1st Advantage Mortgage26% of San Saba County households earn $100,000 or more; the median is $55,819 (ACS 2020-24). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- San Saba County by the numbers
- The San Saba County job picture
- Rent, home values and ownership in San Saba County
- What San Saba County households earn
- Where San Saba County differs from the rest of Texas
- San Saba and the rest of San Saba County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- San Saba County households compared
- Borrowing situations common in San Saba County
- A San Saba County household budget, worked through
- Texas rules that apply in San Saba County
- Four steps for San Saba County borrowers
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
San Saba County by the numbers
San Saba County is home to about 5,696 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 194th most populous of 254 county-level areas in Texas. San Saba County spans 1,135 square miles; with 5,696 people, that is 5.0 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, San Saba County is not part of any metropolitan area. San Saba is the biggest of its 2 Census places, at roughly 3,056 people (54% of the county total). With so few households sampled, San Saba County estimates can move a lot between releases.
The San Saba County job picture
The biggest employer of San Saba County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 17% of workers, followed by agriculture, forestry and mining (12%). Relative to Texas (2%), agriculture, forestry and mining is 10 points bigger in San Saba County (12%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.1% in San Saba County. 44% of San Saba County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 21% need 45 or more.
| Where residents work | San Saba County | Difference from Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 17.4% | -4.2 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 12.3% | +10.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.9% | +0.9 pts |
| Construction | 10.2% | +1.6 pts |
| Public administration | 10.1% | +6.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.6% | -1.0 pts |
Self-employed in San Saba County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
Rent, home values and ownership in San Saba County
Renters in San Saba County pay a median of $958 a month, 32% below the Texas figure of $1,403. 30% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 7% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $168,700, about 3.0 times the median household income. In San Saba County, 72% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them.
| Measure | San Saba County | Texas | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burdened owners | 54% | 29% | +25.0 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 30% | 52% | -21.4 pts |
| Owners | 72% | 63% | +9.1 pts |
| Median home value | $168,700 | $283,800 | 41% lower |
| Median gross rent | $958/mo | $1,403/mo | 32% lower |
What San Saba County households earn
San Saba County households have a median income of $55,819 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 202nd of 254 in Texas.
| Band | San Saba County | Compared with Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.9% | +6.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.3% | +6.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.1% | -5.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.7% | -7.7 pts |
Six-figure households (26%) are outnumbered by those under $35,000 (28%) in San Saba County. Census counts 10.7% of San Saba County residents in poverty, against 13.8% across Texas. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Where San Saba County differs from the rest of Texas
The 4 San Saba County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Texas, and what each means for a borrower:
- Few Texas counties match San Saba County on the uninsured rate: 27.0% here, 17.1% for the state, ranking 11th highest of 253. Ask any provider about financial assistance before borrowing for care.
- San Saba County ranks 16th lowest of 253 Texas counties for households without a vehicle: 2.0%, against 5.4% statewide. Nearly every household has a vehicle, so repair costs are a common reason to borrow.
- The share of renters paying 30% or more of income for rent: 30% in San Saba County. Only 35 of 249 Texas counties are lower. Rents are manageable for most, which can leave space for savings.
- Few Texas counties match San Saba County on the housing vacancy rate: 26% here, 9% for the state, ranking 48th highest of 254. High vacancy often reflects seasonal or second homes.
San Saba and the rest of San Saba County
2 Census places fall mainly inside San Saba County; the 2 biggest are below. They account for 3,418 residents, leaving about 40% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. None of the 2 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Saba | city | 3,056 | $50,373 | $943 | 7 mi |
| Richland Springs | town | 362 | $38,415 | $1,131 | 11 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Mills County is closest, 27 miles from center to center; the sixth, Brown County, is 43 miles off. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than San Saba County; Lampasas County is highest at $81,736 and McCulloch County lowest at $54,043.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Saba County | - | $55,819 | $958/mo | 72% |
| Mills County, TX | 27 mi | $67,620 | $708/mo | 80% |
| Llano County, TX | 32 mi | $67,530 | $998/mo | 77% |
| McCulloch County, TX | 32 mi | $54,043 | $806/mo | 67% |
| Lampasas County, TX | 34 mi | $81,736 | $1,059/mo | 80% |
| Mason County, TX | 40 mi | $74,180 | $800/mo | 80% |
| Brown County, TX | 43 mi | $57,470 | $919/mo | 68% |
San Saba County households compared
24% of San Saba County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. Health coverage gaps: 27.0% of San Saba County residents are uninsured.
| People and households | San Saba County | Compared with Texas | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.7 | +5.1 yrs | -0.8 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.0% | -9.8 pts | +1.9 pts |
| No high school diploma | 15.7% | +1.7 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 27.0% | +9.8 pts | +19.1 pts |
| No vehicle | 2.0% | -3.4 pts | -3.4 pts |
| Work from home | 8.2% | -6.1 pts | -0.4 pts |
| Poverty rate | 10.7% | -3.1 pts | -2.4 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.1% | -2.2 pts | -1.3 pts |
| Minutes to work | San Saba County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 44.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 9.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.6% |
| 60+ min | 14.5% |
Borrowing situations common in San Saba County
What the San Saba County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- 27% uninsured. In San Saba County, ask for an itemized bill and a payment plan first (medical bills).
- Commuter costs. 21% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a San Saba County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
A San Saba County household budget, worked through
How much room does a median San Saba County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Start: $4,652 gross per month ($55,819 / 12)
- Less median rent of $958, which is 21% of it
- Under a 36% cap, $1,675 total minus rent leaves $717
- Under a 43% cap, $2,000 total minus rent leaves $1,042
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Texas rules that apply in San Saba County
The Texas Department of Banking is the place to verify any lender's Texas license. A second Texas office, the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner, covers consumer credit. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. State-level detail for San Saba County borrowers is in the Texas guide.
Four steps for San Saba County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in San Saba 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.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Related local guides
Next step up from San Saba County:
Frequently asked questions
Where does San Saba County rank on income in Texas?
202nd of 254, with a median of $55,819. The state median is $78,476.
Is San Saba County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $958 against $1,403 statewide, and 30% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Is Richland Springs covered?
Yes. Richland Springs is one of 2 Census places in San Saba County, and this guide covers all of them.
Can San Saba County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Texas county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Who do I complain to about a lender in San Saba County?
Start with the Texas Department of Banking, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.