Harlingen, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Harlingen, Texas had a total population of 72,087, the 58th largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $53,645, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Harlingen Quick Facts
How Harlingen 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 | 71,669 | 72,087 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $55,891 | $53,645 | -4.0% |
| Median home value | $125,700 | $140,600 | +11.9% |
How Harlingen 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+)
Harlingen Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Cameron County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brownsville | 189,177 | $52,130 | 23.7% | $139,900 |
| San Benito | 24,709 | $43,639 | 29.7% | $85,300 |
| Los Fresnos | 8,291 | $61,938 | 34.7% | $152,200 |
| La Feria | 6,891 | $45,081 | 25.0% | $106,900 |
| Cameron Park | 5,955 | $36,089 | 44.6% | $74,800 |
| Primera | 5,344 | $80,116 | 13.1% | $160,900 |
| Port Isabel | 5,111 | $32,222 | 34.2% | $182,600 |
| Laureles | 4,224 | $34,771 | 35.4% | $152,400 |
| Laguna Vista | 3,673 | $63,632 | 21.8% | $255,900 |
| Santa Rosa | 3,215 | $36,780 | 39.4% | $67,400 |
Cities Similar to Harlingen
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Marcos | 70,897 | $51,281 | $310,400 | 38.3% | 26.9% |
| Pharr | 80,333 | $52,814 | $121,900 | 18.8% | 27.6% |
| Victoria | 65,625 | $67,226 | $207,100 | 20.3% | 18.4% |
| Baytown | 85,205 | $59,910 | $197,300 | 14.8% | 18.2% |
| Longview | 82,923 | $63,340 | $202,600 | 23.7% | 17.3% |
Population Overview
Harlingen is a mid-sized community located in Texas, within Cameron County. The total population is 72,087. It ranks as the 58th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Harlingen is 33.4 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 35.6 years. With 28.8% of the population under 18, Harlingen has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Harlingen is $53,645. This is 32% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.1%. This is 82% 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 5.2%. This is 1% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $140,600. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $283,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Harlingen is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 56.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Harlingen is Hispanic or Latino, making up 82.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 13.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (13.9%) is well below the state average of 39.1%. The Black or African American population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 11.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (82.3% vs 39.7%). The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 5.5%.
Education
22.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% 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 79.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Harlingen, 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 Harlingen, Texas?
Harlingen, Texas has a population of 72,087 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Harlingen, TX?
The median household income in Harlingen is $53,645, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Harlingen, TX?
The poverty rate in Harlingen is 25.1%. This means approximately 17,865 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Harlingen, Texas?
Harlingen's population is 13.9% White, 1.5% Black, 82.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Harlingen, TX?
The median home value in Harlingen is $140,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Harlingen, Texas?
22.6% of adults (25+) in Harlingen hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.