Texarkana
RANK #76 / 996 NAT · #5 / 69 TX · POP 92,747
1YR FORECAST: +1.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +37%
Bowie County, Texas, stands out for Texarkana, its largest city, which uniquely straddles the Texas-Arkansas state line. This dual-state identity is symbolized by the historic Federal Building and Post Office, the only U.S. post office shared by two states. Located in the far northeastern corner of Texas, the county borders Oklahoma and Arkansas, offering a blend of Southern charm and natural beauty with forests, lakes, and rolling hills. Commutes within the county are generally manageable, and residents have access to outdoor recreation at places like Wright Patman Lake and the nearby Caddo-LBJ National Grasslands, which offer opportunities for fishing, boating, hiking, and camping.
Life in Bowie County offers a small-town feel, with many residents owning their homes. The public schools in Bowie County are generally well-regarded. The economy, historically rooted in agriculture and livestock, has diversified. Major employers contribute to sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and transportation. The presence of institutions like Texas A&M University-Texarkana also contributes to the local economy and community.
Above national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.5x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Red Barn Solar
TotalEnergies
|
$700M | Proposed |
|
Rabbit's Foot Solar Farm
RWE
|
$298M | Under Construction |
|
Bowie Solar (150 MW)
Undisclosed
|
$150M | Planned |
|
Bowie County Solar (52 MW)
Undisclosed
|
$52M | Planned |
|
East Texas Logistics Center
AR-TX REDI
|
$50M | Planned |
|
TexAmericas Center Industrial Park Development
TexAmericas Center
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Bowie County ranks #76 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 92/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +1.7% and a median household income of $56,628 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Bowie County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $150,300, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.38 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $900/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Employers in Bowie County are hiring — job growth of +1.7% — but the population is close to flat (-0.2% YoY). Home values moved -2.1% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.13% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Bowie County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.