RANK #908 / 996 · POP 254,942 · TX
PROJECTED GROWTH: -1.8%
Jefferson County, Texas, is known for its position within the "Golden Triangle" alongside Port Arthur and Orange, a hub for manufacturing and petrochemical production. Located in Southeast Texas, approximately 90 miles east of Houston and 23 miles west of Louisiana, the county offers a blend of coastal plains and forested areas. The Neches River forms its northeastern boundary, and a series of lakes and Gulf Coast beaches provide opportunities for outdoor recreation like fishing, kayaking, and birding. Notable towns include Beaumont, the county seat, and Port Arthur. Commute options primarily involve extensive highway networks, including Interstate 10, and local transit services are available in some areas.
Life in Jefferson County is characterized by a mix of families and long-time residents, with public schools generally considered above average. The economy is largely driven by its deepwater ports and industrial sectors, particularly petrochemicals and shipbuilding. Recent years have seen substantial industrial expansion, attracting investments and creating jobs across energy and manufacturing. The county is also exploring diversification into other industries.
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 1.8x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Industrial Infrastructure Expansion Projects (various)
Various (including Chevron)
|
$56,000M | Under Construction |
|
Port Arthur LNG Facility
Sempra Infrastructure
|
$1,000M | Under Construction |
|
Willow Marsh Renewable Energy Center
US Solar
|
$120M | Planned |
|
Jefferson Energy Terminal Expansion
Jefferson Energy Companies
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Coastal Restoration Projects
Jefferson County
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Jefferson County has a Boom Town Index score of 9/100, ranking #908 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +4.8% and a median household income of $57,294, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Jefferson County is $151,500 with median rent at $1,004/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3782, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.7% year-over-year. Job growth: +4.8%. Home values changed +2.4% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.33% of Jefferson County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.