Wells County
- More guides for Jim Wells County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Jim Wells County
With an estimated 38,850 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Jim Wells County ranks 81st of 254 in Texas for population. Its 865 square miles average 45 people per square mile, by the 2024 Census Gazetteer. No metropolitan area includes Jim Wells County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 16 Census places inside Jim Wells County, Alice leads by population with about 17,707; 4 of the 16 are incorporated.
Jim Wells County's most unusual numbers
Out of every Texas county, Jim Wells County is most unusual on these measures.
- Few Texas counties match Jim Wells County on the share of renters paying 30% or more of income for rent: 63% here, 52% for the state, ranking 4th highest of 249. Rent pressure leaves little room; stress-test any payment.
- Few Texas counties match Jim Wells County on the poverty rate: 24.7% here, 13.8% for the state, ranking 15th highest of 254. Nonprofit credit counseling is free or low cost and worth a call first.
- On median household income, Jim Wells County sits near the bottom of Texas at $51,896, 35th lowest of 254. A lean local median makes the size of the loan the most important choice.
- Few Texas counties match Jim Wells County on households without a vehicle: 6.9% here, 5.4% for the state, ranking 44th highest of 253. Without a car, transit and ride costs belong in the budget before any payment.
The Jim Wells County housing market in figures
A typical Jim Wells County rental runs $938 a month including utilities, which is 33% below Texas. 63% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 36% spend half or more. Home values center on $123,600, or 2.4 years of median income. Homeowners 68%, renters 32%. Nationally, Jim Wells County's $938 rent is 7% above the middle county.
| Housing | Jim Wells County | Texas statewide | Jim Wells County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $938/mo | $1,403/mo | 33% lower |
| Median home value | $123,600 | $283,800 | 56% lower |
| Owners | 68% | 63% | +5.9 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 63% | 52% | +11.1 pts |
| Burdened owners | 37% | 29% | +8.0 pts |
| Mobile homes | 15.1% | 6.4% | +8.7 pts |
63% of Jim Wells County renters are already past the 30% line; one more payment should leave room for a late paycheck.
Where Jim Wells County works
The biggest employer of Jim Wells County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 28% of workers, followed by agriculture, forestry and mining (13%). Jim Wells County over-indexes on agriculture, forestry and mining: 13% versus 2% in Texas. The survey's unemployment rate for Jim Wells County averages 6.1% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.3%). Long commutes are common here: 20% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. No car: 6.9% of Jim Wells County households.
| Sector | Jim Wells County | Compared with Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.8% | +6.2 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 12.8% | +10.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.8% | -0.2 pts |
| Construction | 9.6% | +1.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.6% | -1.9 pts |
| Other services | 6.3% | +1.4 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 Jim Wells County
At $51,896, the typical Jim Wells County household income is 21% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). Only 219 Texas counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | Jim Wells County | +/- vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 35.8% | +14.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 37.7% | -1.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.1% | -5.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.4% | -7.1 pts |
36% under $35,000 and 27% at $100,000 or more: that is the Jim Wells County income split. 24.7% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.8%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.469 here. A household earning below the $51,896 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Jim Wells County communities by population
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 16 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 82% of Jim Wells County residents live in one of the 16. Coyote Acres ($103,750) and Orange Grove ($44,779) mark the top and bottom of Jim Wells County's income range among larger places. Median rent ranges from $686 in Orange Grove to $1,096 in San Diego. Live in one of these Jim Wells County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alice | city | 17,707 | $48,676 | $934 | 2 mi |
| San Diego | city | 3,675 | $53,174 | $1,096 | 9 mi |
| Premont | city | 2,428 | $47,728 | $781 | 26 mi |
| Ben Bolt | CDP | 2,152 | $61,741 | $873 | 5 mi |
| Rancho Alegre | CDP | 1,337 | $49,202 | n/a | 1 mi |
| Orange Grove | city | 1,089 | $44,779 | $686 | 18 mi |
| Coyote Acres | CDP | 977 | $103,750 | n/a | 3 mi |
| Alice Acres | CDP | 819 | n/a | n/a | 2 mi |
| South La Paloma | CDP | 386 | $42,361 | n/a | 14 mi |
| K-Bar Ranch | CDP | 361 | $42,390 | n/a | 21 mi |
| Alfred | CDP | 227 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
| Westdale | CDP | 212 | n/a | n/a | 17 mi |
| Sandia | CDP | 206 | $250,001 | n/a | 24 mi |
| Owl Ranch | CDP | 148 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
Jim Wells County next to its neighbors
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Jim Wells County's, from 25 to 49 miles away. Richest neighbor: San Patricio County, $69,704. Poorest: Brooks County, $47,764. Jim Wells County: $51,896.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Wells County | - | $51,896 | $938/mo | 68% |
| Duval County, TX | 25 mi | $49,038 | $741/mo | 70% |
| Kleberg County, TX | 33 mi | $61,292 | $1,043/mo | 53% |
| Nueces County, TX | 35 mi | $66,897 | $1,283/mo | 60% |
| San Patricio County, TX | 40 mi | $69,704 | $1,291/mo | 67% |
| Live Oak County, TX | 43 mi | $57,150 | $924/mo | 71% |
| Brooks County, TX | 49 mi | $47,764 | $719/mo | 53% |
Reading the Jim Wells County data as a borrower
Where the Jim Wells County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Uninsured care. 21% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Car trouble. For Jim Wells County drivers (20% with 45-minute-plus trips), price the repair against the car's value first.
- Mobile home upkeep. 15% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Assistance before credit. With a 25% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Jim Wells County loan.
Debt-to-income, Jim Wells County edition
Here is the Jim Wells County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Jim Wells County: $4,325
- Median rent: $938, or 22 cents of every gross dollar
- $619: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- At 43%, room after rent is $922 a month
If your rent is above $938, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Age, degrees and coverage in Jim Wells County
In Jim Wells County, 16% of adults have at least a four-year degree (34% in Texas). 20.9% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Jim Wells County | Compared with Texas | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.3% | -17.5 pts | -5.8 pts |
| Poverty rate | 24.7% | +10.9 pts | +11.5 pts |
| No high school diploma | 20.4% | +6.3 pts | n/a |
| Work from home | 8.3% | -6.0 pts | -0.3 pts |
| No health insurance | 20.9% | +3.8 pts | +13.1 pts |
| No vehicle | 6.9% | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.1% | +0.8 pts | +1.7 pts |
| Median age | 35.7 | +0.1 yrs | -5.8 yrs |
| Minutes to work | Jim Wells County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 33.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.9% |
| 60+ min | 11.0% |
Steps before you apply in Jim Wells County
Steps that save money for Jim Wells County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Verify the Texas license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Licensing and complaints for Jim Wells County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Jim Wells County resident can confirm its license with the Texas Department of Banking. The Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner handles consumer-credit questions as well. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the Texas state guide for the statewide picture.
More guides for Jim Wells County
The Texas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Jim Wells County earn?
The median is $51,896; 27% earn $100,000 or more and 36% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Can a Jim Wells County renter afford a loan payment?
At the $938 median rent and $4,325 median monthly income, rent alone uses 22%; add other debts before a new payment.
How many towns are in Jim Wells County?
The Census Bureau counts 16 places mainly in the county, led by Alice, San Diego, Premont, Ben Bolt, Rancho Alegre.
Does living in Jim Wells County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Jim Wells County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who regulates personal lenders for Jim Wells County residents?
The Texas Department of Banking licenses consumer lenders in Texas; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.