Town in Nacogdoches County

Living in Garrison, TX

C+

369th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 50 of 100

We give Garrison a C+. It ranks 369th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on schools and cost of living, and trails on jobs and income and home ownership.

  • Top-rated schools
  • Jobs and income scores low (10 of 100)
  • Home ownership scores low (14 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Garrison isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthGarrison
Where Garrison is in Texas.
Population
833+5.3% since 2020
Median rent
$85339% lower than Texas
Median home value
$91,30068% lower than Texas
Household income
$48,125Median
Average commute
23 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Garrison

Garrison is a town in Nacogdoches County. 833 people lived here in 2025, up 5.3% from 2020. It is spread out.

The median age is 48.8, 21% of households have children, 59% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $48,125 a year (39% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Garrison

  • Strong public schools. 100% of the 3 rated campuses here earn an A or B from the Texas Education Agency.
  • Lower rent. Median rent is $853, 39% lower than the Texas median.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 1.9 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 23 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Cons of living in Garrison

  • Higher unemployment. 14% of the labor force is out of work, against 5.3% statewide.

Who Garrison suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit: 100% of rated schools earn an A or B. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 75% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 39% lower than the Texas median, with 5 restaurants and 1 cafe in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 29% for young professionals.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 84% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $853 is 39% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 28% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $853 is 39% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 54% for people on a budget.

Garrison report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Garrison 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 $853, homes cost 1.9x income.

    64 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade D-

    Median household income $48,125, 14% unemployed.

    10 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade A-

    3 rated campuses, 100% rated A or B.

    87 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: no grade

    No full year of crime data from local police.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: no grade

    1 grocery store, 5 restaurants, 0 parks mapped in town.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade C

    Average commute 23 min, 8.2% work from home.

    48 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade D

    16% have a bachelor’s degree.

    23 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D+

    13% of adults uninsured.

    28 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade D-

    59% of homes owner-occupied.

    14 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade D

    84% of homes have broadband.

    21 of 100 vs US towns

Where Garrison stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Home value to income: 1.9x48% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Median rent: $85339% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 13%6 points lower than Texas (20%)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 16%18 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Median household income: $48,12539% lower than Texas ($78,476)
  • Unemployment rate: 14%9 points higher than Texas (5.3%)

Cost of living in Garrison

Garrison renters pay a median of $853 a month, 39% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $34,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 60% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $944 for a one-bedroom, $1,139 for a two-bedroom and $1,357 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 $91,300, 68% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $500 before tax, or $585 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 Garrison pays $1,021 a year, 76% 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 GarrisonStudio$9021 bedroom$9442 bedrooms$1,1393 bedrooms$1,3574 bedrooms$1,527
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Nacogdoches County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent39% lower than Texas$853$1,403$1,413
Median home value68% lower than Texas$91,300$283,800$332,700
Home value to income48% lower than Texas1.9x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent9 points higher than Texas60%52%51%
Median property tax per year76% lower than Texas$1,021$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them4 points lower than Texas59%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas197919921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$585
Mortgage payment
$500
Property tax
$85
Median rent, for comparison
$853

Based on a $91,300 home in Garrison, 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.

Schools in Garrison

Garrison has 3 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 100% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Garrison ISD.

Top-rated campuses include Garrison Elementary. The average rating score across all campuses is 89 out of 100, against a Texas median of 81.

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
87
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
89
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

  • AGarrison ElementaryElementary, Garrison ISD93 of 100
  • BGarrison MiddleMiddle, Garrison ISD89 of 100
  • BGarrison High SchoolHigh, Garrison ISD85 of 100

Daily life in Garrison

Everyday places mapped inside Garrison, from Overture Maps.

The average one-way commute is 23 minutes, 15% shorter than the Texas average. 8% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown Nacogdoches is about 17 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Garrison work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $48,125, income per person is $30,320, unemployment is 14% and 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
1
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
5
Cafes
1
Bars
0
Parks
0
Gyms
0
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
0
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income39% lower than Texas$48,125$78,476$80,734
Income per person26% lower than Texas$30,320$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate9 points higher than Texas14%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line2 points higher than Texas16%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher18 points lower than Texas16%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higherAbout the same as Texas86%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance6 points lower than Texas13%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet8 points lower than Texas84%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute15% lower than Texas23 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home6 points lower than Texas8.2%14%15%
Workers who work from home8.2%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0.9%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Garrison

Under 1817%
18 to 3416%
35 to 6441%
65 and over26%

Median age 48.8 years. 21% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White61%
Hispanic or Latino4.9%
Black25%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race8.9%

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

Weather in Garrison

Garrison has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 93°F and January lows about 36°F. There are about 98 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 50 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Garrison30°50°70°90°58J62F69M76A83M89J93J93A88S78O68N60DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Nacogdoches, 17 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 Garrison

    Nearby, Timpson gets a C, Tenaha gets a D+ and Nacogdoches 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. CTimpsonTown, 1,063 people8 mi
    2. D+TenahaTown, 1,239 people17 mi
    3. D-NacogdochesSmall city, 32,197 people17 mi
    4. C-CenterTown, 5,271 people19 mi
    5. C+CarthageTown, 6,601 people24 mi
    6. D+HendersonSmall city, 13,385 people29 mi

    Living in Garrison: common questions

    Is Garrison, TX a good place to live?

    We give Garrison a C+. It ranks 369th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on schools and cost of living, and trails on jobs and income and home ownership.

    How much does it cost to live in Garrison?

    Renters in Garrison pay a median of $853 a month, 39% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $91,300, 68% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 1.9x 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 $585, including property tax.

    Is Garrison safe?

    In 2025, Garrison Police Department reported 120 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 69% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 120 per 100,000, 94% lower than the Texas rate. This agency reported only part of the year, so the rate is shown but not scored.

    Are the schools good in Garrison?

    We found 3 rated public school campuses inside Garrison. 100% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 87 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

    What is the weather like in Garrison?

    Summers in Garrison peak at about 93°F in July, and January nights fall to about 36°F. Expect around 98 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 50 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Garrison?

    The average one-way commute is 23 min, 15% lower than the Texas average. About 8.2% of workers work from home. It is about 17 miles from downtown Nacogdoches.

    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.