Jacksonville
RANK #902 / 996 NAT · #54 / 69 TX · POP 50,824
1YR FORECAST: -0.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +12%
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.
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 →
| 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.
The data is not encouraging — Cherokee County scores just 9/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #902 of 996 counties. Job growth at +1.5% and median household income of $56,971 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
By national standards, Cherokee County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $138,500, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.41 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $883/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Cherokee County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.5% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.5% clip. Home values shifted -6.5% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.31% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Cherokee County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values fell -6.5% over the past year in Cherokee County, bringing the median down to $138,500. A drop of that magnitude usually reflects weakening demand or population outflow — worth watching if you're considering buying here.