Prairie View, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Prairie View, Texas had a total population of 8,431, the 306th largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $21,060, which is 73% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 38.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 73% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (38.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 46.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Texas.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 8.0x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 21.9% is notably above the national average.
Prairie View Quick Facts
How Prairie View 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 | 8,220 | 8,431 | +2.6% |
| Median household income | $19,106 | $21,060 | +10.2% |
| Median home value | $171,900 | $167,600 | -2.5% |
How Prairie View 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+)
Prairie View Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Waller County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hempstead | 6,137 | $60,041 | 22.6% | $160,700 |
| Brookshire | 5,495 | $65,934 | 21.4% | $159,300 |
| Waller | 3,108 | $39,969 | 25.5% | $156,900 |
| Pine Island | 1,321 | $55,375 | 12.9% | $353,300 |
| Pattison | 706 | $99,659 | 20.0% | $504,400 |
Cities Similar to Prairie View
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salida del Sol Estates | 7,766 | $36,097 | $96,800 | 6.6% | 43.1% |
| Eidson Road | 9,684 | $33,839 | $100,900 | 6.5% | 24.6% |
| Brownfield | 8,738 | $42,150 | $100,600 | 7.7% | 21.2% |
| Roma | 11,545 | $24,579 | $94,400 | 16.4% | 37.1% |
| Lamesa | 8,393 | $49,007 | $95,000 | 13.8% | 22.7% |
Population Overview
Prairie View is a small city located in Texas, within Waller County. The total population is 8,431. It ranks as the 306th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Prairie View is 21.0 years. This is 41% lower than the state median of 35.6 years. Only 8.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Prairie View is $21,060. This is 73% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 74% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 38.1%. This is 176% 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 21.9%. This is 315% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $167,600. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $283,800. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.0x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 25.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 60% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Prairie View is Black or African American, making up 81.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (3.4%) is well below the state average of 39.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (81.6% vs 11.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population (13.2%) is well below the state average of 39.7%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 5.5%.
Education
46.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Prairie View in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 36% higher 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 84.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Prairie View, 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 Prairie View, Texas?
Prairie View, Texas has a population of 8,431 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Prairie View, TX?
The median household income in Prairie View is $21,060, which is 74% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Prairie View, TX?
The poverty rate in Prairie View is 38.1%. This means approximately 1,540 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Prairie View, Texas?
Prairie View's population is 3.4% White, 81.6% Black, 13.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Prairie View, TX?
The median home value in Prairie View is $167,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 8.0x.
How educated is Prairie View, Texas?
46.1% of adults (25+) in Prairie View hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.