Emerald Bay: Economy & Jobs
Emerald Bay's typical household earns $98,068 (1.3× higher than Smith County median $74,192; 1.2× higher than Texas median $78,476), with homes at a median value of $351,000. The surrounding county supports 8,400 jobs (avg $53,436).
- $60,937 avg taxable income per return — lower than the median household income (vs Texas $91,104).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $98,068 — above the Texas median ($70,518). Poverty rate 2.3% (U.S. average ~12.5%).
| Affordability · Price To Income Ratio | 3.6× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Affordable | Yes |
| Affordability · Interpretation | affordable |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $7,910 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $482,013 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $60,937 (vs Texas $91,104) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $136,900 |
| Median Household Income | $98,068 (vs Texas $70,518) |
| Poverty Rate | 2.3% |
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 | white_collar |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Finance Insurance |
| Economic Character · Income Level | upper-middle |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $98,068 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 1.9% — below the U.S. average of ~4%. 41% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 41.0% |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Primary Mode | drove alone |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 8,400 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $448,878,519 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $53,436 |
| 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 | 1.9% (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 | 118 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 254,800 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 2,159.30 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Animal Totals, Cattle, Milk, Crop Totals, Grain |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 353 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 6,223 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 327,819 |
| 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 · Liquor Stores | 3 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 9 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 5 |
| Local Businesses · Auto Repair | 4 |
| Local Businesses · Real Estate Offices | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Commercial Banks | 6 |
| Local Businesses · Insurance Agencies | 10 |
| Local Businesses · Law Offices | 5 |
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 | 12 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 10 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 7 |
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 (5)
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 (3)
| Nearest Snap · Name | Circle K 2706342 |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Distance | 1.8 mi |
Sources: USDA SNAP — nearest by coordinates
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 | DEAF SMITH COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
|---|
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 | $81,367,533 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 4,378.60 (vs Texas $5,671) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 18,583 people (vs Texas 143,570) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 59.0% |
|---|---|
| Pct Walked | 41.0% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 72.3 years (vs Texas 34.5y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 85.1% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 1 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Affordable | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | older population, strong SS base, hospital access, VA nearby, affordable |
| Retirement Score · Rating | excellent |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12