Unemployment in Young County, Texas, is lower than in 70% of U.S. counties
In Young County, 3.5% of the labor force was out of work, on average. That is lower than in 70% of U.S. counties.
Less distressed than 52% of U.S. counties.
What drives Young County's score
In Young County, income and the safety net is the highest-scoring part, at 65.2. Jobs are the lowest part, at 31.6.
The County Distress Index looks at five parts of household money trouble in Young County: jobs, late payments on loans, income and the safety net, collections and bankruptcy, and housing costs. Each part is scored from 0 to 100, and a higher score means worse off than other counties.
Even so, Young County is worse off than most counties on people without health insurance (18.6%, 2020 to 2024).
A longer bar means more trouble. See how the county score works.
- 65.2 of 100
Income and safety net
Biggest factorPoverty and income, 2024; disability and insurance, 2020–24 Census survey
- People below the poverty line13.7% · 202454th percentile
- Children below the poverty line18.4% · 202457th percentile
- People with a disability18.0% · 2020 to 202467th percentile
- People without health insurance18.6% · 2020 to 2024top 5%
- Median household income (lower income, longer bar)$66,213 · 202451st percentile
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- 57.0 of 100
Late payments
Credit records, August 2025; credit scores, second quarter of 2026
- People with a credit card behind6.3% · August 202562nd percentile
- People with a car or retail loan behind4.1% · August 202533rd percentile
- People with a subprime credit score48.1% · second quarter of 202674th percentile
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- 46.9 of 100
Collections and bankruptcy
Credit records, August 2025; bankruptcy filings, 2025
- People with unpaid debt sent to a collector27.7% · August 202566th percentile
- Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 people82.8 · 202526th percentile
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- 41.8 of 100
Housing costs
Renters, 2020–24 Census survey; HUD's fair market rents, fiscal year 2027
- Renters paying half their income or more in rent18.3% · 2020 to 202451st percentile
- Rent on a two-bedroom as a share of the median income19.1% · fiscal year 202732nd percentile
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- 31.6 of 100
Jobs
Unemployment through Sep 2026; adults not working, 2020–24 Census survey
- Unemployment rate, average over the latest year3.5% · Oct 2025 to Sep 202629th percentile
- Adults 25 to 54 not working18.1% · 2020 to 202433rd percentile
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Sources: Urban Institute, Debt in America; Equifax via the St. Louis Fed; Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Table F-5A; U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Fair Market Rents and Census income; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates. County Distress Index by American Default Research, from data through Sep 2026.
Where the money in Young County comes from
Benefit checks are Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid paid on people's behalf, veterans' benefits, and food and income support, so a high share usually means an older population, low pay, or both. In Young County, 21.2% of residents are 65 or older (Census Bureau, 2024), against 17.2% nationally that year.
Cents of every dollar of income, 2024
Young County
Texas
United States
- Pay from work
- Investments and rent
- Benefit checks
Benefit checks' share of income in Young County rose most in two steps: 15.9% in 1989 to 22.1% in 1994; 19.0% in 2014 to 25.2% in 2019.
In Young County, benefit checks' share of income has doubled since 1969, reaching 24.6% in 2024, but pay from work still brings in twice as much as benefit checks
In Young County, Texas, benefit checks' share of income doubled from 1969 to 2024, reaching 24.6%; pay from work is plotted alongside. Every fifth year and 2024 are shown.
- Benefit checks
- Pay from work
The share of households in Young County getting SNAP food aid had its largest drop, from 12.7% in 2014 to 9.9% in 2015.
The share of households in Young County getting SNAP food aid was at its highest on the chart in 2021 and has since fallen to 11.3%
Low on the chart: 8.5% in 2009. Households getting SNAP, every year; each bar is a five-year survey estimate ending that year, so neighboring bars share most of their data, Young County, Texas.
How Young County has changed
Young County's population had its largest rise, from 17,932 in 1979 to 20,938 in 1984.
