San Carlos, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, San Carlos, Texas had a total population of 3,678, the 514th largest community in Texas, with a median household income of $49,132, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 9.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x.
- Unemployment rate of 21.0% is notably above the national average.
San Carlos Quick Facts
How San Carlos 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 | 4,209 | 3,678 | -12.6% |
| Median household income | $40,786 | $49,132 | +20.5% |
| Median home value | $76,600 | $75,600 | -1.3% |
How San Carlos 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 Carlos Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Hidalgo County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McAllen | 145,385 | $61,579 | 20.0% | $190,400 |
| Edinburg | 104,550 | $59,466 | 26.0% | $189,600 |
| Mission | 87,038 | $60,767 | 19.4% | $175,700 |
| Pharr | 80,333 | $52,814 | 27.6% | $121,900 |
| Weslaco | 42,229 | $59,551 | 23.2% | $140,000 |
| San Juan | 36,149 | $56,562 | 22.4% | $126,700 |
| Alamo | 20,255 | $57,096 | 25.3% | $145,100 |
| Alton | 20,214 | $52,715 | 27.5% | $156,300 |
| Donna | 16,833 | $40,438 | 40.7% | $86,100 |
| Mercedes | 16,733 | $46,904 | 28.6% | $111,800 |
Cities Similar to San Carlos
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howe | 3,689 | $51,108 | $201,300 | 10.9% | 24.3% |
| Elm Creek | 3,680 | $52,263 | $170,100 | 6.3% | 13.8% |
| Eastland | 3,704 | $51,776 | $174,900 | 26.2% | 24.9% |
| Cockrell Hill | 3,703 | $52,292 | $189,800 | 10.2% | 11.2% |
| San Diego | 3,675 | $53,174 | $85,600 | 12.1% | 34.0% |
Population Overview
San Carlos is a small community located in Texas, within Hidalgo County. The total population is 3,678. It ranks as the 514th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in San Carlos is 34.7 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 35.6 years. With 29.2% of the population under 18, San Carlos has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in San Carlos is $49,132. This is 37% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.1%. This is 68% 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 21.0%. This is 299% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $75,600. Housing costs are 73% lower than the state median of $283,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, San Carlos is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
San Carlos has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 97.4% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 2.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 39.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (97.4% vs 39.7%).
Education
9.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 71% 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 San Carlos, 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 Carlos, Texas?
San Carlos, Texas has a population of 3,678 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in San Carlos, TX?
The median household income in San Carlos is $49,132, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in San Carlos, TX?
The poverty rate in San Carlos is 23.1%. This means approximately 851 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of San Carlos, Texas?
San Carlos's population is 2.6% White, 0.0% Black, 97.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in San Carlos, TX?
The median home value in San Carlos is $75,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.5x.
How educated is San Carlos, Texas?
9.9% of adults (25+) in San Carlos hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.