1st Advantage MortgageThe median Refugio County household earns $60,181, and 15% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Texas before sharing details.
On this page
- Who lives in Refugio County
- Housing costs in Refugio County
- Household income in Refugio County
- How Refugio County residents earn a living
- How Refugio County compares with nearby counties
- Places inside Refugio County
- Who lives in Refugio County, in numbers
- Reading the Refugio County data as a borrower
- Budget math at the Refugio County median
- Texas rules that apply in Refugio County
- Before you sign
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Refugio County
With an estimated 6,707 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Refugio County ranks 190th of 254 in Texas for population. It covers 770 square miles of land, or about 9 people per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 5 places in the county (4 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Refugio, with about 2,766 residents, or 41% of the county. Because Refugio County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Housing costs in Refugio County
Renters in Refugio County pay a median of $795 a month, 43% below the Texas figure of $1,403. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 61% of renter households here. Home values center on $99,000, or 1.6 years of median income. Owners occupy 77% of homes. Median construction year: 1973.
| Home costs | Refugio County | Texas | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $795/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $99,000 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 61% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 32% | 29% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 26% | 9% | n/a |
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). When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Household income in Refugio County
At $60,181, the typical Refugio County household income is 8% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 164th of 254.
| Household income | Refugio County | vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 35.0% | +13.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.5% | +3.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.2% | -6.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.3% | -10.2 pts |
About 35% of households earn under $35,000, while 22% clear $100,000. 14.6% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.8%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.427 (0 is perfect equality). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
How Refugio County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Refugio County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 24% of workers, followed by agriculture, forestry and mining (14%). The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 14% locally and 2% for Texas. The survey's unemployment rate for Refugio County averages 4.5% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.3%). 22% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 2% work from home.
| Where residents work | Refugio County | Difference from Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.5% | +2.8 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 14.1% | +11.8 pts |
| Construction | 11.2% | +2.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.1% | -0.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.9% | +0.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.3% | -0.2 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.
How Refugio County compares with nearby counties
Distances run center to center, from Aransas County at 18 miles out to Calhoun County at 36. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Refugio County; Calhoun County is highest at $79,959 and Bee County lowest at $57,673.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refugio County | - | $60,181 | $795/mo | 77% |
| Aransas County, TX | 18 mi | $69,466 | $1,128/mo | 77% |
| Goliad County, TX | 28 mi | $59,359 | $754/mo | 87% |
| San Patricio County, TX | 30 mi | $69,704 | $1,291/mo | 67% |
| Victoria County, TX | 35 mi | $70,896 | $1,157/mo | 65% |
| Bee County, TX | 36 mi | $57,673 | $1,065/mo | 71% |
| Calhoun County, TX | 36 mi | $79,959 | $891/mo | 77% |
Places inside Refugio County
The table lists the 5 largest of 5 Census places in Refugio County, by population. Together all 5 hold about 5,224 people, so roughly 22% of residents live outside any named place. This guide covers each of the 5 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refugio | town | 2,766 | $48,750 | $747 | 7 mi |
| Woodsboro | town | 1,464 | $81,914 | $1,056 | 11 mi |
| Tivoli | CDP | 433 | $74,250 | n/a | 19 mi |
| Bayside | town | 412 | $51,250 | $1,875 | 16 mi |
| Austwell | city | 149 | $30,000 | n/a | 20 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Who lives in Refugio County, in numbers
College graduates make up 14% of the adult population. 16.1% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Refugio County | Texas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.4 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.0% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 16.2% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 16.1% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 10.4% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 2.4% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.6% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.5% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Refugio County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 51.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 15.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.3% |
| 60+ min | 12.0% |
Reading the Refugio County data as a borrower
Where the Refugio County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Hospital bills in Refugio County. For the 16% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Vehicle repairs. 22% of Refugio County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Rent squeeze. 61% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Budget math at the Refugio County median
How much room does a median Refugio County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,015 before taxes
- Median rent: $795, or 16 cents of every gross dollar
- Under a 36% cap, $1,805 total minus rent leaves $1,010
Two-income households and single earners in Refugio County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Texas rules that apply in Refugio County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Refugio County borrowers answers to the Texas Department of Banking. Consumer lending in Texas is also overseen by the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: Texas guide.
Before you sign
Quick steps for Refugio County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Refugio County-area credit union.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Texas borrowers.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Texas guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Refugio County earn?
The median is $60,181; 22% earn $100,000 or more and 35% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Refugio County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $795 against $1,403 statewide, and 61% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Should Refugio County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 77% of Refugio County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Which towns does the Refugio County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 5 Census places: Refugio, Woodsboro, Tivoli, Bayside, Austwell.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Refugio County or elsewhere in Texas, the same rules apply.