Brownsville city, Texas Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Brownsville city is a major urban center located in Texas. The total population is 188,023. It ranks as the 18th most populous out of 1,800 cities and towns in Texas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Brownsville city is 30.9 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 35.5 years. With 29.1% of the population under 18, Brownsville city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Brownsville city is $48,675. This is 36% lower than the state median of $76,292. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 38% lower. The poverty rate stands at 24.9%. This is 80% 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 6.1%. This is 19% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $122,400. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $260,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Brownsville city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 59.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 62.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

Brownsville city has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 94.2% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 4.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (4.2%) is well below the state average of 39.9%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 11.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (94.2% vs 39.5%). The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 5.3%.

Education

22.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% 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 70.8%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Brownsville 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.