San Benito, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, San Benito, Texas had a total population of 24,709, the 138th largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $43,639, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
San Benito Quick Facts
How San Benito 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 | 24,677 | 24,709 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $41,445 | $43,639 | +5.3% |
| Median home value | $85,100 | $85,300 | +0.2% |
How San Benito 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+)
San Benito 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Santa Rosa | 3,215 | $36,780 | 39.4% | $67,400 |
Cities Similar to San Benito
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paris | 24,775 | $47,239 | $150,000 | 19.3% | 26.0% |
| Cloverleaf | 24,063 | $54,994 | $169,600 | 9.8% | 24.0% |
| Marshall | 23,825 | $55,089 | $141,400 | 20.0% | 22.4% |
| Kingsville | 24,994 | $58,148 | $149,400 | 21.1% | 30.8% |
| Belton | 24,356 | $59,130 | $258,700 | 28.3% | 16.7% |
Population Overview
San Benito is a small city located in Texas, within Cameron County. The total population is 24,709. It ranks as the 138th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in San Benito is 33.8 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 35.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in San Benito is $43,639. This is 44% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 46% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.7%. This is 115% 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 7.3%. This is 38% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $85,300. Housing costs are 70% lower than the state median of $283,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, San Benito is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
San Benito has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 92.9% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 6.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (6.4%) is well below the state average of 39.1%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 11.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (92.9% vs 39.7%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 5.5%.
Education
14.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% 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 71.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for San Benito, 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 San Benito, Texas?
San Benito, Texas has a population of 24,709 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in San Benito, TX?
The median household income in San Benito is $43,639, which is 46% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in San Benito, TX?
The poverty rate in San Benito is 29.7%. This means approximately 7,223 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of San Benito, Texas?
San Benito's population is 6.4% White, 0.2% Black, 92.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in San Benito, TX?
The median home value in San Benito is $85,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is San Benito, Texas?
14.2% of adults (25+) in San Benito hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.