RANK #849 / 1001 NAT · #50 / 72 TX · POP 172,604
1YR FORECAST: -2.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +22%
Kaufman County, Texas, east of Dallas, is known for its blend of small-town atmosphere and rapid growth. Forney, the largest city, and Kaufman, the county seat, are key communities. The county is often described as where "East Texas begins," offering a quieter lifestyle while remaining accessible to Dallas, roughly 30 minutes away. Commuting to Dallas primarily uses US-175. Outdoor recreation is available at places like the John Bunker Sands Wetlands, a nature preserve with over 270 bird species, and Kaufman City Lakes Park, which offers fishing and hiking.
Life in Kaufman County appeals to families seeking a balance between rural charm and suburban conveniences. The area has seen significant population growth, ranking as one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation. Education is supported by six school districts and two community colleges, including Kaufman ISD and Forney ISD. The economy is experiencing broad investment, with new residential developments and commercial services emerging. This growth is attracting new residents, including those who may commute to Dallas for work or who have transitioned to remote work.
Kaufman County is one of 76 U.S. counties in this market profile — near the profile average on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of -4.0% matches the profile's typical -3.7%.
See all 76 Sun Belt Post-Surge Correction counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 21.0x — 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: 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Mystic Springs Renewable Energy (Solar + BESS)
Mystic Springs Renewable Energy
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Kaufman Economic Development Corp. Industrial Park
Kaufman Economic Development Corporation
|
$340M | Planned |
|
Ables Springs Solar + Storage Project
Enel North America
|
$301M | Under Construction |
|
Sowers Storage Battery Project
Sowers Energy Storage LLC
|
$204M | Planned |
|
Lily Solar + Storage Plant
Enel Green Power / Lily Solar, LLC
|
$181M | Operating |
|
Amazon Distribution Center (Project Spitfire)
Amazon
|
$120M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Kaufman County scores just 14/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #849 of 1001 counties. Job growth at +5.0% and median household income of $89,485 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Kaufman County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $320,900 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.28, with rents averaging $1,554/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Kaufman County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +7.4% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +5.0% clip. Home values shifted -4.0% in the past year.
In significant numbers — 9.0% of Kaufman 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.