Taft, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Taft, Texas had a total population of 2,871, the 601st largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $73,032, which is 7% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.3%.
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 1.7x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.1% is notably above the national average.
Taft Quick Facts
How Taft 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 | 2,847 | 2,871 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $67,431 | $73,032 | +8.3% |
| Median home value | $124,200 | $124,200 | +0.0% |
How Taft 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 67 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Taft Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in San Patricio County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sinton | 5,584 | $51,701 | 25.0% | $142,000 |
| Mathis | 4,308 | $35,271 | 29.5% | $81,500 |
| Odem | 2,102 | $69,267 | 11.5% | $89,400 |
| Gregory | 2,003 | $47,167 | 39.1% | $117,700 |
| Taft Southwest | 1,635 | $55,938 | 10.6% | $94,100 |
| Lakeshore Gardens-Hidden Acres | 970 | N/A | 12.1% | $208,300 |
| St. Paul | 769 | N/A | 21.2% | N/A |
| Ingleside on the Bay | 745 | $95,804 | 2.4% | $305,500 |
| Del Sol | 543 | $53,182 | 25.6% | N/A |
| Lake City | 508 | $51,000 | 19.9% | $101,800 |
Cities Similar to Taft
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glen Rose | 2,836 | $74,722 | $261,000 | 25.3% | 12.0% |
| South Padre Island | 2,891 | $70,472 | $516,900 | 52.7% | 16.0% |
| Anahuac | 2,892 | $77,500 | $226,900 | 9.1% | 17.6% |
| Bolivar Peninsula | 2,951 | $75,547 | $315,500 | 13.9% | 12.2% |
| Brazoria | 2,880 | $79,635 | $162,400 | 14.8% | 11.8% |
Population Overview
Taft is a small community located in Texas, within San Patricio County. The total population is 2,871. It ranks as the 601st most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Taft is 30.9 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 35.6 years. With 35.8% of the population under 18, Taft has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Taft is $73,032. This is 7% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 10% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.3%. This is 55% 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 9.1%. This is 73% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $124,200. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $283,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Taft is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Taft is Hispanic or Latino, making up 72.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 23.4%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 11.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (72.5% vs 39.7%).
Education
14.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% 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 77.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Taft, 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 Taft, Texas?
Taft, Texas has a population of 2,871 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Taft, TX?
The median household income in Taft is $73,032, which is 10% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Taft, TX?
The poverty rate in Taft is 21.3%. This means approximately 611 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Taft, Texas?
Taft's population is 23.4% White, 1.3% Black, 72.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Taft, TX?
The median home value in Taft is $124,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Taft, Texas?
14.0% of adults (25+) in Taft hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.