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CITY · 2020 ACS

Harlingen

Texas · 71,829 residents · 40.114 sq mi
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The short version

Harlingen has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $43,003. Population has grown 25% since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $92,000. The poverty rate of 26.1% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 33% less than the Texas median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 35.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
71,829
+25%since 2000
from 57,564 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,791 / sq mi
+25%since 2000
from 1,435 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
35.3
+11%since 2000
from 31.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
46K53K60K67K74K1990201020202024Harlingen
202472K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$43,003
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,296 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$20,213
+46%since 2000
from $13,886 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
23.4%
+4.2 ptssince 2009
from 19.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
26.1%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 24.9% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information13.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade5.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services5%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance4.1%
US avg: 5.5%
Retail trade3.9%
US avg: 10%
Professional, scientific, technical3.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration3.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.9%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing2.1%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.3%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$92,000
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $54,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$748
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $455 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
56.5%
−4.6 ptssince 2000
from 61.1% in 2000
43.5% rent
Afford Score
2.1
+19%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Harlingen on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic25%(14,410)
Black0.7%(425)
Hispanic / Latino72.8%(41,881)
Asian0.9%(500)
Other0%
Diversity Score50.1%(28,828)
2020
White, non-Hispanic15.1%(10,826)
Black0.8%(572)
Hispanic / Latino81.7%(58,702)
Asian1.3%(915)
Other0.9%(632)
Diversity Score38.2%(27,436)
Diversity Score
38
−24%since 2000
from 50 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.5%
+1.8 ptssince 2000
from 16.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
76.0%
+9.8 ptssince 2000
from 66.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.3%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 5.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.1 min
+38%since 2000
from 12.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
83.1%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 84.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.8%
−3.9 ptssince 2009
from 10.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.7%
+0.1 ptssince 2011
from 5.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
59.0%
+9.3 ptssince 2011
from 49.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
30.9%
−32.1 ptssince 2009
from 63.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.5%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 47.0% in 2009
Female
51.5%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 53.0% in 2009
Foreign born
14.5%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 14.1% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
21.6%
−49.4 ptssince 2013
from 71.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Harlingen

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Head to head

Compare Harlingen to nearby cities

HARLINGEN VS
San Benito
Income$43,639+1%
Home value$85,300−7%
Population24,980−66%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HARLINGEN VS
Mercedes
Income$46,904+9%
Home value$111,800+22%
Population17,915−75%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HARLINGEN VS
Los Fresnos
Income$61,938+44%
Home value$152,200+65%
Population8,703−88%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HARLINGEN VS
Weslaco
Income$59,551+38%
Home value$140,000+52%
Population44,203−39%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Harlingen, Texas?

Harlingen, Texas has about 71,829 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Harlingen, Texas?

The typical household in Harlingen, Texas earns about $43,003 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Harlingen, Texas expensive?

In Harlingen, Texas, the median home is worth about $92,000, and the typical rent is about $748 a month.

How educated are people in Harlingen, Texas?

About 18.5% of adults age 25 and over in Harlingen, Texas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Harlingen, Texas?

About 26.1% of people in Harlingen, Texas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Harlingen, Texas grown since 1990?

Yes, Harlingen, Texas has grown since 1990. The population has added about 23,094 residents, a change of about 47 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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