Smiley, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Smiley, Texas had a total population of 543, the 1240th largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $36,750, which is 53% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 53% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 2.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.6% is notably above the national average.
Smiley Quick Facts
How Smiley 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 | 533 | 543 | +1.9% |
| Median household income | $35,000 | $36,750 | +5.0% |
| Median home value | $69,500 | $135,300 | +94.7% |
How Smiley 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+)
Smiley Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Gonzales County
Cities Similar to Smiley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Placedo | 539 | N/A | $45,900 | 0.0% | 24.1% |
| Sandy Hollow-Escondidas | 539 | N/A | N/A | 36.0% | 82.2% |
| Los Angeles | 553 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 9.7% |
| Lyons | 528 | N/A | $210,400 | 59.4% | 0.0% |
| El Castillo | 566 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 61.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 543, Smiley's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Smiley is a small community located in Texas, within Gonzales County. The total population is 543. It ranks as the 1240th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Smiley is 36.7 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 35.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Smiley is $36,750. This is 53% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 54% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.6%. This is 50% 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 8.6%. This is 64% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $135,300. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $283,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 74.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Smiley is Hispanic or Latino, making up 65.8% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 33.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (65.8% vs 39.7%).
Education
2.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 92% 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 88.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Smiley, 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 Smiley, Texas?
Smiley, Texas has a population of 543 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Smiley, TX?
The median household income in Smiley is $36,750, which is 54% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Smiley, TX?
The poverty rate in Smiley is 20.6%. This means approximately 112 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Smiley, Texas?
Smiley's population is 33.0% White, 0.0% Black, 65.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Smiley, TX?
The median home value in Smiley is $135,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Smiley, Texas?
2.8% of adults (25+) in Smiley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.