Deaf Smith County, Texas Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Deaf Smith County is located in Texas with a total population of 18,487. It is the 128th most populous county out of 254 in Texas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Deaf Smith County is 31.4 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 35.5 years. With 31.2% of the population under 18, Deaf Smith County has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Deaf Smith County is $54,114. This is 29% lower than the state median of $76,292. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 31% lower. The poverty rate stands at 15.8%. This is 15% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 3.3%. This is 36% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $116,000. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $260,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Deaf Smith County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 62.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Deaf Smith County is Hispanic or Latino, making up 75.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 21.8%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 11.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (75.7% vs 39.5%). The Asian population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 5.3%.

Education

11.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 64% 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 71.4%.