Bosque County

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:

Population

Total Population

18,322

Population
Growth Rate

0.98%

Median Age

48

Diversity Index

57.700

Source: ESRI, 2025-08-25

Housing & Income

Households

7,650

Total Housing Units

9,529


Owner Occupied

5,957

Renter Occupied

1,693

Vacant

1,879

Median Home Value

$219,557


Average Home Value

$296,262

Income
Growth Rate

Median
Household Income

0.00%


Per Capita Income

2.06%

Income Projection

Median Household

$65,876 $71,427


Average Household

$84,683 $92,116


Per Capita

$35,379 $39,170

Source: ESRI, 2025-08-25

Workforce

Total Businesses

637

Total Employed

5,619

Workers 16+

7,517

2025 Educational Services - Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

29

Employed

1,236

2025 HealthCare / Social Assistance

cp-industries

Businesses

37

Employed

922

2025 Retail Trade Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

101

Employed

673

2025 Public Administration

cp-industries

Businesses

72

Employed

638

2025 Other Service excl Pub Admin

cp-industries

Businesses

81

Employed

391

2025 Wholesale Trade Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

25

Employed

283

Some
High School

893

Graduated
High School

3,719

Associates
Degree

1,510

Bachelor's
Degree

2,014

Graduate
Degree

1,018

Average Commute Time

30 min.



Resident Commuters

4,055

Non-Resident Commuters

3,397

Drive Alone

6,176

Carpooled

470

Public

0

Work At Home

670

Source: ESRI, 2025-08-25