RANK #971 / 996 · POP 57,463 · TX
PROJECTED GROWTH: -4.0%
Waller County, Texas, is often recognized for Prairie View A&M University, a historically Black university that significantly shapes the area's cultural and educational landscape. Located about 40 miles northwest of downtown Houston, the county offers a blend of rural charm and accessibility to urban amenities. Major highways like U.S. Highway 290 and Interstate 10 provide routes for commuting, with travel times to Houston ranging from 30 minutes to an hour, though rush hour can double this. The landscape features open spaces, agricultural areas, and natural features like lakes and ponds, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation such as hiking. Notable towns include Hempstead, the county seat, and Brookshire.
Life in Waller County combines a small-town atmosphere with increasing development. The area attracts families seeking affordability, open spaces, and a community-focused environment. Waller County's economy is experiencing growth, driven by investments in residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. This includes expansion in manufacturing, logistics, and energy services. Waller Independent School District is also expanding to accommodate a growing student population.
Contracting economy
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.5x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Parliament Solar Project
Parliament Solar LLC (EnCap Investments and Mercuria Energy)
|
$640M | Under Construction |
|
H-E-B Distribution Campus
H-E-B
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
Ochoa Energy Storage
|
$260M | Planned |
|
Beacon Hill Master-Planned Community
Long Lake Ltd. / Wolff Companies
|
$250M | Under Construction |
|
Attwater Master-Planned Community
Bold Fox Development
|
$150M | Under Construction |
|
TMEIC Manufacturing Facility
TMEIC Corporation Americas
|
$65M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Waller County has a Boom Town Index score of 2/100, ranking #971 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +3.3% and a median household income of $71,643, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Waller County is $268,200 with median rent at $1,109/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2671, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +3.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +3.3%. Home values changed -1.8% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 7.47% of Waller County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.