Port Arthur
RANK #273 / 996 NAT · #13 / 69 TX · POP 254,942
1YR FORECAST: -0.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +30%
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
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.
With a Boom Town Index score of 72/100, Jefferson County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +4.8%, and median household income stands at $57,294 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in TX.
By national standards, Jefferson County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $151,500, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.38 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $1,004/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
It's a mixed picture in Jefferson County. The population is declining (-0.7% YoY), but employers are actually hiring — job growth is at +4.8%. Home values moved +2.4% in the last year. That tension between shrinking population and expanding employment often signals a county in transition.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.33% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Jefferson County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.