At a Glance
Median Income
$54,583
$16,525 per capita
Home Value
$36,300
Zillow: $98,180
Median Rent
$969/mo
17.7% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
6.3%
74.5% high school+
Unemployment
1.2%
25.0% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
42.2%
15.8% smoking rate
How Amherst Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Amherst's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Amherst a Good Place to Live?
B
3.2 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Amherst residents earn a median household income of $54,583 , which is 27% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $16,525. The unemployment rate stands at 1.2% (67% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 25.0% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 414 business establishments, including 16 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Amherst is $36,300 , 87% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $98,180. Median rent is $969/month, with 17.7% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 97.1 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1956.
Education
6.3% of adults in Amherst hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(81% below the national average).
74.5% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.9/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Amherst has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C).
Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 18.0 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population913
Median Age37.5 yrs
Density992/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Foreign Born39.9%
Veterans3.1%
Economy
B
Median Income$54,583
Per Capita$16,525
Unemployment1.2%
Poverty25.0%
County GDP$1,006M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,012
Housing
A+
Home Value$36,300
Rent$969
Ownership70.0%
Zillow$98,180
Housing Units327
Rent Burden17.7%
Health
Obesity42.2%
Diabetes15.4%
Smoking15.8%
Heart Disease6.6%
Premature Death12,062/100K
Climate
Avg Temp59°F
Rain18.0 in/yr
Elevation3,648 ft
Education
D
Bachelor's+6.3%
High School+74.5%
Graduate+0.9%
School Score4.9/10
Community
2024 VoteR 82% / D 18%
Commute16 min
Broadband85.4%
Internet Speed29 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries3
Did You Know?
The median home in Amherst was built in 1956.
The nearest airport is Lubbock Preston Smith International (42 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.437 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
9.2% of the population has a disability.
39.9% of residents are foreign-born.
The county recorded 5 fatal vehicle crashes.