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CITY

South Houston

Texas · 16,407 residents (2025 est.) · 3.046 sq mi
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The short version

South Houston has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $53,497. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $189,300. At a median age of 31.2, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 32% less than the Texas median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 31.2
US median: 38.9
Less educated
10% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 119%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
16,033
+1%since 2000
from 15,833 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
5,264 / sq mi
+1%since 2000
from 5,198 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
31.2
+13%since 2000
from 27.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:16,407 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
14K15K16K17K18K1990201020202024South Houston
202416K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$53,497
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,924 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,830
+77%since 2000
from $12,308 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
34.3%
+19.0 ptssince 2009
from 15.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
26.1%
+5.2 ptssince 2000
from 20.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.452
+5%since 2010
from 0.428 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade27.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade11.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services9.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Information9.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance5.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Public administration2.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing0.8%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.1%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$189,300
+119%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $47,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,212
+38%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $482 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
55.4%
−3.5 ptssince 2000
from 58.9% in 2000
44.6% rent
Vacancy rate
8.9%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 8.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
26.4%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 29.2% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
58.9%
+7.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.5
+138%since 2000
from 1.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
57
RELATED:See current rent listings in South Houston on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic19.6%(3,103)
Black0.9%(139)
Hispanic / Latino77.9%(12,338)
Asian0.6%(97)
Other0%
Diversity Score42.7%(6,755)
2024
White, non-Hispanic3.7%(594)
Black3%(483)
Hispanic / Latino92%(14,750)
Asian0.9%(144)
Other0.4%(62)
Diversity Score18.9%(3,032)
Diversity Score
19
−56%since 2000
from 43 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.3%
+6.8 ptssince 2000
from 3.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
58.4%
+12.9 ptssince 2000
from 45.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
1.7%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 1.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
30.5 min
+61%since 2000
from 19.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
75.0%
+11.5 ptssince 2009
from 63.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
17.1%
−9.7 ptssince 2009
from 26.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
2.4%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.1%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 5.0% 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
2.6%
−6.0 ptssince 2009
from 8.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.3%
−0.8 ptssince 2011
from 9.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
60.8%
−3.6 ptssince 2011
from 64.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
8.1%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 9.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
16.9%
−25.8 ptssince 2009
from 42.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.5%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
Female
51.5%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
Foreign born
33.2%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 35.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
3.5%
−49.1 ptssince 2009
from 52.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
11.1%
+2.1 ptssince 2012
from 9.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
28.4%
−35.4 ptssince 2013
from 63.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
86.9%
+25.2 ptssince 2017
from 61.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
27.5%
+3.7 ptssince 2016
from 23.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
71.8%
−4.3 ptssince 2016
from 76.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare South Houston to nearby cities

SOUTH HOUSTON VS
Pasadena
Income$64,927+21%
Home value$209,600+11%
Population148,539+805%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOUTH HOUSTON VS
Galena Park
Income$51,220−4%
Home value$117,700−38%
Population10,352−37%
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SOUTH HOUSTON VS
Deer Park
Income$100,382+88%
Home value$264,600+40%
Population34,282+109%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOUTH HOUSTON VS
Jacinto City
Income$47,318−12%
Home value$156,200−17%
Population9,388−43%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in South Houston, Texas?

South Houston, Texas has about 16,033 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in South Houston, Texas?

The typical household in South Houston, Texas earns about $53,497 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is South Houston, Texas expensive?

In South Houston, Texas, the median home is worth about $189,300, and the typical rent is about $1,212 a month.

How educated are people in South Houston, Texas?

About 10.3% of adults age 25 and over in South Houston, Texas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in South Houston, Texas?

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

Has South Houston, Texas grown since 1990?

Yes, South Houston, Texas has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,826 residents, a change of about 13 percent over that period.

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

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