El Refugio, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, El Refugio, Texas had a total population of 780, the 1117th largest community in Texas, with a median household income of $47,440, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 60.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (60.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 1.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 15.7% is notably above the national average.
El Refugio Quick Facts
How El Refugio 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 | 686 | 780 | +13.7% |
| Median household income | $51,042 | $47,440 | -7.1% |
How El Refugio 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 Refugio 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 Refugio
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Paul | 769 | N/A | N/A | 6.8% | 21.2% |
| Hilltop Lakes | 797 | N/A | $233,300 | 54.3% | 27.4% |
| Fabrica | 774 | $49,179 | N/A | 21.7% | 58.9% |
| Alice Acres | 819 | N/A | N/A | 11.6% | 56.8% |
| Las Palmas II | 808 | $45,893 | $147,300 | 2.4% | 32.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 780, El Refugio'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 Refugio is a small community located in Texas, within Starr County. The total population is 780. It ranks as the 1117th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in El Refugio is 22.3 years. This is 37% lower than the state median of 35.6 years. With 36.7% of the population under 18, El Refugio has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in El Refugio is $47,440. This is 40% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 41% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 60.5%. This is 339% 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 15.7%. This is 198% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. 59.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in El Refugio 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
1.4% 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 96% 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 68.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for El Refugio, 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 Refugio, Texas?
El Refugio, Texas has a population of 780 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in El Refugio, TX?
The median household income in El Refugio is $47,440, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in El Refugio, TX?
The poverty rate in El Refugio is 60.5%. This means approximately 472 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of El Refugio, Texas?
El Refugio'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 Refugio, TX?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for El Refugio — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is El Refugio, Texas?
1.4% of adults (25+) in El Refugio hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.