RANK #590 / 1001 NAT · #32 / 72 TX · POP 242,311
1YR FORECAST: -0.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +27%
Brazos County, Texas, is defined by the presence of Texas A&M University, which anchors the vibrant communities of Bryan and College Station. Located in east-central Texas, roughly 90 miles northwest of Houston, the county offers a blend of historic charm and a lively college-town atmosphere. Residents have access to numerous parks and outdoor spaces, including Lake Bryan for fishing and boating, and Lick Creek Park with its extensive trails for hiking and birdwatching. The Brazos River, which forms the county's western border, also provides recreational opportunities.
Life in Brazos County offers a lower cost of living compared to state and national averages, contributing to its appeal for families and young professionals. The local economy is significantly influenced by education, healthcare, and technology sectors, driven by Texas A&M University's research and workforce development initiatives. Recent economic developments include investments in advanced manufacturing and logistics, as well as the growing semiconductor industry, with new facilities and expansions contributing to job growth. The area maintains a community feel with a focus on local events and green spaces.
Brazos County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +0.7% YoY, population +1.8%, wages +4.6%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 10.0x — home prices are high 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: 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Cadet Storage & Highway 6 BESS (Combined)
Undisclosed
|
$114M | Planned |
|
101 N. Texas Ave. / Courthouse Annex
Brazos County
|
$71M | Pre-Construction |
|
Medical Examiner's Office & Administration Building Remodel (Combined)
Brazos County
|
$54M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Brazos County scores 41/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#590). Median household income is $58,553 and job growth is running at +2.2%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Brazos County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $296,000 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.20 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,193/month on average.
Brazos County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.8% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.2% clip. Home values shifted +0.7% in the past year.
In significant numbers — 10.22% of Brazos County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.