McAllen city, Texas Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

McAllen city is a major urban center located in Texas. The total population is 143,789. It ranks as the 23rd most populous out of 1,800 cities and towns in Texas.

Age Demographics

The median age in McAllen city is 34.0 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 35.5 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in McAllen city is $60,165. This is 21% lower than the state median of $76,292. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 23% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.2%. This is 46% 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 5.5%. This is 7% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $173,800. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $260,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, McAllen city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 59.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 62.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

McAllen city has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 86.5% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 8.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (8.6%) is well below the state average of 39.9%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 11.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (86.5% vs 39.5%).

Education

32.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 3% 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 79.9%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for McAllen city, Texas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Texas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,800 Census-designated places in Texas. For official data, visit data.census.gov.