Paris
RANK #50 / 996 NAT · #4 / 69 TX · POP 50,149
1YR FORECAST: +1.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +39%
Lamar County, Texas, is perhaps best known for its county seat, Paris, which features a 65-foot-tall replica of the Eiffel Tower, uniquely topped with a red cowboy hat. Located in Northeast Texas, approximately 100 miles northeast of Dallas, the county offers a blend of small-town living and access to natural scenery. The gently rolling terrain is characterized by pasture and farmlands, with scattered timber. Residents and visitors can enjoy outdoor recreation at Pat Mayse Lake, a 6,000-acre reservoir popular for boating, fishing, and camping, as well as Lake Crook. The Trail de Paris, part of the larger Northeast Texas Trail, provides opportunities for walking, running, and non-powered wheeled activities.
Life in Lamar County generally offers a tranquil community atmosphere, with a mix of single-family homes and other housing options. The average commute time is under 20 minutes, and public schools in the county are rated above average. The local economy is supported by various sectors, including a notable concentration in manufacturing. Healthcare support occupations are also projected to see growth in the coming year. The county's workforce draws from a broad regional radius, contributing to its economic activity.
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 2.7x — 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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Mockingbird Solar Center
Ørsted
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
Bug Tussle Wind Ranch
Bug Tussle Wind, LLC (Cielo Wind Power, LLC affiliate)
|
$300M | Planned |
|
Delilah I Solar Energy Center
Invenergy (majority owned by WEC Energy Group)
|
$300M | Operating |
|
Huhtamaki Expansion
Huhtamaki
|
$75M | Planned |
|
Ametsa Packaging, LLC Plant
Ametsa Packaging, LLC
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Universal Fabricating US Location
Universal Fabricating
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Lamar County ranks #50 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 95/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +1.6% and a median household income of $58,246 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Lamar County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $152,800, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.38 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $847/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Employers in Lamar County are hiring — job growth of +1.6% — but the population is close to flat (+0.4% YoY). Home values moved +3.2% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.72% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Lamar County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.