Abilene, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Abilene, Texas had a total population of 128,053, the 28th largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $62,648, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Abilene Quick Facts
How Abilene Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 128,053 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $62,720 | $62,648 | -0.1% |
| Median home value | $178,900 | $183,700 | +2.7% |
How Abilene Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 67 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Abilene Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Taylor County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potosi | 4,322 | $121,543 | 2.5% | $354,200 |
| Merkel | 2,699 | $73,500 | 11.4% | $115,100 |
| Tuscola | 990 | $84,931 | 7.0% | $191,000 |
| Tye | 936 | $48,421 | 10.7% | $62,600 |
| Buffalo Gap | 534 | $104,750 | 7.5% | $201,300 |
| Lawn | 280 | $61,250 | 8.9% | $69,400 |
| Trent | 280 | $85,000 | 6.8% | $59,100 |
| Impact | 13 | N/A | 61.5% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Abilene
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| College Station | 124,570 | $50,900 | $346,700 | 56.5% | 29.2% |
| McAllen | 145,385 | $61,579 | $190,400 | 32.5% | 20.0% |
| Beaumont | 113,279 | $56,997 | $166,400 | 24.9% | 21.2% |
| Pasadena | 149,433 | $64,927 | $209,600 | 16.2% | 18.9% |
| Odessa | 115,322 | $73,472 | $223,100 | 19.0% | 16.2% |
Population Overview
Abilene is a major urban center located in Texas, within Taylor County. The total population is 128,053. It ranks as the 28th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Abilene is 32.8 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 35.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Abilene is $62,648. This is 20% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.1%. This is 17% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 3.0%. This is 43% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $183,700. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $283,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Abilene is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 56.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Abilene is White (non-Hispanic), making up 56.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 27.1%. The Asian population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 5.5%.
Education
27.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 33.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Abilene, Texas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Texas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Abilene, Texas?
Abilene, Texas has a population of 128,053 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Abilene, TX?
The median household income in Abilene is $62,648, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Abilene, TX?
The poverty rate in Abilene is 16.1%. This means approximately 18,825 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Abilene, Texas?
Abilene's population is 56.8% White, 9.8% Black, 27.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Abilene, TX?
The median home value in Abilene is $183,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Abilene, Texas?
27.3% of adults (25+) in Abilene hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.