RANK #806 / 1001 NAT · #35 / 72 TX · POP 92,115
1YR FORECAST: -0.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +14%
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.
Bowie County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +1.3% YoY, population -0.2%, wages +3.5%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 6.8x 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Bowie County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
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 1001 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Bowie County scores just 19/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #806 of 1001 counties. Job growth at +0.3% and median household income of $59,803 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Bowie County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $173,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.35, with rents averaging $988/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Bowie County are both close to flat — population -0.2% YoY and jobs +0.3%. Home values shifted +1.3% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.91% 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.