Burleson-Joshua
RANK #501 / 996 NAT · #25 / 69 TX · POP 182,690
1YR FORECAST: -0.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
Cleburne, the county seat, anchors Johnson County with its historic downtown and the distinctive 1912 Johnson County Courthouse, a Classical Revival building with Prairie-style elements. Located on the southwestern edge of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Cleburne is about 29 miles south of downtown Fort Worth and 55 miles southwest of downtown Dallas. Commutes to Fort Worth are facilitated by Texas Highway 174, a four-lane divided highway, while U.S. Highway 67 connects to Dallas. The community offers a blend of small-town atmosphere with access to larger city amenities. Outdoor recreation is available at Cleburne State Park, featuring a spring-fed lake, dense forests, and nearly 13 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking. Hamm Creek Park also provides public access to the Brazos River.
Life in Johnson County appeals to families and individuals seeking a balance between rural charm and metropolitan access. The county's public school districts, including Burleson, Godley, Grandview, and Joshua, serve over 39,500 students. City/County Transportation provides demand-response services throughout the county and a commuter bus route into downtown Fort Worth. The economy is experiencing growth, driven by investments in residential and commercial development. Local industries include manufacturing, healthcare, and education, with a focus on providing a skilled workforce.
Above national median (4.7x)
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 5.8x 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Blue Bird Solar Farm
Undisclosed (Planned)
|
$773M | Planned |
|
Hyperscale Data Center Land Development (Potential)
Undisclosed Developers
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Johnson County Power Plant (Natural Gas)
Johnson County Power LLC
|
$283M | Operating |
|
Residential Master-Planned Communities (Combined)
Various Developers
|
$150M | Under Construction |
|
Johnson County Transportation Bond
Johnson County
|
$60M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Johnson County scores 49/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#501). Median household income is $77,058 and job growth is running at +6.5%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Johnson County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $225,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.34, with rents averaging $1,271/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Johnson County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +3.2% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +6.5% clip. Home values shifted -3.0% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.88% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Johnson County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.