RANK #310 / 1001 NAT · #13 / 72 TX · POP 125,480
1YR FORECAST: +0.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +31%
Gregg County, in northeastern Texas, is perhaps best known for its significant role in the East Texas Oil Field, a discovery in 1930 near Kilgore that dramatically boosted the county's population and economy. Longview, the county seat and largest city, lies about 125 miles east of Dallas and 60 miles west of Shreveport, Louisiana. The county is characterized by gently sloping to hilly terrain within the East Texas timberlands, with the Sabine River flowing through it. Outdoor recreation opportunities include numerous lakes within a 75-mile radius of Longview, along with local parks like Lear Park, which offers sports fields, walking trails, and a splash pad. The Longview Arboretum and Nature Center also provides a natural escape with gardens and trails. The public school system serves a large majority of students, with top-ranked schools including Hudson Elementary School and Spring Hill Intermediate School. The economy, historically tied to oil and gas, has diversified to include manufacturing, healthcare, and retail. Major employers like Eastman Chemical Company contribute to the local job market. The area continues to see economic growth, with efforts to attract more businesses and create career opportunities.
Gregg County is one of 75 U.S. counties in this market profile — near the profile average on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +1.7% runs above the profile's typical +0.8%.
See all 75 Affordable Slow Markets counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.5x 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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 69/100, Gregg County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +0.9%, and median household income stands at $66,550 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in TX.
Housing in Gregg County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $203,400 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.33, with rents averaging $1,102/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Gregg County are both close to flat — population +0.5% YoY and jobs +0.9%. Home values shifted +1.7% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.66% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Gregg County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.