1st Advantage Mortgage46% of Martin County households earn $100,000 or more; the median is $93,734 (ACS 2020-24). County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving Martin County, and confirm each one's Texas license.
On this page
- Who lives in Martin County
- Martin County's most unusual numbers
- What Martin County households earn
- What it costs to live in Martin County
- Labor force snapshot: Martin County
- Places inside Martin County
- The counties around Martin County
- Borrowing situations common in Martin County
- Martin County demographics against Texas
- Debt-to-income, Martin County edition
- Verifying a lender from Martin County
- Steps before you apply in Martin County
- Beyond Martin County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Martin County
Roughly 5,218 residents live in Martin County, Texas, 197th by population among the state's 254 counties and county equivalents. It covers 915 square miles of land, or about 6 people per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Midland, TX metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Stanton, with about 2,638 people, is the only Census place mainly inside the county. Because Martin County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Martin County's most unusual numbers
Where Martin County lands at the extremes of Texas's county rankings:
- The share of workers who work from home: 0.3% in Martin County, the lowest of 253 in Texas. Few remote jobs means most pay stubs come from local employers.
- On households without a vehicle, Martin County sits near the bottom of Texas at 0.0%, 2nd lowest of 253. Nearly every household has a vehicle, so repair costs are a common reason to borrow.
- On median household income, Martin County sits near the top of Texas at $93,734, 16th highest of 254. A high county median can hide a wide spread, so budget from your own pay.
What Martin County households earn
At $93,734, the typical Martin County household income is 43% above the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Yearly household income | Martin County | Gap to Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 16.8% | -4.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 37.5% | -1.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 34.0% | +7.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 11.8% | -0.7 pts |
On the low end, 17% of Martin County households report under $35,000; at the top, 46% report $100,000-plus. The poverty rate is 8.3%, 5 points lower than the state's 13.8%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.483 (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 Martin County median.
What it costs to live in Martin County
$971 a month is the median gross rent in Martin County, 31% below the state. 31% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 11% spend half or more. Median value $174,800; median income $93,734; ratio 1.9. Owners occupy 78% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1974. Against the median U.S. county, Martin County rent is 11% above.
| Cost | Martin County | Texas figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $971/mo | $1,403/mo | 31% lower |
| Median home value | $174,800 | $283,800 | 38% lower |
| Owners | 78% | 63% | +15.5 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 31% | 52% | -21.1 pts |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 29% | 0.0 pts |
With 78% of Martin County homes owner-occupied, equity is a real alternative for many readers; just remember a missed HELOC payment puts the home at risk.
Labor force snapshot: Martin County
Education and health care (22%), agriculture, forestry and mining (21%) and transportation, warehousing and utilities (11%) lead Martin County's job mix. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 21% locally and 2% for Texas. 5.4% of Martin County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 12%; under 15 minutes: 39%.
| Where residents work | Martin County | Difference from Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.9% | +0.3 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 21.1% | +18.8 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 10.8% | +4.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.6% | -1.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.7% | +0.2 pts |
| Public administration | 7.0% | +2.9 pts |
Seasonal work is common in many Martin County industries; if that is you, show a full year of income rather than one strong month.
Places inside Martin County
Stanton is the only Census place mainly inside Martin County, with about 2,638 of the county's 5,218 residents. Live in one of these Martin County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanton | city | 2,638 | $92,923 | $977 | 16 mi |
The counties around Martin County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (30 to 42 miles). Richest neighbor: Glasscock County, $101,250. Poorest: Dawson County, $54,360. Martin County: $93,734.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martin County | - | $93,734 | $971/mo | 78% |
| Dawson County, TX | 30 mi | $54,360 | $777/mo | 71% |
| Howard County, TX | 31 mi | $69,649 | $1,034/mo | 70% |
| Midland County, TX | 34 mi | $92,874 | $1,407/mo | 68% |
| Andrews County, TX | 40 mi | $72,242 | $1,305/mo | 79% |
| Glasscock County, TX | 40 mi | $101,250 | $648/mo | 68% |
| Borden County, TX | 42 mi | $65,625 | n/a | 66% |
Borrowing situations common in Martin County
A few patterns in the Martin County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Medical bills. 17% of Martin County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- 24% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- 46% at $100,000+. Good credit gets more offers in Martin County; use that to compare, not to borrow more.
Martin County demographics against Texas
College graduates make up 21% of the adult population. 17.1% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Martin County | Difference from Texas | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work from home | 0.3% | -14.0 pts | -8.3 pts |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.9% | -12.9 pts | -1.2 pts |
| Poverty rate | 8.3% | -5.5 pts | -4.9 pts |
| No vehicle | 0.0% | -5.4 pts | -5.4 pts |
| No high school diploma | 17.6% | +3.6 pts | n/a |
| Median age | 37.3 | +1.7 yrs | -4.2 yrs |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.4% | +0.1 pts | +1.0 pts |
| No health insurance | 17.1% | 0.0 pts | +9.2 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 39.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.0% |
| 60+ min | 4.0% |
Debt-to-income, Martin County edition
Martin County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $93,734 a year is $7,811 of gross monthly income
- Less median rent of $971, which is 12% of it
- At 43%, room after rent is $2,388 a month
A household below the $93,734 median has less room than this, often none.
Verifying a lender from Martin County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Martin County resident can confirm its license with the Texas Department of Banking. A second Texas office, the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner, covers consumer credit. If a Martin County lender ignores a dispute, the CFPB complaint portal is the federal backstop. The Texas guide covers state rules in more detail.
Steps before you apply in Martin County
Before you apply, wherever you live in Martin County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Beyond Martin County
Next step up from Martin County:
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Martin County?
$93,734 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $78,476 for Texas. It ranks 16th of 254 in the state.
What is the median rent in Martin County, TX?
$971 a month, utilities included, or $11,652 a year.
Is home equity cheaper than a personal loan in Martin County?
Often, because the home secures it. With 78% of Martin County homes owner-occupied, weigh that lower cost against the risk to the house.
How many towns are in Martin County?
The Census Bureau counts 1 place mainly in the county, led by Stanton.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Martin County or elsewhere in Texas, the same rules apply.