Sour Lake, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sour Lake, Texas had a total population of 2,130, the 723rd largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $73,241, which is 7% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Sour Lake Quick Facts
How Sour Lake 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 | 2,162 | 2,130 | -1.5% |
| Median household income | $73,190 | $73,241 | +0.1% |
| Median home value | $161,800 | $173,800 | +7.4% |
How Sour Lake 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+)
Sour Lake Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Hardin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lumberton | 13,963 | $107,623 | 3.7% | $291,900 |
| Silsbee | 6,842 | $59,907 | 20.0% | $148,400 |
| Kountze | 2,367 | $65,969 | 11.5% | $127,300 |
| Pinewood Estates | 1,516 | $157,553 | 1.1% | $340,900 |
| Wildwood | 584 | $64,366 | 6.3% | $221,300 |
| Rose Hill Acres | 324 | $81,875 | 11.4% | $214,000 |
Cities Similar to Sour Lake
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% |
| Blanco | 2,175 | $70,682 | $265,500 | 25.1% | 10.4% |
| Odem | 2,102 | $69,267 | $89,400 | 15.4% | 11.5% |
| Lake Bryan | 2,165 | $77,419 | $267,100 | 6.5% | 13.2% |
| Grandview | 2,176 | $77,000 | $225,600 | 18.9% | 7.1% |
Population Overview
Sour Lake is a small community located in Texas, within Hardin County. The total population is 2,130. It ranks as the 723rd most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sour Lake is 34.5 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 35.6 years. With 31.6% of the population under 18, Sour Lake has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sour Lake is $73,241. This is 7% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 9% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.6%. This is 9% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 6.6%. This is 25% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $173,800. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $283,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Sour Lake is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Sour Lake has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (85.4% vs 39.1%). The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 11.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (8.8%) is well below the state average of 39.7%. The Asian population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 5.5%.
Education
20.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% 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 90.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sour Lake, 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 Sour Lake, Texas?
Sour Lake, Texas has a population of 2,130 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sour Lake, TX?
The median household income in Sour Lake is $73,241, which is 9% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sour Lake, TX?
The poverty rate in Sour Lake is 12.6%. This means approximately 264 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sour Lake, Texas?
Sour Lake's population is 85.4% White, 0.3% Black, 8.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sour Lake, TX?
The median home value in Sour Lake is $173,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Sour Lake, Texas?
20.9% of adults (25+) in Sour Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.