Rio Hondo, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rio Hondo, Texas had a total population of 1,865, the 764th largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $35,682, which is 55% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.3%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 55% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.5%.
Rio Hondo Quick Facts
How Rio Hondo 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 | 2,640 | 1,865 | -29.4% |
| Median household income | $43,251 | $35,682 | No clear change (-17.5%) |
| Median home value¹ | $85,534 | $104,000 | No clear change (+21.6%) |
| Median gross rent | $817 | $691 | No clear change (-15.4%) |
How Rio Hondo 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: 9.1%
- Black: 0.0%
- Hispanic: 89.1%
- Asian: 0.5%
- Other: 0.2%
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+)
- < High School: 33.8%
- HS Diploma: 30.8%
- Some College: 18.2%
- Associate's: 5.5%
- Bachelor's: 6.1%
- Graduate+: 5.6%
Rio Hondo 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 (Cameron County) | 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 |
| Port Isabel | 5,111 | $32,222 | 34.2% | $182,600 |
| Laureles | 4,224 | $34,771 | 35.4% | $152,400 |
| Laguna Vista | 3,673 | $63,632 | 21.8% | $255,900 |
Cities Similar to Rio Hondo
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stowell | 1,823 | N/A | $121,600 | 10.3% | 49.0% |
| Uvalde Estates | 1,908 | N/A | N/A | 7.7% | 17.4% |
| Corrigan | 1,784 | $37,700 | $122,900 | 11.2% | 30.6% |
| Crosbyton | 1,774 | $38,684 | $59,200 | 9.9% | 26.9% |
| Palmview South | 1,819 | $29,167 | $82,400 | 5.7% | 42.7% |
Population Overview
Rio Hondo is a small community located in Texas, within Cameron County. The total population is 1,865. It ranks as the 764th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rio Hondo is 35.7 years. This is about the same as the state median of 35.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rio Hondo is $35,682. This is 55% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 56% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.3%. This is 91% 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 1.5%. This is 72% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $104,000. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $283,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Rio Hondo is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Rio Hondo has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 89.1% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 9.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (9.1%) is well below the state average of 39.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (89.1% vs 39.7%). The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 5.5%.
Education
11.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 65% 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 66.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rio Hondo, 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 Rio Hondo, Texas?
Rio Hondo, Texas has a population of 1,865 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rio Hondo, TX?
The median household income in Rio Hondo is $35,682, which is 56% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rio Hondo, TX?
The poverty rate in Rio Hondo is 26.3%. This means approximately 490 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rio Hondo, Texas?
Rio Hondo's population is 9.1% White, 0.0% Black, 89.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rio Hondo, TX?
The median home value in Rio Hondo is $104,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Rio Hondo, Texas?
11.7% of adults (25+) in Rio Hondo hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.