Texas’ wealth concentrates in fast-growing suburban hubs around Dallas–Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, and Houston, plus energy-anchored counties in the Permian Basin and along the Gulf Coast.
Below, we rank the state’s highest-earning counties by median household income, then add context—per-capita income and metro/region—so you can compare prosperity across the state at a glance. Figures reflect the most recent government releases.
Wealth Determination Metrics
When evaluating the wealth of Texas counties, it’s crucial to understand the metrics used for determination. We use the latest available 2023 estimates for the Median Household Income (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey). When county population is below the ACS 1-year threshold, we reference the latest 5-year estimates for broader comparability.
Secondary context: Per-capita personal income (PCPI) from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), 2023.
Top 15 Wealthiest Counties in Texas (Quick List)
Ranked by median household income (latest ACS):
- Rockwall County (DFW) – $124,917
- Collin County (DFW) – $117,588
- Fort Bend County (Houston) – $113,409
- Kendall County (San Antonio/Hill Country) – $110,498
- Williamson County (Austin) – $108,309
- Denton County (DFW) – $108,185
- Chambers County (Houston/Upper TX Coast) – $108,114
- Glasscock County (Permian Basin) – $106,806
- Parker County (DFW–West) – $102,099
- Comal County (San Antonio–New Braunfels) – $99,015
- Montgomery County (Houston–The Woodlands) – $97,266
- Travis County (Austin) – $97,169
- Ellis County (DFW–South) – $95,898
- Brazoria County (Houston/Gulf Coast) – $95,155
- Midland County (Permian Basin) – $93,984.
Top Richest Counties
| County (Metro/Region) | Median HH Income | Per-Capita Income (2023 BEA) |
|---|---|---|
| Rockwall (DFW) | $124,917 | $77,307 |
| Collin (DFW) | $117,588 | $86,860 |
| Fort Bend (Houston) | $113,409 | $73,855 |
| Kendall (San Antonio/Hill Country) | $110,498 | $110,116 |
| Williamson (Austin) | $108,309 | $72,828 |
| Denton (DFW) | $108,185 | $77,733 |
| Chambers (Houston area) | $108,114 | $65,907 |
| Glasscock (Permian) | $106,806 | $132,049 |
| Parker (DFW–West) | $102,099 | $74,009 |
| Comal (San Antonio–New Braunfels) | $99,015 | $77,224 |
| Montgomery (Houston–The Woodlands) | $97,266 | $78,644 |
| Travis (Austin) | $97,169 | $91,887 |
| Ellis (DFW–South) | $95,898 | $57,977 |
| Brazoria (Houston/Gulf Coast) | $95,155 | $60,088 |
| Midland (Permian Basin) | $93,984 | $144,532 |
Rockwall County (DFW)
Texas’ smallest county by land area delivers one of its biggest median household incomes. Rapid suburban growth, short commutes into Dallas, and a concentration of professional, managerial, and technical jobs keep earnings elevated. Master-planned neighborhoods around Lake Ray Hubbard attract dual-income families, while local retail and services thrive off that spending power.
Collin County (DFW)
Anchored by Plano, Frisco, and McKinney, Collin County is a magnet for corporate campuses and high-skill services. A deep bench of tech, finance, and professional firms sustains a large pool of six-figure careers. Strong schools and premium housing feed a virtuous cycle of talent attraction and rising household incomes.
Fort Bend County (Houston)
Fort Bend blends Houston’s regional strengths—energy, healthcare, engineering, and logistics—with top-tier master-planned communities. Major employers are within commuting range, yet the county offers suburban amenities and high quality of life. The result is a broad base of high-earning households spread across diverse industries.
Kendall County (Hill Country / San Antonio Area)
Centered on Boerne, Kendall pairs Hill Country lifestyle with access to San Antonio’s job market. Household earnings are buoyed by professional services, small business ownership, and a notable share of investment and retirement income. Upscale residential growth and a strong visitor economy add momentum.
Williamson County (Austin)
North of Austin, Williamson has become a core node of “Silicon Hills” growth. Advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, software, and corporate operations have multiplied high-wage roles. New business investment and supplier ecosystems continue to lift both incomes and long-term prospects.
