1st Advantage MortgageThe median Stephens County household earns $58,008, and 15% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Getting oriented in Stephens County
- Income in Stephens County compared with Texas
- Work, industries and travel time in Stephens County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Stephens County
- Stephens County and the counties next door
- Places inside Stephens County
- A Stephens County household budget, worked through
- Borrowing situations common in Stephens County
- Who lives in Stephens County, in numbers
- Licensing and complaints for Stephens County
- Checklist for Stephens County applicants
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Stephens County
Stephens County is home to about 9,351 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 171st most populous of 254 county-level areas in Texas. Land area is 897 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 10 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 1 Census place inside Stephens County, Breckenridge leads by population with about 5,170. With so few households sampled, Stephens County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Income in Stephens County compared with Texas
Half of Stephens County households take in less than $58,008 a year and half take in more, 26% below the Texas median of $78,476.
| Household income | Stephens County | vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.9% | +6.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 52.2% | +12.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 14.6% | -12.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.2% | -7.2 pts |
The spread is wide: 20% of Stephens County households make $100,000 or more, and 28% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 14.6%, 1 point higher than the state's 13.8%. For a borrower in Stephens County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Work, industries and travel time in Stephens County
By the Census industry count, 20% of employed Stephens County residents work in education and health care and 14% in construction. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 12% locally and 2% for Texas. The survey's unemployment rate for Stephens County averages 5.4% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.3%). Long commutes are common here: 22% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 8.4% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Stephens County workers | vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.8% | -1.9 pts |
| Construction | 13.8% | +5.2 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 11.9% | +9.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.0% | +1.4 pts |
| Public administration | 8.7% | +4.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.2% | +1.4 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Stephens County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Rent, home values and ownership in Stephens County
Renters in Stephens County pay a median of $846 a month, 40% below the Texas figure of $1,403. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 23% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $110,200, about 1.9 times the median household income. Owners occupy 79% of homes. The median home was built in 1975, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Home costs | Stephens County | Texas | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $846/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $110,200 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 23% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 50% | 29% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 18.0% | 6.4% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 23% | 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).
Stephens County and the counties next door
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (29 to 44 miles). Shackelford County leads the group on income ($73,047), Eastland County trails ($53,549), and Stephens County out-earns 1 of the six.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephens County | - | $58,008 | $846/mo | 79% |
| Eastland County, TX | 29 mi | $53,549 | $866/mo | 72% |
| Shackelford County, TX | 30 mi | $73,047 | $718/mo | 79% |
| Palo Pinto County, TX | 30 mi | $67,674 | $1,093/mo | 71% |
| Young County, TX | 31 mi | $68,010 | $862/mo | 74% |
| Throckmorton County, TX | 37 mi | $59,216 | $878/mo | 68% |
| Callahan County, TX | 44 mi | $72,436 | $817/mo | 81% |
Places inside Stephens County
Just one Census place, Breckenridge, lies mainly within Stephens County; it holds about 5,170 people. Live in one of these Stephens County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breckenridge | city | 5,170 | $48,000 | $839 | 4 mi |
A Stephens County household budget, worked through
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Stephens County's medians:
- Monthly gross at the median, Stephens County: $4,834
- Housing at the median rent of $846 uses 18%
- With a 36% ceiling, about $894 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- $1,233: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Borrowing situations common in Stephens County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Stephens County borrowers.
- Hospital bills in Stephens County. For the 14% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Commuter costs. 22% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 18% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
Who lives in Stephens County, in numbers
17% of Stephens County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 13.8%, against 17.1% for Texas.
| Measure | Stephens County | Texas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.0 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.2% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 16.2% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 13.8% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.4% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 3.7% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.6% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.4% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 50.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 18.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 9.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.2% |
| 60+ min | 18.4% |
Licensing and complaints for Stephens County
Stephens County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by 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. The Texas guide covers state rules in more detail.
Checklist for Stephens County applicants
Steps that save money for Stephens County residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Verify the Texas license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Texas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Stephens County household make?
About $58,008 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 26% below the Texas median.
How much is rent in Stephens County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $846 a month; 23% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Stephens County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 79% of Stephens County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in Stephens County?
By population: Breckenridge. The county has 1 Census place in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Stephens County or elsewhere in Texas, the same rules apply.