Jefferson County, Texas Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Jefferson County is located in Texas with a total population of 253,939. It is the 22nd most populous county out of 254 in Texas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Jefferson County is 37.1 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 35.5 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Jefferson County is $59,934. This is 21% lower than the state median of $76,292. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 24% lower. The poverty rate stands at 18.8%. This is 36% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 5.5%. This is 8% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $159,600. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $260,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Jefferson County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% lower than the state average of 62.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

Jefferson County is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 32.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (32.9% vs 11.9%).

Education

19.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% 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 84.9%.