15 Poorest Counties in Texas
- Dimmit County
- Presidio County
- Brooks County
- Zapata County
- Hudspeth County
- Culberson
- Starr County
- Jim Hogg County
- Willacy County
- Cameron County
- Maverick County
- Zavala County
- Hidalgo County
- Bee County
- Duval County
Dimmit County
Dimmit County is the poorest county in Texas, with a median household income of $27,374 and a poverty rate of 25.1%. The county is home to 8,473 people, and many residents face economic challenges.
Despite this, the median home price is $100,256, offering some affordability. Established in 1858 and officially organized in 1880, Dimmit County has a rich history that has shaped its present-day landscape.
Presidio County
Presidio County, located in Texas, is one of the state's poorer countries, with a population of around 6,140 people. The median household income here is about $29,012, and approximately 23% of the residents live below the poverty line.
It falls within the Odessa College District for community college education. Despite economic challenges, the median home price stands at $172,791, offering relatively affordable housing options within the county.
Brooks County
Brooks County, located in Texas, is another poor county in the state. The median household income here is $30,566, and about 28% of its residents live below the poverty line. Despite its economic challenges, the median home price is relatively low at $57,546.
With a population of around 6,994, the county is predominantly Latino, comprising about 88% of its residents. Notable features include several large ranches, among them the Mariposa Ranch.
Zapata County
Zapata County, number four on our list, is named after Colonel José Antonio de Zapata, a local rancher. With a population of 13,908, the county has a median household income of $35,061 and a poverty rate of 32.8%. The median home price in Zapata County is $104,598.
Hudspeth County
Hudspeth County, with a population of 3,287, is a place where the median household income stands at $35,163. Around 35.7% of its residents live below the poverty line. The median home price in Hudspeth County is $170,000. Interestingly, it's one of the only two counties in Texas that observe Mountain Time.
Culberson County
Culberson County, a county in Texas, is another place facing economic struggles. With a median household income of $35,924 and a poverty rate of 20.1%, many residents find it hard to make ends meet.
Established in 1911 and organized the following year, it's a relatively small county with a population of 2,193. Despite its challenges, the median home price stands at $108,023, offering some affordability in housing for its residents.
Starr County
Starr County, located in Texas, is known as one of the poorer counties in the state, with a median household income of $35,979. Its population stands at 66,049, making it a relatively small community.
What sets Starr County apart is its high proportion of Hispanics, making it the county with the highest Hispanic population in Texas. Poverty affects about 32.8% of the residents here. Despite the economic challenges, the median home price is relatively low at $102,190, making homeownership more attainable for some.
Jim Hogg County
Jim Hogg County, formed in 1913 from parts of Brooks and Duval counties, is our eighth stop. With a population of 4,801, it boasts a median household income of $42,292 and a median home price of $71,790. However, about 26.9% of its residents live below the poverty line.
Willacy County
Willacy County, established in 1911 from parts of Cameron and Hidalgo Counties, boasts a population of 20,316 people. With a median household income of $42,839 and a poverty rate of 29%, it's a community facing economic challenges. However, the median home price stands at a relatively affordable $99,833, making it an accessible area for homeownership.
Cameron County
Cameron County, located in Texas, is known as another poor county in the state. Its median household income stands at $47,435, with a poverty rate of 22.6%. The county has a population of 423,029, and the median home price is $186,536. Interestingly, Cameron County is the residence of Elon Musk, the world's second-richest person and the wealthiest US citizen.
Maverick County
Maverick County, a county in Texas, was created in 1856. It's known as another poor county in Texas, with a population of 58,056 people. The median household income stands at $48,497, while the poverty rate is 21.9%. The median home price in Maverick County is $187,573.
Zavala County
Zavala County, ranked 12th on our list, is named after Lorenzo de Zavala, a Mexican politician. With a population of 9,534, it has a median household income of $49,243 and a poverty rate of 29.1%. The median home price in Zavala County is $76,714.
Hidalgo County
Next on our list is Hidalgo County, the largest county in the nation with a total fertility rate above the replacement level. Its population stands at 870,781, with a median household income of $49,371. Around 27.4% of its residents live below the poverty line. The median home price in Hidalgo County is $178,826.
Bee County
Bee County, established on December 8, 1857, stands as the penultimate county on our list. It is home to a population of 30,924 people, with a median household income of $50,283. However, the county faces a poverty rate of 28.7%. Despite economic challenges, the median home price in Bee County is $141,724, offering affordable housing options to its residents.
Duval County
Duval County, established in 1858, wraps up our list of poorest counties in Texas, with a median household income of $50,697 and a poverty rate of 27%. Home to a population of 9,756, the county's median home price stands at $67,973.