Preston, TX

Texas · Metropolitan Area

Preston is a small town in Texas with a population of 1,617. Residents earn $64,803 per year, which is 14% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
1,617 Population 321/sq mi density
$64,803 Median Income $37,929 per capita
$184,600 Home Value
$1,704 Median Rent
64°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$64,803 median income, 6.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$184,600 home value, $1,704/mo rent
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $64,803
14% lower than US avg
Home Value $184,600
35% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.3%
66% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,704
47% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.5%
4% higher than US avg
Unemployment 6.7%
86% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.3%
73% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,617
Median Age52.0 yrs
Density321/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Largest GroupWhite 90%

Economy

B+
Median Income$64,803
Per Capita$37,929
Unemployment6.7%
Poverty3.3%
County GDP$8,370M
Commute38 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$184,600
Rent$1,704
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity33.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.5%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp64°F
AQI42 (Good)
Rain44.3 in/yr
Elevation647 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.3%
High School+96.4%
School Score5.10

Community

2024 VoteR 77% / D 22%
Commute38 min
Libraries9

Is Preston a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Preston receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, long commute times. Preston offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Preston is $64,803, 14% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 6.7% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 3.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 38 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Preston is $184,600, 35% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,704 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. At just 2.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

11.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 96.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Preston enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F. Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 44.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Preston has a population of 1,617 with a density of 321 people per square mile. The median age is 52.0 years, 34% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.2%), with 6.5% Hispanic.

Population

1,617
Total Population
321
People / sq mi
52.0yrs
Median Age
34% above US avg
5.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44%
Female 56%

Race & Ethnicity

Preston vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.5%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.5%
89% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Preston vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Preston is $64,803, which is 14% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 6.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 3.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 38 minutes.

Income: Preston vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$64,803
14% below US avg
Per Capita Income$37,929
Avg Weekly Wage$1,121
IRS Avg AGI$77,812

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment6.7%
86% above US avg
Poverty Rate3.3%
73% below US avg
Establishments (County)3,223
County GDP$8,370M

Business (County)

Restaurants260
Healthcare387
Retail463
Manufacturing118

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,307
109% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.96%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time38.4 min
Work from Home9.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Preston is $184,600, 35% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,704 (47% above US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$184,600
35% below US avg
Median List Price$362,450

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$362,450
$/Sq Ft$152
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio96.5%
Price Drops22.2%
Inventory27

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,704
47% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied67.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,307
109% above US avg
Effective Rate3.96%
In Preston, 33.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.5% report depression. 25.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.5%
4% above US avg
Diabetes10.1%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure32.0%
Asthma10.6%
COPD6.6%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.8%
Physical Inactivity25.1%
Depression26.5%
Mental Distress19.9%
Physical Distress13.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate72.9%
Checkup Rate72.0%
Premature Death9,794/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access77.6%
Healthcare Facilities387

Crime Rates: Preston vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)30

Safety Score

Preston has an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation is 44.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 83°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average63.6°F
18% above US avg
January Average43°F (6°C)
July Average83°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall44.3 inches
17% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median42.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation647 ft (197 m)
Area5.0 sq mi (13.0 km²)
Population Density321/sq mi
Coordinates33.8655°N, 96.6635°W
County FIPS48181
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 11.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (66% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 54.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 76.7%
D 22.5%

Winner: Republican by 54.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.3%
66% below US avg
High School+96.4%
School Test Score5.10
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density321/sq mi
Total Area5.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries9
Healthcare Facilities387
Restaurants260
Retail Stores463

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)30

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute38.4 min
Work from Home9.5%

Nearby Cities

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