RANK #746 / 996 · POP 50,824 · TX
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.2%
Cherokee County, located in East Texas, is perhaps best known for Jacksonville, once dubbed the "Tomato Capital of the World." This city, roughly 130 miles southeast of Dallas and 160 miles north of Houston, still celebrates its agricultural heritage with an annual Tomato Fest. The county offers a relaxed, rural lifestyle amidst piney woods and rolling hills, with outdoor recreation centered around Lake Jacksonville, Lake Palestine, and Striker Creek Reservoir, providing opportunities for boating, fishing, and hiking. Commutes within the county average around 24.4 minutes, shorter than the national average.
Life in Cherokee County often appeals to families and those seeking a quieter pace. Public schools in the county are generally rated above average. While agriculture remains a component of the economy, the region has seen investments in sectors such as timber, oil, and natural gas. The cost of living in Cherokee County is lower than the national average, particularly for housing.
Below national median (4.7x)
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.4x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
FGE Eagle Pines Natural Gas Electrical Generation Facility
FGE Power and FGE Power Management Corp.
|
$2,100M | Proposed |
|
Rainbow Springs Solar Farm
Clearway Energy Group
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Cherokee Tree Farm Retreat and Conference Center
TRC Companies (developer for water features)
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Cherokee County has a Boom Town Index score of 25/100, ranking #746 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.5% and a median household income of $56,971, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Cherokee County is $138,500 with median rent at $883/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.4113, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.5%. Home values changed -6.5% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.31% of Cherokee County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.