Harlingen city, Texas Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Harlingen city is a mid-sized community located in Texas. The total population is 71,669. It ranks as the 57th most populous out of 1,800 cities and towns in Texas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Harlingen city is 33.2 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 35.5 years. With 29.0% of the population under 18, Harlingen city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Harlingen city is $55,891. This is 27% lower than the state median of $76,292. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 29% lower. The poverty rate stands at 24.6%. This is 78% 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 5.1%. The median home value is $125,700. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $260,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Harlingen city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 57.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 62.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Harlingen city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 82.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 14.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (14.5%) is well below the state average of 39.9%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 11.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (82.2% vs 39.5%). The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 5.3%.

Education

21.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% 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 78.6%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Harlingen 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.