El Cenizo, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, El Cenizo, Texas had a total population of 377, the 1364th largest community in Texas. The poverty rate is 57.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (57.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 22.0% is notably above the national average.
El Cenizo Quick Facts
How El Cenizo 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 | 380 | 377 | -0.8% |
| Median home value | $82,300 | $82,500 | +0.2% |
How El Cenizo 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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 67 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
El Cenizo Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Starr County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio Grande City | 15,396 | $44,577 | 30.8% | $113,200 |
| Roma | 11,545 | $24,579 | 37.1% | $94,400 |
| Escobares | 2,573 | $29,844 | 44.3% | $72,800 |
| Las Lomas | 2,154 | $24,583 | 37.0% | $87,200 |
| Mikes | 1,688 | $49,375 | 19.9% | $95,000 |
| La Grulla | 1,341 | $37,308 | 19.2% | $54,400 |
| Alto Bonito Heights | 1,121 | $35,625 | 81.0% | N/A |
| Mi Ranchito Estate | 1,091 | N/A | 9.2% | $217,200 |
| Nina | 965 | $43,553 | 12.4% | N/A |
| West Alto Bonito | 822 | $40,896 | 44.9% | $82,300 |
Cities Similar to El Cenizo
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cove | 378 | $57,292 | $280,800 | 6.2% | 13.2% |
| Camargito | 376 | N/A | N/A | 39.8% | 15.4% |
| North Cleveland | 376 | $95,368 | $203,800 | 13.7% | 13.7% |
| Grandfalls | 375 | $33,125 | $44,100 | 15.6% | 22.9% |
| Mingus | 380 | $53,036 | $82,100 | 8.0% | 23.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 377, El Cenizo's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
El Cenizo is a small community located in Texas, within Starr County. The total population is 377. It ranks as the 1364th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in El Cenizo is 16.4 years. This is 54% lower than the state median of 35.6 years. With 54.1% of the population under 18, El Cenizo has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 57.8%. This is 319% 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 22.0%. This is 317% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $82,500. Housing costs are 71% lower than the state median of $283,800. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 60% higher than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in El Cenizo was recorded as Hispanic or Latino. A figure of exactly 100.0% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
0.0% 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. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 55.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for El Cenizo, 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 El Cenizo, Texas?
El Cenizo, Texas has a population of 377 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in El Cenizo, TX?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for El Cenizo — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in El Cenizo, TX?
The poverty rate in El Cenizo is 57.8%. This means approximately 218 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of El Cenizo, Texas?
El Cenizo's population is 0.0% White, 0.0% Black, 100.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in El Cenizo, TX?
The median home value in El Cenizo is $82,500.
How educated is El Cenizo, Texas?
0.0% of adults (25+) in El Cenizo hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.