Brownwood, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Brownwood, Texas had a total population of 18,777, the 172nd largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $48,981, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Brownwood Quick Facts
How Brownwood 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 | 18,805 | 18,777 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $47,821 | $48,981 | +2.4% |
| Median home value | $123,700 | $144,400 | +16.7% |
How Brownwood 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+)
Brownwood Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Brown County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early | 3,143 | $67,346 | 10.5% | $179,800 |
| Bangs | 1,633 | $48,098 | 13.0% | $111,600 |
| Lake Brownwood | 1,544 | $70,000 | 12.2% | $130,700 |
| Thunderbird Bay | 702 | $48,350 | 16.4% | $65,700 |
| Blanket | 434 | $40,750 | 35.7% | $76,800 |
| Zephyr | 244 | $47,917 | 3.7% | $139,100 |
| May | 204 | $90,625 | 7.8% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Brownwood
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palestine | 19,136 | $44,981 | $166,000 | 16.7% | 17.6% |
| Alice | 17,707 | $48,676 | $131,100 | 14.1% | 31.4% |
| Plainview | 19,711 | $44,768 | $113,000 | 15.3% | 24.0% |
| Bay City | 17,730 | $53,840 | $160,800 | 20.2% | 26.0% |
| White Settlement | 18,150 | $56,784 | $187,100 | 17.4% | 12.7% |
Population Overview
Brownwood is a small city located in Texas, within Brown County. The total population is 18,777. It ranks as the 172nd most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Brownwood is 37.6 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 35.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Brownwood is $48,981. This is 38% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.9%. This is 52% 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 4.8%. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $144,400. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $283,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Brownwood is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 54.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Brownwood is White (non-Hispanic), making up 62.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 28.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (62.3% vs 39.1%). The Black or African American population (5.0%) is well below the state average of 11.9%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 5.5%.
Education
19.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% 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 87.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Brownwood, 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 Brownwood, Texas?
Brownwood, Texas has a population of 18,777 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Brownwood, TX?
The median household income in Brownwood is $48,981, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Brownwood, TX?
The poverty rate in Brownwood is 20.9%. This means approximately 3,709 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Brownwood, Texas?
Brownwood's population is 62.3% White, 5.0% Black, 28.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Brownwood, TX?
The median home value in Brownwood is $144,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Brownwood, Texas?
19.0% of adults (25+) in Brownwood hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.