1st Advantage MortgageIn Wilson County, Texas, the typical household earns $94,565 a year and the typical rent is $1,069. 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
- Wilson County by the numbers
- Renting and owning in Wilson County
- How much Wilson County households make
- Employment and commuting in Wilson County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Wilson County
- Wilson County next to its neighbors
- A Wilson County household budget, worked through
- People and households in Wilson County
- Reading the Wilson County data as a borrower
- Who licenses lenders for Wilson County residents
- Steps before you apply in Wilson County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Wilson County by the numbers
Wilson County is home to about 52,781 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 67th most populous of 254 county-level areas in Texas. Land area is 804 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 66 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Of the 6 Census places inside Wilson County, Floresville leads by population with about 8,007; 6 of the 6 are incorporated.
Renting and owning in Wilson County
A typical Wilson County rental runs $1,069 a month including utilities, which is 24% below Texas. 41% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 25% spend half or more. With a median value of $321,300, a typical Wilson County house costs 3.4 times what the median household earns in a year. 85% of Wilson County households own their home and 15% rent. Median construction year: 2000.
| Home costs | Wilson County | Texas | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,069/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $321,300 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 85% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 27% | 29% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 7% | 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).
How much Wilson County households make
At $94,565, the typical Wilson County household income is 44% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 15th among Texas's 254 county-level areas.
| Households earning | Wilson County | +/- vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 18.2% | -3.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 34.5% | -4.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 34.2% | +7.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 13.1% | +0.6 pts |
About 18% of households earn under $35,000, while 47% clear $100,000. Census counts 11.3% of Wilson County residents in poverty, against 13.8% across Texas. For a borrower in Wilson 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.
Employment and commuting in Wilson County
Education and health care employs 22% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 11%. The sharpest difference from the state is in public administration, at 8% locally and 4% for Texas. The survey's unemployment rate for Wilson County averages 3.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.3%). About 75% drive to work alone and 36% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 3.2% of the total (5.4% statewide).
| Industry | Share of Wilson County workers | vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.8% | +0.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.1% | +0.1 pts |
| Construction | 10.9% | +2.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.1% | -2.8 pts |
| Public administration | 7.7% | +3.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.7% | +1.0 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Wilson County
Here are the 6 most populous of the county's 6 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 32% of Wilson County residents live in one of the 6. Incomes vary by place: $76,250 at the median in La Vernia, $37,838 in Nixon. Live in one of these Wilson County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floresville | city | 8,007 | $65,270 | $1,076 | 5 mi |
| Elmendorf | city | 2,389 | $51,691 | $1,327 | 15 mi |
| Nixon | city | 2,231 | $37,838 | $845 | 20 mi |
| Poth | town | 1,532 | $72,404 | $950 | 7 mi |
| Stockdale | city | 1,377 | $52,532 | $917 | 9 mi |
| La Vernia | city | 1,095 | $76,250 | $993 | 13 mi |
Wilson County next to its neighbors
Karnes County is closest, 23 miles from center to center; the sixth, DeWitt County, is 44 miles off. Income ranges from $58,672 in Gonzales County to $92,375 in Guadalupe County; none of these neighbors top Wilson County's median.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson County | - | $94,565 | $1,069/mo | 85% |
| Karnes County, TX | 23 mi | $60,214 | $957/mo | 62% |
| Guadalupe County, TX | 29 mi | $92,375 | $1,517/mo | 78% |
| Bexar County, TX | 32 mi | $72,341 | $1,354/mo | 59% |
| Atascosa County, TX | 33 mi | $70,770 | $1,061/mo | 77% |
| Gonzales County, TX | 41 mi | $58,672 | $840/mo | 66% |
| DeWitt County, TX | 44 mi | $63,730 | $921/mo | 74% |
A Wilson County household budget, worked through
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Wilson County's medians:
- Median income divided by twelve: $7,880 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $1,069 uses 14%
- With a 43% ceiling, about $2,320 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Wilson County's.
People and households in Wilson County
26% of Wilson County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 11.0%, against 17.1% for Texas.
| Wilson County | Texas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.7 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 25.9% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.2% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.0% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.2% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 14.7% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.3% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.6% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Wilson County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 17.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 21.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 25.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 23.9% |
| 60+ min | 11.6% |
Reading the Wilson County data as a borrower
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Wilson County borrowers.
- Hospital bills in Wilson County. For the 11% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Commuter costs. 36% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- 26% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Consolidation math. With 47% at six figures, card consolidation is common; it pays only if total cost falls (guide).
Who licenses lenders for Wilson County residents
The Texas Department of Banking is the place to verify any lender's Texas license. Texas also has the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner for consumer credit. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: Texas guide.
Steps before you apply in Wilson County
Quick steps for Wilson County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Texas borrowers.
- Ask a Wilson County credit union about member loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Texas guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Wilson County household make?
About $94,565 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 21% above the Texas median.
Is Wilson County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,069 against $1,403 statewide, and 41% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Which towns does the Wilson County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 6 Census places: Floresville, Elmendorf, Nixon, Poth, Stockdale.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Wilson County or elsewhere in Texas, the same rules apply.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Wilson County?
Start with the Texas Department of Banking, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.