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Amherst, TX

Texas

Amherst is a small town in Texas with a population of 913. Residents earn $54,583 per year, which is 27% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
913 Population 992/sq mi density
$54,583 Median Income $16,525 per capita
$36,300 Home Value $86,945 Zillow
$969 Median Rent 17.7% income on rent
59°F Avg Temperature 330 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$54,583 median income, 0.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$36,300 home value, $969/mo rent
D
Education
1.5 / 5.0
6.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $54,583
27% lower than US avg
Home Value $36,300
87% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 6.3%
81% lower than US avg
Median Rent $969
17% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.2%
31% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.6%
83% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 25.0%
102% higher than US avg

How Amherst Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population913
Median Age37.5 yrs
Density992/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Largest GroupWhite 81%
Veterans3.1%

Economy

B
Median Income$54,583
Per Capita$16,525
Unemployment0.6%
Poverty25.0%
County GDP$1,006M
Commute16 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$36,300
Rent$969
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$86,945
Housing Units327
Rent Burden17.7%

Health

Obesity42.2%
Uninsured31.7%
Smoking15.8%
Depression21.2%
Heart Disease6.6%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F (15°C)
AQI42 (Good)
Rain19.0 in/yr
Sunny Days330/yr
Elevation3,648 ft (1,112 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+6.3%
High School+74.5%
Graduate+0.9%
School Score5.10

Community

2024 VoteR 82% / D 18%
Commute16 min
Broadband85.4%
Libraries3

Is Amherst a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Amherst receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, a high uninsured rate, below-average incomes. Amherst offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Amherst is $54,583, 27% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.6%. The poverty rate of 25.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Amherst is $36,300, 87% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $969 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 0.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

6.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 74.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Amherst enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. With 330 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 19.0 inches, including 7.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Amherst has a population of 913 with a density of 992 people per square mile. The median age is 37.5 years, 4% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (80.8%).

Population

913
Total Population
992
People / sq mi
37.5yrs
Median Age
4% below US avg
0.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 41.8%
Female 58.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Amherst vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only40.4%
49% below US avg
Spanish59.6%
345% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Amherst vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Amherst is $54,583, which is 27% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 25.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes.

Income: Amherst vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$54,583
27% below US avg
Per Capita Income$16,525
Avg Weekly Wage$1,012
IRS Avg AGI$54,060

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.6%
83% below US avg
Poverty Rate25.0%
102% above US avg
Establishments (County)414
County GDP$1,006M

Business (County)

Restaurants16
Healthcare23
Retail34
Manufacturing11

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,656
33% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate12.83%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.8 min
Drive Alone71.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Amherst is $36,300, 87% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $969 (17% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $86,945.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$36,300
87% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$86,945

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$969
17% below US avg
Rent Burden17.7%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$887
1 Bedroom$935
2 Bedrooms$1,149
3 Bedrooms$1,497
4 Bedrooms$1,733

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied70.0%
Housing Units327
Median Year Built1956

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,656
33% above US avg
Effective Rate12.83%
In Amherst, 42.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 31.7% of residents lack health insurance. 15.8% are current smokers. 21.2% report depression. 37.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Amherst vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.2%
31% above US avg
Diabetes15.4%
Heart Disease6.6%
High Blood Pressure35.5%
Asthma9.4%
COPD6.8%
Cancer5.5%
Stroke3.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.8%
13% above US avg
Binge Drinking16.7%
Physical Inactivity37.2%
Depression21.2%
Mental Distress18.4%
Physical Distress16.4%
Short Sleep39.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate54.3%
Uninsured31.7%
269% above US avg
Checkup Rate71.5%
Dental Visits46.4%
Premature Death12,062/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.2/10
Exercise Access49.0%
Healthcare Facilities23
Amherst has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 19.0 inches. The area enjoys 330 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average58.6°F
9% above US avg
January Average39°F (4°C)
July Average78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall19.0 inches
50% below US avg
Snowfall7.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median42.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation3,648 ft (1,112 m)
Area0.9 sq mi (2.4 km²)
Population Density992/sq mi
Coordinates34.0120°N, 102.4148°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS48279
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 6.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (81% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 64.3-point margin. 85.4% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 81.9%
D 17.6%

Winner: Republican by 64.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+6.3%
81% below US avg
High School+74.5%
Graduate Degree+0.9%
School Test Score5.10
D Education Grade (1.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density992/sq mi
Total Area0.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access85.4%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities23
Restaurants16
Retail Stores34

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.8 min
Drive Alone71.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.8%

Nearby Cities

Sudan, TX 1,132 pop · 7.3 mi Littlefield, TX 5,886 pop · 7.9 mi Olton, TX 1,568 pop · 19.7 mi Anton, TX 1,121 pop · 20.1 mi Muleshoe, TX 5,328 pop · 23.4 mi Morton, TX 1,510 pop · 28.0 mi Levelland, TX 12,565 pop · 29.9 mi Hale Center, TX 1,705 pop · 32.8 mi Shallowater, TX 2,935 pop · 33.0 mi Abernathy, TX 3,108 pop · 34.7 mi Dimmitt, TX 4,143 pop · 37.5 mi Sundown, TX 1,477 pop · 38.6 mi Plainview, TX 19,893 pop · 41.4 mi Wolfforth, TX 6,189 pop · 42.0 mi
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