Ames, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ames, Texas had a total population of 1,142, the 961st largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $36,188, which is 54% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 54% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 9.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Ames Quick Facts
How Ames 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 | 1,085 | 1,142 | +5.3% |
| Median household income | $44,236 | $36,188 | -18.2% |
| Median home value | $153,800 | $203,600 | +32.4% |
How Ames 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 67 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ames Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Liberty County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dayton | 9,058 | $59,691 | 20.6% | $227,600 |
| Mont Belvieu | 9,020 | $132,781 | 9.3% | $411,000 |
| Liberty | 8,650 | $53,833 | 25.2% | $175,300 |
| Old River-Winfree | 2,448 | $72,188 | 25.8% | $124,700 |
| Plum Grove | 1,832 | $66,341 | 16.9% | $200,800 |
| Daisetta | 1,016 | $65,557 | 14.5% | $118,500 |
| Kenefick | 898 | $73,750 | 20.3% | $160,700 |
| Hardin | 621 | $53,203 | 4.2% | $110,200 |
| Big Thicket Lake Estates | 596 | N/A | 35.1% | $107,200 |
| Devers | 386 | $82,321 | 7.8% | $120,700 |
Cities Similar to Ames
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alto Bonito Heights | 1,121 | $35,625 | N/A | 0.0% | 81.0% |
| Runge | 1,108 | N/A | $88,500 | 19.2% | 53.2% |
| Von Ormy | 1,142 | $38,869 | $80,000 | 6.5% | 23.5% |
| Skidmore | 1,183 | $36,744 | $82,500 | 9.4% | 1.1% |
| Western Lake | 1,165 | $34,388 | N/A | 14.6% | 5.8% |
Population Overview
Ames is a small community located in Texas, within Liberty County. The total population is 1,142. It ranks as the 961st most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ames is 39.9 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 35.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ames is $36,188. This is 54% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 55% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.4%. This is 84% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 7.4%. This is 40% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $203,600. Housing costs are 28% lower than the state median of $283,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x. 62.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ames is Black or African American, making up 82.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 39.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (82.4% vs 11.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population (9.8%) is well below the state average of 39.7%.
Education
9.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 73% 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 84.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ames, 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 Ames, Texas?
Ames, Texas has a population of 1,142 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ames, TX?
The median household income in Ames is $36,188, which is 55% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ames, TX?
The poverty rate in Ames is 25.4%. This means approximately 287 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ames, Texas?
Ames's population is 0.4% White, 82.4% Black, 9.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ames, TX?
The median home value in Ames is $203,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x.
How educated is Ames, Texas?
9.0% of adults (25+) in Ames hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.