Big Sandy, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Big Sandy, Texas had a total population of 1,289, the 918th largest town in Texas, with a median household income of $41,467, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 15.1% is notably above the national average.
Big Sandy Quick Facts
How Big Sandy 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 | 1,215 | 1,289 | +6.1% |
| Median household income | $41,806 | $41,467 | -0.8% |
| Median home value | $119,800 | $123,100 | +2.8% |
How Big Sandy 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 Sandy Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Upshur County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gilmer | 5,025 | $44,316 | 18.3% | $166,700 |
| Ore City | 851 | $72,721 | 13.5% | $112,500 |
| Union Grove | 676 | $250,000+ | 3.4% | $224,500 |
Cities Similar to Big Sandy
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oyster Creek | 1,288 | N/A | $164,500 | 2.6% | 13.8% |
| Beauxart Gardens | 1,276 | N/A | $171,600 | 10.0% | 3.2% |
| Coldspring | 1,274 | $43,851 | $216,800 | 14.8% | 27.0% |
| César Chávez | 1,351 | N/A | $162,300 | 0.0% | 20.4% |
| Clint | 1,258 | $43,977 | $203,700 | 27.4% | 28.5% |
Population Overview
Big Sandy is a small community located in Texas, within Upshur County. The total population is 1,289. It ranks as the 918th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Big Sandy is 32.4 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 35.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Big Sandy is $41,467. This is 47% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.4%. This is 113% 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 15.1%. This is 186% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $123,100. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $283,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 51.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Big Sandy is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 13.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (74.8% vs 39.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (8.6%) is well below the state average of 39.7%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 5.5%.
Education
18.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 82.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Big Sandy, 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.
Free data download: Get all Texas city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Big Sandy, Texas?
Big Sandy, Texas has a population of 1,289 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Big Sandy, TX?
The median household income in Big Sandy is $41,467, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Big Sandy, TX?
The poverty rate in Big Sandy is 29.4%. This means approximately 379 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Big Sandy, Texas?
Big Sandy's population is 74.8% White, 13.2% Black, 8.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Big Sandy, TX?
The median home value in Big Sandy is $123,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Big Sandy, Texas?
18.4% of adults (25+) in Big Sandy hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.