City profile · Texas · Census ACS 2023

Big Sandy, TX

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

1,215
Residents
$41,806
Median income
$119,800
Median home
$1,199
Median rent (state)

Big Sandy - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Big Sandy lands in the 9th percentile for household income and the 56th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

9th
percentile, household income
17th
percentile, home value
36th
percentile, median rent
56th
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: Big Sandy, TX

Big Sandy is a small town in Texas, home to 1,215 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Big Sandy brings in $41,806 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 28.1%. Typical homes in Big Sandy are valued around $119,800, and the median resident age is 36.2 years. About 16.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 55.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 2 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 100% from five years earlier. Big Sandy reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1198.5 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

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 $1,199 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Texas run around $223, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 66.9 out of 100 (Moderate).

Population

1,215 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Texas

Median Household Income

$41,806 /yr

Poverty 28.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Texas average

How does Big Sandy compare to other US cities?

Here's how Big Sandy stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 9% higher than other cities
Home value 17% pricier than other cities
Median rent 36% pricier than other cities
Safety 56% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Texas, Big Sandy ranks #279 of 624 Texas cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

Texas-relative analysis

Poverty Rate is Big Sandy's strongest outlier among Texas cities

Among the 1,663 Texas cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Big Sandy ranks #145 - the 91st percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Big Sandy only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#1,329 of 1,520
13th percentile in Texas
Median Gross Rent
#692 of 1,663
58th percentile in Texas
Median Home Value
#975 of 1,505
35th percentile in Texas
Poverty Rate
#145 of 1,663
91st percentile in Texas
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#858 of 1,663
48th 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.

9thIncome percentile
56thSafety percentile

9th percentile nationally for median household income · 56th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Big Sandy's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Big Sandy'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 46 Avg. percentile National median
Big Sandy'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 Big Sandy's home value compares nationally

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

$119,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 83% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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 Sandy $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 Sandy, TX Big Sandy, TX's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Big Sandy, 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 Sandy, TX median $41,806/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 Sandy, 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 Sandy, TX. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 16.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 28.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 55.1%

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

Population
1,215
Median Income
$41,806
Median Home Value
$119,800
Median Age
36.2
Poverty Rate
28.1%
Labor force participation
55.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
16.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1198.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
449.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
749.1
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.

Schools

Total Schools
8
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,200 residents1,250 residents1,300 residents1,350 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,234 residents 1,339 residents ▲ +8.5%
Big Sandy's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
2
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1
2020 6
2021 7
2022 2
2023 2
2024 2

Permit volume increased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
78.5%
Carpool
12.1%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
4.5%
Work from Home
3.3%
Other
1.6%

Based on 539 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 Sandy sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,199/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
66.9 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Texas

Florence
1,215 people
Tioga
1,212 people
Newark
1,221 people
Tiki Island
1,209 people
Clint
1,208 people
Lasara
1,208 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Big Sandy's 1,215 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Gallant, AL
1,215 people
North Utica, IL
1,215 people
Waterflow, NM
1,215 people
Granville, WV
1,215 people
West Crossett, AR
1,214 people
Kaanapali, HI
1,216 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Big Sandy's $41,806 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Yeehaw Junction, FL
$41,809 median income
Lynn, AL
$41,811 median income
St. Donatus, IA
$41,813 median income
Sayre, OK
$41,813 median income
Greenfield, TN
$41,798 median income
Eureka Springs, AR
$41,821 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Big Sandy, 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 Sandy, TX - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 84.4% 9.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9.5% White 84.4% Black or African American 9.8% Asian 0.4% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 5.3% 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 Sandy 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 Sandy (this city) 1,215 $41,806
Florence 1,215 $72,743
Tioga 1,212 $86,477
Newark 1,221 $57,000
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TX FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Big Sandy, TX?

What is the population of Big Sandy, TX? +

Big Sandy, TX counts 1,215 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Big Sandy, the typical household earns $41,806 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Big Sandy? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Big Sandy; 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 Big Sandy, TX safe? +

Big Sandy has a total crime rate of 1198.5 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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 Big Sandy, TX? +

Homes in Big Sandy carry a median value of $119,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

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.