Shepherd, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shepherd, Texas had a total population of 2,189, the 707th largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $53,750, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 7.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 13.4% is notably above the national average.
Shepherd Quick Facts
How Shepherd 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 | 2,124 | 2,189 | +3.1% |
| Median household income | $48,368 | $53,750 | +11.1% |
| Median home value | $144,100 | $157,300 | +9.2% |
How Shepherd 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 67 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Shepherd Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in San Jacinto County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coldspring | 1,274 | $43,851 | 27.0% | $216,800 |
| Point Blank | 837 | $69,583 | 12.2% | $191,400 |
| Cape Royale | 574 | $74,830 | 0.0% | $316,700 |
| Oakhurst | 266 | N/A | 30.1% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Shepherd
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Quintas Fronterizas | 2,203 | N/A | $145,000 | 2.9% | 29.9% |
| Seth Ward | 2,205 | $53,990 | $62,400 | 2.8% | 24.7% |
| Buna | 2,249 | $55,000 | $116,400 | 19.6% | 28.0% |
| Midway South | 2,308 | $54,427 | $108,400 | 12.3% | 24.5% |
| Idalou | 2,151 | $58,500 | $211,000 | 21.6% | 15.8% |
Population Overview
Shepherd is a small community located in Texas, within San Jacinto County. The total population is 2,189. It ranks as the 707th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shepherd is 39.9 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 35.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shepherd is $53,750. This is 32% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.7%. This is 21% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 13.4%. This is 154% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $157,300. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $283,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Shepherd is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Shepherd is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (64.6% vs 39.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (16.5%) is well below the state average of 39.7%.
Education
7.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 78% 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 85.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shepherd, 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 Shepherd, Texas?
Shepherd, Texas has a population of 2,189 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shepherd, TX?
The median household income in Shepherd is $53,750, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shepherd, TX?
The poverty rate in Shepherd is 16.7%. This means approximately 356 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shepherd, Texas?
Shepherd's population is 64.6% White, 13.2% Black, 16.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shepherd, TX?
The median home value in Shepherd is $157,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Shepherd, Texas?
7.4% of adults (25+) in Shepherd hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.