Karnes County, Texas Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Karnes County is located in Texas with a total population of 14,819. It is the 140th most populous county out of 254 in Texas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Karnes 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 Karnes County is $59,103. This is 23% lower than the state median of $76,292. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 25% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.3%. This is 54% 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 4.6%. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $136,900. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $260,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Karnes County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 62.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Karnes County is Hispanic or Latino, making up 53.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 35.1%. The Asian population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 5.3%.

Education

16.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% 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 77.2%.