South Padre Island town, Texas Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

South Padre Island town is a small community located in Texas. The total population is 2,852. It ranks as the 598th most populous out of 1,800 cities and towns in Texas.

Age Demographics

The median age in South Padre Island town is 59.0 years. This is 66% higher than the state median of 35.5 years. Only 11.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in South Padre Island town is $61,578. This is 19% lower than the state median of $76,292. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 22% lower. The poverty rate stands at 13.9%. This is 1% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 6.5%. This is 27% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $498,800. Housing costs are 92% higher than the state median of $260,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 66.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 62.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in South Padre Island town is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 14.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (76.2% vs 39.9%). The Black or African American population (5.6%) is well below the state average of 11.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (14.8%) is well below the state average of 39.5%. The Asian population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 5.3%.

Education

52.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places South Padre Island town in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 59% higher 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 92.0%. Notably, 26.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for South Padre Island town, 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.