Gainesville city, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Gainesville city, Texas has a total population of 17,688, the 178th largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $56,341, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.9%.
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 8.3% is notably above the national average.
Gainesville city Quick Facts
How Gainesville city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 67 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Gainesville city Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Cities Similar to Gainesville city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Settlement city | 18,119 | $56,472 | $176,500 | 18.3% | 10.1% |
| Brenham city | 18,086 | $57,207 | $223,200 | 30.0% | 18.7% |
| Bay City city | 17,816 | $51,898 | $149,800 | 20.5% | 26.7% |
| Pampa city | 16,735 | $53,458 | $95,800 | 15.5% | 17.6% |
| Sulphur Springs city | 16,185 | $56,457 | $188,200 | 19.1% | 15.6% |
Population Overview
Gainesville city is a small city located in Texas. The total population is 17,688. It ranks as the 178th most populous out of 1,800 cities and towns in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gainesville city is 35.4 years. This is about average than the state median of 35.5 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gainesville city is $56,341. This is 26% lower than the state median of $76,292. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 28% lower. The poverty rate stands at 19.9%. This is 44% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 8.3%. This is 61% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $162,900. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $260,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Gainesville city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 57.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Gainesville city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 56.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 31.9%. The Asian population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 5.3%.
Education
19.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% 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 83.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gainesville city, Texas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Texas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,800 Census-designated places in Texas. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Gainesville city, Texas?
Gainesville city, Texas has a population of 17,688 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gainesville city, TX?
The median household income in Gainesville city is $56,341, which is 28% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Gainesville city, TX?
The poverty rate in Gainesville city is 19.9%. This means approximately 3,423 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gainesville city, Texas?
Gainesville city's population is 56.4% White, 7.2% Black, 31.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gainesville city, TX?
The median home value in Gainesville city is $162,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Gainesville city, Texas?
19.6% of adults (25+) in Gainesville city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.