1st Advantage MortgageIn Mills County, Texas, the typical household earns $67,620 a year and the typical rent is $708. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Texas license first.
On this page
- Mills County at a glance
- How Mills County residents earn a living
- Paychecks and income spread in Mills County
- Housing costs in Mills County
- Counties near Mills County
- Towns and communities in Mills County
- Room for a loan payment in Mills County
- Local borrowing considerations for Mills County
- More Mills County figures
- Steps before you apply in Mills County
- Checking a lender's license in Texas
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Mills County at a glance
Mills County is home to about 4,511 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 206th most populous of 254 county-level areas in Texas. It covers 748 square miles of land, or about 6 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Mills County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 3 places in the county (2 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Goldthwaite, with about 1,843 residents, or 41% of the county. Because Mills County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
How Mills County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 30% of employed Mills County residents work in education and health care and 13% in construction. Education and health care stands out: 30% of workers here, versus 22% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.2% in Mills County. Long commutes are common here: 16% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 2.2% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Mills County | Gap to Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 29.6% | +8.0 pts |
| Construction | 12.6% | +4.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.8% | -2.2 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 7.0% | +4.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.9% | -1.5 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.7% | -0.3 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Paychecks and income spread in Mills County
Half of Mills County households take in less than $67,620 a year and half take in more, 14% below the Texas median of $78,476. In the state ranking that is 103rd of 254.
| Yearly household income | Mills County | Gap to Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.4% | +3.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.1% | +6.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.0% | -3.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.5% | -6.0 pts |
Some 24% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 30% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 7.2%, 7 points lower than the state's 13.8%. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Housing costs in Mills County
A typical Mills County rental runs $708 a month including utilities, which is 50% below Texas. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 23% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $223,700, about 3.3 times the median household income. Owners occupy 80% of homes. The median home was built in 1977, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Mills County | Texas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $708/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $223,700 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 80% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 23% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 30% | 29% | n/a |
Because most Mills 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.
Counties near Mills County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Mills County's, from 27 to 48 miles away. Lampasas County leads the group on income ($81,736), San Saba County trails ($55,819), and Mills County out-earns 4 of the six.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mills County | - | $67,620 | $708/mo | 80% |
| San Saba County, TX | 27 mi | $55,819 | $958/mo | 72% |
| Lampasas County, TX | 29 mi | $81,736 | $1,059/mo | 80% |
| Brown County, TX | 30 mi | $57,470 | $919/mo | 68% |
| Comanche County, TX | 32 mi | $59,635 | $855/mo | 80% |
| Hamilton County, TX | 32 mi | $58,219 | $885/mo | 79% |
| Coryell County, TX | 48 mi | $71,301 | $1,186/mo | 59% |
Towns and communities in Mills County
Here are the 3 most populous of the county's 3 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 48% of Mills County residents live in one of the 3. This guide covers each of the 3 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goldthwaite | city | 1,843 | $54,808 | $710 | 3 mi |
| Mullin | town | 220 | $47,981 | $775 | 6 mi |
| Priddy | CDP | 92 | $47,708 | n/a | 13 mi |
Room for a loan payment in Mills County
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Mills County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $5,635 gross per month ($67,620 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $708, takes 13% of that
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,715 a month
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Local borrowing considerations for Mills County
What the Mills County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Medical bills. 11% of Mills County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- 14% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Older households. A 47.9 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
More Mills County figures
28% of Mills County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 10.8% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Mills County | All of Texas | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.9 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 27.9% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.6% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.8% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.2% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.7% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 7.2% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.2% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Mills County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 48.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 19.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.4% |
| 60+ min | 11.6% |
Steps before you apply in Mills County
Steps that save money for Mills County residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- A Texas license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Checking a lender's license in Texas
Consumer lenders serving Mills County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Texas that is the Texas Department of Banking. Texas also has the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner for consumer credit. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. More on Texas: Texas personal loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Texas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Mills County earn?
The median is $67,620; 30% earn $100,000 or more and 24% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Mills County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $708 against $1,403 statewide, and 23% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I live in a small Mills County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Goldthwaite, Mullin, Priddy.
Is the fit check different in Mills County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Mills County?
Start with the Texas Department of Banking, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.