Willacy County, Texas Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Willacy County is located in Texas with a total population of 20,218. It is the 119th most populous county out of 254 in Texas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Willacy County is 33.7 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 35.5 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Willacy County is $45,645. This is 40% lower than the state median of $76,292. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 42% lower. The poverty rate stands at 24.6%. This is 78% 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 7.3%. This is 41% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $60,800. Housing costs are 77% lower than the state median of $260,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x, Willacy County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 62.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

Willacy County has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 87.2% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 10.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (10.5%) is well below the state average of 39.9%. The Black or African American population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 11.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (87.2% vs 39.5%).

Education

12.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 63% lower than the state rate of 33.1%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 67.7%.