Town in Rains County

Living in Emory, TX

D

613th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 18 of 100

We give Emory a D. It ranks 613th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on schools and getting around, and trails on home ownership and jobs and income.

  • Fast-growing
  • Jobs and income scores low (17 of 100)
  • Home ownership scores low (11 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Emory isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthEmory
Where Emory is in Texas.
Population
1,413+13.1% since 2020
Median rent
$94033% lower than Texas
Median home value
$218,10023% lower than Texas
Household income
$36,500Median
Average commute
27 minOne way
Violent crime
281Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Emory

Emory is a town in Rains County. 1,413 people lived here in 2025, up 13.1% from 2020, so it is one of the faster-growing places in Texas. It is small-town and rural in feel.

Places locals use include Sandy Creek Park, Ruby Mckeowan Park and Emory Park.

The median age is 34.8, 34% of households have children, 48% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $36,500 a year (53% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Emory

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $940, 33% lower than the Texas median.

Cons of living in Emory

  • Homes are pricey for local incomes. The median home costs 6.0 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Higher poverty. 29% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.

Who Emory suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit: violent crime is 28% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 25% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 53% lower than the Texas median, with 29 restaurants and 2 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 17% for young professionals.
  • RetireesNot the best fit: 13% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 28% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 18% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 83% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $940 is 33% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 8% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetNot the best fit: the median rent of $940 is 33% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 25% for people on a budget.

Emory report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Emory 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 C-

    Median rent $940, homes cost 6.0x income.

    38 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade D

    Median household income $36,500, 3.1% unemployed.

    17 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade B-

    Not enough data.

    60 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: grade D+

    281 violent crimes per 100k, 912 property crimes per 100k.

    28 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: no grade

    3 grocery stores, 29 restaurants, 3 parks mapped in town.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade C

    Average commute 27 min, 7.0% work from home.

    43 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade D

    21% have a bachelor’s degree.

    24 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D+

    13% of adults uninsured.

    29 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade D-

    48% of homes owner-occupied.

    11 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade D

    83% of homes have broadband.

    18 of 100 vs US towns

Where Emory stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Median rent: $94033% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 39%13 points lower than Texas (52%)
  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 13%7 points lower than Texas (20%)

Worse than Texas

  • Home value to income: 6.0x65% higher than Texas (3.6x)
  • Median household income: $36,50053% lower than Texas ($78,476)
  • People below the poverty line: 29%15 points higher than Texas (14%)

Cost of living in Emory

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Emory is $940 a month, 33% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $38,000 a year. Right now 39% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $800 for a one-bedroom, $1,014 for a two-bedroom and $1,404 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 $218,100, 23% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,194 before tax, or $1,408 with property tax. That is $468 a month more than the median rent, so renting is the cheaper monthly choice unless you plan to stay for years.

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 Emory pays $2,571 a year, 39% 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 EmoryStudio$7711 bedroom$8002 bedrooms$1,0143 bedrooms$1,4044 bedrooms$1,583
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Rains County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent33% lower than Texas$940$1,403$1,413
Median home value23% lower than Texas$218,100$283,800$332,700
Home value to income65% higher than Texas6.0x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent13 points lower than Texas39%52%51%
Median property tax per year39% lower than Texas$2,571$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them15 points lower than Texas48%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas198219921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$1,408
Mortgage payment
$1,194
Property tax
$214
Median rent, for comparison
$940

Based on a $218,100 home in Emory, 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 Emory safe?

In 2025, Emory Police Department reported 4 violent crimes and 13 property crimes. That works out to 281 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 28% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 912 property crimes per 100,000, 56% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime is down about 22% 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 Emory by yearTexas28120212022202320242025

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

Violent crime
281
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
912
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Emory by yearTexas91220212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

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

Daily life in Emory

Everyday places mapped inside Emory, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Sandy Creek Park, Ruby Mckeowan Park, Emory Park.

The average one-way commute is 27 minutes, about the same as the Texas average. 7% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

The median household income is $36,500, income per person is $22,906, unemployment is 3.1% and 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
3
Pharmacies
3
Restaurants
29
Cafes
2
Bars
3
Parks
3
Gyms
4
Hospitals and urgent care
2
Childcare
1
Libraries
1

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income53% lower than Texas$36,500$78,476$80,734
Income per person44% lower than Texas$22,906$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate2 points lower than Texas3.1%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line15 points higher than Texas29%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher12 points lower than Texas21%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher7 points lower than Texas79%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance7 points lower than Texas13%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet9 points lower than Texas83%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commuteAbout the same as Texas27 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home7 points lower than Texas7.0%14%15%
Workers who work from home7.0%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk2.6%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Emory

Under 1823%
18 to 3427%
35 to 6423%
65 and over26%

Median age 34.8 years. 34% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White88%
Hispanic or Latino2.1%
Black8.4%
Asian0.2%
Other or more than one race1.6%

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

Weather in Emory

Emory has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 92°F and January lows about 33°F. There are about 75 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 45 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Emory30°50°70°90°55J59F67M74A81M88J92J92A87S77O66N57DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Emory, 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 Emory

    Nearby, West Tawakoni gets a D, Grand Saline gets a C- and Edgewood gets a B+. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

    1. DWest TawakoniTown, 2,382 people14 mi
    2. C-Grand SalineTown, 3,203 people14 mi
    3. B+EdgewoodTown, 1,927 people14 mi
    4. D-Wills PointTown, 3,921 people18 mi
    5. C+QuitmanTown, 2,420 people20 mi
    6. B+Sulphur SpringsSmall city, 16,401 people21 mi

    Living in Emory: common questions

    Is Emory, TX a good place to live?

    We give Emory a D. It ranks 613th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on schools and getting around, and trails on home ownership and jobs and income.

    How much does it cost to live in Emory?

    Median rent in Emory is $940 a month, 33% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $218,100, 23% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 6.0x 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 $1,408, including property tax.

    Is Emory safe?

    In 2025, Emory Police Department reported 281 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 28% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 912 per 100,000, 56% lower than the Texas rate.

    What is the weather like in Emory?

    Summers in Emory peak at about 92°F in July, and January nights fall to about 33°F. Expect around 75 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 45 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Emory?

    The average one-way commute is 27 min, about the same as the Texas average. About 7.0% of workers work from home.

    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.