County Profiles

Bosque County: The Beautiful Gateway to Texas Hill Country

Bosque County is a beautiful location within the region, with the scenic Bosque River winding throughout a landscape of rolling hills. The natural beauty has resulted in the county being known as an artistic destination, with several communities, working facilities and museums highlighting the area’s renown. Additionally, the county has a growing retirement community, with the city of Clifton having been listed in 2009 as one of only 40 Certified Retirement Communities in Texas. The growing interest, coupled with rising property values and low tax rates, mark Bosque County with huge potential for economic development, specifically in the health care sector.

Like regions across the country, unemployment in Bosque County has increased somewhat in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Texas Workforce Commission reported that Bosque County had a total Civilian Labor Force of 8,247 in November 2020, with an unemployment rate of 6.0%, lower than the Texas total of 8% unemployed. In comparison, Bosque County unemployment was 3.4% in November 2019.

Clifton has a vibrant art scene, highlighted by the Bosque Arts Center, a three-story historic landmark built in 1923 on a hilltop overlooking the town and the scenic Bosque River valley. The Center has been the hub for all artistic endeavors in the county since the 1960’s, from housing nationally-recognized collections to currently working artists and sculptors residing in the area. For more information on economic development in Clifton, visit the Clifton Economic Development Corporation.

Meridian features the natural beauty and artistic offerings found along the Bosque River Valley, billing itself as “Top of the Hill Country.” As the county seat, its historical courthouse, built in 1886 and restored in 2007, is listed as a Texas Historic Landmark. Renowned artists George Hallmark, Lelahd Hensley, Teddi Marks, Dawn Sharp call Meridian home, which also hosts the National Championship Barbeque Cookoff. Learn more at the Meridian Chamber of Commerce or the Meridian Economic Development Corporation.

Click on the cities within Bosque County for more information:

Bosque County

Population

Total Population

18,187

Population
Growth Rate

-0.04%

Median Age

48

Diversity Index

55.700

Housing & Income

Households

7,386

Total Housing Units

9,230


Owner Occupied

5,821

Renter Occupied

1,565

Vacant

1,844

Median Home Value

$162,161


Average Home Value

$254,205

Income
Growth Rate

Median
Household Income

0.00%


Per Capita Income

2.50%

Income Projection

Median Household

$58,690 $65,656


Average Household

$81,622 $92,081


Per Capita

$33,179 $37,543

Workforce

Total Businesses

681

Total Employed

5,353

Workers 16+

7,616

2022 HealthCare/Social Assist

cp-industries

Businesses

39

Employed

1,033

2022 Educational Services - Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

29

Employed

953

2022 Retail Trade Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

114

Employed

601

2022 Public Administration

cp-industries

Businesses

65

Employed

491

2022 Wholesale Trade Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

30

Employed

343

2022 Other Service excl Pub Admin

cp-industries

Businesses

75

Employed

333

Some
High School

949

Graduated
High School

3,896

Associates
Degree

1,352

Bachelor's
Degree

2,124

Graduate
Degree

866

Average Commute Time

30 min.



Resident Commuters

3,838

Non-Resident Commuters

3,702

Drive Alone

6,500

Carpooled

491

Public

3

Work At Home

337