Town in Gregg County, part of the Longview metro
Living in Gladewater, TX
678th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 9 of 100
16th of 16 in the Longview area
Gladewater earns a grade of D- on our index, 678th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on errands and things to do and cost of living, and trails on schools and health.
- Schools scores low (9 of 100)
- Health scores low (12 of 100)
- Population
- 6,306+2.8% since 2020
- Median rent
- $1,06024% lower than Texas
- Median home value
- $174,00039% lower than Texas
- Household income
- $58,810Median
- Average commute
- 24 minOne way
- Violent crime
- 315Per 100k, 2025
What it's like to live in Gladewater
Gladewater sits about 11 miles from downtown Longview, in the Longview metro. 6,306 people lived here in 2025, up 2.8% from 2020. It is small-town and rural in feel.
Places locals use include Bumble Bee Park, Everett Park and Friends of the Lee-Bardwell Public Library.
The median age is 33.2, 39% of households have children, 62% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $58,810 a year (25% lower than the Texas median).
Pros of living in Gladewater
- Lower rent. Median rent is $1,060, 24% lower than the Texas median.
Cons of living in Gladewater
- Weaker school ratings. Only 25% of the 4 rated campuses earn an A or B from the state.
- Higher poverty. 23% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
- Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of tornadoes, heat waves and hail as very high here.
- Long, hot summers. Expect about 112 days a year at 90°F or hotter.
Who Gladewater suits
- FamiliesNot the best fit: 25% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 19% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 7% for families.
- Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 25% lower than the Texas median, with 27 restaurants and 5 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 42% for young professionals.
- RetireesNot the best fit: 15% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 19% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 27% for retirees.
- Remote workersNot the best fit: 83% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,060 is 24% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 31% for remote workers.
- People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $1,060 is 24% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 51% for people on a budget.
Gladewater report card
Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Gladewater 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 $1,060, homes cost 3.0x income.
60 of 100 vs US townsJobs and income: grade D
Median household income $58,810, 5.0% unemployed.
23 of 100 vs US townsSchools: grade D-
4 rated campuses, 25% rated A or B.
9 of 100 vs TX townsSafety: grade D
315 violent crimes per 100k, 1,056 property crimes per 100k.
23 of 100 vs TX townsErrands and things to do: grade B-
5 grocery stores, 27 restaurants, 5 parks mapped in town.
64 of 100 vs TX townsGetting around: grade D
Average commute 24 min, 5.3% work from home.
22 of 100 vs US townsEducation levels: grade D+
21% have a bachelor’s degree.
28 of 100 vs US townsHealth: grade D-
15% of adults uninsured.
12 of 100 vs US townsHome ownership: grade D
62% of homes owner-occupied.
18 of 100 vs US townsInternet access: grade D
83% of homes have broadband.
20 of 100 vs US towns
Where Gladewater stands out compared with Texas
Better than Texas
- Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 36%15 points lower than Texas (52%)
- Median rent: $1,06024% lower than Texas ($1,403)
- Home value to income: 3.0x18% lower than Texas (3.6x)
Worse than Texas
- Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 21%13 points lower than Texas (34%)
- Median household income: $58,81025% lower than Texas ($78,476)
- People below the poverty line: 23%9 points higher than Texas (14%)
Cost of living in Gladewater
Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Gladewater is $1,060 a month, 24% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $42,000 a year. Right now 36% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.
HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,041 for a one-bedroom, $1,232 for a two-bedroom and $1,611 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 $174,000, 39% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $952 before tax, or $1,162 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 Gladewater pays $2,514 a year, 41% 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
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent24% lower than Texas | $1,060 | $1,403 | $1,413 |
| Median home value39% lower than Texas | $174,000 | $283,800 | $332,700 |
| Home value to income18% lower than Texas | 3.0x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent15 points lower than Texas | 36% | 52% | 51% |
| Median property tax per year41% lower than Texas | $2,514 | $4,232 | $3,119 |
| Homes owned by the people living in themAbout the same as Texas | 62% | 63% | 65% |
| Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas | 1976 | 1992 | 1980 |
Monthly cost to buy a median home
- Mortgage payment
- $952
- Property tax
- $210
- Median rent, for comparison
- $1,060
Based on a $174,000 home in Gladewater, 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 Gladewater safe?
