Bay City city, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Bay City city, Texas has a total population of 17,816, the 176th largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $51,898, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 11.8% is notably above the national average.
Bay City city Quick Facts
How Bay City city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bay City city Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Cities Similar to Bay City city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gainesville city | 17,688 | $56,341 | $162,900 | 19.6% | 19.9% |
| Alice city | 17,797 | $46,963 | $107,700 | 12.6% | 30.4% |
| White Settlement city | 18,119 | $56,472 | $176,500 | 18.3% | 10.1% |
| Brenham city | 18,086 | $57,207 | $223,200 | 30.0% | 18.7% |
| Pampa city | 16,735 | $53,458 | $95,800 | 15.5% | 17.6% |
Population Overview
Bay City city is a small city located in Texas. The total population is 17,816. It ranks as the 176th most populous out of 1,800 cities and towns in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bay City city is 32.8 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 35.5 years. With 29.1% of the population under 18, Bay City city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bay City city is $51,898. This is 32% lower than the state median of $76,292. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 34% lower. The poverty rate stands at 26.7%. This is 93% 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 11.8%. This is 129% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $149,800. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $260,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Bay City city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 50.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bay City city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 53.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 26.6%. The Asian population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 5.3%.
Education
20.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% lower than the state rate of 33.1%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 81.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bay City city, Texas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Texas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,800 Census-designated places in Texas. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bay City city, Texas?
Bay City city, Texas has a population of 17,816 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bay City city, TX?
The median household income in Bay City city is $51,898, which is 34% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Bay City city, TX?
The poverty rate in Bay City city is 26.7%. This means approximately 4,650 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bay City city, Texas?
Bay City city's population is 26.6% White, 15.4% Black, 53.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bay City city, TX?
The median home value in Bay City city is $149,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Bay City city, Texas?
20.5% of adults (25+) in Bay City city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.