RANK #954 / 996 · POP 70,062 · TX
PROJECTED GROWTH: -3.0%
Wise County, Texas, is often recognized first for its historic Wise County Courthouse in Decatur, a Romanesque Revival structure built in 1896 that anchors the county seat. Located in North Texas, approximately 35-40 miles northwest of Fort Worth, the county offers a blend of rural landscapes and small-town communities. Commutes to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex are common, with options including personal vehicles on major highways like US 81/287 and US 380, and commuter vanpool programs. The area features rolling hills and natural scenery, with outdoor recreation centered around Lake Bridgeport and the LBJ National Grasslands, providing opportunities for boating, fishing, hiking, and camping.
Life in Wise County appeals to families and those seeking a slower pace, while still having access to urban amenities. The community is experiencing growth, with new residential developments. The economy is expanding, driven by investment in commercial and residential properties, as well as activity in sectors such as energy and infrastructure. This growth presents both opportunities and challenges for the county's towns.
Above national median (4.7x)
Contracting economy
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.2x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
New Residential Developments (25,000+ homes)
Multiple Developers
|
$2,500M | Planned |
|
Wise County Battery Storage Portfolio (4 projects)
Multiple (e.g., Cleanview tracked projects)
|
$889M | Planned |
|
CyrusOne Data Center Campus
CyrusOne
|
$600M | Planned |
|
Wise Innovation Hub Data Center Complex
Wise Innovation Hub LLC / Red Post Energy
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Wise Moves Thoroughfare Master Plan
Wise County
|
$500M | Planned |
|
Sandford Solar and Storage
Belltown Power Texas 2, LLC
|
$126M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Wise County has a Boom Town Index score of 4/100, ranking #954 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -3.7% and a median household income of $85,385, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Wise County is $248,400 with median rent at $1,137/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3437, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +3.2% year-over-year. Job growth: -3.7%. Home values changed -2.5% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 6.9% of Wise County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.