RANK #743 / 996 · POP 234,667 · TX
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.2%
Known as the "Rose Capital of America," Smith County, Texas, is home to Tyler, a city celebrated for its extensive rose gardens and the annual Texas Rose Festival. Located in East Texas, approximately 90 miles east of Dallas/Fort Worth, the county offers a blend of natural beauty and community living. Residents have access to outdoor recreation at places like Tyler State Park, which features a spring-fed lake for boating and fishing, along with miles of hiking and biking trails through pine forests. The county's feel is often described as welcoming, with a strong sense of community. Commute times average around 23 minutes.
Life in Smith County is characterized by a mix of families and young professionals, with a notable emphasis on community engagement. The economy is largely driven by the healthcare sector, which is the largest employer in Tyler, with major systems like UT Health East Texas and CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System providing numerous jobs and contributing significantly to the local economy. The county also has a history rooted in the oil and gas industry and rose production, which continues to be a distinctive local industry. Public schools in Smith County are highly rated, with several districts serving the area, including Lindale, UT Tyler University Academy, and Whitehouse.
Above national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.6x — 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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Smith County has a Boom Town Index score of 25/100, ranking #743 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.1% and a median household income of $69,053, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Smith County is $201,400 with median rent at $1,129/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3429, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.4% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.1%. Home values changed -1.3% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.85% of Smith County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.