6 / 100

Fort Bend County, TX

RANK #940 / 996  ·  POP 832,607  ·  TX

PROJECTED GROWTH: -2.4%

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

[01] Why Fort Bend County?

Sugar Land, a notable city within Fort Bend County, Texas, is recognized for its safety and family-oriented atmosphere. Located southwest of Houston, Fort Bend County offers a suburban feel while providing access to the amenities of a major city, approximately 25 miles away. Commute options to Houston's employment centers, including the Texas Medical Center and the Energy Corridor, are available via major highways and Fort Bend Transit's park-and-ride services. The county features diverse natural scenery, with Brazos Bend State Park offering extensive trails, camping, and opportunities to observe alligators. Numerous county and city parks provide additional outdoor recreation, including hike and bike trails, golf courses, and aquatic centers.

Life in Fort Bend County often appeals to families and professionals seeking a balance between suburban tranquility and career opportunities. The area is known for its public school districts, such as Fort Bend ISD and Lamar CISD, which are frequently recognized for academic performance. The economy is driven by ongoing commercial and residential development, attracting businesses and residents. Major investments in infrastructure, including highway expansions, support this growth and enhance connectivity within the county and to nearby Houston. The county's diverse population contributes to a varied cultural landscape, reflected in local dining and community events.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
7.0x

Overvalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+6.3%

Well above national median

Home Prices
-2.3%

Prices declining

Climate & Terrain
-0.5

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
14x

Above national median (13x)

Housing looks overvalued at 7.0x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Fort Bend County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
832,607
+3.24% YoY
Median Household Income
$109,987
Median Home Value
$329,600
-2.28% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,669
Average Annual Pay
$62,566
+4.8% YoY
Employment
251,283
+3.6% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.3337
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
4.41%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$372,585
Days on Market
82
Slower market
Months of Supply
4.9
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
96.5%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
8.8%
Listings w/ Price Drops
34.3%
Building Permits (2024)
12,017
Single-Family Permits
11,200

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

[05] Capital Investment

$6,800M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Austin Point Master-Planned Community
The Signorelli Company
$5,000M Under Construction
Evergrove Master-Planned Community
Toll Brothers and Tri Pointe Homes
$662M Under Construction
Old 300 Solar Center
Ørsted
$430M Operating
Fort Bend Solar Farm
ACCIONA Energía
$258M Operating
Old 300 Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
Ørsted
$250M Under Construction
Rock Rose Energy Storage
Advanced Power
$200M Planned

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

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +6.3% 92 percentile
Population Growth +3.2% 97 percentile
Income Growth +7.2% 20 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.0% 54 percentile
Home Price Change -2.3% 13 percentile
Rent Growth -0.5% 8 percentile
Price/Rent 14x 39 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fort Bend County, TX a good place to move to?

Fort Bend County has a Boom Town Index score of 6/100, ranking #940 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +3.6% and a median household income of $109,987, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Fort Bend County affordable?

The median home value in Fort Bend County is $329,600 with median rent at $1,669/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3337, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Fort Bend County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +3.2% year-over-year. Job growth: +3.6%. Home values changed -2.3% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Fort Bend County?

Yes — 4.41% of Fort Bend County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

San Diego County, CA 16 Montgomery County, TN 16 Alameda County, CA 16 Lyon County, NV 16 Coryell County, TX 16 Lake County, FL 16 Josephine County, OR 16 Hunt County, TX 16