Panhandle, Texas Demographics & Population 2026

Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology

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Very AffordableHome value to income ratio of 1.9x is exceptionally low

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Panhandle, Texas had a total population of 2,505, the 653rd largest town in Texas, with a median household income of $85,870, which is 9% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.8%.

Key Takeaways

Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.2%.

Panhandle Quick Facts

Population 2,50590% MOE ±276

Median Household Income $85,87090% MOE ±$5,559

Median Home Value $161,00090% MOE ±$19,365

Poverty Rate 5.8%90% MOE ±3.5 pts

Unemployment Rate 0.2%90% MOE ±0.3 pts

Median Age 48.2 years90% MOE ±6.7 years

Homeownership Rate 77.1%90% MOE ±8.2 pts

Affordability Ratio 1.9x

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 33.1%90% MOE ±8.5 pts

Adults 25+ with high school education or higher 94.9%

Diversity Index 32/100

Population 2,505 653rd of 1,795

Median Income $85,870 top 30%

Poverty Rate 5.8% 53% lower than national

Median Home Value $161,000 average

How Panhandle 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	2,649	2,505	No clear change (-5.4%)
Median household income	$105,600	$85,870	No clear change (-18.7%)
Median home value¹	$164,669	$161,000	No clear change (-2.2%)
Median gross rent	$992	$1,038	No clear change (+4.6%)

¹ The Census Bureau changed its home-value inflation adjustment beginning with the 2022 ACS; interpret that comparison with additional caution.

How Panhandle Compares

Median Household Income

Panhandle

$85,870

$78,476

National

$80,734

Median Home Value

Panhandle

$161,000

$283,800

National

$332,700

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 15.4%

$25K-$50K 17.9%

$50K-$100K 30.7%

$100K+ 35.9%

Detailed income brackets

Under $10K

2.1%

$10K-$15K

1.7%

$15K-$20K

7.5%

$20K-$25K

4.2%

$25K-$30K

6.2%

$30K-$35K

2.8%

$35K-$40K

3.5%

$40K-$45K

5.0%

$45K-$50K

0.4%

$50K-$60K

2.3%

$60K-$75K

6.2%

$75K-$100K

22.3%

$100K-$125K

8.9%

$125K-$150K

11.0%

$150K-$200K

8.1%

$200K+

7.9%

Employment

0.2% Unemployment Rate State: 5.3%|National: 5.2%

70.2% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 77.1%

Renter 22.9%

Affordability Index Very Affordable

1.9x home value to income ratio

Median gross rent $1,038/mo 14.5% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Age Distribution

Under 18

18.0%

18-34

16.9%

35-54

25.7%

55-74

28.1%

75+

11.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Diversity Index

Low Diversity

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+)

Panhandle Rankings in Texas

#653 Population of 1,795

#412 Median Income of 1,546

#359 Education of 1,795

#854 Home Value of 1,542

Explore Texas Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Other Cities in Carson County

City	Population	Median Income	Poverty	Home Value
White Deer	1,191	$87,292	9.6%	$116,700
Groom	549	$67,917	2.5%	$93,900
Skellytown	457	$55,625	24.7%	$38,700

Cities Similar to Panhandle

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

City	Population	Median Income	Home Value	Bachelor's+	Poverty
Bells	2,497	$92,075	$232,400	23.7%	11.8%
Uhland	2,520	$92,238	$279,900	17.0%	6.4%
Westworth Village	2,643	$86,429	$318,200	29.4%	12.2%
Panorama Village	2,525	$77,411	$291,100	38.2%	12.5%
Ozona	2,405	$81,622	$66,900	4.5%	8.9%

Population Overview

Panhandle is a small community located in Texas, within Carson County. The total population is 2,505. It ranks as the 653rd most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Panhandle is 48.2 years. This is 35% higher than the state median of 35.6 years. 11.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Panhandle is $85,870. This is 9% higher than the state median of $78,476. It is also 6% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.8%. This is 58% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 0.2%. This is 96% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $161,000. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $283,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Panhandle is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% higher than the state average of 62.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Panhandle is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (81.1% vs 39.1%). The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 11.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (12.8%) is well below the state average of 39.7%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 5.5%.

Education

33.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% 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 94.9%. Notably, 15.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Panhandle, 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 Panhandle, Texas?

Panhandle, Texas has a population of 2,505 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Panhandle, TX?

The median household income in Panhandle is $85,870, which is 6% higher than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Panhandle, TX?

The poverty rate in Panhandle is 5.8%. This means approximately 143 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Panhandle, Texas?

Panhandle's population is 81.1% White, 1.1% Black, 12.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.

What is the median home value in Panhandle, TX?

The median home value in Panhandle is $161,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.

How educated is Panhandle, Texas?

33.1% of adults (25+) in Panhandle hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.