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Stafford, Texas Demographics & Population 2026

Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology

★
Highly DiverseNo single racial/ethnic group makes up a majority of the population

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Stafford, Texas had a total population of 17,401, the 183rd largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $87,432, which is 11% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.0%.

Key Takeaways

Stafford Quick Facts

Population 17,40190% MOE ±101
Median Household Income $87,43290% MOE ±$11,614
Median Home Value $257,70090% MOE ±$21,460
Poverty Rate 8.0%90% MOE ±3.4 pts
Unemployment Rate 5.8%90% MOE ±2.1 pts
Median Age 32.3 years90% MOE ±2.5 years
Homeownership Rate 38.8%90% MOE ±4.8 pts
Affordability Ratio 2.9x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 41.4%90% MOE ±5.7 pts
Adults 25+ with high school education or higher 86.2%
Diversity Index 76/100
Population 17,401 183rd of 1,795
Median Income $87,432 top 30%
Poverty Rate 8.0% 36% lower than national
Median Home Value $257,700 top 30%

How Stafford Changed

Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.

Metric2015–20192020–2024Change
Population17,20617,401+1.1%
Median household income$76,629$87,432No clear change (+14.1%)
Median home value¹$222,020$257,700+16.1%
Median gross rent$1,504$1,519No clear change (+1.0%)
¹ The Census Bureau changed its home-value inflation adjustment beginning with the 2022 ACS; interpret that comparison with additional caution.

How Stafford Compares

Median Household Income

Stafford
$87,432
TX
$78,476
National
$80,734

Median Home Value

Stafford
$257,700
TX
$283,800
National
$332,700

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 10.4%
$25K-$50K 12.2%
$50K-$100K 35.5%
$100K+ 41.9%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
3.2%
$10K-$15K
1.6%
$15K-$20K
3.7%
$20K-$25K
1.8%
$25K-$30K
2.1%
$30K-$35K
3.3%
$35K-$40K
2.0%
$40K-$45K
2.8%
$45K-$50K
2.1%
$50K-$60K
7.7%
$60K-$75K
11.2%
$75K-$100K
16.7%
$100K-$125K
15.3%
$125K-$150K
8.4%
$150K-$200K
10.6%
$200K+
7.5%

Employment

5.8% Unemployment Rate State: 5.3%|National: 5.2%
74.3% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 38.8%
Renter 61.3%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.9x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,519/mo 20.8% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Age Distribution

Under 18
22.5%
18-34
32.7%
35-54
21.2%
55-74
19.3%
75+
4.3%

Race & Ethnicity

  • White: 13.9%
  • Black: 29.0%
  • Hispanic: 27.2%
  • Asian: 24.3%
  • Other: 0.3%

Diversity Index

76out of 100
Very High Diversity

This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.

State average: 67 | National average: 61

Education

Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)

  • < High School: 13.8%
  • HS Diploma: 22.2%
  • Some College: 16.7%
  • Associate's: 5.9%
  • Bachelor's: 28.1%
  • Graduate+: 13.3%

Stafford Rankings in Texas

#183 Population of 1,795
#395 Median Income of 1,546
#234 Education of 1,795
#434 Home Value of 1,542

Other Cities in Harris County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome 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 Stafford

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

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Glenn Heights18,096$81,718$309,60027.1%13.0%
Hewitt16,432$83,511$273,30036.5%4.8%
Manor18,603$84,529$347,90034.5%9.8%
Taylor17,136$75,508$285,80020.4%7.7%
Addison17,290$73,854$482,00063.8%7.6%

Population Overview

Stafford is a small city located in Texas, within Harris County. The total population is 17,401. It ranks as the 183rd most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Stafford is 32.3 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 35.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Stafford is $87,432. This is 11% higher than the state median of $78,476. It is also 8% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.0%. This is 42% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 5.8%. This is 9% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $257,700. Housing costs are 9% lower than the state median of $283,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Stafford is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 38.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% lower than the state average of 62.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

Stafford is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 27.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (13.9%) is well below the state average of 39.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (29.0% vs 11.9%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (24.3% vs 5.5%).

Education

41.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 22% higher 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 86.2%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Stafford, 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 Stafford, Texas?

Stafford, Texas has a population of 17,401 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Stafford, TX?

The median household income in Stafford is $87,432, which is 8% higher than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Stafford, TX?

The poverty rate in Stafford is 8.0%. This means approximately 1,388 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Stafford, Texas?

Stafford's population is 13.9% White, 29.0% Black, 27.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 24.3% Asian.

What is the median home value in Stafford, TX?

The median home value in Stafford is $257,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.

How educated is Stafford, Texas?

41.4% of adults (25+) in Stafford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.