Town in Jones County, part of the Abilene metro

Living in Hamlin, TX

B-

310th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 58 of 100
4th of 8 in the Abilene area

We give Hamlin a B-. It ranks 310th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and errands and things to do, and trails on internet access and health. It is a strong pick for people on a budget.

  • Good for people on a budget
  • Affordable
  • Internet access scores low (15 of 100)
  • River flooding risk is very high
Map of Texas showing where Hamlin isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthHamlin
Where Hamlin is in Texas.
Population
1,876+2.9% since 2020
Median rent
$85839% lower than Texas
Median home value
$73,20074% lower than Texas
Household income
$60,625Median
Average commute
30 minOne way
Violent crime
265Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Hamlin

Hamlin sits about 38 miles from downtown Abilene, in the Abilene metro. 1,876 people lived here in 2025, up 2.9% from 2020. It is small-town and rural in feel, with an older housing stock (the median home dates to 1964).

The median age is 39.4, 32% of households have children, 72% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $60,625 a year (23% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Hamlin

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $858, 39% lower than the Texas median.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 1.2 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.

Cons of living in Hamlin

  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of river flooding, hail and wildfires as very high here.
  • Long, hot summers. Expect about 111 days a year at 90°F or hotter.

Who Hamlin suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit: violent crime is 32% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 38% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 23% lower than the Texas median, with 10 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 78% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 18% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 32% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 69% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 82% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $858 is 39% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 56% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $858 is 39% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 96% for people on a budget.

Hamlin report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Hamlin 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 A+

    Median rent $858, homes cost 1.2x income.

    96 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade C+

    Median household income $60,625, 1.8% unemployed.

    52 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade C-

    2 rated campuses, 50% rated A or B.

    33 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: grade D+

    265 violent crimes per 100k, 848 property crimes per 100k.

    31 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: grade B-

    3 grocery stores, 10 restaurants, 3 parks mapped in town.

    57 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade C

    Average commute 30 min, 6.7% work from home.

    42 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade D+

    15% have a bachelor’s degree.

    29 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D+

    18% of adults uninsured.

    24 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade D+

    72% of homes owner-occupied.

    28 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade D-

    82% of homes have broadband.

    15 of 100 vs US towns

Where Hamlin stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 21%31 points lower than Texas (52%)
  • Home value to income: 1.2x67% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Median rent: $85839% lower than Texas ($1,403)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 15%19 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Homes with broadband internet: 82%10 points lower than Texas (91%)
  • Median household income: $60,62523% lower than Texas ($78,476)

Cost of living in Hamlin

Hamlin renters pay a median of $858 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 21% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,047 for a one-bedroom, $1,310 for a two-bedroom and $1,702 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 $73,200, 74% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $401 before tax, or $540 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 Hamlin pays $1,667 a year, 61% 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 HamlinStudio$9581 bedroom$1,0472 bedrooms$1,3103 bedrooms$1,7024 bedrooms$2,013
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Abilene, TX MSA. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent39% lower than Texas$858$1,403$1,413
Median home value74% lower than Texas$73,200$283,800$332,700
Home value to income67% lower than Texas1.2x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent31 points lower than Texas21%52%51%
Median property tax per year61% lower than Texas$1,667$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them9 points higher than Texas72%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas196419921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$540
Mortgage payment
$401
Property tax
$139
Median rent, for comparison
$858

Based on a $73,200 home in Hamlin, 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 Hamlin safe?

In 2025, Hamlin Police Department reported 5 violent crimes and 16 property crimes. That works out to 265 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 32% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 848 property crimes per 100,000, 59% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime is up about 75% 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 Hamlin by yearTexas26520212022202320242025

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

Violent crime
265
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
848
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Hamlin by yearTexas84820212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

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

Schools in Hamlin

Hamlin has 2 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 50% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Hamlin Collegiate 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
33
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
77
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

  • BHamlin Collegiate High SchoolOther, Hamlin Collegiate ISD81 of 100
  • CHamlin Collegiate ElementaryElementary, Hamlin Collegiate ISD73 of 100

Daily life in Hamlin

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

The average one-way commute is 30 minutes, 11% longer than the Texas average. 7% of workers work from home. 3.7% walk, bike or take transit to work.

