Scurry County, TX: income, rent and loan options

Scurry County, TX: the basics

The latest five-year Census estimate puts Scurry County's population at 16,488; only 135 of Texas's 254 county-level areas are larger. Density: about 18.2 residents per square mile across 905 square miles of land. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Scurry County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 3 Census places inside Scurry County, Snyder leads by population with about 11,241; 1 of the 3 are incorporated.

The Scurry County job picture

The biggest employer of Scurry County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 18% of workers, followed by agriculture, forestry and mining (16%). Compared with Texas, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (16% against 2%). Averaged over the five survey years, 2.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are the exception here: 11% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 5.7% of homes here go without a vehicle.

Seasonal work is common in many Scurry County industries; if that is you, show a full year of income rather than one strong month.

The $60,039 median and what sits around it

Scurry County households have a median income of $60,039 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 166th of 254 in Texas.

About 24% of households earn under $35,000, while 31% clear $100,000. Scurry County counts about 1,912 residents below the poverty line, 11.6% of the population. Scurry County scores 0.410 on the Gini index, where higher means more unequal incomes. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.

Where Scurry County households live

A typical Scurry County rental runs $1,020 a month including utilities, which is 27% below Texas. 32% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 13% spend half or more. Median value $113,800; median income $60,039; ratio 1.9. Homeowners 77%, renters 23%. Nationally, Scurry County's $1,020 rent is 16% above the middle county.

Because most Scurry 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.

Scurry County's most unusual numbers

The 4 Scurry County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Texas, and what each means for a borrower:

• The share of adults with a bachelor's degree: 13% in Scurry County. Only 28 of 253 Texas counties are lower. No degree is required for a personal loan; documented income is.
• Few Texas counties match Scurry County on the share of mobile homes: 5.2% here, 6.4% for the state, ranking 29th lowest of 254. Site-built housing dominates, which matters for equity-based credit.
• Scurry County ranks 34th lowest of 247 Texas counties for the ACS unemployment rate: 2.4%, against 5.3% statewide. A tight job market helps steady income, but lenders still verify it.
• Scurry County ranks 42nd lowest of 249 Texas counties for the share of renters paying 30% or more of income for rent: 32%, against 52% statewide. Rents are manageable for most, which can leave space for savings.

Scurry County communities by population

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 72% of Scurry County residents live in one of the 3. None of the 3 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.

A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.

Counties near Scurry County

Six nearby counties, 30 to 42 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Kent County leads the group on income ($72,889), Garza County trails ($46,314), and Scurry County out-earns 2 of the six.

Borrowing situations common in Scurry County

What the Scurry County figures suggest, and what to check first:

• Hospital bills in Scurry County. For the 17% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
• Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
• Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).

Budget math at the Scurry County median

The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Scurry County's medians:

• Start: $5,003 gross per month ($60,039 / 12)
• Median rent: $1,020, or 20 cents of every gross dollar
• $981: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid

A household below the $60,039 median has less room than this, often none.

Scurry County residents: age, schooling, coverage

13% of Scurry County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 16.8% of residents have no health coverage.

Checking a lender's license in Texas

No county office licenses personal lenders. For Scurry County, check the Texas Department of Banking. For consumer-credit complaints, Texas residents can also contact the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner. Nationally, Scurry County residents can file with the CFPB. More on Texas: Texas personal loans.

Before you sign

Quick steps for Scurry County:

• Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
• Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
• A Texas license check takes minutes; do it first.
• Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.

Beyond Scurry County

Next step up from Scurry County:

• Texas state guide