McAllen, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, McAllen, Texas had a total population of 145,385, the 23rd largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $61,579, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
McAllen Quick Facts
How McAllen 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 | 143,789 | 145,385 | +1.1% |
| Median household income | $60,165 | $61,579 | +2.4% |
| Median home value | $173,800 | $190,400 | +9.6% |
How McAllen 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
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+)
McAllen Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Hidalgo County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 |
| Palmview | 15,921 | $43,963 | 30.8% | $113,600 |
Cities Similar to McAllen
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pasadena | 149,433 | $64,927 | $209,600 | 16.2% | 18.9% |
| Waco | 143,570 | $54,365 | $221,700 | 28.7% | 23.1% |
| Killeen | 158,159 | $60,977 | $215,400 | 21.9% | 17.4% |
| Mesquite | 149,299 | $72,537 | $245,700 | 19.6% | 13.4% |
| Abilene | 128,053 | $62,648 | $183,700 | 27.3% | 16.1% |
Population Overview
McAllen is a major urban center located in Texas, within Hidalgo County. The total population is 145,385. It ranks as the 23rd most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in McAllen is 33.5 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 35.6 years. With 28.2% of the population under 18, McAllen has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in McAllen is $61,579. This is 22% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.0%. This is 45% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 6.0%. This is 13% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $190,400. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $283,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 59.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
McAllen has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 87.0% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 8.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (8.5%) is well below the state average of 39.1%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 11.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (87.0% vs 39.7%). The Asian population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 5.5%.
Education
32.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% 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 80.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for McAllen, 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.
Free data download: Get all Texas city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of McAllen, Texas?
McAllen, Texas has a population of 145,385 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in McAllen, TX?
The median household income in McAllen is $61,579, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in McAllen, TX?
The poverty rate in McAllen is 20.0%. This means approximately 28,807 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of McAllen, Texas?
McAllen's population is 8.5% White, 0.6% Black, 87.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in McAllen, TX?
The median home value in McAllen is $190,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is McAllen, Texas?
32.5% of adults (25+) in McAllen hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.