Hale Center, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hale Center, Texas had a total population of 2,037, the 738th largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $57,083, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 6.8% 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 1.3x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.9% is notably above the national average.
Hale Center Quick Facts
How Hale Center 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 | 1,705 | 2,037 | +19.5% |
| Median household income | $49,083 | $57,083 | +16.3% |
| Median home value | $85,300 | $76,200 | -10.7% |
How Hale Center 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+)
Hale Center Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Hale County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plainview | 19,711 | $44,768 | 24.0% | $113,000 |
| Seth Ward | 2,205 | $53,990 | 24.7% | $62,400 |
| Petersburg | 699 | $51,250 | 18.7% | $72,700 |
| Edmonson | 120 | $65,000 | 8.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Hale Center
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malakoff | 2,045 | $56,719 | $83,800 | 19.3% | 20.5% |
| Rockwell Place | 2,016 | $57,188 | $91,600 | 12.5% | 10.2% |
| Lyford | 2,054 | $56,071 | $59,400 | 13.5% | 20.8% |
| Waskom | 2,084 | $55,781 | $92,000 | 10.4% | 17.1% |
| Collinsville | 2,060 | $60,417 | $241,700 | 14.9% | 11.5% |
Population Overview
Hale Center is a small community located in Texas, within Hale County. The total population is 2,037. It ranks as the 738th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hale Center is 43.5 years. This is 22% higher than the state median of 35.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hale Center is $57,083. This is 27% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 29% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.0%. This is 30% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 8.9%. This is 69% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $76,200. Housing costs are 73% lower than the state median of $283,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x, Hale Center is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 84.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% higher than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Hale Center is Hispanic or Latino, making up 76.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 15.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (15.1%) is well below the state average of 39.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (76.1% vs 39.7%).
Education
6.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 80% 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 63.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hale Center, 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 Hale Center, Texas?
Hale Center, Texas has a population of 2,037 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hale Center, TX?
The median household income in Hale Center is $57,083, which is 29% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hale Center, TX?
The poverty rate in Hale Center is 18.0%. This means approximately 358 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hale Center, Texas?
Hale Center's population is 15.1% White, 6.8% Black, 76.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hale Center, TX?
The median home value in Hale Center is $76,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.3x.
How educated is Hale Center, Texas?
6.8% of adults (25+) in Hale Center hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.