Vernon, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Vernon, Texas had a total population of 9,848, the 271st largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $51,114, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.6%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
- Unemployment rate of 11.8% is notably above the national average.
Vernon Quick Facts
How Vernon 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.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,509 | 9,848 | -6.3% |
| Median household income | $52,346 | $51,114 | No clear change (-2.4%) |
| Median home value¹ | $79,504 | $87,000 | No clear change (+9.4%) |
| Median gross rent | $745 | $945 | +26.9% |
How Vernon Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 48.8%
- Black: 6.4%
- Hispanic: 33.6%
- Asian: 3.9%
- Other: 0.4%
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+)
- < High School: 19.0%
- HS Diploma: 34.5%
- Some College: 26.6%
- Associate's: 4.8%
- Bachelor's: 11.2%
- Graduate+: 3.9%
Vernon Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Wilbarger County
Cities Similar to Vernon
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bacliff | 9,541 | $51,458 | $201,500 | 20.6% | 28.9% |
| Raymondville | 10,185 | $51,442 | $52,200 | 10.0% | 31.0% |
| San Elizario | 10,116 | $49,977 | $110,400 | 5.7% | 25.9% |
| Galena Park | 10,487 | $51,220 | $117,700 | 8.2% | 20.9% |
| Bellmead | 10,566 | $52,075 | $155,100 | 13.4% | 24.9% |
Population Overview
Vernon is a small city located in Texas, within Wilbarger County. The total population is 9,848. It ranks as the 271st most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Vernon is 37.6 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 35.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Vernon is $51,114. This is 35% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.6%. This is 35% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 11.8%. This is 124% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $87,000. Housing costs are 69% lower than the state median of $283,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Vernon is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 62.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Vernon is White (non-Hispanic), making up 48.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 33.6%.
Education
15.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 55% 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 81.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Vernon, 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 Vernon, Texas?
Vernon, Texas has a population of 9,848 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Vernon, TX?
The median household income in Vernon is $51,114, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Vernon, TX?
The poverty rate in Vernon is 18.6%. This means approximately 1,763 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Vernon, Texas?
Vernon's population is 48.8% White, 6.4% Black, 33.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Vernon, TX?
The median home value in Vernon is $87,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Vernon, Texas?
15.1% of adults (25+) in Vernon hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.