Bay City, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bay City, Texas had a total population of 17,730, the 181st largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $53,840, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 13.3% is notably above the national average.
Bay City Quick Facts
How Bay City 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 | 17,816 | 17,730 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $51,898 | $53,840 | +3.7% |
| Median home value | $149,800 | $160,800 | +7.3% |
How Bay City 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+)
Bay City Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Matagorda County
Cities Similar to Bay City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Settlement | 18,150 | $56,784 | $187,100 | 17.4% | 12.7% |
| Alice | 17,707 | $48,676 | $131,100 | 14.1% | 31.4% |
| Gainesville | 17,883 | $58,809 | $177,000 | 19.4% | 19.1% |
| Pampa | 16,659 | $56,626 | $100,700 | 17.0% | 17.2% |
| Humble | 16,521 | $57,011 | $216,400 | 17.4% | 18.8% |
Population Overview
Bay City is a small city located in Texas, within Matagorda County. The total population is 17,730. It ranks as the 181st most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bay City is 31.6 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 35.6 years. With 29.3% of the population under 18, Bay City has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bay City is $53,840. This is 31% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.0%. This is 89% 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 13.3%. This is 152% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $160,800. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $283,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 45.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bay City is Hispanic or Latino, making up 56.9% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 26.1%. The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 5.5%.
Education
20.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% 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 80.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bay City, 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 Bay City, Texas?
Bay City, Texas has a population of 17,730 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bay City, TX?
The median household income in Bay City is $53,840, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bay City, TX?
The poverty rate in Bay City is 26.0%. This means approximately 4,519 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bay City, Texas?
Bay City's population is 26.1% White, 13.7% Black, 56.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bay City, TX?
The median home value in Bay City is $160,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Bay City, Texas?
20.2% of adults (25+) in Bay City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.