1st Advantage MortgageWichita County households have a median income of $63,524 and median rent of $1,006 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Wichita County, TX: the basics
- Work, industries and travel time in Wichita County
- Household income in Wichita County
- Housing costs in Wichita County
- Wichita County and the counties next door
- Places inside Wichita County
- Budget math at the Wichita County median
- More Wichita County figures
- Before borrowing in Wichita County
- Licensing and complaints for Wichita County
- Checklist for Wichita County applicants
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Wichita County, TX: the basics
Wichita County is home to about 129,996 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 36th most populous of 254 county-level areas in Texas. Packed into 628 square miles, that is close to 207 residents for every square mile of land. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Wichita Falls, TX metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Of the 6 Census places inside Wichita County, Wichita Falls leads by population with about 102,581; 6 of the 6 are incorporated.
Work, industries and travel time in Wichita County
By the Census industry count, 25% of employed Wichita County residents work in education and health care and 13% in retail trade. Education and health care stands out: 25% of workers here, versus 22% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.7% in Wichita County. 4% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 6% work from home.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Wichita County | Gap to Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.4% | +3.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.5% | +2.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 11.0% | +2.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.5% | -5.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.5% | -1.1 pts |
| Public administration | 6.8% | +2.7 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Wichita County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Household income in Wichita County
At $63,524, the typical Wichita County household income is 3% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). Only 134 Texas counties post a higher median.
| Income band | Share in Wichita County | Difference from Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.0% | +5.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.1% | +3.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.0% | -2.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.8% | -6.7 pts |
The spread is wide: 30% of Wichita County households make $100,000 or more, and 27% make less than $35,000. 16.5% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.8%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.463 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Wichita 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.
Housing costs in Wichita County
A typical Wichita County rental runs $1,006 a month including utilities, which is 28% below Texas. 45% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 19% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $153,700, about 2.4 times the median household income. 61% of Wichita County households own their home and 39% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1972.
| Housing | Wichita County | Texas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,006/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $153,700 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 61% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 29% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 3.8% | 6.4% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 12% | 9% | n/a |
Wichita County and the counties next door
Archer County is closest, 26 miles from center to center; the sixth, Baylor County, is 38 miles off. 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Wichita County; Clay County is highest at $80,114 and Baylor County lowest at $45,370. Some neighbors are in Oklahoma. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Wichita County resident follows Texas rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita County | - | $63,524 | $1,006/mo | 61% |
| Archer County, TX | 26 mi | $72,159 | $770/mo | 84% |
| Cotton County, OK | 28 mi | $58,425 | $772/mo | 80% |
| Tillman County, OK | 29 mi | $48,939 | $733/mo | 73% |
| Wilbarger County, TX | 31 mi | $54,102 | $932/mo | 67% |
| Clay County, TX | 32 mi | $80,114 | $811/mo | 84% |
| Baylor County, TX | 38 mi | $45,370 | $581/mo | 66% |
Places inside Wichita County
The table lists the 6 largest of 6 Census places in Wichita County, by population. Together all 6 hold about 123,235 people, so roughly 5% of residents live outside any named place. Electra has the highest median household income on the list ($69,167) and Wichita Falls the lowest ($60,177), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Electra ($815) and steepest in Wichita Falls ($1,022). Live in one of these Wichita County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita Falls | city | 102,581 | $60,177 | $1,022 | 12 mi |
| Burkburnett | city | 11,059 | $66,308 | $964 | 10 mi |
| Iowa Park | city | 6,578 | $66,622 | $938 | 2 mi |
| Electra | city | 2,351 | $69,167 | $815 | 13 mi |
| Pleasant Valley | town | 357 | $81,250 | $1,125 | 7 mi |
| Cashion Community | city | 309 | $80,000 | $1,021 | 12 mi |
Budget math at the Wichita County median
How much room does a median Wichita County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Start: $5,294 gross per month ($63,524 / 12)
- 19% goes to median rent ($1,006)
- At 36%, room after rent is $900 a month
If your rent is above $1,006, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
More Wichita County figures
25% of Wichita County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 15.6% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Wichita County | Texas | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.3 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 25.1% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.5% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 15.6% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.1% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.4% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 16.5% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.7% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 56.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 35.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 4.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 1.4% |
| 60+ min | 2.7% |
Before borrowing in Wichita County
Where the Wichita County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Medical bills. 16% of Wichita County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Wichita County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
Licensing and complaints for Wichita County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Wichita County, check the Texas Department of Banking. Texas also has the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner for consumer credit. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the Texas state guide for the statewide picture.
Checklist for Wichita County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Wichita County.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- A Texas license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Texas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wichita County a high-income county?
Its $63,524 median ranks 135th of 254 Texas counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Wichita County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,006 against $1,403 statewide, and 45% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Which towns does the Wichita County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 6 Census places: Wichita Falls, Burkburnett, Iowa Park, Electra, Pleasant Valley.
Are Wichita 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 Wichita County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Texas it is the Texas Department of Banking.