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CITY

Refugio

Texas · 2,752 residents (2025 est.) · 1.573 sq mi
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The short version

Refugio has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $48,750. Population has declined 6% since 2000. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $94,800. The poverty rate of 25.3% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 38% less than the Texas median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.6
US median: 38.9
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 34%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,766
−6%since 2000
from 2,941 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,758 / sq mi
−6%since 2000
from 1,870 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.6
+5%since 2000
from 37.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:2,752 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3K3K3K3K3K1990201020202024Refugio
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$48,750
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,719 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,899
+62%since 2000
from $13,523 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
40.2%
+29.7 ptssince 2009
from 10.5% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
25.3%
+4.2 ptssince 2000
from 21.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.432
+9%since 2010
from 0.398 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information9.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing9.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing9.6%
US avg: 0.4%
Wholesale trade9.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance6.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Retail trade6.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Professional, scientific, technical6.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services5.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.6%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$94,800
+34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $38,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$747
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $339 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
58.9%
−12.5 ptssince 2000
from 71.5% in 2000
41.1% rent
Vacancy rate
18.6%
−6.2 ptssince 2009
from 24.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
14.4%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 13.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
64.4%
+42.7 ptssince 2009
from 21.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.9
+34%since 2000
from 1.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
39
RELATED:See current rent listings in Refugio on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic41%(1,206)
Black13.3%(391)
Hispanic / Latino44.3%(1,303)
Asian0.5%(14)
Other0%
Diversity Score76.3%(2,245)
2024
White, non-Hispanic23%(637)
Black12.1%(334)
Hispanic / Latino61.3%(1,696)
Asian0%(0)
Other3.6%(99)
Diversity Score69.4%(1,919)
Diversity Score
69
−9%since 2000
from 76 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.2%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 12.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
81.3%
+14.4 ptssince 2000
from 66.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.5%
−1.1 ptssince 2000
from 4.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.5 min
+31%since 2000
from 16.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
84.3%
+5.0 ptssince 2009
from 79.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.3%
−7.0 ptssince 2009
from 14.3% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
2.1%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
6.3%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 5.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
21.8%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 17.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.0%
−9.8 ptssince 2011
from 10.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
52.5%
+5.7 ptssince 2011
from 46.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
25.6%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 24.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
24.4%
−36.5 ptssince 2009
from 60.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.6%
−7.6 ptssince 2009
from 54.3% in 2009
Female
53.4%
+7.6 ptssince 2009
from 45.7% in 2009
Foreign born
4.2%
−3.9 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.4%
−49.5 ptssince 2009
from 57.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
20.7%
−6.5 ptssince 2012
from 27.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
16.7%
−61.5 ptssince 2013
from 78.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
83.3%
+16.6 ptssince 2017
from 66.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
71.1%
+2.3 ptssince 2016
from 68.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
28.9%
−2.3 ptssince 2016
from 31.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Refugio

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Pop 2,683
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Pop 2,767
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Pop 2,572
Dover
Pop 3,009
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Head to head

Compare Refugio to nearby cities

REFUGIO VS
Rockport
Income$72,174+48%
Home value$320,500+238%
Population11,348+312%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
REFUGIO VS
Aransas Pass
Income$63,021+29%
Home value$235,500+148%
Population8,842+221%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
REFUGIO VS
Portland
Income$83,865+72%
Home value$234,800+148%
Population20,833+657%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
REFUGIO VS
Beeville
Income$50,784+4%
Home value$94,700same
Population13,086+376%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Refugio, Texas?

Refugio, Texas has about 2,766 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Refugio, Texas?

The typical household in Refugio, Texas earns about $48,750 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Refugio, Texas expensive?

In Refugio, Texas, the median home is worth about $94,800, and the typical rent is about $747 a month.

How educated are people in Refugio, Texas?

About 13.2% of adults age 25 and over in Refugio, Texas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Refugio, Texas?

About 25.3% of people in Refugio, Texas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Refugio, Texas grown since 1990?

Yes, Refugio, Texas has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 392 residents, a change of about -12 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →