La Joya, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, La Joya, Texas had a total population of 4,763, the 439th largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $53,526, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
La Joya Quick Facts
How La Joya Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,253 | 4,763 | +12.0% |
| Median home value¹ | $105,226 | $108,000 | No clear change (+2.6%) |
| Median gross rent | $820 | $884 | No clear change (+7.9%) |
How La Joya Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 4.1%
- Black: 0.0%
- Hispanic: 95.9%
- Asian: 0.0%
- Other: 0.0%
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+)
- < High School: 32.8%
- HS Diploma: 36.5%
- Some College: 9.6%
- Associate's: 3.9%
- Bachelor's: 9.9%
- Graduate+: 7.4%
La Joya Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Hidalgo County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McAllen | 145,385 | $61,579 | 20.0% | $190,400 |
| Edinburg | 104,550 | $59,466 | 26.0% | $189,600 |
| Mission | 87,038 | $60,767 | 19.4% | $175,700 |
| Pharr | 80,333 | $52,814 | 27.6% | $121,900 |
| Weslaco | 42,229 | $59,551 | 23.2% | $140,000 |
| San Juan (Hidalgo County) | 36,149 | $56,562 | 22.4% | $126,700 |
| Alamo | 20,255 | $57,096 | 25.3% | $145,100 |
| Alton | 20,214 | $52,715 | 27.5% | $156,300 |
| Donna | 16,833 | $40,438 | 40.7% | $86,100 |
| Mercedes | 16,733 | $46,904 | 28.6% | $111,800 |
Cities Similar to La Joya
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Alamo | 4,819 | $55,408 | $82,900 | 10.1% | 22.9% |
| Anthony | 4,580 | $54,588 | $168,200 | 15.0% | 19.7% |
| Mineola | 5,068 | $53,000 | $215,700 | 29.0% | 12.2% |
| Falfurrias | 4,646 | $49,167 | $79,900 | 18.4% | 19.9% |
| La Grange | 4,452 | $53,547 | $338,700 | 27.8% | 10.9% |
Population Overview
La Joya is a small community located in Texas, within Hidalgo County. The total population is 4,763. It ranks as the 439th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in La Joya is 32.2 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 35.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in La Joya is $53,526. 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 21.7%. This is 57% 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 4.9%. This is 6% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $108,000. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $283,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, La Joya is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 53.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
La Joya has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 95.9% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 4.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (4.1%) is well below the state average of 39.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (95.9% vs 39.7%).
Education
17.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% 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 67.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for La Joya, 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 La Joya, Texas?
La Joya, Texas has a population of 4,763 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in La Joya, TX?
The median household income in La Joya is $53,526, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in La Joya, TX?
The poverty rate in La Joya is 21.7%. This means approximately 1,033 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of La Joya, Texas?
La Joya's population is 4.1% White, 0.0% Black, 95.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in La Joya, TX?
The median home value in La Joya is $108,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is La Joya, Texas?
17.3% of adults (25+) in La Joya hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.