Liberty-Dayton
RANK #322 / 996 NAT · #17 / 69 TX · POP 93,523
1YR FORECAST: +0.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +28%
Liberty County, Texas, offers a blend of historical significance and natural beauty, bisected by the Trinity River. The county seat, Liberty, is one of Texas's oldest cities, boasting a replica of the Liberty Bell and ties to Sam Houston. Located halfway between Houston and Beaumont on U.S. Highway 90, the county provides access to major cities while maintaining a quieter, rural atmosphere. Outdoor recreation is a draw, with the Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge offering hiking, birdwatching, and fishing opportunities amidst diverse woodland ecosystems.
Life in Liberty County often involves a commute, as many residents work in neighboring Harris County. The community is characterized by a strong sense of local identity. Recent economic developments include new housing subdivisions, such as Liberty Ranch, designed to be affordable for middle-class families. The economy is seeing investment in sectors like chemical manufacturing and broadband infrastructure. Local school districts, including Liberty ISD, provide education for families.
Above national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 5.3x 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Liberty Data Center
MetroBlocks
|
$1,500M | Planned |
|
Lone Star Power Station (Natural Gas Plant)
Entergy Texas
|
$735M | Proposed |
|
Liberty American Manufacturing Park (LAMP)
BaRupOn LLC
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
Liberty Solar Project (Recurrent Energy)
Recurrent Energy (Canadian Solar Inc.)
|
$200M | Operating |
|
Liberty Energy Solar Park & Battery Storage
X-ELIO
|
$130M | Operating |
|
Liberty Ranch Residential Development
Waterstone Development Corporation
|
$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 67/100, Liberty County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +2.9%, and median household income stands at $59,605 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in TX.
By national standards, Liberty County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $145,400, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.41 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $978/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Liberty County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +4.0% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.9% clip. Home values shifted +1.6% in the past year.
In significant numbers — 10.15% of Liberty 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.