1st Advantage MortgageIn Walker County, Texas, the typical household earns $52,324 a year and the typical rent is $1,031. 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
- Walker County, TX: the basics
- Jobs and commutes in Walker County
- Income in Walker County compared with Texas
- Renting and owning in Walker County
- Towns and communities in Walker County
- How Walker County compares with nearby counties
- Walker County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Before borrowing in Walker County
- Budget math at the Walker County median
- A Walker County borrower's checklist
- Lender oversight for Walker County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Walker County, TX: the basics
With an estimated 80,209 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Walker County ranks 50th of 254 in Texas for population. Packed into 784 square miles, that is close to 102 residents for every square mile of land. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Walker County is not part of any metropolitan area. Huntsville is the biggest of its 3 Census places, at roughly 47,864 people (60% of the county total).
Jobs and commutes in Walker County
The biggest employer of Walker County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 24% of workers, followed by public administration (14%). Public administration stands out: 14% of workers here, versus 4% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 8.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 18% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 8.1% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Where residents work | Walker County | Difference from Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.4% | +2.7 pts |
| Public administration | 14.0% | +9.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.9% | +0.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.1% | +1.7 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.4% | +0.7 pts |
| Construction | 7.1% | -1.4 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Walker County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Income in Walker County compared with Texas
Half of Walker County households take in less than $52,324 a year and half take in more, 33% below the Texas median of $78,476.
| Households earning | Walker County | +/- vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.4% | +11.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 48.1% | +8.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 15.4% | -11.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.1% | -8.4 pts |
The spread is wide: 19% of Walker County households make $100,000 or more, and 32% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 18.4%, 5 points 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 Walker County median.
Renting and owning in Walker County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,031 in Walker County versus $1,403 statewide. By the Census definition, 57% of Walker County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $226,900, or 4.3 years of median income. 56% of Walker County households own their home and 44% rent.
| Walker County | Texas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,031/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $226,900 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 56% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 57% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 36% | 29% | 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.
Towns and communities in Walker County
3 Census places fall mainly inside Walker County; the 3 biggest are below. They account for 49,559 residents, leaving about 38% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Median rent ranges from $948 in Riverside to $1,245 in New Waverly. Live in one of these Walker County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville | city | 47,864 | $47,529 | $1,035 | 3 mi |
| New Waverly | city | 955 | $48,137 | $1,245 | 15 mi |
| Riverside | city | 740 | n/a | $948 | 12 mi |
How Walker County compares with nearby counties
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (26 to 41 miles). Income ranges from $52,018 in Trinity County to $97,701 in Montgomery County; 5 of these neighbors top Walker County's median.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walker County | - | $52,324 | $1,031/mo | 56% |
| Madison County, TX | 26 mi | $74,596 | $851/mo | 75% |
| San Jacinto County, TX | 27 mi | $65,364 | $1,060/mo | 85% |
| Grimes County, TX | 28 mi | $69,803 | $1,069/mo | 80% |
| Montgomery County, TX | 31 mi | $97,701 | $1,532/mo | 72% |
| Trinity County, TX | 35 mi | $52,018 | $856/mo | 79% |
| Houston County, TX | 41 mi | $56,531 | $887/mo | 71% |
Walker County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 22% of the adult population. About 15% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Walker County | All of Texas | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.6 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.6% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 15.5% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 15.4% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.1% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.5% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 18.4% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 8.9% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Walker County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 34.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.3% |
| 60+ min | 9.8% |
Before borrowing in Walker County
What the Walker County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Uninsured care. 15% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Commuter costs. 18% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- 17% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Free help first. 18% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
Budget math at the Walker County median
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Walker County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $4,360 gross per month ($52,324 / 12)
- Less median rent of $1,031, which is 24% of it
- With a 35% ceiling, about $495 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- $931: what a 45% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $1,031, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
A Walker County borrower's checklist
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Walker County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Walker County-area credit union.
- Verify the Texas license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Lender oversight for Walker County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Walker County resident can confirm its license with the Texas Department of Banking. Texas also has the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner for consumer credit. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Texas: Texas personal loans.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Texas guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Walker County a high-income county?
Its $52,324 median ranks 216th of 254 Texas counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Walker County rent compare with Texas?
$1,031 locally versus $1,403 for the state, 27% below.
Does this page cover Huntsville?
Yes, along with the other 2 Census places in Walker County, such as New Waverly, Riverside.
Can Walker 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.
Where can someone in Walker County check a lender's license?
With the Texas Department of Banking. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.