1st Advantage MortgageLimestone County households have a median income of $60,573 and median rent of $905 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- A quick profile of Limestone County
- Household income in Limestone County
- What it costs to live in Limestone County
- Employment and commuting in Limestone County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Limestone County
- The counties around Limestone County
- Debt-to-income at Limestone County's medians
- Local borrowing considerations for Limestone County
- People and households in Limestone County
- Checking a lender's license in Texas
- Four steps for Limestone County borrowers
- More guides for Limestone County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Limestone County
Limestone County is home to about 22,283 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 108th most populous of 254 county-level areas in Texas. Spread over 905 square miles, that works out to roughly 24.6 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Limestone County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 7 Census places inside Limestone County, Mexia leads by population with about 6,859; 7 of the 7 are incorporated.
Household income in Limestone County
The median household income in Limestone County is $60,573; statewide it is $78,476, so Limestone County runs 23% below Texas as a whole. In the state ranking that is 160th of 254.
| Yearly household income | Limestone County | Gap to Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.0% | +6.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.8% | +8.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.6% | -8.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.5% | -7.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 24% of Limestone County households make $100,000 or more, and 28% make less than $35,000. 17.1% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.8%). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Limestone County median.
What it costs to live in Limestone County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $905 in Limestone County versus $1,403 statewide. 46% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 27% spend half or more. With a median value of $164,200, a typical Limestone County house costs 2.7 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 72%. Half the housing stock was built before 1983.
| Cost | Limestone County | Texas figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $905/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $164,200 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 72% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 36% | 29% | n/a |
Because most Limestone County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Employment and commuting in Limestone County
By the Census industry count, 26% of employed Limestone County residents work in education and health care and 10% in retail trade. Education and health care stands out: 26% of workers here, versus 22% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 3.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 21% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 7% work from home. Only 3.5% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | Limestone County | Compared with Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.9% | +4.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.3% | -0.7 pts |
| Construction | 10.1% | +1.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.8% | +1.2 pts |
| Public administration | 8.1% | +4.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.1% | -5.8 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Limestone County
Here are the 7 most populous of the county's 7 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 65% of Limestone County residents live in one of the 7. Mart has the highest median household income on the list ($62,917) and Coolidge the lowest ($41,429), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $855 in Groesbeck to $897 in Thornton. None of the 7 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexia | city | 6,859 | $42,222 | $887 | 11 mi |
| Groesbeck | city | 3,914 | $61,571 | $855 | 4 mi |
| Mart | city | 1,704 | $62,917 | $895 | 14 mi |
| Coolidge | town | 754 | $41,429 | $869 | 15 mi |
| Thornton | town | 565 | $53,750 | $897 | 10 mi |
| Kosse | town | 430 | $61,250 | $1,188 | 17 mi |
| Tehuacana | town | 341 | $75,469 | $894 | 14 mi |
The counties around Limestone County
Distances run center to center, from Freestone County at 28 miles out to Leon County at 39. Income ranges from $57,247 in Falls County to $72,236 in Robertson County; 4 of these neighbors top Limestone County's median.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limestone County | - | $60,573 | $905/mo | 72% |
| Freestone County, TX | 28 mi | $59,960 | $853/mo | 75% |
| Falls County, TX | 29 mi | $57,247 | $731/mo | 76% |
| Navarro County, TX | 35 mi | $63,111 | $1,076/mo | 69% |
| McLennan County, TX | 36 mi | $66,643 | $1,173/mo | 62% |
| Robertson County, TX | 36 mi | $72,236 | $779/mo | 72% |
| Leon County, TX | 39 mi | $61,449 | $907/mo | 77% |
Debt-to-income at Limestone County's medians
Limestone County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $5,048 a month: gross income for a household at the Limestone County median
- Housing at the median rent of $905 uses 18%
- $912: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Local borrowing considerations for Limestone County
Where the Limestone County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Health costs. With 18% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Vehicle repairs. 21% of Limestone County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- 19% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- 46% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
People and households in Limestone County
College graduates make up 19% of the adult population. 17.7% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Limestone County | Texas | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.9 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.5% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.2% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 17.7% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.5% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.7% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.1% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.7% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Limestone County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.7% |
| 60+ min | 11.0% |
Checking a lender's license in Texas
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Limestone County borrowers answers to the Texas Department of Banking. Texas also has the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner for consumer credit. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on Texas: Texas personal loans.
Four steps for Limestone County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in Limestone County:
- Price the Limestone County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Texas borrowers.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
More guides for Limestone County
The Texas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Limestone County earn?
The median is $60,573; 24% earn $100,000 or more and 28% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Limestone County rent compare with Texas?
$905 locally versus $1,403 for the state, 35% below.
Should Limestone County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 72% of Limestone County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
I live in a small Limestone County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Mexia, Groesbeck, Mart, Coolidge, Thornton and 2 more.
Can Limestone 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.