RANK #951 / 996 · POP 82,627 · TX
PROJECTED GROWTH: -2.8%
The "Black-Eyed Pea Capital of the World," Athens, Texas, anchors Henderson County, located about 60 miles southeast of Dallas. This East Texas county offers a blend of rural charm and access to urban amenities, with a commute to Dallas possible via US Highway 175. The community maintains a small-town feel, and its natural setting is a significant draw. Henderson County sits within the Piney Woods region, characterized by rolling hills, diverse forests, and access to major water bodies like Cedar Creek Reservoir and Lake Palestine, providing opportunities for fishing, boating, and other water-based recreation. The county also features numerous trails for hiking and biking.
Life in Henderson County appeals to a mix of residents, including families and retirees, drawn by the area's quality of life and outdoor activities. Public schools in the county are generally above average. While many residents own their homes, public transportation options like GoBus Transit offer in-county service and limited routes to Tyler. The local economy is supported by agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. Recent economic developments include investments in energy sectors, contributing to the county's economic landscape.
Above national median (4.7x)
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 6.2x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Anatole Renewable Energy Storage
Eustace Storage LLC
|
$208M | Active In Queue |
|
Sloan Storage
Unknown
|
$201M | Planned |
|
Forest Grove Solar Facility
Vistra (Luminant)
|
$200M | Operating |
|
Tanzanite Storage
Tanzanite Energy Storage LLC (Belltown Power Texas)
|
$200M | Planned |
|
BT McGee Solar (Battery Storage)
Belltown Power Texas
|
$200M | Planned |
|
Henderson County Solar
Community Energy Inc.
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Henderson County has a Boom Town Index score of 4/100, ranking #951 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.5% and a median household income of $59,778, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Henderson County is $159,600 with median rent at $958/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3745, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.5%. Home values changed -1.9% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 5.56% of Henderson County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.