RANK #6 / 996 NAT · #1 / 69 TX · POP 84,761
1YR FORECAST: +1.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +47%
Orange County, Texas, distinguishes itself with its unique position at the convergence of the Sabine and Neches Rivers, bordering Louisiana and serving as a deep-water port to the Gulf of Mexico. The city of Orange, the county seat, is about 30 miles east of Beaumont. The area offers natural beauty with wetlands, bald cypress, and tupelo trees, providing opportunities for birdwatching and spotting alligators. Notable outdoor amenities include the Blue Elbow Swamp Boardwalk and Claiborne West Park, which is part of the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail.
Life in Orange County offers a community-focused atmosphere, with many residents owning their homes. Public schools in the county are generally above average. While some residents commute to nearby cities like Beaumont or Port Arthur for work, public transportation options are available for local trips and to these larger cities. The economy is experiencing growth, with recent developments in housing and new businesses. Major investments are flowing into sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing, contributing to job creation and economic momentum.
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.8x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Chevron Phillips Chemical USGC2 Ethylene Plant
Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC & QatarEnergy
|
$8,500M | Under Construction |
|
Enterprise Products Ethylene Plant (Proposed)
Enterprise Products
|
$6,200M | Proposed |
|
Orange County Coastal Storm Protection System
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
|
$2,400M | Under Construction |
|
Orange County Advanced Power Station (OCAPS)
Entergy Texas
|
$1,800M | Under Construction |
|
Gisela Houseman Medical Campus
Gisela Houseman Medical Campus
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Optimus Steel Expansion
Optimus Steel
|
$40M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Orange County ranks #6 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 100/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +2.5% and a median household income of $71,910 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Orange County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $152,800, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.47 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $974/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Employers in Orange County are hiring — job growth of +2.5% — but the population is close to flat (-0.3% YoY). Home values moved +2.0% 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 3.09% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Orange County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.