Gaines County, Texas Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Gaines County is located in Texas with a total population of 21,904. It is the 110th most populous county out of 254 in Texas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Gaines County is 29.3 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 35.5 years. With 35.8% of the population under 18, Gaines County has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Gaines County is $76,605. This is about average than the state median of $76,292. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 2% lower. The poverty rate stands at 7.4%. This is 47% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 2.2%. This is 58% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $185,300. Housing costs are 29% lower than the state median of $260,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Gaines County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% higher than the state average of 62.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Gaines County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 56.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 39.8%. The Black or African American population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 11.9%. The Asian population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 5.3%.

Education

8.1% 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 76% 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 58.3%.