Wharton, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wharton, Texas had a total population of 8,724, the 296th largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $58,212, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Wharton Quick Facts
How Wharton 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 | 8,671 | 8,724 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $47,692 | $58,212 | +22.1% |
| Median home value | $149,300 | $149,400 | +0.1% |
How Wharton 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+)
Wharton Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Wharton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Campo | 12,202 | $67,017 | 21.0% | $201,400 |
| East Bernard | 3,053 | $97,961 | 5.2% | $341,500 |
| Louise | 890 | $63,750 | 20.5% | $122,700 |
| Boling | 374 | $84,545 | 11.5% | $169,900 |
| Hungerford | 171 | N/A | 14.6% | N/A |
| Iago | 49 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Wharton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hondo | 8,713 | $62,032 | $228,400 | 11.1% | 17.0% |
| Hillsboro | 8,506 | $56,083 | $157,900 | 16.0% | 20.0% |
| Liberty | 8,650 | $53,833 | $175,300 | 13.8% | 25.2% |
| Dayton | 9,058 | $59,691 | $227,600 | 18.1% | 20.6% |
| Graham | 8,792 | $63,587 | $183,800 | 24.5% | 18.4% |
Population Overview
Wharton is a small city located in Texas, within Wharton County. The total population is 8,724. It ranks as the 296th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wharton is 35.8 years. This is about the same as the state median of 35.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wharton is $58,212. This is 26% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.9%. This is 13% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 6.2%. This is 17% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $149,400. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $283,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Wharton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 54.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wharton is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 26.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (21.9% vs 11.9%). The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 5.5%.
Education
15.3% 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 85.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wharton, 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 Wharton, Texas?
Wharton, Texas has a population of 8,724 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wharton, TX?
The median household income in Wharton is $58,212, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wharton, TX?
The poverty rate in Wharton is 11.9%. This means approximately 985 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wharton, Texas?
Wharton's population is 26.2% White, 21.9% Black, 44.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wharton, TX?
The median home value in Wharton is $149,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Wharton, Texas?
15.3% of adults (25+) in Wharton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.