Where East Texas History Meets Small-Town Retirement Living

Quitman is a Wood County town of approximately 8,263 residents with a median home value of $200,100 according to Census Bureau data. The community is served by Quitman ISD, rated B by the Texas Education Agency, and maintains an eighty-five percent homeownership rate. Wood County's economy centers on retail trade, manufacturing, and construction, with median household income at $59,407. The town's older population—median age 51.4—reflects its appeal as an affordable retirement destination in East Texas.

History

Quitman's history as Wood County seat dates to 1850, with the county named for Texas Governor George T. Wood. The town's most famous son, James Stephen Hogg, was born nearby in 1851 and launched his political career here as a newspaper editor before becoming Texas's first native-born governor, leaving a legacy commemorated in multiple historical markers throughout the area.

ZIP Codes Compared

As a small town without distinct neighborhood divisions, Quitman's housing market is relatively uniform across its geography. Property values reflect the town's rural East Texas location and aging housing stock built primarily for long-term residents.

Demographics

Quitman's demographics reflect a predominantly white retirement community with a median age over fifty and homeownership rate of eighty-five percent. The population is 83.1% white, 9.9% Hispanic, and 2% Black, with just under a quarter holding bachelor's degrees.

Economy

Wood County's economy is anchored by retail trade employing 1,616 workers, manufacturing with 1,139 employees earning an average of $63,488, and construction jobs paying $74,323 on average according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Service sector jobs in accommodation and food services are plentiful but lower-paying at around $20,089 annually.

Schools

Quitman ISD serves the community with three schools educating 1,208 students and holds a B rating from the Texas Education Agency. The district is the primary educational option for families in town.

Cost of Living

Quitman offers below-average housing costs with a median home value of $200,100 and median rent of $1,053 monthly according to Census estimates. The median household income of $59,407 makes homeownership accessible for middle-income buyers and retirees.

Homeowners Associations

With only two registered homeowners associations, Quitman operates primarily as a non-HOA community where property owners maintain direct control over their homes. The limited HOA presence reflects the town's rural character and older housing stock.

About Quitman

Quitman sits at the crossroads of Wood County's agricultural past and its present as a retirement destination for those seeking affordable small-town Texas living. With a population around 8,263 according to Census Bureau estimates, this county seat town carries the weight of history in its brick buildings and cemetery plots while serving the practical needs of an aging population with a median age over fifty. The town's connection to Texas political history runs deep—James Stephen Hogg, the first native-born governor of Texas, grew up here after being orphaned during the Civil War, eventually becoming a newspaper editor and marrying a local woman before launching his political career. That legacy lives on in the historical markers scattered throughout town, from the Collins-Haines Home built in 1860 as the county's first brick structure to the Clover Hill Cemetery where pioneer families from Georgia and Alabama rest on a hill once covered in yellow clover. Daily life in Quitman centers on Brookshire's for groceries, Country Kitchen and DQ Grill & Chill for meals out, and churches like First Baptist Church of Quitman, organized in 1850 and among the county's earliest congregations. The town supports its residents with CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic for healthcare and City National Bank for financial services, while Bud Moody Stadium serves as a gathering place for high school football. With homeownership at eighty-five percent, this is a community of people who've put down roots, many of them retirees drawn by the combination of low cost of living and genuine small-town character where history isn't just preserved in markers but woven into the fabric of everyday life.

Classification

Type

Incorporated Place

Class Code

C1

Identifiers

GEOID

4860188

State FIPS

48

Place FIPS

60188

Statistics

Neighborhoods

0

Population

2,301

Geography

Geometry

polygon

Area

5 km²

County

Wood

Data Source

Primary Source

tiger

Census Reference

QuickFacts

Frequently Asked Questions About Quitman

Is Quitman a good place to live?

Quitman works well for retirees and those seeking genuine small-town living at affordable prices, though it offers limited appeal for young professionals or families prioritizing amenities. The median age of 51.4 according to Census Bureau data tells the story—this is a community that has aged in place, with an eighty-five percent homeownership rate reflecting long-term residents who've settled permanently. The town provides essential services through Brookshire's for groceries, CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic for healthcare, and local restaurants like Country Kitchen, but entertainment and cultural options are minimal. What Quitman offers instead is affordability, with median home values at $200,100 making homeownership accessible on the median household income of $59,407. The town's deep history as birthplace of Governor James Stephen Hogg and its collection of preserved nineteenth-century structures give it character beyond its size. For those who value quiet, low cost of living, and a place where neighbors know each other, Quitman delivers. For those seeking job diversity, nightlife, or suburban amenities, the nearest metro areas are hours away.

What is the cost of living in Quitman?

Quitman's cost of living sits well below Texas metro averages, driven primarily by affordable housing with a median home value of $200,100 and median rent of $1,053 monthly according to Census Bureau estimates. The median household income of $59,407 makes homeownership realistic for middle-income earners and retirees on fixed incomes, particularly given the town's eighty-five percent homeownership rate. Wood County's economy offers manufacturing jobs averaging $63,488 and construction positions paying $74,323 according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, though service sector jobs in accommodation and food services average just $20,089. Everyday expenses remain reasonable with Brookshire's providing grocery shopping and local restaurants like DQ Grill & Chill offering affordable dining. The tradeoff for these lower costs is limited job diversity and the need to travel to larger cities for specialty shopping, entertainment, or higher-paying professional positions. For retirees stretching Social Security or workers in manufacturing and construction, Quitman's combination of low housing costs and basic amenities creates a sustainable financial picture that's increasingly rare in Texas.

How are the schools in Quitman?

Quitman ISD serves the community with three schools educating 1,208 students and holds a B rating from the Texas Education Agency, representing solid but not exceptional academic performance. As the only school district option in town, families don't have the choice between multiple districts that larger communities offer, making the district's performance a critical factor for anyone moving with school-age children. The community supports its schools through facilities like Bud Moody Stadium for athletics, and the small district size means students often know their classmates across grade levels. With just 22.6% of adults holding bachelor's degrees according to Census data, the town doesn't have the highly educated parent base that often correlates with top-tier school performance. For families prioritizing academics, the B rating suggests competent instruction without the advanced programs or extensive extracurriculars found in larger or wealthier districts. The district serves its purpose for the community's needs, but families seeking A-rated schools or specialized programs would need to look elsewhere in Texas. The aging population—median age over fifty—means school quality isn't the driving concern for most residents.

Is Quitman good for families?

Quitman serves families seeking small-town values and affordability but offers limited resources compared to suburban alternatives. The median home value of $200,100 makes homeownership accessible for young families, and the eighty-five percent homeownership rate according to Census Bureau estimates reflects a stable community where families can put down roots. Quitman ISD's B rating from the Texas Education Agency indicates solid schools, and the three-school district means children progress through grades with familiar classmates. The town provides basic family needs through Brookshire's for groceries and healthcare via CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic, while churches like First Baptist Church of Quitman offer community connection. However, the median age of 51.4 reveals a population skewed toward retirees rather than young families, which affects everything from playground availability to youth sports participation. Entertainment options are minimal beyond high school football at Bud Moody Stadium, and families seeking children's museums, diverse dining, or extensive recreational programs need to travel to larger cities. For families prioritizing safety, affordability, and a place where kids can roam relatively freely, Quitman delivers traditional small-town childhood. For those wanting robust youth activities, diverse schools, or modern amenities, the town's limitations become apparent quickly.

Find Your Place in Quitman's Close-Knit Community

Whether you're retiring to East Texas or seeking affordable small-town living, Quitman offers history and value in equal measure. Connect with a Texas Ally advisor who understands Wood County's housing market and can help you find the right property in this established community.