Hays, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hays, Texas had a total population of 198, the 1557th largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $70,625, which is 10% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Hays Quick Facts
How Hays 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 | 173 | 198 | +14.5% |
| Median household income | $89,750 | $70,625 | -21.3% |
| Median home value | $330,400 | $327,300 | -0.9% |
How Hays 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+)
Hays Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Hays County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Marcos | 70,897 | $51,281 | 26.9% | $310,400 |
| Kyle | 56,823 | $90,323 | 8.9% | $334,600 |
| Buda | 15,859 | $123,766 | 6.0% | $446,600 |
| Dripping Springs | 7,405 | $109,364 | 2.1% | $635,600 |
| Belterra | 6,978 | $219,727 | 1.5% | $773,400 |
| Wimberley | 2,891 | $80,362 | 6.9% | $550,800 |
| Uhland | 2,520 | $92,238 | 6.4% | $279,900 |
| Woodcreek | 2,333 | $74,107 | 4.1% | $425,600 |
| Niederwald | 1,029 | $78,438 | 26.9% | $286,500 |
| Mountain City | 787 | $128,929 | 0.0% | $494,800 |
Cities Similar to Hays
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barstow | 198 | N/A | $180,800 | 1.6% | 4.0% |
| Damon | 196 | N/A | $92,500 | 0.0% | 64.3% |
| Garciasville | 196 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 19.4% |
| Ranchitos Las Lomas | 192 | N/A | $227,900 | 0.0% | 26.6% |
| Fronton | 205 | N/A | N/A | 27.3% | 71.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 198, Hays's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Hays is a small community located in Texas, within Hays County. The total population is 198. It ranks as the 1557th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hays is 53.0 years. This is 49% higher than the state median of 35.6 years. 13.6% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hays is $70,625. This is 10% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 13% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.1%. This is 56% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 7.7%. This is 46% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $327,300. Housing costs are 15% higher than the state median of $283,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x. 80.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% higher than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Hays is White (non-Hispanic), making up 48.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 31.8%. The Black or African American population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 11.9%.
Education
40.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% 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 90.7%. Notably, 17.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hays, 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 Hays, Texas?
Hays, Texas has a population of 198 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hays, TX?
The median household income in Hays is $70,625, which is 13% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hays, TX?
The poverty rate in Hays is 6.1%. This means approximately 12 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hays, Texas?
Hays's population is 48.0% White, 3.0% Black, 31.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hays, TX?
The median home value in Hays is $327,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x.
How educated is Hays, Texas?
40.0% of adults (25+) in Hays hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 17.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.