1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Waller County is $1,169 a month against a median household income of $80,397, about 17% of income (ACS 2020-24). County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving Waller County, and confirm each one's Texas license.
On this page
- A quick profile of Waller County
- What stands out in Waller County
- How much Waller County households make
- The Waller County job picture
- Homes and rents, Waller County
- Waller County next to its neighbors
- Waller County communities by population
- Waller County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Debt-to-income, Waller County edition
- Local borrowing considerations for Waller County
- Lender oversight for Waller County
- Four steps for Waller County borrowers
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Waller County
With an estimated 61,552 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Waller County ranks 58th of 254 in Texas for population. Packed into 513 square miles, that is close to 120 residents for every square mile of land. Metro area: Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX (OMB, 2023). Katy (25,184 people) heads the county's list of 7 Census places, 7 incorporated and 0 census-designated.
What stands out in Waller County
Where Waller County lands at the extremes of Texas's county rankings:
- On median age, Waller County sits near the bottom of Texas at 31.3, 13th lowest of 254. Younger borrowers often have thin credit files; a co-signer or credit union may help.
- Waller County ranks 22nd highest of 250 Texas counties for median home value: $318,700, against $283,800 statewide. Owners with equity have more options, including secured credit, but that puts the house at risk.
- Few Texas counties match Waller County on the share of commutes over 45 minutes: 29% here, 17% for the state, ranking 21st highest of 253. Long drives make car repairs a common emergency; get two written quotes.
How much Waller County households make
Median household income in Waller County: $80,397 (2% above Texas, $78,476). Only 34 Texas counties post a higher median.
| Income band | Share in Waller County | Difference from Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 18.5% | -2.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.8% | +2.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.1% | -2.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 15.6% | +3.2 pts |
18% under $35,000 and 40% at $100,000 or more: that is the Waller County income split. Census counts 14.6% of Waller County residents in poverty, against 13.8% across Texas. Gini index for Waller County: 0.469. None of these numbers decides a Waller County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
The Waller County job picture
Education and health care employs 19% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 15%. Relative to Texas (11%), retail trade is 4 points bigger in Waller County (15%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 6.8% in Waller County. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 29%; under 15 minutes: 21%. No car: 2.9% of Waller County households.
| Where residents work | Waller County | Difference from Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.4% | -2.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 15.2% | +4.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.6% | +3.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 11.4% | -1.4 pts |
| Construction | 10.6% | +2.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.7% | -0.8 pts |
Self-employed in Waller County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
Homes and rents, Waller County
$1,169 a month is the median gross rent in Waller County, 17% below the state. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 47% in Waller County, 52% statewide. Waller County homes are worth $318,700 at the median, a 4.0-to-1 ratio to income. The ownership rate is 72%. Against the median U.S. county, Waller County rent is 33% above.
| Cost | Waller County | Texas figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 72% | 63% | +9.4 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 47% | 52% | -4.8 pts |
| Median gross rent | $1,169/mo | $1,403/mo | 17% lower |
| Median home value | $318,700 | $283,800 | 12% higher |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 29% | -0.5 pts |
| Vacant units | 10% | 9% | +0.5 pts |
At a $318,700 median value, many Waller County owners hold equity. Using it lowers cost only if you can carry the risk (equity vs. unsecured).
Waller County next to its neighbors
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (19 to 37 miles). Richest neighbor: Fort Bend County, $114,041. Poorest: Grimes County, $69,803. Waller County: $80,397.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waller County | - | $80,397 | $1,169/mo | 72% |
| Austin County, TX | 19 mi | $75,789 | $1,137/mo | 77% |
| Washington County, TX | 29 mi | $77,825 | $1,165/mo | 70% |
| Montgomery County, TX | 35 mi | $97,701 | $1,532/mo | 72% |
| Fort Bend County, TX | 36 mi | $114,041 | $1,807/mo | 77% |
| Grimes County, TX | 37 mi | $69,803 | $1,069/mo | 80% |
| Harris County, TX | 37 mi | $74,983 | $1,401/mo | 55% |
Waller County communities by population
7 Census places fall mainly inside Waller County; the 7 biggest are below. They account for 50,382 residents, leaving about 18% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $93,852, Katy over Prairie View. Katy and every other Waller County community use this county guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Katy | city | 25,184 | $114,912 | $1,602 | 18 mi |
| Prairie View | city | 8,431 | $21,060 | $1,002 | 5 mi |
| Hempstead | city | 6,137 | $60,041 | $1,234 | 8 mi |
| Brookshire | city | 5,495 | $65,934 | $1,264 | 16 mi |
| Waller | city | 3,108 | $39,969 | $1,022 | 5 mi |
| Pine Island | town | 1,321 | $55,375 | $929 | 4 mi |
| Pattison | city | 706 | $99,659 | n/a | 13 mi |
Waller County residents: age, schooling, coverage
28% of Waller County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 20% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Waller County | Compared with Texas | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 31.3 | -4.3 yrs | -10.2 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 27.9% | -5.9 pts | +5.7 pts |
| No high school diploma | 15.7% | +1.7 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 20.1% | +3.0 pts | +12.2 pts |
| No vehicle | 2.9% | -2.5 pts | -2.5 pts |
| Work from home | 11.1% | -3.2 pts | +2.5 pts |
| Poverty rate | 14.6% | +0.8 pts | +1.5 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.8% | +1.5 pts | +2.4 pts |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 21.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 15.3% |
| 60+ min | 14.1% |
Debt-to-income, Waller County edition
DTI math using Waller County medians ($80,397 income, $1,169 rent):
- $80,397 a year is $6,700 of gross monthly income
- 17% goes to median rent ($1,169)
- 35% debt-to-income limit: $1,176 left for all other debt payments
- $1,846: what a 45% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Homeowners in Waller County should swap in their mortgage, taxes and insurance for rent.
Local borrowing considerations for Waller County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Waller County borrowers.
- Medical bills. 20% of Waller County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Commuter costs. 29% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Manufactured housing (19%). Waller County owners should get two written repair quotes before borrowing.
- Tight rental budgets. With 47% of Waller County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Lender oversight for Waller County
Waller County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Texas Department of Banking. For consumer-credit complaints, Texas residents can also contact the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner. If a Waller County lender ignores a dispute, the CFPB complaint portal is the federal backstop. State-level detail for Waller County borrowers is in the Texas guide.
Four steps for Waller County borrowers
Steps that save money for Waller County residents:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Texas.
- Ask a Waller County credit union about member loans.
Keep exploring
The Texas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Waller County earn?
The median is $80,397; 40% earn $100,000 or more and 18% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Waller County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,169 a month; 47% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Can Waller County owners borrow against a $318,700 home?
Many can, through a home equity loan or line. It is secured by the house, so compare it with an unsecured personal loan before choosing.
Which towns does the Waller County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 7 Census places: Katy, Prairie View, Hempstead, Brookshire, Waller.
Does living in Waller County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Waller County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.