1st Advantage MortgageIn Kleberg County, Texas, the typical household earns $61,292 a year and the typical rent is $1,043. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Texas license first.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Kleberg County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Kleberg County
- Income in Kleberg County compared with Texas
- Work, industries and travel time in Kleberg County
- The communities that make up Kleberg County
- Regional comparison for Kleberg County
- Room for a loan payment in Kleberg County
- Reading the Kleberg County data as a borrower
- People and households in Kleberg County
- Texas rules that apply in Kleberg County
- Steps before you apply in Kleberg County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Kleberg County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Kleberg County's population at 30,579; only 94 of Texas's 254 county-level areas are larger. It covers 881 square miles of land, or about 35 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Kleberg County is not part of any metropolitan area. Kingsville is the biggest of its 3 Census places, at roughly 24,994 people (82% of the county total).
Rent, home values and ownership in Kleberg County
A typical Kleberg County rental runs $1,043 a month including utilities, which is 26% below Texas. By the Census definition, 48% of Kleberg County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $161,300, or 2.6 years of median income. 53% of Kleberg County households own their home and 47% rent. Median construction year: 1976.
| Housing | Kleberg County | Texas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,043/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $161,300 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 53% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 31% | 29% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 15% | 9% | n/a |
Renters cannot borrow against a house, which narrows the choice to unsecured loans, cards and help from creditors; compare total cost, not just the payment.
Income in Kleberg County compared with Texas
The median household income in Kleberg County is $61,292; statewide it is $78,476, so Kleberg County runs 22% below Texas as a whole. Only 150 Texas counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | Kleberg County | +/- vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 33.1% | +11.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 38.4% | -1.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.1% | -1.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.5% | -9.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 29% of Kleberg County households make $100,000 or more, and 33% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 28.1%, 14 points higher than the state's 13.8%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.435 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Kleberg County median.
Work, industries and travel time in Kleberg County
The biggest employer of Kleberg County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 23% of workers, followed by retail trade (15%). Compared with Texas, the county leans toward public administration (9% against 4%). The survey's unemployment rate for Kleberg County averages 7.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.3%). 13% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 6% work from home. 5.9% of households have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Kleberg County share | +/- vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.4% | +1.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 15.4% | +4.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.1% | -3.8 pts |
| Public administration | 8.8% | +4.7 pts |
| Construction | 8.6% | +0.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.1% | -0.4 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
The communities that make up Kleberg County
Here are the 3 most populous of the county's 3 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 87% of Kleberg County residents live in one of the 3. Incomes vary by place: $101,875 at the median in Riviera, $58,148 in Kingsville. Live in one of these Kleberg County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingsville | city | 24,994 | $58,148 | $1,037 | 13 mi |
| Ricardo | CDP | 1,132 | $70,391 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Riviera | CDP | 627 | $101,875 | n/a | 13 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Regional comparison for Kleberg County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (23 to 54 miles). Income ranges from $38,882 in Kenedy County to $69,704 in San Patricio County; 2 of these neighbors top Kleberg County's median.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kleberg County | - | $61,292 | $1,043/mo | 53% |
| Nueces County, TX | 23 mi | $66,897 | $1,283/mo | 60% |
| Jim Wells County, TX | 33 mi | $51,896 | $938/mo | 68% |
| Kenedy County, TX | 38 mi | $38,882 | n/a | 53% |
| San Patricio County, TX | 41 mi | $69,704 | $1,291/mo | 67% |
| Brooks County, TX | 44 mi | $47,764 | $719/mo | 53% |
| Duval County, TX | 54 mi | $49,038 | $741/mo | 70% |
Room for a loan payment in Kleberg County
Here is the Kleberg County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Kleberg County: $5,108
- Housing at the median rent of $1,043 uses 20%
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,153 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Kleberg County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Reading the Kleberg County data as a borrower
What the Kleberg County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Medical bills. 16% of Kleberg County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Free help first. 28% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
- 48% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
People and households in Kleberg County
Degree holders: 23% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 16.2%, against 17.1% for Texas.
| Measure | Kleberg County | Texas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 29.0 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.2% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 15.0% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 16.2% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.9% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.2% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 28.1% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.7% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 54.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 22.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.0% |
| 60+ min | 6.7% |
Texas rules that apply in Kleberg County
The Texas Department of Banking is the place to verify any lender's Texas license. The Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner handles consumer-credit questions as well. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. The Texas guide covers state rules in more detail.
Steps before you apply in Kleberg County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Texas.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Texas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Kleberg County?
$61,292 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $78,476 for Texas. It ranks 151st of 254 in the state.
How does Kleberg County rent compare with Texas?
$1,043 locally versus $1,403 for the state, 26% below.
I live in a small Kleberg County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Kingsville, Ricardo, Riviera.
Is the fit check different in Kleberg County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Kleberg County?
Start with the Texas Department of Banking, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.