City profile · Texas · Census ACS 2023

Amarillo, TX

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Amarillo - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

200,945
Residents
$62,469
Median income
$186,800
Median home
$1,106
Median rent (state)

Amarillo - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Amarillo lands in the 39th percentile for household income and the 12th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

39th
percentile, household income
39th
percentile, home value
29th
percentile, median rent
12th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Amarillo, TX

Amarillo is a mid-sized U.S. city in Texas, home to 200,945 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Amarillo brings in $62,469 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 11.7%. Amarillo's housing stock carries a median value of $186,800, and the median resident age is 35.0 years. 25.1% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 62.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 1,214 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 157% from five years earlier. Amarillo's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 3346.1 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 58.7°F with 19.7 inches of precipitation per year and 17.2 inches of snowfall.

Texas tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: the state registers 97.1 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,106 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $223 across Texas, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 90.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

200,945 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Texas

Median Household Income

$62,469 /yr

Poverty 11.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Texas average

How does Amarillo compare to other US cities?

Amarillo measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 39% higher than other cities
Home value 39% pricier than other cities
Median rent 29% pricier than other cities
Safety 12% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Texas and the picture shifts: Amarillo ranks #576 of 624 Texas cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Amarillo's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Texas, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

39thIncome percentile
12thSafety percentile

39th percentile nationally for median household income · 12th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Amarillo's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Amarillo's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 39 Avg. percentile National median
Amarillo's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Amarillo's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$186,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 61% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Amarillo $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Amarillo, TX Amarillo, TX's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Amarillo, TX-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Amarillo, TX median $62,469/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Amarillo, TX's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Amarillo, TX. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 25.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 11.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 62.4%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
200,945
Median Income
$62,469
Median Home Value
$186,800
Median Age
35.0
Poverty Rate
11.7%
Labor force participation
62.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
25.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3346.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
690.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2655.6
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
58.7°F
Annual Precipitation
19.7"
Annual Snowfall
17.2"

Schools

Total Schools
79
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
200,000 residents202,000 residents204,000 residents206,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 200,549 residents 205,130 residents ▲ +2.3%
Amarillo's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
1,214
housing units authorized
Single-Family
562
detached homes
Multifamily
652
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 472
2020 845
2021 574
2022 758
2023 564
2024 1,214

Permit volume increased 157% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
78.9%
Carpool
12.1%
Public Transit
0.4%
Walk
1.0%
Work from Home
5.9%
Other
1.7%

Based on 95,401 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Texas - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$130
avg/month
Natural Gas
$45
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$48
avg/month
Total Utilities
$223
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Texas state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Texas state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Amarillo sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,106/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
90.5 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Texas

McKinney
202,314 people
Grand Prairie
198,564 people
Frisco
210,238 people
Brownsville
188,023 people
Garland
245,298 people
Killeen
156,144 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Amarillo's 200,945 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Oxnard, CA
201,014 people
Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance), GA
201,504 people
Tallahassee, FL
199,696 people
Birmingham, AL
199,322 people
Little Rock, AR
202,739 people
Sunrise Manor, NV
199,099 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Amarillo's $62,469 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Hubbard, OH
$62,468 median income
Benton Park, CA
$62,475 median income
Eustis, FL
$62,475 median income
Belvidere, IL
$62,462 median income
Francisco, IN
$62,460 median income
Gautier, MS
$62,480 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Amarillo, TX Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Amarillo, TX - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 68.0% 7.4% 14.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 33.7% White 68.0% Black or African American 7.4% Asian 4.2% American Indian 0.7% Native Hawaiian 0.2% Some other race 5.0% Two or more races 14.6% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Amarillo compares to nearby Texas cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Amarillo (this city) 200,945 $62,469
McKinney 202,314 $120,273
Grand Prairie 198,564 $78,889
Frisco 210,238 $146,158
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TX FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Amarillo, TX?

What is the population of Amarillo, TX? +

Amarillo, TX counts 200,945 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Amarillo, TX? +

Amarillo households earn a median of $62,469 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Amarillo? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Amarillo; the closest available measure is the Texas state average, a cost of living index of 97.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Texas vary by metro area.

Is Amarillo, TX safe? +

Amarillo has a total crime rate of 3346.1 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Amarillo, TX? +

A typical home in Amarillo is worth $186,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Amarillo? +

Amarillo has an average annual temperature of 58.7°F, 19.7 inches of precipitation, and 17.2 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.