Fort Worth
RANK #893 / 996 NAT · #52 / 69 TX · POP 2,113,854
1YR FORECAST: -0.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +12%
The Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District stands as a prominent feature of Tarrant County, offering a glimpse into its "Cowtown" heritage with daily cattle drives, rodeos, and Western-themed entertainment. Located in North Central Texas, Tarrant County is part of the larger Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Commuting within the county relies heavily on major routes like I-20, I-30, SH 360, and US 287, though rail options like Trinity Metro's TEXRail connect Fort Worth to DFW Airport. The county offers diverse natural scenery, from rolling prairies in the west to timbered lands in the east, with the Trinity River as a central feature. Outdoor recreation includes over 100 miles of trails along the Trinity River, parks like Eagle Mountain Lake Park, and the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge.
Life in Tarrant County offers a blend of urban and suburban living, with communities ranging from the arts and dining scene in Fort Worth to family-focused neighborhoods in towns like Southlake and Keller. The county is home to numerous school districts, including Fort Worth ISD, Arlington ISD, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, and Keller ISD. The economy is driven by sectors such as healthcare, aviation, education, and manufacturing, with ongoing investment in commercial and residential development. Tarrant County College also contributes significantly to the local economy by preparing students for the workforce.
Below national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.1x 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
ACS Group Data Center
ACS Group
|
$2,200M | Planned |
|
Black Mountain Power Data Center Campus
Black Mountain Power LLC
|
$1,000M | Under Construction |
|
Wistron Supercomputer Factories (2 facilities)
Wistron (U.S. subsidiary)
|
$750M | Planned |
|
Fort Worth Stockyards Expansion (Phase 2)
Unknown
|
$630M | Planned |
|
Bell Aircraft Parts Factory
Bell
|
$100M | Planned |
|
Chisholm Grid Energy Storage System
Chisholm Grid, LLC
|
$100M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Tarrant County scores just 10/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #893 of 996 counties. Job growth at +1.3% and median household income of $78,872 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Tarrant County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $269,400 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.29, with rents averaging $1,352/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Tarrant County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.1% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.3% clip. Home values shifted -2.8% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.88% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Tarrant County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.