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South Houston city, Texas Demographics & Population 2026

As of 2026, South Houston city, Texas has a total population of 16,017, the 196th largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $52,611, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.5%.

Key Takeaways

South Houston city Quick Facts

Population 16,017
Median Household Income $52,611
Median Home Value $176,100
Poverty Rate 23.5%
Unemployment Rate 9.3%
Median Age 30.4 years
Homeownership Rate 54.1%
Affordability Ratio 3.3x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 9.2%
High School Graduation Rate 59.7%
Diversity Index 16/100
Population 16,017 196th of 1,800
Median Income $52,611 below average
Poverty Rate 23.5% 89% higher national
Median Home Value $176,100 average

How South Houston city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

9.3% Unemployment Rate State: 5.1% | National: 5.2%
62.9% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 54.1%
Renter 45.9%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.3x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

16out of 100
Very Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 67 | National average: 60

Education

South Houston city Rankings in Texas

#196 Population of 1,800
#1081 Median Income of 1,800
#1359 Education of 1,800
#670 Home Value of 1,800

Cities Similar to South Houston city

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

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Mount Pleasant city16,061$53,039$160,50012.0%16.9%
Gatesville city16,058$54,802$162,0008.9%10.0%
Humble city16,489$52,927$191,20013.1%18.1%
Sulphur Springs city16,185$56,457$188,20019.1%15.6%
Pampa city16,735$53,458$95,80015.5%17.6%

Population Overview

South Houston city is a small city located in Texas. The total population is 16,017. It ranks as the 196th most populous out of 1,800 cities and towns in Texas.

Age Demographics

The median age in South Houston city is 30.4 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 35.5 years. With 32.3% of the population under 18, South Houston city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in South Houston city is $52,611. This is 31% lower than the state median of $76,292. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 33% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.5%. This is 70% 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 9.3%. This is 81% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $176,100. Housing costs are 32% lower than the state median of $260,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 54.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 62.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

South Houston city has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 91.3% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 4.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (4.5%) is well below the state average of 39.9%. The Black or African American population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 11.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (91.3% vs 39.5%). The Asian population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 5.3%.

Education

9.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 72% lower 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 59.7%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for South Houston 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 South Houston city, Texas?

South Houston city, Texas has a population of 16,017 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in South Houston city, TX?

The median household income in South Houston city is $52,611, which is 33% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in South Houston city, TX?

The poverty rate in South Houston city is 23.5%. This means approximately 3,764 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of South Houston city, Texas?

South Houston city's population is 4.5% White, 2.2% Black, 91.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.

What is the median home value in South Houston city, TX?

The median home value in South Houston city is $176,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.

How educated is South Houston city, Texas?

9.2% of adults (25+) in South Houston city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.