El Cenizo, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, El Cenizo, Texas had a total population of 2,122, the 724th largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $48,897, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.9%.
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.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (32.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 7.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x.
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 | 2,328 | 2,122 | -8.8% |
| Median household income | $41,786 | $48,897 | +17.0% |
| Median home value | $65,700 | $69,800 | +6.2% |
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 Webb County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laredo | 257,619 | $63,915 | 20.9% | $193,500 |
| Rio Bravo | 4,491 | $45,864 | 32.8% | $77,400 |
| Los Altos | 1,082 | $22,177 | 91.1% | N/A |
| Pueblo Nuevo | 511 | $78,346 | 8.6% | $159,800 |
| Ranchos Penitas West | 395 | $61,250 | 6.3% | $254,500 |
| Ranchitos East | 282 | N/A | 8.2% | N/A |
| Bruni | 278 | N/A | 11.2% | $137,500 |
| San Carlos II | 259 | $2,499 | 23.9% | $39,000 |
| Ranchitos Las Lomas | 192 | N/A | 26.6% | $227,900 |
| Los Fresnos | 177 | N/A | 11.3% | N/A |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quanah | 2,109 | $51,161 | $71,100 | 12.8% | 14.3% |
| Memphis | 2,174 | $47,639 | $77,300 | 20.5% | 17.3% |
| Las Quintas Fronterizas | 2,203 | N/A | $145,000 | 2.9% | 29.9% |
| Whitney | 2,050 | $48,571 | $108,900 | 10.8% | 23.9% |
| Perezville | 2,237 | $47,836 | $105,800 | 7.3% | 10.5% |
Population Overview
El Cenizo is a small community located in Texas, within Webb County. The total population is 2,122. It ranks as the 724th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in El Cenizo is 28.6 years. This is 20% lower than the state median of 35.6 years. With 34.3% of the population under 18, El Cenizo has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in El Cenizo is $48,897. 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 32.9%. This is 139% 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 5.9%. This is 11% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $69,800. Housing costs are 75% lower than the state median of $283,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, El Cenizo is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% higher than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
El Cenizo has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 96.4% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 3.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (3.6%) is well below the state average of 39.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (96.4% vs 39.7%).
Education
7.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 79% 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 50.4%.
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 2,122 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in El Cenizo, TX?
The median household income in El Cenizo is $48,897, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in El Cenizo, TX?
The poverty rate in El Cenizo is 32.9%. This means approximately 695 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of El Cenizo, Texas?
El Cenizo's population is 3.6% White, 0.0% Black, 96.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in El Cenizo, TX?
The median home value in El Cenizo is $69,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is El Cenizo, Texas?
7.0% of adults (25+) in El Cenizo hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.