Refugio, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Refugio, Texas had a total population of 2,766, the 615th largest town in Texas, with a median household income of $48,750, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.0%.
Refugio Quick Facts
How Refugio 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 | 2,729 | 2,766 | +1.4% |
| Median household income | $56,193 | $48,750 | -13.2% |
| Median home value | $85,000 | $94,800 | +11.5% |
How Refugio 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+)
Refugio Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Refugio County
Cities Similar to Refugio
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schulenburg | 2,768 | $51,294 | $205,900 | 15.1% | 17.2% |
| Woodville | 2,755 | $45,865 | $214,900 | 12.6% | 18.9% |
| Agua Dulce | 2,697 | $47,200 | $120,600 | 9.3% | 20.4% |
| Poteet | 2,910 | $48,750 | $119,200 | 0.9% | 17.0% |
| Seagraves | 2,691 | $46,433 | $68,400 | 13.2% | 18.8% |
Population Overview
Refugio is a small community located in Texas, within Refugio County. The total population is 2,766. It ranks as the 615th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Refugio is 39.6 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 35.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Refugio is $48,750. This is 38% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.3%. This is 84% 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 1.0%. This is 82% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $94,800. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $283,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Refugio is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Refugio is Hispanic or Latino, making up 61.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 23.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (61.3% vs 39.7%).
Education
13.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 61% 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 81.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Refugio, 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 Refugio, Texas?
Refugio, Texas has a population of 2,766 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Refugio, TX?
The median household income in Refugio is $48,750, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Refugio, TX?
The poverty rate in Refugio is 25.3%. This means approximately 674 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Refugio, Texas?
Refugio's population is 23.0% White, 12.1% Black, 61.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Refugio, TX?
The median home value in Refugio is $94,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Refugio, Texas?
13.2% of adults (25+) in Refugio hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.