1st Advantage MortgageLiberty County households have a median income of $68,703 and median rent of $1,044 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Use those as context only. A lender looks at your own documented income and debts; compare APR and total repaid on every Liberty County offer.
On this page
- A quick profile of Liberty County
- How Liberty County residents earn a living
- What stands out in Liberty County
- Household income in Liberty County
- What it costs to live in Liberty County
- Regional comparison for Liberty County
- Places inside Liberty County
- People and households in Liberty County
- Borrowing situations common in Liberty County
- Budget math at the Liberty County median
- Licensing and complaints for Liberty County
- A Liberty County borrower's checklist
- More guides for Liberty County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Liberty County
Liberty County is home to about 103,380 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 43rd most populous of 254 county-level areas in Texas. Its 1,158 square miles average 89 people per square mile, by the 2024 Census Gazetteer. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Of the 11 Census places inside Liberty County, Dayton leads by population with about 9,058; 10 of the 11 are incorporated.
How Liberty County residents earn a living
Construction (15%), education and health care (14%) and manufacturing (12%) lead Liberty County's job mix. Compared with Texas, the county leans toward construction (15% against 9%). 7.1% of Liberty County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. 16% of Liberty County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 41% need 45 or more. 1,600 Liberty County households, 5.1%, have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Liberty County workers | vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | 15.3% | +6.8 pts |
| Education and health care | 14.2% | -7.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.5% | +3.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.5% | -1.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.5% | +2.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.1% | -3.8 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
What stands out in Liberty County
- On the share of commutes over 45 minutes, Liberty County sits near the top of Texas at 41%, the highest of 253. Long drives make car repairs a common emergency; get two written quotes.
- Few Texas counties match Liberty County on the share of mobile homes: 33.3% here, 6.4% for the state, ranking 10th highest of 254. Manufactured homes often do not qualify for home equity loans, so unsecured loans fill the gap.
- Liberty County ranks 14th highest of 253 Texas counties for the uninsured rate: 26.2%, against 17.1% statewide. Hospital payment plans are usually interest-free; compare before a loan.
Household income in Liberty County
Half of Liberty County households take in less than $68,703 a year and half take in more, 12% below the Texas median of $78,476. Only 95 Texas counties post a higher median.
| Band | Liberty County | Compared with Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.3% | +3.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.8% | +3.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.6% | -3.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.3% | -4.2 pts |
Some 25% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 32% have six-figure incomes. Liberty County counts about 19,287 residents below the poverty line, 18.7% of the population. 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 Liberty County
Renters in Liberty County pay a median of $1,044 a month, 26% below the Texas figure of $1,403. 54% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 28% spend half or more. Median value $181,700; median income $68,703; ratio 2.6. Homeowners 82%, renters 18%. The median year built is 1996. Against the median U.S. county, Liberty County rent is 19% above.
| Cost | Liberty County | Texas figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile homes | 33.3% | 6.4% | +26.9 pts |
| Owners | 82% | 63% | +19.7 pts |
| Vacant units | 14% | 9% | +4.3 pts |
| Burdened owners | 33% | 29% | +4.2 pts |
| Median home value | $181,700 | $283,800 | 36% lower |
| Median gross rent | $1,044/mo | $1,403/mo | 26% lower |
| Rent-burdened renters | 54% | 52% | +1.9 pts |
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). Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Regional comparison for Liberty County
Hardin County is closest, 29 miles from center to center; the sixth, Polk County, is 43 miles off. Richest neighbor: Chambers County, $109,804. Poorest: Polk County, $62,259. Liberty County: $68,703.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty County | - | $68,703 | $1,044/mo | 82% |
| Hardin County, TX | 29 mi | $75,808 | $1,049/mo | 82% |
| Chambers County, TX | 34 mi | $109,804 | $1,609/mo | 82% |
| San Jacinto County, TX | 34 mi | $65,364 | $1,060/mo | 85% |
| Harris County, TX | 39 mi | $74,983 | $1,401/mo | 55% |
| Montgomery County, TX | 41 mi | $97,701 | $1,532/mo | 72% |
| Polk County, TX | 43 mi | $62,259 | $987/mo | 78% |
Places inside Liberty County
Here are the 11 most populous of the county's 11 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 24% of Liberty County residents live in one of the 11. Kenefick ($73,750) and Ames ($36,188) mark the top and bottom of Liberty County's income range among larger places. Median rent ranges from $741 in Ames to $1,632 in Kenefick. This guide covers each of the 11 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dayton | city | 9,058 | $59,691 | $1,045 | 11 mi |
| Liberty | city | 8,650 | $53,833 | $1,060 | 9 mi |
| Plum Grove | city | 1,832 | $66,341 | $1,159 | 15 mi |
| Ames | city | 1,142 | $36,188 | $741 | 10 mi |
| Daisetta | city | 1,016 | $65,557 | $1,278 | 12 mi |
| Kenefick | town | 898 | $73,750 | $1,632 | 4 mi |
| Hardin | city | 621 | $53,203 | $1,425 | 6 mi |
| Devers | city | 386 | $82,321 | n/a | 18 mi |
| North Cleveland | city | 376 | $95,368 | n/a | 21 mi |
| Hull | CDP | 275 | $38,672 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Dayton Lakes | city | 85 | $16,750 | n/a | 2 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
People and households in Liberty County
Degree holders: 12% of adults over 25. About 26% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Liberty County | Difference from Texas | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.9 | -2.7 yrs | -8.6 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 11.9% | -22.0 pts | -10.3 pts |
| No high school diploma | 22.2% | +8.2 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 26.2% | +9.0 pts | +18.3 pts |
| No vehicle | 5.1% | -0.3 pts | -0.3 pts |
| Work from home | 6.8% | -7.6 pts | -1.9 pts |
| Poverty rate | 18.7% | +4.9 pts | +5.5 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.1% | +1.8 pts | +2.7 pts |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 15.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 20.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 22.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 13.8% |
| 60+ min | 27.4% |
Borrowing situations common in Liberty County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Liberty County borrowers.
- Health costs. With 26% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Long drives. With 41% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Liberty County budgets.
- Mobile homes in Liberty County. At 33% of units, they are a big part of local housing; check whether yours is titled as real or personal property.
- 19% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
Budget math at the Liberty County median
Liberty County's $68,703 median income, run through a debt-to-income check:
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,725 before taxes
- Less median rent of $1,044, which is 18% of it
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,418 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Homeowners in Liberty County should swap in their mortgage, taxes and insurance for rent.
Licensing and complaints for Liberty County
Liberty 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. 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.
A Liberty County borrower's checklist
A short checklist for Liberty 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.
- A Texas license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
More guides for Liberty County
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Liberty County earn?
The median is $68,703; 32% earn $100,000 or more and 25% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What is the median rent in Liberty County, TX?
$1,044 a month, utilities included, or $12,528 a year.
Does this page cover Dayton?
Yes, along with the other 10 Census places in Liberty County, such as Liberty, Plum Grove, Ames.
Can Liberty 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.
What agency protects Liberty County borrowers?
The Texas Department of Banking at the state level and the CFPB federally.