Town in Brown County

Living in Early, TX

C+

347th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 53 of 100

We give Early a C+. It ranks 347th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on getting around and internet access, and trails on safety and health.

  • Short commutes
  • Safety scores low (15 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Early isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthEarly
Where Early is in Texas.
Population
3,117+2.1% since 2020
Median rent
$1,22713% lower than Texas
Median home value
$179,80037% lower than Texas
Household income
$67,346Median
Average commute
18 minOne way
Violent crime
689Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Early

Early is a town in Brown County. 3,117 people lived here in 2025, up 2.1% from 2020. It is spread out.

Local spots people know include Early City Park and McDonald Park.

The median age is 36.5, 34% of households have children, 71% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $67,346 a year (14% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Early

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $1,227, 13% lower than the Texas median.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 18 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Cons of living in Early

  • Higher violent crime. 689 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 78% higher than the Texas rate.
  • Higher unemployment. 7.6% of the labor force is out of work, against 5.3% statewide.
  • Long, hot summers. Expect about 116 days a year at 90°F or hotter.

Who Early suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit: 25% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 78% higher than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 24% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 14% lower than the Texas median, with 22 restaurants and 2 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 80% for young professionals.
  • RetireesNot the best fit: 14% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 78% higher than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 22% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 92% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,227 is 13% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 70% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $1,227 is 13% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 51% for people on a budget.

Early report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Early with other US towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

  • Cost of living: grade B-

    Median rent $1,227, homes cost 2.7x income.

    57 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade C-

    Median household income $67,346, 7.6% unemployed.

    35 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade C

    4 rated campuses, 25% rated A or B.

    46 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: grade D-

    689 violent crimes per 100k, 909 property crimes per 100k.

    15 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: no grade

    0 grocery stores, 22 restaurants, 2 parks mapped in town.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade B+

    Average commute 18 min, 9.3% work from home.

    76 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade B-

    28% have a bachelor’s degree.

    56 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D+

    14% of adults uninsured.

    30 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade C

    71% of homes owner-occupied.

    47 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade B-

    92% of homes have broadband.

    59 of 100 vs US towns

Where Early stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 38%13 points lower than Texas (52%)
  • Average commute: 18 min33% lower than Texas (27 min)
  • Home value to income: 2.7x26% lower than Texas (3.6x)

Worse than Texas

  • Median household income: $67,34614% lower than Texas ($78,476)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 28%6 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Unemployment rate: 7.6%2 points higher than Texas (5.3%)

Cost of living in Early

Early renters pay a median of $1,227 a month, 13% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $49,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 38% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $869 for a one-bedroom, $1,137 for a two-bedroom and $1,468 for a three-bedroom (fiscal year 2027). These figures include utilities and describe a modest unit, so newer apartments often ask for more.

The median home is worth $179,800, 37% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $984 before tax, or $1,180 with property tax. That is close to the median rent, so buying can make sense if you plan to stay.

Texas has no state income tax, but it leans on property taxes instead, though they are lighter here than in much of the state. The median homeowner in Early pays $2,349 a year, 44% lower than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in EarlyStudio$8431 bedroom$8692 bedrooms$1,1373 bedrooms$1,4684 bedrooms$1,650
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Brown County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent13% lower than Texas$1,227$1,403$1,413
Median home value37% lower than Texas$179,800$283,800$332,700
Home value to income26% lower than Texas2.7x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent13 points lower than Texas38%52%51%
Median property tax per year44% lower than Texas$2,349$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them9 points higher than Texas71%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas198219921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$1,180
Mortgage payment
$984
Property tax
$196
Median rent, for comparison
$1,227

Based on a $179,800 home in Early, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median paid locally, or the county median where the local figure is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.

Is Early safe?

In 2025, Early Police Department reported 22 violent crimes and 29 property crimes. That works out to 689 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 78% higher than the Texas rate of 387, and 909 property crimes per 100,000, 56% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime is up about 36% since 2021, based on the yearly rates below.