In 2025, Gladewater Police Department reported 20 violent crimes and 67 property crimes. That works out to 315 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 19% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 1,056 property crimes per 100,000, 49% lower than the state rate.
Violent crime has been fairly steady since 2021.
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 by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.
Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Gladewater Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.
Schools in Gladewater
Gladewater 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 Gladewater 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.
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
- BGladewater High SchoolHigh, Gladewater ISD89 of 100
- DGladewater MiddleMiddle, Gladewater ISD68 of 100
- DGladewater PriElementary, Gladewater ISD61 of 100
- DWeldon ElementaryElementary, Gladewater ISD61 of 100
Daily life in Gladewater
Everyday places mapped inside Gladewater, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Bumble Bee Park, Everett Park, Friends of the Lee-Bardwell Public Library.
The average one-way commute is 24 minutes, 9% shorter than the Texas average. 5% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.
Downtown Longview is about 11 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Gladewater work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.
The median household income is $58,810, income per person is $29,069, unemployment is 5.0% and 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Jobs, income and education
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income25% lower than Texas | $58,810 | $78,476 | $80,734 |
| Income per person29% lower than Texas | $29,069 | $40,752 | $44,673 |
| Unemployment rateAbout the same as Texas | 5.0% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty line9 points higher than Texas | 23% | 14% | 12% |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher13 points lower than Texas | 21% | 34% | 36% |
| Adults with a high school diploma or higher1 points lower than Texas | 85% | 86% | 90% |
| Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance5 points lower than Texas | 15% | 20% | 11% |
| Homes with broadband internet8 points lower than Texas | 83% | 91% | 91% |
Getting to work
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average commute9% lower than Texas | 24 min | 27 min | 26 min |
| Workers who work from home9 points lower than Texas | 5.3% | 14% | 15% |
Who lives in Gladewater
Median age 33.2 years. 39% of households have children.
Race and ethnicity
Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.
Weather in Gladewater
Gladewater has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 95°F and January lows about 36°F. There are about 112 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 51 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Longview #2, 13 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.
Natural hazard risk
FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is moderate, hurricane risk is high, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is very high. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.
- River floodingModerate
- HurricanesHigh
- TornadoesVery high
- HailVery high
- Heat wavesVery high
- WildfiresVery high
- Winter stormsVery high
- Strong windVery high
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 Gladewater
Nearby, White Oak gets a B+, Liberty City gets a D+ and Big Sandy 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.
Gladewater in the Longview area
How it ranks among 16 places in the metro.
- 1AHallsville4,628 people11 mito downtown
- 2B+White Oak6,235 people6 mito downtown
- 3B-Lake Cherokee3,093 people13 mito downtown
- 13DNew London1,085 people20 mito downtown
- 14D-Big Sandy1,289 people21 mito downtown
- 15D-Waskom2,084 people41 mito downtown
- 16D-Gladewater6,227 people11 mito downtown
Living in Gladewater: common questions
Is Gladewater, TX a good place to live?
Gladewater earns a grade of D- on our index, 678th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on errands and things to do and cost of living, and trails on schools and health.
How much does it cost to live in Gladewater?
Median rent in Gladewater is $1,060 a month, 24% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $174,000, 39% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 3.0x 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 $1,162, including property tax.
Is Gladewater safe?
In 2025, Gladewater Police Department reported 315 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 19% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 1,056 per 100,000, 49% lower than the Texas rate.
Are the schools good in Gladewater?
We found 4 rated public school campuses inside Gladewater. 25% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 9 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.
Does Gladewater flood?
FEMA rates river flooding risk in Gladewater as moderate, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: hurricanes, tornadoes, heat waves, hail, wildfires, winter storms and strong wind. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.
What is the weather like in Gladewater?
Summers in Gladewater peak at about 95°F in July, and January nights fall to about 36°F. Expect around 112 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 51 inches of rain.
How long is the commute in Gladewater?
The average one-way commute is 24 min, 9% lower than the Texas average. About 5.3% of workers work from home. It is about 11 miles from downtown Longview.
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.