1st Advantage MortgageThe median Willacy County household earns $54,180, and 24% 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
- Willacy County, TX: the basics
- Income in Willacy County compared with Texas
- Renting and owning in Willacy County
- Jobs and commutes in Willacy County
- Towns and communities in Willacy County
- Willacy County and the counties next door
- What a median Willacy County budget can carry
- What the numbers mean for Willacy County borrowers
- People and households in Willacy County
- Checking a lender's license in Texas
- Steps before you apply in Willacy County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Willacy County, TX: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Willacy County's population at 20,139; only 120 of Texas's 254 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 591 square miles, that works out to roughly 34.1 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Willacy County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 10 Census places inside Willacy County, Raymondville leads by population with about 10,185; 3 of the 10 are incorporated.
Income in Willacy County compared with Texas
At $54,180, the typical Willacy County household income is 18% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 206th among Texas's 254 county-level areas.
| Yearly household income | Willacy County | Gap to Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 35.8% | +14.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.0% | +0.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.9% | -4.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.3% | -10.2 pts |
Some 36% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 24% have six-figure incomes. 24.0% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.8%). A household earning below the $54,180 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Renting and owning in Willacy County
Renters in Willacy County pay a median of $809 a month, 42% below the Texas figure of $1,403. By the Census definition, 55% of Willacy County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $73,600, about 1.4 times the median household income. 75% of Willacy County households own their home and 25% rent.
| Cost | Willacy County | Texas figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $809/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $73,600 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 75% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 55% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 29% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 13.4% | 6.4% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 17% | 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). 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?
Jobs and commutes in Willacy County
Education and health care employs 30% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 11%. The sharpest difference from the state is in education and health care, at 30% locally and 22% for Texas. The survey's unemployment rate for Willacy County averages 7.5% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.3%). 12% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 10% work from home.
| Top industries | Willacy County share | +/- vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 29.8% | +8.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.9% | -0.1 pts |
| Public administration | 9.3% | +5.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.6% | +0.1 pts |
| Construction | 8.6% | +0.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.3% | -1.2 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Willacy County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Towns and communities in Willacy County
Here are the 10 most populous of the county's 10 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 82% of Willacy County residents live in one of the 10. Lyford has the highest median household income on the list ($56,071) and Sebastian the lowest ($22,786), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $326 in Sebastian to $881 in Raymondville. No Willacy County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 10.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raymondville | city | 10,185 | $51,442 | $881 | 11 mi |
| Lyford | city | 2,054 | $56,071 | $748 | 13 mi |
| Lasara | CDP | 1,467 | n/a | n/a | 19 mi |
| Sebastian | CDP | 1,021 | $22,786 | $326 | 16 mi |
| Los Angeles | CDP | 553 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
| San Perlita | city | 462 | $74,688 | n/a | 3 mi |
| Port Mansfield | CDP | 245 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
| Ranchette Estates | CDP | 229 | n/a | n/a | 14 mi |
| Zapata Ranch | CDP | 190 | $111,270 | n/a | 16 mi |
| Santa Monica | CDP | 98 | $89,375 | n/a | 8 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Willacy County and the counties next door
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Willacy County's, from 27 to 71 miles away. Income ranges from $37,639 in Starr County to $61,292 in Kleberg County; 2 of these neighbors top Willacy County's median.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willacy County | - | $54,180 | $809/mo | 75% |
| Cameron County, TX | 27 mi | $52,601 | $912/mo | 65% |
| Kenedy County, TX | 28 mi | $38,882 | n/a | 53% |
| Hidalgo County, TX | 37 mi | $54,338 | $957/mo | 67% |
| Brooks County, TX | 54 mi | $47,764 | $719/mo | 53% |
| Kleberg County, TX | 66 mi | $61,292 | $1,043/mo | 53% |
| Starr County, TX | 71 mi | $37,639 | $726/mo | 70% |
What a median Willacy County budget can carry
Willacy County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Monthly gross at the median, Willacy County: $4,515
- Housing at the median rent of $809 uses 18%
- 35% debt-to-income limit: $771 left for all other debt payments
- Under a 45% cap, $2,032 total minus rent leaves $1,223
If your rent is above $809, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
What the numbers mean for Willacy County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Willacy County borrowers.
- Health costs. With 24% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Manufactured homes. 13% of Willacy County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- 24% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- Renters under pressure. When 55% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
People and households in Willacy County
Degree holders: 14% of adults over 25. About 24% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Willacy County | All of Texas | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.3 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.0% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 28.8% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 23.9% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.7% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.1% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 24.0% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.5% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Willacy County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 52.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 21.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.3% |
| 60+ min | 2.5% |
Checking a lender's license in Texas
Consumer lenders serving Willacy County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Texas that is the Texas Department of Banking. Texas also has the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner for consumer credit. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. More on Texas: Texas personal loans.
Steps before you apply in Willacy County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Texas borrowers.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Texas guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Willacy County earn?
The median is $54,180; 24% earn $100,000 or more and 36% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Willacy County rent compare with Texas?
$809 locally versus $1,403 for the state, 42% below.
Should Willacy County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 75% of Willacy County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Does this page cover Raymondville?
Yes, along with the other 9 Census places in Willacy County, such as Lyford, Lasara, Sebastian.
Will a Willacy County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Texas as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.