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San Marcos city, Texas Demographics & Population 2026

High PovertyPoverty rate of 26.7% is well above the state average

As of 2026, San Marcos city, Texas has a total population of 68,920, the 59th largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $51,030, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.7%.

Key Takeaways

San Marcos city Quick Facts

Population 68,920
Median Household Income $51,030
Median Home Value $269,700
Poverty Rate 26.7%
Unemployment Rate 6.1%
Median Age 25.5 years
Homeownership Rate 30.5%
Affordability Ratio 5.3x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 37.3%
High School Graduation Rate 90.9%
Diversity Index 61/100
Population 68,920 59th of 1,800
Median Income $51,030 bottom 30%
Poverty Rate 26.7% 115% higher national
Median Home Value $269,700 top 30%

How San Marcos city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

6.1% Unemployment Rate State: 5.1% | National: 5.2%
67.1% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 30.5%
Renter 69.5%
Affordability Index Expensive
5.3x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

61out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 67 | National average: 60

Education

San Marcos city Rankings in Texas

#59 Population of 1,800
#1129 Median Income of 1,800
#286 Education of 1,800
#338 Home Value of 1,800

Cities Similar to San Marcos city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Harlingen city71,669$55,891$125,70021.7%24.6%
Pharr city79,809$49,884$111,50017.5%29.8%
Victoria city65,514$68,233$193,20020.1%18.0%
Port Arthur city55,779$45,752$96,90011.2%29.1%
Bryan city86,169$56,861$210,60028.8%23.2%

Population Overview

San Marcos city is a mid-sized community located in Texas. The total population is 68,920. It ranks as the 59th most populous out of 1,800 cities and towns in Texas.

Age Demographics

The median age in San Marcos city is 25.5 years. This is 28% lower than the state median of 35.5 years. Only 12.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in San Marcos city is $51,030. This is 33% lower than the state median of $76,292. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 35% lower. The poverty rate stands at 26.7%. This is 93% 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 6.1%. This is 18% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $269,700. Housing costs are 4% higher than the state median of $260,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.3x. 30.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 51% lower than the state average of 62.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in San Marcos city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 45.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 41.9%. The Black or African American population (5.3%) is well below the state average of 11.9%. The Asian population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 5.3%.

Education

37.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 13% higher than the state rate of 33.1%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.9%. Notably, 15.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for San Marcos city, Texas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Texas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,800 Census-designated places in Texas. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of San Marcos city, Texas?

San Marcos city, Texas has a population of 68,920 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in San Marcos city, TX?

The median household income in San Marcos city is $51,030, which is 35% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in San Marcos city, TX?

The poverty rate in San Marcos city is 26.7%. This means approximately 16,611 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of San Marcos city, Texas?

San Marcos city's population is 45.4% White, 5.3% Black, 41.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.

What is the median home value in San Marcos city, TX?

The median home value in San Marcos city is $269,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.3x.

How educated is San Marcos city, Texas?

37.3% of adults (25+) in San Marcos city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.