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Friday, April 4, 2025

Brooks County saw 37.1% increase in transfer dependency percentage since 1970 as of 2022

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John Lettieri, President and CEO of Economic Innovation Group | Official Website

John Lettieri, President and CEO of Economic Innovation Group | Official Website

In 2022, government transfers made up 50.2% of total income in Brooks County, Texas—an alarming 37.1% surge from 13.1% in 1970 and an 11.7% increase from 2012’s 38.5%. This marks the 13th largest increase among all Texas counties over the past decade, according to information from the Economic Innovation Group.

On a per capita basis, this translates to $21,466 per resident in 2022, up from $15,491 in 2012 and $1,635 in 1970, ranking Brooks County as the 26th fastest-growing in per capita government transfers among Texas counties over the past 10 years.

Meanwhile, Brooks County had the largest share of income derived from government transfers, making it the most dependent county in the state.

For comparison, the statewide average was 15.5% in 2022, showing a lower dependency than the national average of 17.6%. On a per capita level, this translates to $9,720 per resident, compared to $11,542 nationwide.

Government transfer payments are non-repayable funds provided by federal, state, or local governments to support individuals in need. These payments aim to stabilize economic conditions and provide financial support during hardships. Key programs include Social Security transfers (retirement benefits), Medicare transfers (healthcare for seniors), Medicaid transfers (healthcare for low-income individuals), and income maintenance transfers (financial assistance for basic needs).

In Brooks County, reliance on government transfers was just 13.1% (or $1,635 per capita in inflation-adjusted 2022 dollars) in 1970. This has since increased to a total of 37.1% since 1970. This shift is largely influenced by increased healthcare costs, and economic transformations that have reshaped income sources across the U.S.

In 2022, the primary government transfer programs in Brooks County included:

  • Social Security: $3,368 per capita (15.7% of total transfers)
  • Medicare: $4,914 per capita (22.9% of total transfers)
  • Medicaid: $8,923 per capita (41.6% of total transfers)
  • Income Maintenance Programs: $3,019 per capita (14.1% of total transfers)

With 16.9% of the population aged 65 and older, Brooks County has a significant demand for Social Security and Medicare. However, counties with higher poverty rates also show elevated Medicaid and income maintenance participation.

Government transfers have long been a modest financial safety net, historically comprising only a small fraction of Americans' income. However, since the 1970s—sometimes dubbed the “Great Transfer-mation”—dependency has surged from 8.2% (or $2,022 per capita in inflation-adjusted 2022 dollars) in 1970 to 17.6% (or $11,542 per capita) in 2022 nationwide.

According to the Economic Innovation Group’s analysis, these trends are not merely short-term responses to economic pressures but rather reflect a profound, long-term transformation in how government support is integrated into American life. The study illustrates that structural shifts—from rising healthcare expenses and demographic changes to stagnant wages—have significantly increased dependency on government transfers.

