Wells, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wells, Texas had a total population of 484, the 1281st largest town in Texas. The poverty rate is 42.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (42.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 4.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.8%.
Wells Quick Facts
How Wells 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 | 741 | 484 | -34.7% |
| Median home value | $100,000 | $140,600 | +40.6% |
How Wells 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+)
Wells Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Cherokee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | 14,325 | $51,375 | 26.5% | $119,800 |
| Rusk | 5,477 | $53,438 | 8.5% | $157,400 |
| Shadybrook | 2,810 | $69,173 | 16.6% | $232,300 |
| Alto | 1,222 | $61,688 | 28.4% | $93,800 |
| New Summerfield | 618 | $54,716 | 8.9% | $84,300 |
| Gallatin | 384 | $79,432 | 8.6% | $168,100 |
| Cuney | 161 | N/A | 41.6% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Wells
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lone Oak | 487 | $65,500 | $168,000 | 18.7% | 7.6% |
| Milano | 487 | $53,750 | $81,900 | 12.8% | 18.3% |
| D'Hanis | 480 | $40,625 | $70,000 | 22.2% | 17.7% |
| Chillicothe | 479 | $59,000 | $65,500 | 20.2% | 5.4% |
| Christoval | 490 | N/A | $167,100 | 28.0% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 484, Wells's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Wells is a small community located in Texas, within Cherokee County. The total population is 484. It ranks as the 1281st most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wells is 31.1 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 35.6 years. With 31.6% of the population under 18, Wells has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 11.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 42.1%. This is 205% 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 1.8%. This is 65% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $140,600. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $283,800. 45.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wells is White (non-Hispanic), making up 68.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 15.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (68.8% vs 39.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 39.7%.
Education
4.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 87% 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 68.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wells, 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 Wells, Texas?
Wells, Texas has a population of 484 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wells, TX?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Wells — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wells, TX?
The poverty rate in Wells is 42.1%. This means approximately 184 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wells, Texas?
Wells's population is 68.8% White, 15.7% Black, 1.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wells, TX?
The median home value in Wells is $140,600.
How educated is Wells, Texas?
4.5% of adults (25+) in Wells hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.