RANK #614 / 1001 NAT · #15 / 72 TX · POP 57,642
1YR FORECAST: -0.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +17%
Hardin County, Texas, is defined by its location within the Big Thicket, a dense forest region in Southeast Texas. Kountze serves as the county seat, and Lumberton is the largest city. The county is situated about 23 miles northwest of Beaumont and 68 miles northeast of Houston, with commutes averaging around 30 minutes. This proximity allows for access to larger cities while maintaining a distinct, quieter community atmosphere. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with the Big Thicket National Preserve, Village Creek State Park, and Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary offering opportunities for canoeing, bird watching, hiking, and wildlife viewing.
Life in Hardin County often appeals to families and those seeking a more conservative, small-community environment. The public schools in Hardin County are generally above average, with districts like Lumberton ISD and Hardin-Jefferson ISD serving local students. The local economy has historical ties to the timber industry and oil production, with these resources shaping its development. While many residents own their homes, the cost of living is lower than the national average. Rural transit services are available for residents, including those needing transportation for healthcare, shopping, and employment.
Hardin County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +1.9% YoY, population +0.9%, wages +4.3%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks overvalued at 17.8x — 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.
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: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Hardin County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 38/100, Hardin County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $75,808 suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
By national standards, Hardin County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $205,700, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.37 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $1,049/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Hardin County's population is growing — up +0.9% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of 0.0%). Home values shifted +1.9% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.5% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Hardin County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.