Downtown Abilene is about 38 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Hamlin work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $60,625, income per person is $28,042, unemployment is 1.8% and 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
3
Pharmacies
1
Restaurants
10
Cafes
0
Bars
0
Parks
3
Gyms
0
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
0
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income23% lower than Texas$60,625$78,476$80,734
Income per person31% lower than Texas$28,042$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate3 points lower than Texas1.8%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty lineAbout the same as Texas13%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher19 points lower than Texas15%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher4 points higher than Texas90%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance2 points lower than Texas18%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet10 points lower than Texas82%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute11% higher than Texas30 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home8 points lower than Texas6.7%14%15%
Workers who work from home6.7%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk2.3%
Workers who bike1.5%

Who lives in Hamlin

Under 1822%
18 to 3419%
35 to 6440%
65 and over19%

Median age 39.4 years. 32% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White50%
Hispanic or Latino42%
Black2.6%
Asian0.1%
Other or more than one race4.7%

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

Weather in Hamlin

Hamlin has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 96°F and January lows about 29°F. There are about 111 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 25 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Hamlin20°40°60°80°100°57J62F69M78A86M93J96J95A88S78O67N58DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Anson, 17 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is very high, hurricane risk is moderate, tornado risk is high and hail risk is very high. Before you buy, look up the FEMA flood zone for the exact address and get a flood insurance quote, since standard home policies do not cover floods.

  • River floodingVery high
  • HurricanesModerate
  • TornadoesHigh
  • HailVery high
  • Heat wavesModerate
  • WildfiresVery high
  • Winter stormsHigh
  • 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 Hamlin

Nearby, Anson gets a B-, Rotan gets a C and Haskell gets an A-. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

  1. B-AnsonTown, 2,531 people16 mi
  2. CRotanTown, 1,204 people19 mi
  3. A-HaskellTown, 2,817 people30 mi
  4. B+MerkelTown, 2,699 people30 mi
  5. C+StamfordTown, 2,917 people30 mi
  6. D+SweetwaterSmall city, 10,385 people33 mi

Hamlin in the Abilene area

How it ranks among 8 places in the metro.

  1. 1A+Potosi4,322 people9 mito downtown
  2. 2B+Merkel2,699 people16 mito downtown
  3. 3BCross Plains1,019 people40 mito downtown
  4. 4B-Hamlin2,011 people38 mito downtown
  5. 5B-Anson2,531 people23 mito downtown
  6. 6C+Baird1,642 people20 mito downtown
  7. 7CClyde3,954 people14 mito downtown

See all of the best suburbs of abilene

Living in Hamlin: common questions

Is Hamlin, TX a good place to live?

We give Hamlin a B-. It ranks 310th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and errands and things to do, and trails on internet access and health. It is a strong pick for people on a budget.

How much does it cost to live in Hamlin?

Renters in Hamlin pay a median of $858 a month, 39% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $73,200, 74% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 1.2x 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 $540, including property tax.

Is Hamlin safe?

In 2025, Hamlin Police Department reported 265 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 32% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 848 per 100,000, 59% lower than the Texas rate.

Are the schools good in Hamlin?

We found 2 rated public school campuses inside Hamlin. 50% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 33 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

Does Hamlin flood?

FEMA rates river flooding risk in Hamlin as very high, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: river flooding, tornadoes, 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 Hamlin?

Summers in Hamlin peak at about 96°F in July, and January nights fall to about 29°F. Expect around 111 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 25 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Hamlin?

The average one-way commute is 30 min, 11% higher than the Texas average. About 6.7% of workers work from home. It is about 38 miles from downtown Abilene.

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.