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Rockwall County, TX

RANK #938 / 996  ·  POP 110,631  ·  TX

PROJECTED GROWTH: -2.2%

Rockwall County ranks in the bottom tier of U.S. counties on economic momentum.

[01] Why Rockwall County?

Rockwall County, Texas, distinguishes itself as the smallest county in the state, yet it is one of its fastest-growing regions. Located about 25 miles northeast of Dallas, the county seat, Rockwall, is known for a unique subterranean rock formation that gave the area its name. The community offers a blend of small-town character with access to big-city amenities. Commuting to Dallas typically takes around 30-50 minutes, depending on traffic. Lake Ray Hubbard, a prominent feature on the county's western border, provides extensive outdoor recreation opportunities, including boating, fishing, and various water sports. Numerous parks, like Harry Myers Park, offer trails, disc golf, and pickleball courts.

Life in Rockwall County often appeals to families and young professionals, with a high rate of homeownership. The public school districts, including Rockwall Independent School District and Royse City Independent School District, are recognized for their quality. The local economy benefits from its proximity to Dallas, with residents employed in sectors such as healthcare, professional services, and retail. Recent economic developments include ongoing commercial and residential construction, with new businesses and housing projects expanding in towns like Fate, Heath, and Royse City. The Rockwall Economic Development Corporation actively works to attract new investment and support existing businesses, contributing to the area's growth.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
6.5x

Above national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+8.8%

Well above national median

Home Prices
-3.0%

Prices declining

Climate & Terrain
1.4

Moderate climate & terrain

Price/Rent
16x

Above national median (13x)

Housing is fairly valued at 6.5x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Rockwall County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
110,631
+5.14% YoY
Median Household Income
$121,303
Median Home Value
$363,500
-3.01% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,779
Average Annual Pay
$56,941
+3.7% YoY
Employment
41,550
+4.0% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.3337
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
8.21%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$454,500
Days on Market
107
Slower market
Months of Supply
6.9
Buyer's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
97.2%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
9.4%
Listings w/ Price Drops
36.3%
Building Permits (2024)
1,810
Single-Family Permits
1,810

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$860M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Multiple Master-Planned Communities
Various Homebuilders
$500M Under Construction/Planned
Ballard Power Systems Manufacturing Facility (Rockwall Giga 1)
Ballard Power Systems
$160M Planned
TE Smith Storage Battery Project
Undisclosed
$150M Planned
Rockwall Commerce Center
Reserve Capital Partners
$50M Under Construction/Planned

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +8.8% 97 percentile
Population Growth +5.1% 100 percentile
Income Growth +8.7% 55 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.6% 88 percentile
Home Price Change -3.0% 9 percentile
Rent Growth 0.0% 11 percentile
Price/Rent 16x 28 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rockwall County, TX a good place to move to?

Rockwall County has a Boom Town Index score of 6/100, ranking #938 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +4.0% and a median household income of $121,303, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Rockwall County affordable?

The median home value in Rockwall County is $363,500 with median rent at $1,779/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3337, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Rockwall County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +5.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +4.0%. Home values changed -3.0% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Rockwall County?

Yes — 8.21% of Rockwall County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

Hall County, GA 16 Union County, NC 16 Jefferson County, TX 16 Franklin County, WA 16 Sumter County, SC 16 Rutherford County, TN 16 Arlington County, VA 16 Los Angeles County, CA 16