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Big Thicket Lake Estates, TX

Texas · Polk County

Big Thicket Lake Estates is a small town in Texas with a population of 550. Residents earn $22,074 per year, which is 71% below the national average.

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
550 Population 235/sq mi density
$22,074 Median Income $24,585 per capita
$111,000 Home Value
69°F Avg Temperature 313 sunny days/yr
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.2 / 5.0
$22,074 median income, 0.0% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.8 / 5.0
$111,000 home value
F
Education
1.4 / 5.0
5.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $22,074
71% lower than US avg
Home Value $111,000
61% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 5.0%
85% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.3%
16% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 34.9%
181% higher than US avg

How Big Thicket Lake Estates Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population550
Median Age60.5 yrs
Density235/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Largest GroupWhite 96%
Veterans16.5%

Economy

C
Median Income$22,074
Per Capita$24,585
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty34.9%
County GDP$1,866M
Commute31 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$111,000
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units329
Rent Burden27.9%

Health

Obesity37.3%
Uninsured15.5%
Smoking19.4%
Depression27.2%
Heart Disease6.8%

Climate

Avg Temp69°F (21°C)
AQI42 (Good)
Rain62.8 in/yr
Sunny Days313/yr
Elevation133 ft (41 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+5.0%
High School+57.1%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.10

Community

2024 VoteR 79% / D 20%
Commute31 min
Broadband78.0%
Libraries3

Is Big Thicket Lake Estates a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Big Thicket Lake Estates receives an overall livability score of 2.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. 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. Big Thicket Lake Estates has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Big Thicket Lake Estates is $22,074, 71% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. The poverty rate of 34.9% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Big Thicket Lake Estates is $111,000, 61% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. A price-to-income ratio of 5x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

5.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 57.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Big Thicket Lake Estates enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 69°F. Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. With 313 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 62.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Big Thicket Lake Estates has a population of 550 with a density of 235 people per square mile. The median age is 60.5 years, 56% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96%), with 4% Hispanic.

Population

550
Total Population
235
People / sq mi
60.5yrs
Median Age
56% above US avg
2.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44%
Female 56%

Race & Ethnicity

Big Thicket Lake Estates vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.6%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.4%
67% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Big Thicket Lake Estates vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Big Thicket Lake Estates is $22,074, which is 71% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 34.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Income: Big Thicket Lake Estates vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$22,074
71% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,585
Avg Weekly Wage$978
IRS Avg AGI$71,836

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate34.9%
181% above US avg
Establishments (County)958
County GDP$1,866M

Business (County)

Restaurants84
Healthcare93
Retail151
Manufacturing18

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,442
84% above US avg
Cost of Living97.10 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate5.80%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time31.2 min
Drive Alone97.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Big Thicket Lake Estates is $111,000, 61% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$111,000
61% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden27.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied77.2%
Housing Units329
Median Year Built1979

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,442
84% above US avg
Effective Rate5.80%
In Big Thicket Lake Estates, 37.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 15.5% of residents lack health insurance. 19.4% are current smokers. 27.2% report depression. 29.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Big Thicket Lake Estates vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.3%
16% above US avg
Diabetes11.8%
Heart Disease6.8%
High Blood Pressure34.4%
Asthma11.0%
COPD8.7%
Cancer7.0%
Stroke3.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking19.4%
39% above US avg
Binge Drinking19.6%
Physical Inactivity29.7%
Depression27.2%
Mental Distress21.2%
Physical Distress15.6%
Short Sleep38.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate84.7%
Uninsured15.5%
80% above US avg
Primary Care1:2,076
Dentists1:2,421
Mental Health1:1,548
Checkup Rate71.0%
Dental Visits50.3%
Premature Death13,398/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.7/10
Exercise Access29.2%
Healthcare Facilities93
Big Thicket Lake Estates has an average annual temperature of 69°F (21°C). Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. Annual precipitation is 62.8 inches. The area enjoys 313 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Temperature

53°F Jan (11°C) 84°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average69.1°F
28% above US avg
January Average53°F (11°C)
July Average84°F (29°C)
Sunny Days313 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall62.8 inches
65% above US avg
Snowfall0.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median42.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation133 ft (41 m)
Area2.3 sq mi (6.1 km²)
Population Density235/sq mi
Coordinates30.4877°N, 94.7676°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyPolk County County
County FIPS48373
Big Thicket Lake Estates is located in Polk County County. It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 5.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (85% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 58.9-point margin. 78.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 79.1%
D 20.2%

Winner: Republican by 58.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+5.0%
85% below US avg
High School+57.1%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score5.10
F Education Grade (1.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density235/sq mi
Total Area2.3 sq mi
CountyPolk County County

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access78.0%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities93
Restaurants84
Retail Stores151

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9
FEMA Disaster Declarations182

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute31.2 min
Drive Alone97.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.2%

Nearby Cities

Indian Springs, TX 1,008 pop · 13.9 mi Shepherd, TX 2,124 pop · 14.5 mi Livingston, TX 5,728 pop · 18.4 mi West Livingston, TX 7,888 pop · 21.1 mi Cleveland, TX 8,137 pop · 21.8 mi Coldspring, TX 1,372 pop · 22.7 mi Ivanhoe, TX 1,619 pop · 24.9 mi Daisetta, TX 1,133 pop · 26.8 mi Plum Grove, TX 2,425 pop · 27.8 mi Kountze, TX 1,982 pop · 28.1 mi Woodville, TX 2,884 pop · 28.5 mi Splendora, TX 2,167 pop · 29.6 mi Ames, TX 1,085 pop · 30.6 mi Onalaska, TX 3,133 pop · 30.9 mi
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