Young County's population was at its highest on the chart in 1984 and is down 13% since
High on the chart: 20,938 in 1984. Residents, yearly estimate, every fifth year and 2024, Young County, Texas.
The number of jobs located in Young County fell most sharply after its 2015 high, from 7,005 in 2015 to 6,378 in 2020.
The number of jobs located in Young County rose 12% from 1990 to 2025
High on the chart: 7,005 in 2015. Yearly average of jobs covered by unemployment insurance, every fifth year and 2025, Young County, Texas.
| Measure | Then | Now |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS | 1990 3.4% | 2025 3.5% |
| People below the poverty lineCensus SAIPE | 1989 14.9% | 2024 13.7% |
| Median household incomeCensus SAIPE | 1989 $22,850 | 2024 $66,213 |
Figures are as each agency published them, not adjusted for prices.
Dated events in Young County's history
1856
Created in 1856 and organized in 1874. Wikipedia
1871
Graham brothers settled Young County 1871. Wikipedia
1917
Oil discovered near Graham 1917, population tripled 1900-1920. Wikipedia
1930
The county's largest recorded population was the 1930 Census count of 20,128. The 2020 Census counted 17,867, 89% of the peak. Census Bureau
1951
A tornado in May 1951 did $2.5 million in property damage and killed two people. NOAA Storm Events Database
1995
A thunderstorm in May 1995 did $1.2 billion in property damage. NOAA Storm Events Database
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Since 1978
18 federal disaster and emergency declarations have covered Young County, 5 of them for flooding. FEMA
Young County beside its neighbors
Of the five counties that border Young County, four score higher. For the share of income from benefit checks, Young County ranks 5th of the six; Throckmorton County is highest, at 36.3%.
| County | Score | Poverty | Benefit checks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palo Pinto County, TX | 80 | 16.0% | 26.4% |
| Throckmorton County, TX | 77 | 14.1% | 36.3% |
| Stephens County, TX | 74 | 17.7% | 30.4% |
| Jack County, TX | 67 | 14.3% | 25.1% |
| Young County, TX | 47 | 13.7% | 24.6% |
| Archer County, TX | 23 | 9.2% | 17.8% |
Distress score: American Default Research, County Distress Index, data through Sep 2026; each county scored against all 3,144. Poverty rate: Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, 2024. Benefit checks: Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024. Neighbors share a border, from Census county maps.
Is Young County the poorest county in Texas?
No, Young County's poverty rate was 13.7% in 2024, 154th highest of 254 in Texas (U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates). By that measure the poorest county in the state is Starr County, at 35.4%. On our distress index, which counts more than poverty, Young County ranks 191st of 254 in the state.
If you're behind on your mortgage in Young County
Housing counselors approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development work at nonprofit agencies. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau describes free foreclosure-avoidance counseling, including help with mortgage-company conversations and available options Source CFPB.
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Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas
Legal aid
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HUD-approved housing counselors
Our help directory lists 1,010 agencies approved for foreclosure counseling, by state.
The score, its 14 measures and their sources, in one file. Free to use with credit to American Default Research.
Sources and method
- American Default Research · County Distress Index Data through Sep 2026, built from Urban Institute, Debt in America; Equifax via the St. Louis Fed; U.S. Courts, Table F-5A; Census Bureau, American Community Survey; HUD Fair Market Rents and Census income; Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates. The County Distress Index is American Default Research's own calculation; the Urban Institute does not produce or endorse it. Our methodology
- Urban Institute · Debt in America Breno Braga, Signe-Mary McKernan, Samantha Atherton, and Kassandra Martinchek, "Debt in America," last updated November 20, 2025, https://datacatalog.urban.org/dataset/debt-america-2025. Licensed under ODC-By 1.0.
- Rent on a two-bedroom and household income The rent share compares HUD fair market rent for fiscal year 2027 with Census Bureau median household income for 2024. The page calls this the typical household's income.
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Economic Accounts (CAINC4) · income shares Where the money in Young County comes from, 2024.
- History The agencies named in each row and the linked records above.