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Brazos County, TX

RANK #669 / 996  ·  POP 234,548  ·  TX

PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.2%

Brazos County ranks in the bottom tier of U.S. counties on economic momentum.

[01] Why Brazos County?

Brazos County, Texas, is defined by the presence of Texas A&M University, which anchors the vibrant communities of Bryan and College Station. Located in east-central Texas, roughly 90 miles northwest of Houston, the county offers a blend of historic charm and a lively college-town atmosphere. Residents have access to numerous parks and outdoor spaces, including Lake Bryan for fishing and boating, and Lick Creek Park with its extensive trails for hiking and birdwatching. The Brazos River, which forms the county's western border, also provides recreational opportunities.

Life in Brazos County offers a lower cost of living compared to state and national averages, contributing to its appeal for families and young professionals. The local economy is significantly influenced by education, healthcare, and technology sectors, driven by Texas A&M University's research and workforce development initiatives. Recent economic developments include investments in advanced manufacturing and logistics, as well as the growing semiconductor industry, with new facilities and expansions contributing to job growth. The area maintains a community feel with a focus on local events and green spaces.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
4.9x

Above national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+3.2%

Above national median

Home Prices
+0.5%

Well below national median

Climate & Terrain
0.6

Moderate climate & terrain

Price/Rent
13x

Below national median (13x)

Housing is fairly valued at 4.9x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Brazos County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
234,548
+1.49% YoY
Median Household Income
$57,562
Median Home Value
$260,800
+0.52% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,120
Average Annual Pay
$54,374
+4.0% YoY
Employment
123,468
+2.1% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.2207
Near national average
Migration Inflow
10.17%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$326,100
Days on Market
61
Slower market
Months of Supply
5.9
Buyer's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
94.0%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
3.9%
Listings w/ Price Drops
20.1%
Building Permits (2024)
2,211
Single-Family Permits
1,378

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$238M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Cadet Storage & Highway 6 BESS (Combined)
Undisclosed
$114M Planned
101 N. Texas Ave. / Courthouse Annex
Brazos County
$71M Pre-Construction
Medical Examiner's Office & Administration Building Remodel (Combined)
Brazos County
$54M Under Construction

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +3.2% 60 percentile
Population Growth +1.5% 82 percentile
Income Growth +9.3% 69 percentile
Vacancy Rate 2.7% 2 percentile
Home Price Change +0.5% 38 percentile
Rent Growth +3.2% 54 percentile
Price/Rent 13x 51 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brazos County, TX a good place to move to?

Brazos County has a Boom Town Index score of 33/100, ranking #669 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.1% and a median household income of $57,562, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Brazos County affordable?

The median home value in Brazos County is $260,800 with median rent at $1,120/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2207, which is less affordable than the national average.

Is Brazos County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +1.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.1%. Home values changed +0.5% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Brazos County?

Yes — 10.17% of Brazos County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

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