1st Advantage MortgageMidland County households have a median income of $92,874 and median rent of $1,407 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Midland County at a glance
- The Midland County job picture
- Income in Midland County compared with Texas
- Renting and owning in Midland County
- Counties near Midland County
- Midland County towns compared
- What a median Midland County budget can carry
- Who lives in Midland County, in numbers
- What the numbers mean for Midland County borrowers
- Steps before you apply in Midland County
- Who licenses lenders for Midland County residents
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Midland County at a glance
With an estimated 174,801 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Midland County ranks 29th of 254 in Texas for population. It covers 900 square miles of land, or about 194 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. The Census Bureau counts 1 place in the county (1 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Midland, with about 136,640 residents, or 78% of the county.
The Midland County job picture
The biggest employer of Midland County residents, by industry, is agriculture, forestry and mining at 18% of workers, followed by education and health care (18%). Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 18% of workers here, versus 2% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Midland County averages 3.4% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.3%). About 80% drive to work alone and 9% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 4.4% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Midland County workers | vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 17.8% | +15.6 pts |
| Education and health care | 17.8% | -3.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.4% | +1.4 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.2% | +1.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.1% | -4.7 pts |
| Construction | 6.9% | -1.6 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 Midland County compared with Texas
Midland County households have a median income of $92,874 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 18th of 254 in Texas.
| Income band | Share in Midland County | Difference from Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 17.9% | -3.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 35.6% | -3.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 28.8% | +2.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 17.7% | +5.3 pts |
Some 18% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 47% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 11.3% of Midland County residents in poverty, against 13.8% across Texas. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.484 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Midland County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Renting and owning in Midland County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,407 in Midland County versus $1,403 statewide. By the Census definition, 49% of Midland County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $312,700, about 3.4 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 68%. Median construction year: 1992.
| Cost | Midland County | Texas figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,407/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $312,700 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 68% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 29% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 9.3% | 6.4% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 7% | 9% | n/a |
Counties near Midland County
Distances run center to center, from Glasscock County at 28 miles out to Reagan County at 42. Glasscock County leads the group on income ($101,250), Upton County trails ($49,167), and Midland County out-earns 4 of the six.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midland County | - | $92,874 | $1,407/mo | 68% |
| Glasscock County, TX | 28 mi | $101,250 | $648/mo | 68% |
| Ector County, TX | 32 mi | $71,536 | $1,259/mo | 65% |
| Upton County, TX | 32 mi | $49,167 | $720/mo | 77% |
| Martin County, TX | 34 mi | $93,734 | $971/mo | 78% |
| Crane County, TX | 39 mi | $62,212 | $882/mo | 84% |
| Reagan County, TX | 42 mi | $57,813 | $746/mo | 70% |
Midland County towns compared
Midland is the only Census place mainly inside Midland County, with about 136,640 of the county's 174,801 residents. Names with links open a city guide. The other 0 places are covered here.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midland | city | 136,640 | $89,585 | $1,434 | 16 mi |
What a median Midland County budget can carry
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Midland County's medians:
- Median income divided by twelve: $7,740 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $1,407 uses 18%
- Under a 35% cap, $2,709 total minus rent leaves $1,302
- Under a 45% cap, $3,483 total minus rent leaves $2,076
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Midland County's.
Who lives in Midland County, in numbers
31% of Midland County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 14.5% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Midland County | Texas | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.8 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 31.0% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.5% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 14.5% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.4% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.3% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.3% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.4% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Midland County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 32.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 42.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.0% |
| 60+ min | 5.0% |
What the numbers mean for Midland County borrowers
Based on the Midland County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Uninsured care. 15% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Higher earners. 47% of households clear $100,000; shop at least three lenders and pick the shortest term.
- Tight rental budgets. With 49% of Midland County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Steps before you apply in Midland County
A short checklist for Midland County borrowers:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Midland County.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- A Texas license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Who licenses lenders for Midland County residents
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Midland County, check the Texas Department of Banking. The Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner handles consumer-credit questions as well. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the Texas state guide for the statewide picture.
Related local guides
Guides that cover parts of Midland County:
Frequently asked questions
Is Midland County a high-income county?
Its $92,874 median ranks 18th of 254 Texas counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Midland County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,407 against $1,403 statewide, and 49% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Which towns does the Midland County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 1 Census places: Midland.
Are Midland County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Where can someone in Midland County check a lender's license?
With the Texas Department of Banking. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.