Denton County (DFW)
Denton County balances higher-education anchors, healthcare systems, and a large professional services base. Master-planned communities and new commercial hubs keep talent local while offering quick access to Dallas and Fort Worth. Many households are dual-earner professionals, which pushes the median higher.
Chambers County (Upper Texas Coast)
East of Houston, Chambers benefits from energy, petrochemicals, and port-connected logistics. The I-10 corridor and industrial expansions sustain well-paid skilled trades and technical roles. New housing and infrastructure investments have followed, reinforcing above-average household income.
Glasscock & Midland Counties (Permian Basin)
Midland posts high household medians thanks to headquarters, field services, and professional roles tied to oil and gas. Glasscock, with a very small population, often ranks extremely high on per-person income due to mineral and royalty flows. Both counties illustrate how capital-intensive energy activity can translate into outsized earnings.
Parker & Ellis Counties (DFW Exurbs)
On the western and southern edges of DFW, Parker and Ellis attract families seeking newer housing at suburban price points. Many residents commute into regional job centers while local employers in healthcare, education, and logistics add stability. The combination supports solid, rising household incomes.
Comal & Montgomery Counties (San Antonio–New Braunfels & Houston–The Woodlands)
Comal’s New Braunfels corridor draws professionals from both San Antonio and Austin, with strong construction, hospitality, and services. Montgomery, home to The Woodlands, mixes corporate offices, healthcare, and energy-adjacent roles. Both counties feature premium neighborhoods that attract high-earning households.
Travis County (Austin)
As the state’s tech and creative hub, Travis County concentrates software, design, clean-energy, and professional services—plus state government and higher education. Startup activity and corporate engineering centers create dense clusters of high-pay roles. The county’s vibrant quality of life helps retain and recycle talent, sustaining strong per-capita earnings.
Brazoria County (Gulf Coast / Houston Metro)
Brazoria’s economy reaches from petrochemicals and refining to aerospace and medical research spillovers. Port access, industrial expansions, and skilled technical jobs underpin household incomes. A growing suburban footprint adds professional services and retail, reinforcing a balanced earnings mix.
Industries Behind High Incomes
Tech & Semiconductors
Texas’ tech engine spans software, cloud, and chipmaking, with the Austin–Round Rock corridor and North Austin suburbs at the core. Semiconductor fabrication and advanced electronics have brought large capital projects and supplier networks, multiplying engineering and technician roles. Corporate tech offices across DFW further deepen the pool of high-wage jobs in product, data, and cybersecurity.
Energy & Petrochemicals
From the Permian Basin to the Houston Ship Channel, energy remains a prime driver of outsized earnings. Exploration and production support high-pay engineering, geoscience, and field services, while Gulf Coast refining and petrochemicals add chemistry, process, and maintenance careers. Capital intensity and global demand create per-capita income levels that can outpace most other sectors.
Healthcare & Life Sciences
Large hospital systems and research institutions in Houston, DFW, and Austin sustain a broad ladder of high-skill opportunities. Physicians, advanced practice providers, specialized nursing, biotech R&D, and medical device roles all contribute to elevated household incomes. As populations grow and age, this sector steadily adds resilient, well-compensated jobs across multiple counties.
Cost of Living & Property Taxes
High earnings don’t always translate to affordability. Many wealthy counties feature premium home prices and longer commutes that raise transportation costs. Texas’ lack of state income tax is partially offset by some of the highest property tax rates in the U.S.; recent legislation boosted the homestead exemption and compressed school M&O rates to provide relief, but effective bills can still be significant in high-value suburbs. When comparing counties, weigh take-home pay against housing, taxes, and commuting.
Counties on the Rise
Even outside the top 15, several counties are rapidly climbing the income ranks thanks to population and job growth:
- Kaufman County (DFW–East): Among the nation’s fastest-growing counties by population; bedroom-community growth plus logistics and services are pushing incomes higher.
- Hays County (Austin–San Marcos): Growth from Austin spillover and Texas State University continues to attract tech and professional households.
- Comal County (New Braunfels): Already top-10 by median income; sustained in-migration from both San Antonio and Austin corridors points to further gains.
- Rockwall & Williamson: These leaders keep stretching their advantage on the back of corporate expansions in DFW and Austin’s north suburb
