Copperas Cove
RANK #617 / 996 NAT · #30 / 69 TX · POP 82,927
1YR FORECAST: -0.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +21%
Coryell County, Texas, is defined by its central Texas location and the significant presence of Fort Hood, one of the world's largest military installations. Gatesville, the county seat, is about 80 miles north of Austin and 110 miles southwest of Dallas. The county's landscape features plateaus and grasslands, with the Leon River and Cowhouse Creek as primary waterways. Outdoor recreation includes hiking, biking, and fishing in various parks and lakes, with Mother Neff State Park nearby offering trails and camping. The community offers a blend of small-town Texas and military culture.
Life in Coryell County is characterized by affordable housing and a family-friendly atmosphere. Public schools in the county are generally above average. Commute options include the Hill Country Transit District's "The HOP" service, providing micro-transit and rural regional commuter routes within Coryell County and to nearby cities like Temple and Copperas Cove. The economy is significantly influenced by Fort Hood. Beyond the military, the county's economic development board focuses on promoting commercial development, tourism, and job creation. Recent economic discussions have involved county budget and tax rate adjustments, with public safety and infrastructure receiving significant funding.
Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks overvalued at 7.2x — 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Bynum Solar Project
Undisclosed (part of ERCOT interconnection queue)
|
$56M | Planned |
|
Ryan Energy Storage
Undisclosed (part of ERCOT interconnection queue)
|
$52M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 38/100, Coryell County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $63,281 combined with job growth of -0.5% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
By national standards, Coryell County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $153,300, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.41 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $1,046/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Coryell County's population is growing — up +1.5% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.5%). Home values shifted +0.4% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
In significant numbers — 7.45% of Coryell 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.