1st Advantage MortgageThe median Karnes County household earns $60,214, and 19% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Karnes County at a glance
- Rent, home values and ownership in Karnes County
- Paychecks and income spread in Karnes County
- How Karnes County residents earn a living
- The communities that make up Karnes County
- Regional comparison for Karnes County
- Karnes County households compared
- Before borrowing in Karnes County
- Budget math at the Karnes County median
- Steps before you apply in Karnes County
- Licensing and complaints for Karnes County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Karnes County at a glance
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Karnes County's population at 14,968; only 138 of Texas's 254 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 748 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 20 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Karnes City is the biggest of its 4 Census places, at roughly 3,605 people (24% of the county total).
Rent, home values and ownership in Karnes County
A typical Karnes County rental runs $957 a month including utilities, which is 32% below Texas. By the Census definition, 41% of Karnes County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $149,000, about 2.5 times the median household income. 62% of Karnes County households own their home and 38% rent. The median year built is 1988.
| Housing | Karnes County | Texas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $957/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $149,000 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 62% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 29% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 21% | 9% | n/a |
Paychecks and income spread in Karnes County
The median household income in Karnes County is $60,214; statewide it is $78,476, so Karnes County runs 23% below Texas as a whole.
| Households earning | Karnes County | +/- vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 34.5% | +13.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 33.9% | -5.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.5% | -5.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 10.1% | -2.4 pts |
The spread is wide: 32% of Karnes County households make $100,000 or more, and 34% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 19.1%, 5 points higher than the state's 13.8%. For a borrower in Karnes County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
How Karnes County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 21% of working residents, the largest share; construction is next with 13%. Compared with Texas, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (11% against 2%). The survey's unemployment rate for Karnes County averages 2.9% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.3%). About 75% drive to work alone and 12% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Karnes County | Gap to Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.6% | -1.0 pts |
| Construction | 13.0% | +4.4 pts |
| Public administration | 11.6% | +7.5 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 10.8% | +8.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.8% | +1.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.7% | -1.3 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
The communities that make up Karnes County
The table lists the 4 largest of 4 Census places in Karnes County, by population. Together all 4 hold about 8,684 people, so roughly 42% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $61,167 at the median in Kenedy, $55,354 in Karnes City. Live in one of these Karnes County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karnes City | city | 3,605 | $55,354 | $661 | 3 mi |
| Kenedy | city | 3,430 | $61,167 | $1,099 | 7 mi |
| Runge | town | 1,108 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
| Falls City | city | 541 | $56,339 | n/a | 11 mi |
Regional comparison for Karnes County
Wilson County is closest, 23 miles from center to center; the sixth, Live Oak County, is 42 miles off. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Karnes County; Wilson County is highest at $94,565 and Live Oak County lowest at $57,150.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karnes County | - | $60,214 | $957/mo | 62% |
| Wilson County, TX | 23 mi | $94,565 | $1,069/mo | 85% |
| Goliad County, TX | 31 mi | $59,359 | $754/mo | 87% |
| DeWitt County, TX | 32 mi | $63,730 | $921/mo | 74% |
| Bee County, TX | 35 mi | $57,673 | $1,065/mo | 71% |
| Atascosa County, TX | 41 mi | $70,770 | $1,061/mo | 77% |
| Live Oak County, TX | 42 mi | $57,150 | $924/mo | 71% |
Karnes County households compared
College graduates make up 14% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 15.8%, against 17.1% for Texas.
| Indicator | Karnes County | All of Texas | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.1 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.3% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 21.9% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 15.8% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 9.8% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.6% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 19.1% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.9% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Karnes County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 43.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.0% |
| 60+ min | 6.2% |
Before borrowing in Karnes County
A few patterns in the Karnes County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Hospital bills in Karnes County. For the 16% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Manufactured homes. 15% of Karnes County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Free help first. 19% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
Budget math at the Karnes County median
How much room does a median Karnes County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, Karnes County: $5,018
- Housing at the median rent of $957 uses 19%
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $849 left for all other debt payments
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,201 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.
Steps before you apply in Karnes County
A short checklist for Karnes County borrowers:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Texas borrowers.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Licensing and complaints for Karnes County
Karnes 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. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The Texas guide covers state rules in more detail.
Related local guides
The Texas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Karnes County?
$60,214 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $78,476 for Texas. It ranks 163rd of 254 in the state.
What do renters pay in Karnes County?
$957 a month at the median, about 19% of median household income.
What are the biggest places in Karnes County?
By population: Karnes City, Kenedy, Runge, Falls City. The county has 4 Census places in all.
Can Karnes 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.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Karnes County?
Start with the Texas Department of Banking, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.