Port Isabel, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Port Isabel, Texas had a total population of 5,111, the 424th largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $32,222, which is 59% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 34.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 59% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (34.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Port Isabel Quick Facts
How Port Isabel 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 | 5,098 | 5,111 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $50,775 | $32,222 | -36.5% |
| Median home value | $120,900 | $182,600 | +51.0% |
How Port Isabel 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+)
Port Isabel Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Cameron County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brownsville | 189,177 | $52,130 | 23.7% | $139,900 |
| Harlingen | 72,087 | $53,645 | 25.1% | $140,600 |
| San Benito | 24,709 | $43,639 | 29.7% | $85,300 |
| Los Fresnos | 8,291 | $61,938 | 34.7% | $152,200 |
| La Feria | 6,891 | $45,081 | 25.0% | $106,900 |
| Cameron Park | 5,955 | $36,089 | 44.6% | $74,800 |
| Primera | 5,344 | $80,116 | 13.1% | $160,900 |
| Laureles | 4,224 | $34,771 | 35.4% | $152,400 |
| Laguna Vista | 3,673 | $63,632 | 21.8% | $255,900 |
| Santa Rosa | 3,215 | $36,780 | 39.4% | $67,400 |
Cities Similar to Port Isabel
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doffing | 5,004 | $32,318 | $101,700 | 12.4% | 29.8% |
| Marlin | 5,516 | $36,426 | $66,000 | 16.2% | 26.7% |
| Tulia | 4,422 | $32,288 | $81,100 | 15.5% | 31.9% |
| Carrizo Springs | 4,723 | $38,659 | $86,700 | 8.3% | 37.3% |
| Chula Vista (Maverick County) | 4,746 | $39,271 | $100,700 | 3.5% | 24.4% |
Population Overview
Port Isabel is a small city located in Texas, within Cameron County. The total population is 5,111. It ranks as the 424th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Port Isabel is 37.8 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 35.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Port Isabel is $32,222. This is 59% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 60% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 34.2%. This is 148% 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 5.2%. The median home value is $182,600. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $283,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.7x. 60.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Port Isabel is Hispanic or Latino, making up 79.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 18.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (18.6%) is well below the state average of 39.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (79.0% vs 39.7%).
Education
17.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% 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 72.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Port Isabel, 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 Isabel, Texas?
Port Isabel, Texas has a population of 5,111 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Port Isabel, TX?
The median household income in Port Isabel is $32,222, which is 60% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Port Isabel, TX?
The poverty rate in Port Isabel is 34.2%. This means approximately 1,750 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Port Isabel, Texas?
Port Isabel's population is 18.6% White, 0.0% Black, 79.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Port Isabel, TX?
The median home value in Port Isabel is $182,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.7x.
How educated is Port Isabel, Texas?
17.8% of adults (25+) in Port Isabel hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.