1st Advantage MortgageThe median Leon County household earns $61,449, and 16% 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
- Leon County, TX: the basics
- Jobs and commutes in Leon County
- What Leon County households earn
- What it costs to live in Leon County
- Leon County and the counties next door
- Leon County towns compared
- Who lives in Leon County, in numbers
- Reading the Leon County data as a borrower
- What a median Leon County budget can carry
- Checking a lender's license in Texas
- Four steps for Leon County borrowers
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Leon County, TX: the basics
With an estimated 16,263 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Leon County ranks 137th of 254 in Texas for population. Land area is 1,073 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 15 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Leon County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 6 Census places inside Leon County, Buffalo leads by population with about 1,652; 5 of the 6 are incorporated.
Jobs and commutes in Leon County
By the Census industry count, 15% of employed Leon County residents work in education and health care and 14% in agriculture, forestry and mining. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 14% of workers here, versus 2% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 4.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 21% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 6% work from home. Households without a car make up 3.0% of the total (5.4% statewide).
| Sector | Leon County | Compared with Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 15.2% | -6.4 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 14.3% | +12.0 pts |
| Construction | 13.6% | +5.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.6% | +1.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.7% | +1.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.4% | -4.5 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Leon County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
What Leon County households earn
The median household income in Leon County is $61,449; statewide it is $78,476, so Leon County runs 22% below Texas as a whole. That places it 149th among Texas's 254 county-level areas.
| Household income | Leon County | vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.1% | +8.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.4% | +2.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.8% | -3.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.7% | -6.8 pts |
The spread is wide: 28% of Leon County households make $100,000 or more, and 30% make less than $35,000. Census counts 16.4% of Leon County residents in poverty, against 13.8% across Texas. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.454 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
What it costs to live in Leon County
A typical Leon County rental runs $907 a month including utilities, which is 35% below Texas. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 34% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $186,400, about 3.0 times the median household income. 77% of Leon County households own their home and 23% rent.
| Home costs | Leon County | Texas | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $907/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $186,400 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 34% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 16% | 29% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 26% | 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).
Leon County and the counties next door
Madison County is closest, 23 miles from center to center; the sixth, Anderson County, is 42 miles off. Income ranges from $56,531 in Houston County to $74,596 in Madison County; 3 of these neighbors top Leon County's median.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon County | - | $61,449 | $907/mo | 77% |
| Madison County, TX | 23 mi | $74,596 | $851/mo | 75% |
| Freestone County, TX | 29 mi | $59,960 | $853/mo | 75% |
| Houston County, TX | 34 mi | $56,531 | $887/mo | 71% |
| Robertson County, TX | 36 mi | $72,236 | $779/mo | 72% |
| Limestone County, TX | 39 mi | $60,573 | $905/mo | 72% |
| Anderson County, TX | 42 mi | $62,068 | $1,041/mo | 72% |
Leon County towns compared
Here are the 6 most populous of the county's 6 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 31% of Leon County residents live in one of the 6. Centerville has the highest median household income on the list ($52,697) and Jewett the lowest ($43,833), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $733 in Buffalo to $987 in Centerville. No Leon County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 6.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo | city | 1,652 | $45,202 | $733 | 12 mi |
| Jewett | city | 1,075 | $43,833 | $768 | 10 mi |
| Centerville | city | 1,053 | $52,697 | $987 | 3 mi |
| Hilltop Lakes | CDP | 797 | n/a | n/a | 20 mi |
| Leona | city | 244 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
| Marquez | city | 198 | $84,375 | n/a | 16 mi |
Who lives in Leon County, in numbers
College graduates make up 19% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 17.2%, against 17.1% for Texas.
| Measure | Leon County | Texas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.6 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.6% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.6% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 17.2% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.0% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.9% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 16.4% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.2% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Leon County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 26.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 22.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.4% |
| 60+ min | 12.8% |
Reading the Leon County data as a borrower
What the Leon County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Health costs. With 17% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Keeping the car running. At 21% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Leon County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Mobile home upkeep. 36% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
What a median Leon County budget can carry
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Leon County's medians:
- $61,449 a year is $5,121 of gross monthly income
- Median rent: $907, or 18 cents of every gross dollar
- Under a 36% cap, $1,843 total minus rent leaves $936
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,295 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Checking a lender's license in Texas
Consumer lenders serving Leon County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Texas that is the Texas Department of Banking. The Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner handles consumer-credit questions as well. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: Texas guide.
Four steps for Leon County borrowers
Steps that save money for Leon County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Texas guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Leon County household make?
About $61,449 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 22% below the Texas median.
Is Leon County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $907 against $1,403 statewide, and 34% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I live in a small Leon County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Buffalo, Jewett, Centerville, Hilltop Lakes, Leona and 1 more.
Is the fit check different in Leon County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who regulates personal lenders for Leon 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.