Government Transfer Trends by County in Texas, 2022
CountyDependency on Transfers (%)Change Since 2012Change Since 1970Per Capita Amount (2022)Per Capita Since 2012Per Capita Since 1970
Brooks County50.2%+11.7%+37.1%$21,466$5,975$19,831
Duval County49.2%+17.8%+33.6%$23,192$8,891$21,427
Hall County47.4%+9.8%+33.7%$18,580$6,277$16,213
Sabine County46.5%+6.7%+29.2%$21,486$5,518$18,882
Willacy County46.5%+5.8%+32.7%$16,249$5,206$14,805
Crosby County44.8%+6.9%+38%$20,102$7,423$18,614
Starr County42.9%+8.1%+25.3%$13,581$3,790$12,154
Real County41.9%+3.2%+21.8%$24,238$9,807$22,222
Concho County41.5%+7.9%+25.2%$15,449$7,590$12,828
Menard County41.4%+9.1%+28.9%$19,071$6,833$16,667
Polk County41.3%+4.5%+25.7%$19,486$2,402$16,983
Marion County41.2%+9.7%+24.9%$20,468$7,307$18,184
Jim Hogg County41%+9.5%+27.4%$16,631$5,134$14,881
Zavala County41%+3.4%+26.2%$17,850$6,525$16,486
San Augustine County40.3%+0.2%+23.5%$23,013$7,364$20,685
Dickens County40.2%+4.6%+22.3%$19,244$6,722$16,573
Red River County39.7%+3.7%+19.6%$21,199$6,544$18,189
Knox County39.6%+8.8%+24.4%$20,566$7,348$18,063
Morris County39.3%+12.2%+28.7%$19,368$5,295$17,241
Cass County38.7%+7.3%+25.8%$18,298$5,315$15,972
McCulloch County38.7%+9.9%+24%$18,539$6,392$15,959
Zapata County38.7%+17.1%+19.4%$12,789$4,562$10,876
Collingsworth County38.4%+7.7%+21.7%$17,845$5,189$15,401
Motley County38.1%+5.1%+19.8%$15,529$3,369$12,810
Tyler County37.9%+6.6%+22%$16,256$5,128$13,563
Jim Wells County37.8%+13.9%+27.9%$18,166$6,117$16,697
Limestone County37.7%+6.1%+19.1%$17,714$5,712$14,797
Trinity County37.7%+1.8%+18.4%$17,506$3,794$14,684
Floyd County37.4%+8.8%+30.9%$16,832$5,543$15,302
Cochran County37.3%+11.9%+30.9%$14,941$4,412$13,558
Mills County36.7%+5.7%+17.6%$18,979$6,192$15,956
Wheeler County36.7%+20.5%+22.7%$17,312$6,825$14,467
San Saba County36.6%+6.9%+18.7%$15,494$4,739$12,870
Coleman County36.3%+5.8%+17.7%$20,776$7,158$17,671
Falls County36.2%+4.8%+18.1%$15,289$4,138$12,511
Dimmit County36%+13.5%+18.9%$19,412$8,019$17,972
Throckmorton County36%+14.3%+22.2%$16,799$3,264$13,858
Wood County36%+3.7%+18.6%$17,580$4,195$14,553
Hudspeth County35.5%+9.1%+27%$12,521$4,199$11,296
Kinney County35.5%+4.2%+23.4%$14,498$3,181$12,861
Newton County35.5%+4.8%+20.4%$15,502$5,369$13,467
Montague County35.3%+12.5%+21.2%$16,299$4,470$13,670
Maverick County35.1%+4.7%+21.2%$13,524$3,964$12,186
Jasper County34.9%+6.8%+22.2%$17,916$5,975$15,684
Houston County34.8%+4.6%+17.4%$17,529$5,687$14,769
Coke County34.7%+8.6%+20.1%$17,769$5,674$15,495
Brown County34.6%+3.9%+19.4%$16,224$4,439$13,479
Bee County34.4%+11.7%+28%$11,930$3,925$10,636
Hardeman County34.4%+5.5%+20.5%$19,490$6,478$16,828
Frio County34.1%+9.3%+22.7%$12,760$4,180$11,274
Cameron County34%+4%+22.6%$12,681$3,540$11,201
Refugio County33.9%+10.3%+24.4%$18,428$5,768$16,799
Donley County33.7%+7.3%+17%$15,791$4,897$13,056
Milam County33.7%+4.4%+19.8%$15,704$3,662$13,195
Foard County33.6%-2.4%+19.5%$23,230$8,427$20,453
Rains County33.6%+3.2%+15.4%$13,805$2,821$11,481
Delta County33.4%+2.8%+13.3%$15,509$3,569$12,150
Edwards County33.4%+4.8%+22%$22,082$9,961$20,458
Terry County33.3%+6.8%+26.4%$14,371$4,366$12,960
Cherokee County33.2%+5%+19.8%$14,412$3,834$12,062
