Marlin, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Marlin, Texas had a total population of 5,516, the 406th largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $36,426, which is 54% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 54% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in Texas (diversity index: 70/100).
- Unemployment rate of 14.2% is notably above the national average.
Marlin Quick Facts
How Marlin 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 | 5,500 | 5,516 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $38,000 | $36,426 | -4.1% |
| Median home value | $49,800 | $66,000 | +32.5% |
How Marlin 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+)
Marlin Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Falls County
Cities Similar to Marlin
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Park | 5,955 | $36,089 | $74,800 | 8.1% | 44.6% |
| Sansom Park | 5,392 | $42,257 | $158,200 | 7.7% | 26.7% |
| Elsa | 5,697 | $42,439 | $81,600 | 7.8% | 31.8% |
| Crystal City | 6,159 | $36,328 | $109,100 | 10.3% | 38.2% |
| Doolittle | 6,203 | $36,109 | $78,200 | 2.8% | 55.9% |
Population Overview
Marlin is a small city located in Texas, within Falls County. The total population is 5,516. It ranks as the 406th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Marlin is 35.0 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 35.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Marlin is $36,426. This is 54% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 55% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.7%. This is 94% 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 14.2%. This is 169% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $66,000. Housing costs are 77% lower than the state median of $283,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Marlin is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Marlin is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 27.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (39.4% vs 11.9%).
Education
16.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% 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 82.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Marlin, 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 Marlin, Texas?
Marlin, Texas has a population of 5,516 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Marlin, TX?
The median household income in Marlin is $36,426, which is 55% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Marlin, TX?
The poverty rate in Marlin is 26.7%. This means approximately 1,309 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Marlin, Texas?
Marlin's population is 25.3% White, 39.4% Black, 27.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Marlin, TX?
The median home value in Marlin is $66,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Marlin, Texas?
16.2% of adults (25+) in Marlin hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.