RANK #636 / 996 NAT · #31 / 69 TX · POP 863,832
1YR FORECAST: +1.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +20%
El Paso County, Texas, stands out for its dramatic desert landscape, framed by the Franklin Mountains, which offer extensive trails for hiking, biking, and rock climbing within Franklin Mountains State Park, one of the largest urban parks in the nation. The county, located in far West Texas and operating on Mountain Time, shares a border with New Mexico and Mexico, creating a distinctive cultural blend. Commutes within the county are generally manageable, though construction can cause delays. Public transportation, including bus services and a streetcar in the city of El Paso, connects various communities like Anthony, Canutillo, and Socorro.
Life in El Paso County offers a blend of affordability and a strong community feel, often described as family-oriented. The region's economy is diverse, with major employers including Fort Bliss, a significant military installation. Beyond the military, the economy is expanding into sectors such as advanced manufacturing, aerospace, defense, and logistics, leveraging its position as a trade corridor with Mexico. The public school systems, including large districts like El Paso ISD and Socorro ISD, serve the county's population.
Below national median
Housing looks undervalued at 3.1x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. 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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Meta El Paso Data Center Campus
Meta
|
$10,000M | Under Construction |
|
McCloud Natural Gas Plant
El Paso Electric
|
$366M | Proposed |
|
Advanced Manufacturing District
El Paso (City)
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Pellicano Drive Widening Project
El Paso County
|
$50M | Legal Coordination |
|
Montwood Drive Extension
El Paso County
|
$50M | Construction |
|
Connect El Paso Data Center
Oppidan
|
$27M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 36/100, El Paso County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $55,417 combined with job growth of +2.5% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
By national standards, El Paso County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $153,600, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.36 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $978/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Employers in El Paso County are hiring — job growth of +2.5% — but the population is close to flat (+0.4% YoY). Home values moved +1.1% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
Not particularly — 1.33% of El Paso County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.