San Marcos: Economy & Jobs
Households in San Marcos earn a median $51,281 (1.7× below Hays County median $89,097; 1.5× below Texas median $78,476), with homes at a median value of $310,400. The surrounding county supports 10,350 jobs (avg $52,985).
- $60,854 avg taxable income per return — higher than the median household income (vs Texas $91,104).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $51,281 — below the Texas median ($70,518). Poverty rate 26.9% (U.S. average ~12.5%).
| Affordability · Price To Income Ratio | 6.1× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Rent To Income Pct | 30.9% |
| Affordability · Interpretation | expensive |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $21,640 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $1,316,871 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $60,854 (vs Texas $91,104) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $58,149 |
| Median Household Income | $51,281 (vs Texas $70,518) |
| Poverty Rate | 26.9% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | mixed |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Education Healthcare |
| Economic Character · Income Level | middle-class |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $51,281 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 3.5% — below the U.S. average of ~4%. 11% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Mean Commute Min | 24.00 |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 11.1% |
| Commuter Profile · Profile | short commute |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 10,350 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $548,408,317 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $52,985 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 13,557,950 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% (vs Texas 3.4%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 36 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 2,541 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 70.60 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Animal Totals, Cattle, Crop Totals, Grain, Corn |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 714 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 6,667 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 289,088 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 5 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 5 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 16 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 7 |
| Local Businesses · New Car Dealers | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Used Car Dealers | 4 |
| Local Businesses · Florists | 5 |
| Local Businesses · Beauty Salons | 3 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 25 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 23 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 11 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (16)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (5)
| Nearest Snap · Name | African Eats & Market |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Total In Area | 56 |
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | SAN MARCOS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INCORPORATED |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $210,373,050 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 4,584.99 (vs Texas $5,671) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 45,883 people (vs Texas 143,570) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 68.4% |
|---|---|
| Pct Public Transit | 4.5% |
| Pct Walked | 11.1% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 25.5 years (vs Texas 34.5y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 16.7% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 1 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | hospital access, VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | fair |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12