Eastland County32.7%+8.8%+12%$18,301$5,312$14,765
Runnels County32.5%+4.1%+21.1%$16,882$5,031$14,503
Haskell County32.3%+3.1%+21.7%$16,323$4,129$14,155
Stephens County31.7%+15.3%+19.7%$14,854$4,176$12,403
Uvalde County31.7%+6.8%+22.2%$16,732$5,115$15,099
Jones County31.6%+4.5%+19.2%$12,611$3,548$9,976
Hidalgo County31.5%+3.3%+20.1%$10,568$2,501$9,232
Madison County31.4%+4.8%+15.2%$12,902$3,432$10,701
Henderson County31.3%+3.1%+18.2%$15,406$3,502$13,195
Mitchell County31.3%+6.5%+17.6%$11,604$3,155$9,278
Garza County31.2%+14.5%+20.9%$10,248$2,717$8,272
Nolan County31.2%+5.1%+21.6%$16,205$4,807$14,008
Leon County31.1%+2.9%+8.7%$17,670$5,070$14,390
Angelina County30.8%+6.6%+22.1%$14,580$4,037$12,898
Kimble County30.5%+6.9%+17.3%$16,603$4,952$14,085
Hale County30.2%+6.1%+23.6%$12,617$3,933$11,133
Hockley County30%+10.1%+23.6%$14,461$4,548$13,191
Lamar County29.9%+0.8%+15.3%$15,474$3,459$12,949
Fannin County29.6%+0.9%+12.4%$13,936$2,950$11,076
Kleberg County29.6%+6.4%+24.1%$13,411$3,776$12,433
Fisher County29.5%-0.8%+17.7%$15,908$3,584$13,804
Navarro County29.5%+2.6%+15.3%$13,300$2,255$10,679
Camp County29.4%+3.4%+14.5%$14,751$3,742$12,174
Freestone County29.4%+7.5%+14.1%$13,217$3,837$10,430
Bosque County29.3%+4.7%+12.4%$15,382$4,427$12,402
Dawson County29.2%+3.5%+22.4%$14,130$4,318$12,643
Hill County29.2%+0.9%+15.5%$14,562$3,194$11,848
San Jacinto County29%+1.3%+13.2%$12,969$2,397$10,804
Terrell County29%+3.6%+21.5%$17,452$5,264$15,661
Upshur County28.9%+5%+14.7%$13,099$3,020$10,919
Baylor County28.8%-3%+12.8%$17,548$3,110$14,532
Wilbarger County28.8%+3.3%+12.7%$16,145$4,766$13,417
Comanche County28.7%-0.5%+13.1%$15,215$3,627$12,470
Callahan County28.3%+3.8%+12%$14,370$3,989$11,466
Schleicher County28.3%+10.5%+20.9%$15,767$7,349$13,936
Robertson County28.2%+3%+10.5%$15,167$3,791$12,493
Coryell County28.1%+10%+21.7%$10,271$3,655$8,824
Jefferson County28%+6.2%+20.8%$13,490$3,249$11,867
Wharton County28%+6.9%+18.1%$14,428$4,465$12,731
Anderson County27.9%+4%+12.4%$12,253$3,483$9,602
Jackson County27.9%+5.5%+18.7%$13,581$3,308$11,959
Matagorda County27.8%+4.5%+18.6%$14,000$3,935$12,353
Van Zandt County27.8%+1.4%+14.4%$12,703$2,094$10,170
Bowie County27.7%+5.1%+18.3%$13,894$3,847$11,962
Hutchinson County27.7%+8.7%+20.9%$13,151$4,233$11,619
Lampasas County27.7%+7%+14.7%$16,545$4,825$13,909
Mason County27.6%+4%+9.2%$15,153$4,140$12,209
Orange County27.6%+4.8%+21.1%$13,825$2,905$12,578
Grimes County27.5%+6.3%+9.8%$11,611$3,083$9,108
Childress County27.4%-3.6%+13.8%$12,088$2,703$9,318
Llano County27.4%+0.9%+11.7%$17,562$4,641$14,034
Palo Pinto County27.2%+4.3%+20%$14,078$3,916$12,575
Wichita County27.2%+9.2%+21.1%$13,840$4,369$12,299
Gray County27.1%+10.8%+19.7%$12,623$3,663$10,905
Colorado County26.9%+3.3%+16.3%$16,588$4,771$14,594
Hamilton County26.9%+7%+8.8%$17,250$4,751$14,211
Val Verde County26.9%+5.7%+21.4%$12,866$4,345$11,764
Atascosa County26.8%+6.9%+16.8%$12,249$3,456$10,471
Caldwell County26.7%+4.4%+14.1%$10,787$2,325$9,051
Kent County26.6%+0.2%+14.8%$16,953$4,573$15,154
Rusk County26.6%+5.3%+12.9%$12,171$3,070$9,865
San Patricio County26.6%+5.9%+18.9%$13,530$3,432$12,167
Walker County26.6%+3.4%+16.4%$8,951$2,176$7,561
