Plainview, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Plainview, Texas had a total population of 19,711, the 164th largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $44,768, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Plainview Quick Facts
How Plainview 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 | 20,492 | 19,711 | -3.8% |
| Median household income | $59,603 | $44,768 | -24.9% |
| Median home value¹ | $103,872 | $113,000 | No clear change (+8.8%) |
| Median gross rent | $794 | $851 | No clear change (+7.2%) |
How Plainview 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: 27.7%
- Black: 4.3%
- Hispanic: 65.3%
- Asian: 0.7%
- Other: 0.4%
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 67 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 26.5%
- HS Diploma: 29.0%
- Some College: 20.4%
- Associate's: 8.9%
- Bachelor's: 9.3%
- Graduate+: 5.9%
Plainview Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Hale County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seth Ward | 2,205 | $53,990 | 24.7% | $62,400 |
| Hale Center | 2,037 | $57,083 | 18.0% | $76,200 |
| Petersburg | 699 | $51,250 | 18.7% | $72,700 |
| Edmonson | 120 | $65,000 | 8.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Plainview
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
Population Overview
Plainview is a small city located in Texas, within Hale County. The total population is 19,711. It ranks as the 164th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Plainview is 32.7 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 35.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Plainview is $44,768. This is 43% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.0%. This is 74% 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 6.7%. This is 28% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $113,000. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $283,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Plainview is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 52.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Plainview is Hispanic or Latino, making up 65.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 27.7%. The Black or African American population (4.3%) is well below the state average of 11.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (65.3% vs 39.7%). The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 5.5%.
Education
15.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 55% 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 73.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Plainview, 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 Plainview, Texas?
Plainview, Texas has a population of 19,711 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Plainview, TX?
The median household income in Plainview is $44,768, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Plainview, TX?
The poverty rate in Plainview is 24.0%. This means approximately 4,603 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Plainview, Texas?
Plainview's population is 27.7% White, 4.3% Black, 65.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Plainview, TX?
The median home value in Plainview is $113,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Plainview, Texas?
15.3% of adults (25+) in Plainview hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.