Houston, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Houston, Texas had a total population of 2,328,253, the 1st largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $64,813, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Houston is the 1st largest city in Texas with a population of 2,328,253.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in Texas (diversity index: 70/100).
Houston Quick Facts
How Houston 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 | 2,300,419 | 2,328,253 | +1.2% |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $64,813 | +3.1% |
| Median home value | $253,400 | $277,800 | +9.6% |
How Houston 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
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 67 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Houston Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Harris County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pasadena | 149,433 | $64,927 | 18.9% | $209,600 |
| Pearland | 127,514 | $118,842 | 4.1% | $356,300 |
| The Woodlands | 121,002 | $140,701 | 5.5% | $511,700 |
| League City | 116,215 | $121,099 | 5.4% | $360,000 |
| Atascocita | 99,354 | $118,226 | 7.4% | $307,400 |
| Baytown | 85,205 | $59,910 | 18.2% | $197,300 |
| Missouri City | 76,558 | $94,390 | 7.1% | $311,400 |
| Spring | 68,580 | $88,997 | 10.4% | $231,500 |
| Channelview | 43,605 | $64,422 | 20.3% | $195,900 |
| Friendswood | 41,030 | $126,508 | 3.6% | $420,100 |
Cities Similar to Houston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio | 1,479,835 | $65,056 | $235,700 | 29.0% | 17.2% |
| Dallas | 1,307,930 | $70,518 | $320,700 | 38.2% | 16.7% |
| Fort Worth | 963,194 | $79,507 | $303,000 | 32.0% | 13.1% |
| Austin | 979,539 | $93,658 | $555,300 | 59.6% | 12.0% |
| El Paso | 680,130 | $59,745 | $184,500 | 28.1% | 18.4% |
Population Overview
Houston is a major urban center located in Texas, within Harris County. The total population is 2,328,253. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Houston is 34.4 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 35.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Houston is $64,813. This is 17% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 20% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.9%. This is 44% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 7.0%. This is 32% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $277,800. Housing costs are 2% lower than the state median of $283,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 42.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Houston is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 23.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (22.3% vs 11.9%).
Education
36.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% 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 80.4%. Notably, 15.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Houston, 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 Houston, Texas?
Houston, Texas has a population of 2,328,253 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Houston, TX?
The median household income in Houston is $64,813, which is 20% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Houston, TX?
The poverty rate in Houston is 19.9%. This means approximately 455,988 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Houston, Texas?
Houston's population is 23.2% White, 22.3% Black, 44.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Houston, TX?
The median home value in Houston is $277,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Houston, Texas?
36.6% of adults (25+) in Houston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.