Armstrong County26.4%+3.8%+17.1%$15,451$5,038$13,400
Bandera County26.3%+6.1%+17.3%$15,566$5,462$13,448
Gregg County26.3%+8.5%+17.3%$14,720$4,619$12,786
Lavaca County26.3%+5.1%+9.5%$17,273$5,080$14,502
Panola County26.3%+5.4%+13.2%$14,974$4,915$12,899
Aransas County26%+2.8%+16.9%$16,664$3,651$14,634
Goliad County26%+5.1%+12.7%$14,908$4,644$12,978
Nacogdoches County26%+3.4%+15.1%$12,687$3,631$10,907
Presidio County25.8%+2.7%+13.8%$14,801$5,276$13,024
Jack County25.7%+9.2%+13.2%$11,869$3,339$9,598
Lynn County25.7%-3.3%+18.1%$13,096$2,849$11,554
Liberty County25.4%+2%+14%$10,752$1,339$8,659
Webb County25.4%+4%+15.6%$10,370$2,787$8,949
Young County25.4%+6.2%+12.1%$15,993$4,461$13,397
Scurry County25.3%+9.3%+16.8%$12,277$3,626$10,538
Briscoe County25.2%-2.3%+17.2%$13,797$3,246$12,139
Burleson County25.2%+4.4%+8.1%$14,043$3,946$11,500
Lamb County25.2%-0.9%+17.1%$13,956$3,845$12,162
Live Oak County25.1%+7.3%+15.5%$11,601$3,401$9,983
Pecos County25.1%+4.8%+20.3%$11,245$3,508$10,312
El Paso County25%+4.1%+18.5%$11,035$3,133$9,762
Grayson County24.8%+1.1%+15.1%$13,213$2,701$11,239
Clay County24.7%+4.4%+14.3%$12,924$2,963$10,362
Shelby County24.7%-1.2%+7.6%$16,180$4,844$13,472
Harrison County24.6%+5.1%+13.1%$11,930$2,528$9,925
Jeff Davis County24.5%+4.3%+14.6%$14,591$5,504$12,893
Stonewall County24.4%-4.4%+10.8%$21,642$6,597$18,942
Hardin County24.2%+4.6%+13.5%$13,201$3,583$11,247
Medina County24.2%+2.6%+16%$12,088$3,163$10,621
Hopkins County24.1%+0.3%+10.5%$12,882$3,098$10,552
Sutton County24%+12.6%+14.9%$16,540$7,580$15,108
Titus County23.8%+0.6%+11.2%$12,375$3,856$10,018
Bell County23.5%+7.3%+19.3%$11,619$3,578$10,476
Fayette County23.5%+3.1%+8.5%$16,525$5,024$13,897
Nueces County23.3%+5%+17.4%$12,974$3,690$11,685
La Salle County23.2%+7.8%+8.7%$11,868$3,587$9,716
Victoria County23.1%+5.1%+16.6%$13,649$4,172$12,368
Kerr County23%+1.7%+11.2%$14,793$3,432$12,054
Taylor County23%+4.3%+15.4%$12,766$3,587$11,110
Crockett County22.9%+5.2%+17.9%$14,215$6,165$13,075
DeWitt County22.9%+2.3%+9.6%$16,247$4,818$14,232
Franklin County22.9%-3.7%+9.1%$13,162$1,971$11,008
Potter County22.9%+3.7%+13.4%$12,895$3,786$10,868
Bailey County22.7%+3.2%+16.2%$11,909$3,394$10,554
Hunt County22.7%-1.6%+12%$10,900$1,107$9,018
Carson County22.4%+5.7%+15.9%$10,716$2,879$9,021
McLennan County22.3%+1.5%+12.4%$11,186$2,445$9,167
Hood County22.1%+2.5%+12%$14,038$3,140$11,580
Lee County22.1%+3.3%+9%$12,679$3,383$10,189
Washington County21.7%+1.8%+9.9%$15,871$4,434$13,693
Gonzales County21.5%-0.9%+8.2%$14,339$4,556$12,168
Howard County21.5%+1.3%+15.6%$12,165$3,509$10,798
Calhoun County21.4%-0.4%+16.3%$14,251$4,792$13,237
Yoakum County21.4%+8.4%+17.4%$10,573$2,927$9,661
Cottle County21.3%-6.4%+5%$18,591$3,963$16,052
Austin County21%+5.8%+9.4%$12,910$4,090$10,695
Erath County21%+0.6%+5.8%$10,636$2,702$8,115
Somervell County20.9%+3.7%+5.1%$12,200$3,614$9,705
Bastrop County20.3%+0.7%+4.6%$9,058$1,656$6,498
Lubbock County20%+2.3%+14.5%$10,503$2,395$9,323
Tom Green County20%+2.1%+11.9%$12,629$3,583$10,828
Wilson County20%+3.5%+10%$11,319$3,274$9,581
Brewster County19.9%+1.7%+11.1%$11,574$3,353$10,129
Culberson County19.9%-6.3%+13.1%$16,334$5,065$15,035
