1st Advantage MortgageThe median La Salle County household earns $57,716, and 21% of residents live below the poverty line. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Who lives in La Salle County
- The La Salle County job picture
- Income in La Salle County compared with Texas
- Rent, home values and ownership in La Salle County
- How La Salle County compares with nearby counties
- La Salle County towns compared
- What a median La Salle County budget can carry
- Borrowing situations common in La Salle County
- La Salle County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Steps before you apply in La Salle County
- Checking a lender's license in Texas
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in La Salle County
With an estimated 6,839 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), La Salle County ranks 188th of 254 in Texas for population. It covers 1,487 square miles of land, or about 5 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, La Salle County is not part of any metropolitan area. Cotulla is the biggest of its 3 Census places, at roughly 3,664 people (54% of the county total). With so few households sampled, La Salle County estimates can move a lot between releases.
The La Salle County job picture
Education and health care employs 22% of working residents, the largest share; public administration is next with 22%. Public administration stands out: 22% of workers here, versus 4% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 1.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are the exception here: 11% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 7.0% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | La Salle County share | +/- vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.3% | +0.7 pts |
| Public administration | 21.7% | +17.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 14.0% | +5.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.8% | +1.8 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 7.3% | +5.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 5.9% | -7.0 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Income in La Salle County compared with Texas
Half of La Salle County households take in less than $57,716 a year and half take in more, 26% below the Texas median of $78,476. Only 190 Texas counties post a higher median.
| Yearly household income | La Salle County | Gap to Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.6% | +6.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.3% | +0.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 31.2% | +4.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 1.0% | -11.5 pts |
About 28% of households earn under $35,000, while 32% clear $100,000. Census counts 21.4% of La Salle County residents in poverty, against 13.8% across Texas. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.408 here. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the La Salle County median.
Rent, home values and ownership in La Salle County
Renters in La Salle County pay a median of $819 a month, 42% below the Texas figure of $1,403. 42% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 13% spend half or more. With a median value of $97,800, a typical La Salle County house costs 1.7 times what the median household earns in a year. 76% of La Salle County households own their home and 24% rent.
| Housing | La Salle County | Texas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $819/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $97,800 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 62% | 29% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 24.7% | 6.4% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 27% | 9% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
How La Salle County compares with nearby counties
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (32 to 54 miles). Atascosa County leads the group on income ($70,770), Zavala County trails ($36,749), and La Salle County out-earns 3 of the six.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Salle County | - | $57,716 | $819/mo | 76% |
| McMullen County, TX | 32 mi | $43,875 | $758/mo | 78% |
| Frio County, TX | 36 mi | $66,010 | $1,016/mo | 59% |
| Dimmit County, TX | 41 mi | $38,808 | $823/mo | 67% |
| Webb County, TX | 43 mi | $63,058 | $1,027/mo | 65% |
| Atascosa County, TX | 51 mi | $70,770 | $1,061/mo | 77% |
| Zavala County, TX | 54 mi | $36,749 | $548/mo | 69% |
La Salle County towns compared
The table lists the 3 largest of 3 Census places in La Salle County, by population. Together all 3 hold about 5,091 people, so roughly 26% of residents live outside any named place. Live in one of these La Salle County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotulla | city | 3,664 | $70,067 | $821 | 10 mi |
| Encinal | city | 1,298 | $50,833 | $814 | 27 mi |
| Fowlerton | CDP | 129 | n/a | n/a | 19 mi |
What a median La Salle County budget can carry
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a La Salle County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $4,810 gross per month ($57,716 / 12)
- 17% goes to median rent ($819)
- $1,249: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in La Salle County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Borrowing situations common in La Salle County
Based on the La Salle County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Uninsured care. 18% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 25% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Free help first. 21% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
La Salle County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 12% of adults over 25. About 18% go without health insurance.
| People and households | La Salle County | Texas | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.5 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 11.8% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 31.7% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 17.5% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.0% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.3% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 21.4% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.8% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of La Salle County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 71.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 5.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.4% |
| 60+ min | 8.8% |
Steps before you apply in La Salle County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Checking a lender's license in Texas
Consumer lenders serving La Salle County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Texas that is the Texas Department of Banking. Texas also has the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner for consumer credit. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the Texas state guide for the statewide picture.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Texas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is La Salle County a high-income county?
Its $57,716 median ranks 191st of 254 Texas counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in La Salle County?
$819 a month at the median, about 17% of median household income.
I own my home in La Salle County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 76% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Which towns does the La Salle County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 3 Census places: Cotulla, Encinal, Fowlerton.
Does living in La Salle 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 La Salle County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.