1st Advantage MortgageThe median Terrell County household earns $44,886, and 8% 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
- Terrell County, TX: the basics
- Paychecks and income spread in Terrell County
- The Terrell County job picture
- Rent, home values and ownership in Terrell County
- Regional comparison for Terrell County
- Terrell County towns compared
- Debt-to-income at Terrell County's medians
- More Terrell County figures
- Reading the Terrell County data as a borrower
- Lender oversight for Terrell County
- Checklist for Terrell County applicants
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Terrell County, TX: the basics
Roughly 835 residents live in Terrell County, Texas, 247th by population among the state's 254 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 2,358 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 0 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Terrell County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 1 place in the county (0 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Sanderson, with about 643 residents, or 77% of the county. With so few households sampled, Terrell County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Paychecks and income spread in Terrell County
The median household income in Terrell County is $44,886; statewide it is $78,476, so Terrell County runs 43% below Texas as a whole. Only 239 Texas counties post a higher median.
| Household income | Terrell County | vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.5% | +4.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 57.0% | +17.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 14.2% | -12.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.3% | -9.2 pts |
About 25% of households earn under $35,000, while 18% clear $100,000. Census counts 7.7% of Terrell County residents in poverty, against 13.8% across Texas. For a borrower in Terrell 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.
The Terrell County job picture
The biggest employer of Terrell County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 29% of workers, followed by agriculture, forestry and mining (25%). Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 25% of workers here, versus 2% statewide. About 86% drive to work alone and 6% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 5.3% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Terrell County workers | vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 29.1% | +7.5 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 25.2% | +22.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 14.4% | +1.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.9% | +1.2 pts |
| Construction | 7.6% | -1.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 5.0% | -3.4 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Terrell County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Rent, home values and ownership in Terrell County
By the Census definition, 50% of Terrell County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $137,500, or 3.1 years of median income. 89% of Terrell County households own their home and 11% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1957.
| Measure | Terrell County | Texas | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $137,500 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 89% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 30% | 29% | n/a |
Because most Terrell 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. 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?
Regional comparison for Terrell County
Six nearby counties, 52 to 86 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $49,167 in Upton County to $81,022 in Crockett County; all six of these neighbors top Terrell County's median.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrell County | - | $44,886 | n/a | 89% |
| Crockett County, TX | 52 mi | $81,022 | $558/mo | 74% |
| Pecos County, TX | 54 mi | $72,750 | $918/mo | 72% |
| Val Verde County, TX | 61 mi | $66,100 | $994/mo | 69% |
| Brewster County, TX | 76 mi | $56,212 | $839/mo | 62% |
| Upton County, TX | 78 mi | $49,167 | $720/mo | 77% |
| Reagan County, TX | 86 mi | $57,813 | $746/mo | 70% |
Terrell County towns compared
Just one Census place, Sanderson, lies mainly within Terrell County; it holds about 643 people. Live in one of these Terrell County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanderson | CDP | 643 | $46,667 | n/a | 21 mi |
Debt-to-income at Terrell County's medians
How much room does a median Terrell County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $3,740 a month: gross income for a household at the Terrell County median
- No published median rent here; at 36%, total debt including housing would top out near $1,347
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
More Terrell County figures
College graduates make up 27% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 15.2%, against 17.1% for Texas.
| Terrell County | Texas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 59.9 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 26.9% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.8% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 15.2% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.3% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.6% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 7.7% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
Reading the Terrell County data as a borrower
Based on the Terrell County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Uninsured care. 15% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Retirees. At a median age of 59.9, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Rent squeeze. 50% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Lender oversight for Terrell County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Terrell County borrowers answers to the Texas Department of Banking. Texas also has the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner for consumer credit. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on Texas: Texas personal loans.
Checklist for Terrell County applicants
A short checklist for Terrell County borrowers:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Texas.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Texas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Terrell County?
$44,886 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $78,476 for Texas. It ranks 240th of 254 in the state.
I live in a small Terrell County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Sanderson.
Are Terrell 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.
Is there a Terrell County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Texas it is the Texas Department of Banking.