Johnson County19.6%+0.8%+9.7%$10,375$2,058$8,341
Bexar County19.5%+2.7%+12.8%$10,239$2,210$8,717
Cooke County19.3%+2.2%+9.7%$11,798$2,185$9,904
Guadalupe County19.3%+2.3%+11.7%$10,352$2,552$8,779
Kenedy County19%+6.9%+15.2%$7,249$1,139$6,380
Upton County19%+2%+11.9%$13,609$4,212$12,334
Burnet County18.8%-0.7%+1.3%$12,137$2,114$8,759
Ward County18.8%+2%+12.5%$11,041$2,176$9,873
Reeves County18.7%-7%+13.4%$11,493$3,249$10,588
Crane County18.5%+5.8%+13.4%$9,842$2,962$8,691
Gillespie County18.4%+0.1%+7.3%$15,541$4,069$13,493
Deaf Smith County18.1%-0.3%+15.3%$11,898$3,464$10,962
Archer County17.9%+2.7%+10.3%$11,083$2,448$9,185
Karnes County17.9%-6.7%+3.5%$14,561$4,345$12,565
Galveston County17.8%+3.2%+11.6%$10,915$2,758$9,491
Wise County17.8%+2.5%+8.3%$9,870$2,412$7,954
Smith County17.7%+1.9%+9.2%$11,830$2,518$10,032
Swisher County17.7%-3.6%+12.8%$12,647$3,562$11,253
Blanco County17.5%+1.8%+3.5%$13,036$4,333$10,427
Roberts County16.9%+5.1%+8.4%$9,151$2,490$7,727
Winkler County16.9%-1.4%+10.9%$11,397$2,823$10,154
Ector County16.8%+3.9%+12.4%$9,286$2,096$8,338
Waller County16.7%-0.3%+7.4%$8,617$1,259$7,060
Reagan County16.6%+5.1%+12.3%$10,847$4,039$9,959
Sterling County16.4%+5.4%+11%$10,971$2,736$9,525
Ellis County16.2%+0.6%+7.4%$8,967$1,864$7,139
Brazoria County15.8%+2.8%+11%$9,088$2,474$8,021
Andrews County15.7%+4.6%+10.4%$8,518$1,928$7,310
Dallam County15.4%+3.2%+8.1%$10,786$2,930$9,183
Comal County15.3%+0.1%+7.3%$11,449$2,088$9,452
Kaufman County15.3%-1.5%+4.4%$8,046$570$6,017
Gaines County15%+1.8%+9.2%$7,044$1,077$5,934
Ochiltree County14.6%+7.4%+10.5%$8,782$3,237$7,729
Brazos County14.4%+1.6%+7.3%$6,854$1,675$5,583
Randall County14.2%+2.1%+12%$8,228$1,884$7,687
Castro County14%-1.5%+11.2%$12,086$3,620$11,221
Hemphill County14%+8.6%+6.9%$10,339$4,918$8,656
Parmer County13.9%-0.1%+11.5%$9,418$2,302$8,469
Shackelford County13.6%+5.8%-0.1%$14,344$4,179$11,600
Tarrant County13.6%+1.5%+7.9%$8,429$1,885$7,050
Chambers County13.4%+0.9%+6.5%$8,250$1,270$6,814
Hansford County13.4%+3%+10.1%$10,484$3,060$9,315
Irion County13.4%+0.9%+4.4%$10,732$2,929$8,630
Parker County12.9%-0.4%+6.5%$9,033$1,540$7,597
Harris County12.8%+2.7%+8.4%$8,838$2,282$7,693
Oldham County12.8%+0.2%+7.6%$9,811$2,437$8,692
Martin County12.2%-1.9%+6.3%$12,015$3,440$10,746
Hays County12%-1.6%+4.4%$7,196$1,248$5,961
McMullen County11.9%+2%+6.5%$14,149$5,824$12,959
Dallas County11.6%+0.2%+7%$8,730$1,941$7,478
Kendall County11.6%+1.6%+2.6%$12,326$3,334$9,893
Montgomery County11%+2.2%+4.3%$8,360$1,840$6,943
Williamson County10.3%-0.4%+0.2%$6,913$1,647$4,998
Rockwall County9.8%+0.5%+0.6%$7,455$1,639$5,134
Fort Bend County9.6%+2.6%+4%$6,767$2,072$5,686
Denton County8.7%+0.1%+2.8%$6,440$1,555$5,186
Travis County7.6%-0.5%+2.2%$6,542$1,183$5,277
Sherman County7.2%-0.1%+4.8%$7,464$1,750$6,578
Borden County7.1%-2.9%+5.2%$8,232$605$7,744
Collin County7.1%+0.5%+0.9%$5,900$1,313$4,488
Loving County6.7%-13.1%-2.3%$9,510$1,575$7,877
Glasscock County5.4%-2.5%+1.4%$6,641$807$5,788
Midland County5.3%+0.6%+1.7%$7,710$1,229$6,715
King County4.6%-0.7%-7.7%$5,206$614$3,898
Hartley County4.2%-1.9%-1.1%$3,748$-266$2,193

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