Galveston, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Galveston, Texas had a total population of 53,424, the 72nd largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $55,631, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Galveston Quick Facts
How Galveston 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 | 53,348 | 53,424 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $57,216 | $55,631 | -2.8% |
| Median home value | $294,300 | $326,000 | +10.8% |
How Galveston 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 67 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Galveston Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Galveston County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas City | 55,364 | $68,776 | 16.2% | $217,300 |
| Dickinson | 21,753 | $91,779 | 12.0% | $278,000 |
| La Marque | 19,268 | $71,102 | 15.6% | $206,900 |
| Santa Fe | 12,901 | $99,190 | 10.4% | $325,800 |
| Bacliff | 9,541 | $51,458 | 28.9% | $201,500 |
| Hitchcock | 7,563 | $74,157 | 14.4% | $188,300 |
| San Leon | 6,458 | $75,446 | 8.5% | $183,100 |
| Bolivar Peninsula | 2,951 | $75,547 | 12.2% | $315,500 |
| Kemah | 2,168 | $85,357 | 29.4% | $281,100 |
| Bayou Vista | 1,754 | $120,455 | 7.6% | $375,600 |
Cities Similar to Galveston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Arthur | 55,828 | $46,354 | $107,400 | 12.8% | 29.0% |
| Texas City | 55,364 | $68,776 | $217,300 | 20.0% | 16.2% |
| Sherman | 46,397 | $58,859 | $243,500 | 24.2% | 12.7% |
| Haltom City | 45,767 | $59,057 | $218,800 | 12.7% | 15.1% |
| Huntsville | 47,864 | $47,529 | $236,600 | 24.3% | 23.9% |
Population Overview
Galveston is a mid-sized community located in Texas, within Galveston County. The total population is 53,424. It ranks as the 72nd most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Galveston is 41.5 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 35.6 years. Only 14.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Galveston is $55,631. This is 29% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.4%. This is 55% 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 5.8%. This is 9% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $326,000. Housing costs are 15% higher than the state median of $283,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x. 46.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Galveston is White (non-Hispanic), making up 49.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 29.3%.
Education
36.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 6% higher 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 88.2%. Notably, 15.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Galveston, 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 Galveston, Texas?
Galveston, Texas has a population of 53,424 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Galveston, TX?
The median household income in Galveston is $55,631, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Galveston, TX?
The poverty rate in Galveston is 21.4%. This means approximately 10,712 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Galveston, Texas?
Galveston's population is 49.8% White, 15.0% Black, 29.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Galveston, TX?
The median home value in Galveston is $326,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x.
How educated is Galveston, Texas?
36.0% of adults (25+) in Galveston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.