RANK #756 / 996 · POP 84,761 · TX
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.3%
Orange County, Texas, distinguishes itself with its unique position at the convergence of the Sabine and Neches Rivers, bordering Louisiana and serving as a deep-water port to the Gulf of Mexico. The city of Orange, the county seat, is about 30 miles east of Beaumont. The area offers natural beauty with wetlands, bald cypress, and tupelo trees, providing opportunities for birdwatching and spotting alligators. Notable outdoor amenities include the Blue Elbow Swamp Boardwalk and Claiborne West Park, which is part of the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail.
Life in Orange County offers a community-focused atmosphere, with many residents owning their homes. Public schools in the county are generally above average. While some residents commute to nearby cities like Beaumont or Port Arthur for work, public transportation options are available for local trips and to these larger cities. The economy is experiencing growth, with recent developments in housing and new businesses. Major investments are flowing into sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing, contributing to job creation and economic momentum.
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.8x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Chevron Phillips Chemical USGC2 Ethylene Plant
Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC & QatarEnergy
|
$8,500M | Under Construction |
|
Enterprise Products Ethylene Plant (Proposed)
Enterprise Products
|
$6,200M | Proposed |
|
Orange County Coastal Storm Protection System
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
|
$2,400M | Under Construction |
|
Orange County Advanced Power Station (OCAPS)
Entergy Texas
|
$1,800M | Under Construction |
|
Gisela Houseman Medical Campus
Gisela Houseman Medical Campus
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Optimus Steel Expansion
Optimus Steel
|
$40M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Orange County has a Boom Town Index score of 24/100, ranking #756 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.5% and a median household income of $71,910, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Orange County is $152,800 with median rent at $974/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.4706, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.3% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.5%. Home values changed +2.0% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.09% of Orange County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.