1st Advantage MortgageAbout 86% of Winkler County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $86,900. 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
- Getting oriented in Winkler County
- Work, industries and travel time in Winkler County
- Household income in Winkler County
- Renting and owning in Winkler County
- Towns and communities in Winkler County
- The counties around Winkler County
- Debt-to-income at Winkler County's medians
- More Winkler County figures
- Local borrowing considerations for Winkler County
- Who licenses lenders for Winkler County residents
- Checklist for Winkler County applicants
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Winkler County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Winkler County's population at 7,454; only 180 of Texas's 254 county-level areas are larger. It covers 841 square miles of land, or about 9 people per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 2 Census places inside Winkler County, Kermit leads by population with about 5,689; 2 of the 2 are incorporated. Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Winkler County figure on this page as a rough guide.
Work, industries and travel time in Winkler County
By the Census industry count, 20% of employed Winkler County residents work in agriculture, forestry and mining and 20% in transportation, warehousing and utilities. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 20% locally and 2% for Texas. The survey's unemployment rate for Winkler County averages 3.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.3%). 31% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 1% work from home. Only 3.1% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Winkler County share | +/- vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 20.1% | +17.9 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 20.0% | +13.3 pts |
| Education and health care | 14.0% | -7.6 pts |
| Construction | 11.8% | +3.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.3% | -2.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 6.4% | -2.1 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Household income in Winkler County
At $86,900, the typical Winkler County household income is 32% above the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Income band | Share in Winkler County | Difference from Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.8% | +1.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 33.3% | -6.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 38.9% | +12.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.0% | -7.5 pts |
About 23% of households earn under $35,000, while 44% clear $100,000. 16.2% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.8%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.392 here. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Winkler County median.
Renting and owning in Winkler County
Renters in Winkler County pay a median of $1,037 a month, 26% below the Texas figure of $1,403. By the Census definition, 49% of Winkler County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $148,200, a typical Winkler County house costs 1.7 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 86%. The median home was built in 1968, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Housing | Winkler County | Texas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,037/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $148,200 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 86% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 29% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 10.5% | 6.4% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 14% | 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).
Towns and communities in Winkler County
Here are the 2 most populous of the county's 2 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 95% of Winkler County residents live in one of the 2. This guide covers each of the 2 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kermit | city | 5,689 | $81,170 | $1,071 | 3 mi |
| Wink | city | 1,373 | $103,472 | $678 | 8 mi |
The counties around Winkler County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (22 to 53 miles). Income ranges from $51,250 in Loving County to $72,242 in Andrews County; none of these neighbors top Winkler County's median.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winkler County | - | $86,900 | $1,037/mo | 86% |
| Ward County, TX | 22 mi | $65,952 | $1,118/mo | 79% |
| Loving County, TX | 30 mi | $51,250 | n/a | 11% |
| Ector County, TX | 30 mi | $71,536 | $1,259/mo | 65% |
| Andrews County, TX | 41 mi | $72,242 | $1,305/mo | 79% |
| Crane County, TX | 44 mi | $62,212 | $882/mo | 84% |
| Reeves County, TX | 53 mi | $64,297 | $981/mo | 74% |
Debt-to-income at Winkler County's medians
How much room does a median Winkler County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, Winkler County: $7,242
- Rent at the median, $1,037, takes 14% of that
- With a 36% ceiling, about $1,570 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- At 43%, room after rent is $2,077 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Winkler County's.
More Winkler County figures
College graduates make up 11% of the adult population. 19.0% of residents have no health coverage.
| Winkler County | Texas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.1 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 10.6% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 27.3% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 19.0% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.1% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 0.7% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 16.2% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.6% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Winkler County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 46.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 17.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 6.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.3% |
| 60+ min | 21.2% |
Local borrowing considerations for Winkler County
Based on the Winkler County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Health costs. With 19% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Long drives. With 31% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Winkler County budgets.
- Strong incomes, long terms. 44% of Winkler County households earn $100,000+. The risk is a term that outlasts the need.
- Rent squeeze. 49% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Who licenses lenders for Winkler County residents
Before sharing details with a lender, a Winkler County resident can confirm its license with the Texas Department of Banking. Consumer lending in Texas is also overseen by the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: Texas guide.
Checklist for Winkler County applicants
Before you apply, wherever you live in Winkler County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Texas.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Related local guides
The Texas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Winkler County earn?
The median is $86,900; 44% earn $100,000 or more and 23% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Winkler County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,037 against $1,403 statewide, and 49% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Winkler County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 86% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
I live in a small Winkler County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Kermit, Wink.
Will a Winkler County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Texas as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.