City profile · Texas · Census ACS 2023

Big Lake, TX

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

3,092
Residents
$72,067
Median income
$155,500
Median home
$1,015
Median rent (state)

Big Lake - the verdict

Nationally, Big Lake sits in the 52nd percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

52nd
percentile, household income
29th
percentile, home value
21st
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Big Lake, TX

Big Lake is a small town in Texas, home to 3,092 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Big Lake brings in $72,067 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 6.2%. Typical homes in Big Lake are valued around $155,500, and the median resident age is 28.8 years. 16.9% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 58.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 5 residential building permits were authorized in Big Lake (Slowing), down 17% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. NOAA puts Big Lake's yearly average temperature at 65.8°F with 18.2 inches of precipitation per year and 2.3 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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,015 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Texas's average monthly utility costs around $223 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 5.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

3,092 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Texas

Median Household Income

$72,067 /yr

Poverty 6.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Texas average

How does Big Lake compare to other US cities?

Where Big Lake sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 52% higher than other cities
Home value 29% pricier than other cities
Median rent 21% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Big Lake against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Texas only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Texas-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Big Lake toward the bottom of Texas's cities

Among the 1,663 Texas cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Big Lake ranks #1,228 - the 24th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Big Lake only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#554 of 1,520
64th percentile in Texas
Median Gross Rent
#1,228 of 1,663
24th percentile in Texas
Median Home Value
#773 of 1,505
49th percentile in Texas
Poverty Rate
#1,013 of 1,663
39th percentile in Texas
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#832 of 1,663
49th percentile in Texas

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Texas only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

52ndIncome percentile

52nd percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Big Lake's home value compares nationally

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

$155,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 71% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Big Lake $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 - Big Lake, TX Big Lake, TX's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Big Lake, 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 Big Lake, TX median $72,067/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%
Big Lake, 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 Big Lake, TX. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 16.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 58.1%

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

Population
3,092
Median Income
$72,067
Median Home Value
$155,500
Median Age
28.8
Poverty Rate
6.2%
Labor force participation
58.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
16.9%

Climate

Avg Temperature
65.8°F
Annual Precipitation
18.2"
Annual Snowfall
2.3"

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,700 residents2,800 residents2,900 residents3,000 residents3,100 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,007 residents 2,783 residents ▼ -7.4%
Big Lake's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
5
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
3
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 6
2020 1
2021 3
2022 1
2023 7
2024 5

Permit volume decreased 17% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
77.1%
Carpool
7.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
9.1%
Work from Home
4.3%
Other
2.1%

Based on 1,216 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 Big Lake sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,015/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
5.9 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Texas

Piney Point
3,090 people
DeCordova
3,086 people
Karnes City
3,101 people
Abernathy
3,108 people
Needville
3,076 people
Nocona
3,073 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Big Lake's 3,092 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Solon, IA
3,092 people
Fairport Harbor, OH
3,092 people
Park Hill, OK
3,092 people
Brighton, AL
3,091 people
Saugatuck, CT
3,091 people
El Cerro, NM
3,093 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Big Lake's $72,067 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Lisbon, ME
$72,066 median income
Hybla Valley, VA
$72,068 median income
Hatfield, PA
$72,070 median income
Greenwood, DE
$72,063 median income
Cañoncito, NM
$72,072 median income
Anderson Island, WA
$72,074 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Big Lake, 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 Big Lake, TX - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 36.4% 29.3% 25.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 67.5% White 36.4% Black or African American 5.7% Asian 2.1% American Indian 1.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 29.3% Two or more races 25.0% 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 Big Lake 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
Big Lake (this city) 3,092 $72,067
Piney Point 3,090 $250,001
DeCordova 3,086 $113,676
Karnes City 3,101 $58,601
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TX NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Big Lake, TX?

What is the population of Big Lake, TX? +

The population of Big Lake, TX stands at 3,092 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Big Lake, TX? +

Big Lake households earn a median of $72,067 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Big Lake? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Big Lake; 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.

What is the median home value in Big Lake, TX? +

A typical home in Big Lake is worth $155,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Big Lake? +

Climate normals put Big Lake's yearly average temperature at 65.8°F, 18.2 inches of precipitation, and 2.3 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, 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

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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.