Cedar Creek Lake
RANK #870 / 996 NAT · #50 / 69 TX · POP 82,627
1YR FORECAST: -0.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +13%
The "Black-Eyed Pea Capital of the World," Athens, Texas, anchors Henderson County, located about 60 miles southeast of Dallas. This East Texas county offers a blend of rural charm and access to urban amenities, with a commute to Dallas possible via US Highway 175. The community maintains a small-town feel, and its natural setting is a significant draw. Henderson County sits within the Piney Woods region, characterized by rolling hills, diverse forests, and access to major water bodies like Cedar Creek Reservoir and Lake Palestine, providing opportunities for fishing, boating, and other water-based recreation. The county also features numerous trails for hiking and biking.
Life in Henderson County appeals to a mix of residents, including families and retirees, drawn by the area's quality of life and outdoor activities. Public schools in the county are generally above average. While many residents own their homes, public transportation options like GoBus Transit offer in-county service and limited routes to Tyler. The local economy is supported by agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. Recent economic developments include investments in energy sectors, contributing to the county's economic landscape.
Above national median (4.7x)
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 6.2x 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Anatole Renewable Energy Storage
Eustace Storage LLC
|
$208M | Active In Queue |
|
Sloan Storage
Unknown
|
$201M | Planned |
|
Forest Grove Solar Facility
Vistra (Luminant)
|
$200M | Operating |
|
Tanzanite Storage
Tanzanite Energy Storage LLC (Belltown Power Texas)
|
$200M | Planned |
|
BT McGee Solar (Battery Storage)
Belltown Power Texas
|
$200M | Planned |
|
Henderson County Solar
Community Energy Inc.
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Henderson County scores just 12/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #870 of 996 counties. Job growth at +1.5% and median household income of $59,778 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
By national standards, Henderson County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $159,600, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.37 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $958/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Henderson County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.1% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.5% clip. Home values shifted -1.9% in the past year.
In significant numbers — 5.56% of Henderson 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.