Crime rates describe the whole area a police department covers. Some streets are much quieter than the average and some are busier, so look at the neighborhood grades and visit at different times of day.

Violent crimes per 100,000 people in Early by yearTexas68920212022202320242025

Violent crimes per 100,000 people by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.

Violent crime
689
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
909
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Early by yearTexas90920212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Early Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.

Schools in Early

Early has 4 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 25% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Early ISD.

Texas districts usually assign students by attendance zone rather than the closest campus, so check the zone for a specific address with the district before you sign a lease or buy.

Schools grade
46
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
80
Texas median 81

Ratings are the 2025 Texas Education Agency A to F accountability ratings. Always check which school serves a specific address with the district.

Top-rated schools

  • BEarly High SchoolHigh, Early ISD81 of 100
  • CEarly ElementaryElementary, Early ISD79 of 100
  • CEarly MiddleMiddle, Early ISD79 of 100
  • CEarly PriElementary, Early ISD79 of 100

Daily life in Early

Everyday places mapped inside Early, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Early City Park, McDonald Park.

The average one-way commute is 18 minutes, 33% shorter than the Texas average. 9% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown Brownwood is about 3 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Early work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $67,346, income per person is $34,671, unemployment is 7.6% and 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
0
Pharmacies
1
Restaurants
22
Cafes
2
Bars
1
Parks
2
Gyms
3
Hospitals and urgent care
2
Childcare
2
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income14% lower than Texas$67,346$78,476$80,734
Income per person15% lower than Texas$34,671$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate2 points higher than Texas7.6%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line3 points lower than Texas11%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher6 points lower than Texas28%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher6 points higher than Texas92%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance6 points lower than Texas14%20%11%
Homes with broadband internetAbout the same as Texas92%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute33% lower than Texas18 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home5 points lower than Texas9.3%14%15%
Workers who work from home9.3%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk1.5%
Workers who bike0.2%

Who lives in Early

Under 1827%
18 to 3421%
35 to 6436%
65 and over16%

Median age 36.5 years. 34% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White76%
Hispanic or Latino18%
Black1.8%
Asian1.1%
Other or more than one race3.4%

Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.

Weather in Early

Early has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 97°F and January lows about 32°F. There are about 116 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 31 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Early30°50°70°90°60J64F71M79A85M93J96J97A90S80O69N61DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Brownwood 2ene, 1 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

    Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025, Census tract level averaged for the city. Check the FEMA flood map for any address before you buy.

    Places near Early

    Nearby, Brownwood gets a D+, Bangs gets a C+ and Lake Brownwood gets a D-. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

    1. D+BrownwoodSmall city, 18,777 people2 mi
    2. C+BangsTown, 1,633 people11 mi
    3. D-Lake BrownwoodTown, 1,544 people11 mi
    4. B-Santa AnnaTown, 1,022 people22 mi
    5. B-ComancheTown, 4,295 people23 mi
    6. DColemanTown, 3,973 people29 mi

    Living in Early: common questions

    Is Early, TX a good place to live?

    We give Early a C+. It ranks 347th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on getting around and internet access, and trails on safety and health.

    How much does it cost to live in Early?

    Renters in Early pay a median of $1,227 a month, 13% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $179,800, 37% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 2.7x the median household income, compared with 3.6x across Texas. With 20% down at a 7.28% rate, the monthly payment on a median home is about $1,180, including property tax.

    Is Early safe?

    In 2025, Early Police Department reported 689 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 78% higher than the Texas rate. Property crime was 909 per 100,000, 56% lower than the Texas rate.

    Are the schools good in Early?

    We found 4 rated public school campuses inside Early. 25% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 46 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

    What is the weather like in Early?

    Summers in Early peak at about 97°F in July, and January nights fall to about 32°F. Expect around 116 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 31 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Early?

    The average one-way commute is 18 min, 33% lower than the Texas average. About 9.3% of workers work from home. It is about 3 miles from downtown Brownwood.

    Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year and 2025 population estimates, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings, FBI Crime Data Explorer, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, Overture Maps. Updated 2026-10-04. How we grade.