Big Lake, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Big Lake, Texas had a total population of 2,990, the 582nd largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $71,471, which is 9% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
Big Lake Quick Facts
How Big Lake 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 | 3,092 | 2,990 | -3.3% |
| Median household income | $72,067 | $71,471 | -0.8% |
| Median home value | $155,500 | $157,900 | +1.5% |
How Big Lake 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 67 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Big Lake Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Cities Similar to Big Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holly Lake Ranch | 2,956 | $70,179 | $260,200 | 43.9% | 7.0% |
| Needville | 3,094 | $70,900 | $221,700 | 23.1% | 14.7% |
| South Padre Island | 2,891 | $70,472 | $516,900 | 52.7% | 16.0% |
| Bolivar Peninsula | 2,951 | $75,547 | $315,500 | 13.9% | 12.2% |
| Taft | 2,871 | $73,032 | $124,200 | 14.0% | 21.3% |
Population Overview
Big Lake is a small community located in Texas, within Reagan County. The total population is 2,990. It ranks as the 582nd most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Big Lake is 27.9 years. This is 22% lower than the state median of 35.6 years. With 35.3% of the population under 18, Big Lake has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Big Lake is $71,471. This is 9% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 11% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.2%. This is 11% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 5.6%. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $157,900. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $283,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Big Lake is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% higher than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Big Lake is Hispanic or Latino, making up 70.9% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 19.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (19.2%) is well below the state average of 39.1%. The Black or African American population (5.9%) is well below the state average of 11.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (70.9% vs 39.7%). The Asian population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 5.5%.
Education
14.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% 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 89.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Big Lake, 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 Big Lake, Texas?
Big Lake, Texas has a population of 2,990 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Big Lake, TX?
The median household income in Big Lake is $71,471, which is 11% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Big Lake, TX?
The poverty rate in Big Lake is 12.2%. This means approximately 364 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Big Lake, Texas?
Big Lake's population is 19.2% White, 5.9% Black, 70.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Big Lake, TX?
The median home value in Big Lake is $157,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Big Lake, Texas?
14.1% of adults (25+) in Big Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.