South Houston, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, South Houston, Texas had a total population of 16,033, the 199th largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $53,497, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.1%.
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.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.3% is notably above the national average.
South Houston Quick Facts
How South Houston 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 | 16,017 | 16,033 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $52,611 | $53,497 | +1.7% |
| Median home value | $176,100 | $189,300 | +7.5% |
How South Houston 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+)
South Houston Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Harris County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 2,328,253 | $64,813 | 19.9% | $277,800 |
| Pasadena | 149,433 | $64,927 | 18.9% | $209,600 |
| Pearland | 127,514 | $118,842 | 4.1% | $356,300 |
| The Woodlands | 121,002 | $140,701 | 5.5% | $511,700 |
| League City | 116,215 | $121,099 | 5.4% | $360,000 |
| Atascocita | 99,354 | $118,226 | 7.4% | $307,400 |
| Baytown | 85,205 | $59,910 | 18.2% | $197,300 |
| Missouri City | 76,558 | $94,390 | 7.1% | $311,400 |
| Spring | 68,580 | $88,997 | 10.4% | $231,500 |
| Channelview | 43,605 | $64,422 | 20.3% | $195,900 |
Cities Similar to South Houston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Pleasant | 16,136 | $50,515 | $170,700 | 12.5% | 18.3% |
| Gatesville | 16,228 | $57,217 | $207,300 | 8.6% | 9.1% |
| Uvalde | 15,417 | $51,141 | $136,800 | 16.1% | 23.9% |
| Humble | 16,521 | $57,011 | $216,400 | 17.4% | 18.8% |
| Pampa | 16,659 | $56,626 | $100,700 | 17.0% | 17.2% |
Population Overview
South Houston is a small city located in Texas, within Harris County. The total population is 16,033. It ranks as the 199th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in South Houston is 31.2 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 35.6 years. With 31.1% of the population under 18, South Houston has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in South Houston is $53,497. This is 32% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.1%. This is 89% 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 8.3%. This is 58% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $189,300. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $283,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 55.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
South Houston has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 92.0% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 3.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (3.7%) is well below the state average of 39.1%. The Black or African American population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 11.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (92.0% vs 39.7%). The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 5.5%.
Education
10.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 70% 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 58.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South Houston, 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 South Houston, Texas?
South Houston, Texas has a population of 16,033 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South Houston, TX?
The median household income in South Houston is $53,497, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in South Houston, TX?
The poverty rate in South Houston is 26.1%. This means approximately 4,180 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South Houston, Texas?
South Houston's population is 3.7% White, 3.0% Black, 92.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in South Houston, TX?
The median home value in South Houston is $189,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is South Houston, Texas?
10.3% of adults (25+) in South Houston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.