Demographics
As of 2023, Wood County, TX, has an estimated population of 46,729. The median age is approximately 48 years. The gender distribution is about 49% male and 51% female. Racially, the county is 85% White, 6% Black or African American, 1% Asian, and 1% Native American, with about 13% of the population identifying as Hispanic or Latino.
Elections
Wood County, TX, has about 30,000 residents and roughly 20,000 registered voters as of 2024. Elections include general, primary, municipal, and school board races. In the 2020 presidential race, 80% voted Republican and 19% Democrat. Voting is held at 19 polling locations across the county. Major local issues include education funding and property taxes. Elections are administered by the Wood County Elections Office. The county is strongly Republican, with the GOP holding most local offices, while Democrats maintain a minority presence. Voter turnout in major elections often exceeds 65%.
Education, Employment and Housing
Wood County, TX has 19 public schools serving over 6,000 students. The high school graduation rate is approximately 93%, with 16.7% of residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. GreatSchools ratings for local schools average 6/10. School safety is prioritized, with districts implementing standard security measures. Adult education and vocational programs are offered through local ISDs and nearby Tyler Junior College. Educational opportunities include career and technical programs, dual-credit courses, and extracurricular activities to enhance student experience.
As of 2023, Wood County, TX, has an employment rate of approximately 55.7%. The largest industries are Health Care & Social Assistance (14.4%), Retail Trade (13.8%), and Manufacturing (12.7%). Leading occupation types include Office & Administrative Support (12.6%) and Sales (10.9%). The average commute time is 28.3 minutes, with about 80.2% of residents driving alone to work. Many residents commute to nearby cities like Tyler and Longview for employment opportunities outside the county.
Wood County, TX features a homeownership rate of about 77%, with a median home value around $185,000 as of 2023. Rental housing comprises roughly 23% of the market, with median rent near $900/month. Property values have increased by around 10% year-over-year. Housing types range from single-family homes to lakeside cabins, especially near Lake Fork. Popular neighborhoods include Quitman and Mineola. Property taxes average 1.5-1.8% of assessed value. The area offers rural charm with growing small-town communities and an affordable cost of living compared to urban Texas counties.
County Crime & Safety
Wood County, TX, maintains a relatively low crime rate compared to state averages. As of 2023, the violent crime rate is approximately 1.6 incidents per 1,000 residents, while property crime stands at 13 per 1,000. The county reported about 70 violent crimes and 570 property crimes annually. Law enforcement agencies encourage prompt crime reporting, which has aided in maintaining a clearance rate of over 30%. Local officials and the sheriff’s department prioritize community safety through proactive patrols and public awareness initiatives.
Popular names
- Jerry Williams
- James Smith
- Michael Smith
- William Smith
- Cynthia Brown
- Mary Williams
- David Johnson
- James Thomas
- John Smith
- Michael Brown
- Michael Williams
- Robert Johnson
- James Johnson
- James Wilson
- Juan Lopez
- Mary Hall
- David Wilson
- James Thompson
- James Williams
- Jason Smith
- John Moore
- Kimberly Johnson
- Kyle Williams
- Linda Smith
- Barbara Williams
- Brenda Scott
- Carol Johnson
- David Smith
- James Phillips
- Jason Phillips
- Joe Smith
- Linda Williams
- Mary White
- Michael Young
- Patricia Williams
- Rebecca Smith
- Robert Cox
- Robert Davis
- Robert Taylor
- Rosa Garcia
- Susan Smith
- Amanda Williams
- Charles Low
- Charles Moore
- Charles Smith
- Christopher Smith
- David Hall
- David Taylor
- David Williams
- Gary King
- James Allen
- James Green
- James Jackson
- Jennifer Williams
- Jennifer Wilson
- Jeremy Smith
- Jessica Latham
- Joe Adams
- John Williams
- Jose Garcia
Other Counties in Texas
- Anderson
- Andrews
- Angelina
- Aransas
- Archer
- Armstrong
- Atascosa
- Austin
- Bailey
- Bandera
- Bastrop
- Baylor
- Bee
- Bell
- Bexar
- Blanco
- Borden
- Bosque
- Bowie
- Brazoria
- Brazos
- Brewster
- Briscoe
- Brooks
- Brown
- Burleson
- Burnet
- Caldwell
- Calhoun
- Callahan
- Cameron
- Camp
- Carson
- Cass
- Castro
- Chambers
- Cherokee
- Childress
- Clay
- Cochran
- Coke
- Coleman
- Collin
- Collingsworth
- Colorado
- Comal
- Comanche
- Concho
- Cooke
- Coryell
- Cottle