Port Arthur, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Port Arthur, Texas had a total population of 55,828, the 69th largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $46,354, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.4% is notably above the national average.
Port Arthur Quick Facts
How Port Arthur 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 | 55,779 | 55,828 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $45,752 | $46,354 | +1.3% |
| Median home value | $96,900 | $107,400 | +10.8% |
How Port Arthur 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 67 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Port Arthur Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Jefferson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaumont | 113,279 | $56,997 | 21.2% | $166,400 |
| Nederland | 18,381 | $77,570 | 8.3% | $208,300 |
| Groves | 16,976 | $73,710 | 8.0% | $163,600 |
| Port Neches | 13,664 | $81,637 | 13.1% | $253,200 |
| Central Gardens | 3,976 | $83,750 | 12.7% | $216,700 |
| Fannett | 1,654 | $90,962 | 9.7% | $230,900 |
| Hamshire | 1,388 | $102,800 | 3.3% | $202,600 |
| Beauxart Gardens | 1,276 | N/A | 3.2% | $171,600 |
| Bevil Oaks | 1,133 | $91,031 | 7.7% | $232,700 |
| China | 963 | $55,104 | 11.8% | $186,500 |
Cities Similar to Port Arthur
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galveston | 53,424 | $55,631 | $326,000 | 36.0% | 21.4% |
| Huntsville | 47,864 | $47,529 | $236,600 | 24.3% | 23.9% |
| Texas City | 55,364 | $68,776 | $217,300 | 20.0% | 16.2% |
| San Marcos | 70,897 | $51,281 | $310,400 | 38.3% | 26.9% |
| DeSoto | 56,211 | $82,782 | $319,400 | 30.1% | 7.6% |
Population Overview
Port Arthur is a mid-sized community located in Texas, within Jefferson County. The total population is 55,828. It ranks as the 69th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Port Arthur is 35.5 years. This is about the same as the state median of 35.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Port Arthur is $46,354. This is 41% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.0%. This is 110% 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 8.4%. This is 59% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $107,400. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $283,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Port Arthur is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Port Arthur is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 36.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (15.8%) is well below the state average of 39.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (41.9% vs 11.9%).
Education
12.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 62% 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 78.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Port Arthur, 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 Port Arthur, Texas?
Port Arthur, Texas has a population of 55,828 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Port Arthur, TX?
The median household income in Port Arthur is $46,354, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Port Arthur, TX?
The poverty rate in Port Arthur is 29.0%. This means approximately 15,913 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Port Arthur, Texas?
Port Arthur's population is 15.8% White, 41.9% Black, 36.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Port Arthur, TX?
The median home value in Port Arthur is $107,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Port Arthur, Texas?
12.8% of adults (25+) in Port Arthur hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.