1st Advantage MortgageSan Patricio County households have a median income of $69,704 and median rent of $1,291 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- A quick profile of San Patricio County
- The San Patricio County job picture
- How much San Patricio County households make
- Renting and owning in San Patricio County
- San Patricio County towns compared
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- More San Patricio County figures
- Before borrowing in San Patricio County
- What a median San Patricio County budget can carry
- Steps before you apply in San Patricio County
- Licensing and complaints for San Patricio County
- More guides for San Patricio County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of San Patricio County
With an estimated 70,181 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), San Patricio County ranks 52nd of 254 in Texas for population. Packed into 693 square miles, that is close to 101 residents for every square mile of land. It is one of the counties that make up the Corpus Christi, TX metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Of the 23 Census places inside San Patricio County, Portland leads by population with about 20,543; 10 of the 23 are incorporated.
The San Patricio County job picture
Education and health care employs 21% of working residents, the largest share; construction is next with 12%. Compared with Texas, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (6% against 2%). Averaged over the five survey years, 4.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 83% drive to work alone and 12% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 6.4% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of San Patricio County workers | vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.9% | -0.7 pts |
| Construction | 11.8% | +3.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.8% | +2.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.8% | +1.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.5% | -2.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.4% | -5.5 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
How much San Patricio County households make
San Patricio County households have a median income of $69,704 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 87th of 254 in Texas.
| Income band | Share in San Patricio County | Difference from Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.4% | +4.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.8% | +2.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.2% | -1.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.5% | -5.0 pts |
Some 25% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 33% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 14.8%, 1 point higher than the state's 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 San Patricio County median.
Renting and owning in San Patricio County
Renters in San Patricio County pay a median of $1,291 a month, 8% below the Texas figure of $1,403. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 51% of renter households here. With a median value of $192,400, a typical San Patricio County house costs 2.8 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 67% of homes.
| Measure | San Patricio County | Texas | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,291/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $192,400 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 67% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 51% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 29% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 9.2% | 6.4% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 17% | 9% | n/a |
High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
San Patricio County towns compared
23 Census places fall mainly inside San Patricio County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 45,209 residents, leaving about 36% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $95,804 at the median in Ingleside on the Bay, $35,271 in Mathis. None of the 23 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | city | 20,543 | $83,865 | $1,577 | 14 mi |
| Sinton | city | 5,584 | $51,701 | $938 | 2 mi |
| Mathis | city | 4,308 | $35,271 | $830 | 19 mi |
| Taft | city | 2,871 | $73,032 | $1,179 | 8 mi |
| Odem | city | 2,102 | $69,267 | $780 | 6 mi |
| Gregory | city | 2,003 | $47,167 | $938 | 15 mi |
| Taft Southwest | CDP | 1,635 | $55,938 | $1,261 | 7 mi |
| Lakeshore Gardens-Hidden Acres | CDP | 970 | n/a | n/a | 23 mi |
| St. Paul | CDP | 769 | n/a | n/a | 6 mi |
| Ingleside on the Bay | city | 745 | $95,804 | $2,107 | 22 mi |
| Del Sol | CDP | 543 | $53,182 | n/a | 0 mi |
| Lake City | town | 508 | $51,000 | $981 | 23 mi |
| San Patricio | city | 403 | $61,250 | n/a | 16 mi |
| Tradewinds | CDP | 390 | n/a | n/a | 16 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (19 to 41 miles). None of the six report a higher median household income than San Patricio County; Aransas County is highest at $69,466 and Jim Wells County lowest at $51,896.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Patricio County | - | $69,704 | $1,291/mo | 67% |
| Nueces County, TX | 19 mi | $66,897 | $1,283/mo | 60% |
| Refugio County, TX | 30 mi | $60,181 | $795/mo | 77% |
| Bee County, TX | 31 mi | $57,673 | $1,065/mo | 71% |
| Aransas County, TX | 34 mi | $69,466 | $1,128/mo | 77% |
| Jim Wells County, TX | 40 mi | $51,896 | $938/mo | 68% |
| Kleberg County, TX | 41 mi | $61,292 | $1,043/mo | 53% |
More San Patricio County figures
Degree holders: 18% of adults over 25. 18.7% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | San Patricio County | Texas | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.0 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.5% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 15.8% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 18.7% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.4% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.8% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.8% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.5% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 33.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 21.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.0% |
| 60+ min | 5.2% |
Before borrowing in San Patricio County
A few patterns in the San Patricio County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Medical bills. 19% of San Patricio County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Renters under pressure. When 51% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
What a median San Patricio County budget can carry
How much room does a median San Patricio County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Start: $5,809 gross per month ($69,704 / 12)
- Median rent: $1,291, or 22 cents of every gross dollar
- Under a 36% cap, $2,091 total minus rent leaves $800
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,207 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Steps before you apply in San Patricio County
A short checklist for San Patricio County borrowers:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one San Patricio County-area credit union.
- A Texas license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Licensing and complaints for San Patricio County
The Texas Department of Banking is the place to verify any lender's Texas license. The Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner handles consumer-credit questions as well. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. More on Texas: Texas personal loans.
More guides for San Patricio County
The Texas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is San Patricio County a high-income county?
Its $69,704 median ranks 87th of 254 Texas counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does San Patricio County rent compare with Texas?
$1,291 locally versus $1,403 for the state, 8% below.
Does this page cover Portland?
Yes, along with the other 22 Census places in San Patricio County, such as Sinton, Mathis, Taft.
Are San Patricio 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.
Who regulates personal lenders for San Patricio County residents?
The Texas Department of Banking licenses consumer lenders in Texas; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.