Tenaha, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Tenaha, Texas had a total population of 1,239, the 930th largest town in Texas, with a median household income of $27,813, which is 65% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 43.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 65% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (43.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 8.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Tenaha Quick Facts
How Tenaha 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 | 1,098 | 1,239 | +12.8% |
| Median household income | $30,484 | $27,813 | -8.8% |
| Median home value | $91,900 | $91,500 | -0.4% |
How Tenaha 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 67 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Tenaha Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Shelby County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Center | 5,271 | $48,293 | 26.1% | $83,300 |
| Timpson | 1,063 | $31,250 | 36.6% | $82,000 |
| Joaquin | 869 | $35,625 | 25.9% | $52,000 |
| Huxley | 322 | $44,028 | 18.6% | $88,600 |
| Shelbyville | 188 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Tenaha
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harper | 1,214 | N/A | $434,600 | 26.1% | 13.3% |
| Beauxart Gardens | 1,276 | N/A | $171,600 | 10.0% | 3.2% |
| Carrizo Hill | 1,198 | N/A | $18,200 | 0.0% | 89.3% |
| Oyster Creek | 1,288 | N/A | $164,500 | 2.6% | 13.8% |
| César Chávez | 1,351 | N/A | $162,300 | 0.0% | 20.4% |
Population Overview
Tenaha is a small community located in Texas, within Shelby County. The total population is 1,239. It ranks as the 930th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Tenaha is 29.8 years. This is 16% lower than the state median of 35.6 years. With 30.4% of the population under 18, Tenaha has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Tenaha is $27,813. This is 65% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 66% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 43.1%. This is 212% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in Tenaha, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $91,500. Housing costs are 68% lower than the state median of $283,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 45.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Tenaha is Black or African American, making up 52.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 32.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (12.7%) is well below the state average of 39.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (52.8% vs 11.9%).
Education
8.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 76% 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 74.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Tenaha, 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 Tenaha, Texas?
Tenaha, Texas has a population of 1,239 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Tenaha, TX?
The median household income in Tenaha is $27,813, which is 66% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Tenaha, TX?
The poverty rate in Tenaha is 43.1%. This means approximately 529 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Tenaha, Texas?
Tenaha's population is 12.7% White, 52.8% Black, 32.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Tenaha, TX?
The median home value in Tenaha is $91,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Tenaha, Texas?
8.0% of adults (25+) in Tenaha hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.