West University is home to 15,025 people in Austin. The median age is 21.1, younger than the US median of 38.9. 72% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, against 36% nationally. 59.1% of locals live below the federal poverty line. Owners hold 9% of the housing stock. That trails the Austin median by roughly 77%. These figures are approximated by combining the 4 census tracts that make up West University; the Census Bureau does not tabulate data for neighborhoods directly.
At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 21.1
US median: 38.9
More educated
72% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Renter-heavy
9% owner-occupied
US average: 65%
Section 01
Population & growth
Total population
15,025
Population density
26,735 / sq mi
US average: 281
Median age
21.1
US average: 38.9
Land area
0.56 sq mi
Section 02
Income & economy
Median household income
$21,854
US average: $82,259
Per capita income
$20,071
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
16.7%
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
59.1%
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.649
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information12.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services5.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade5.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Arts, entertainment, food4%
US avg: 1.9%
Wholesale trade3.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Public administration2.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance1.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing1.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03
Housing
Median home value
$604,389
US average: $376,019
Median gross rent
$1,449
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
8.9%
91.1% rent
Vacancy rate
10.2%
US average: 10.0%
Persons per household
1.97 people
US average: 2.54
Owner cost-burdened
68.6%
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
68.9%
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
27.7
Years of local income it takes to buy a local home, on a scale of about 0 to 15. Lower is more affordable.
Section 04
Race & ethnicity
2024
White, non-Hispanic37.1%(5,572)
Black4.9%(739)
Hispanic / Latino28.3%(4,245)
Asian24.4%(3,662)
Other5.4%(807)
2024
White, non-Hispanic37.1%(5,572)
Black4.9%(739)
Hispanic / Latino28.3%(4,245)
Asian24.4%(3,662)
Other5.4%(807)
Diversity Score
90
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means a more even mix of racial and ethnic groups.
