City · Texas
Big Spring, Texas
Big Spring, city, in Howard County, Texas. Big Spring had 22,290 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 15.3% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 26,144 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 23,975 (±25). GEOID 4808236.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
22,290
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 26,144 · ACS 2020-2024: 23,975 ±25
Median household income
$67,581
±$4,094 (90% margin)
Texas: $78,476
Median home value
$140,200
±$18,695 (90% margin)
Texas: $283,800
Median gross rent
$1,050
±$98 (90% margin)
Texas: $1,403
Where is Big Spring and what county is it in?
Big Spring is a city in Howard County, Texas. It covers 19.1 square miles of land, 1,366 residents per square mile in 2020.
Big Spring is in the Big Spring, TX micropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Big Spring, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 22,290 people lived in Big Spring on July 1, 2025, down 15.3% since 2020, while Texas grew 8.8%. The 2020 Census counted 26,144 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 23,975 (±25).
| Measure | Big Spring | Howard County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 23,975 ±25 | 32,290 | −4,066 |
| Households | 9,061 ±369 | 12,191 | +1,032 |
| Average household size | 2.29 ±0.08 | 2.39 | −0.58 |
| Housing units | 10,462 ±325 | 14,048 | +784 |
Big Spring's population since 2000
From 25,233 in 2000 to 22,290 in 2025: down 11.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Big Spring as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Big Spring?
The median resident of Big Spring is 36.4 years old; 20.2% are under 18 and 12.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 53.2%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 36.1%. 11.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Big Spring | Howard County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.4 ±0.9 | 36.7 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.2% ±1.3 pts | 22.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 12.1% ±1.0 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Male | 57.1% ±1.0 pts | 55.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 53.2% ±2.1 pts | 47.7% | +4.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 36.1% ±2.2 pts | 43.1% | −5.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 5.5% ±0.8 pts | 4.5% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.2% ±0.2 pts | 1.0% | +0.4 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.3% ±1.0 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 11.8% ±2.3 pts | 9.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 33.6% ±2.7 pts | 30.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.1% ±1.0 pts | 5.9% | – |
| With a disability | 18.6% ±2.4 pts | 17.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 16.5% ±2.5 pts | 13.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 79.0% ±2.3 pts | 81.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 12.8% ±1.9 pts | 15.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.1% ±1.3 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 84.9% ±2.7 pts | 87.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.4% ±1.0 pts | 1.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Big Spring earn?
Half of Big Spring's 9,061 households earn less than $67,581 a year (±$4,094), against $69,649 in Howard County and $78,476 in Texas. In 2015-2019 it was $64,335 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 17.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Big Spring | Howard County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $67,581 ±$4,094 | $69,649 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $82,508 ±$5,086 | $90,688 | – |
| Per capita income | $31,414 ±$2,190 | $34,939 | +$4,495 |
| People below the poverty line | 17.1% ±2.8 pts | 13.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 18.8% ±5.4 pts | 14.2% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 12.7% ±2.8 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 94.6% ±1.6 pts | 93.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.3% ±2.4 pts | 86.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Big Spring?
Owners occupy 64.7% of Big Spring's occupied homes and renters 35.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $140,200 by its owner (±$18,695). The median renter pays $1,050 a month including utilities, and 34.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Big Spring | Howard County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $140,200 ±$18,695 | $155,600 | +$28,822 |
| Median gross rent | $1,050 ±$98 | $1,034 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 34.9% ±7.5 pts | 34.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,431 ±$178 | $1,506 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 64.7% ±3.9 pts | 69.5% | +6.5 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 35.3% ±3.9 pts | 30.5% | – |
| Housing units | 10,462 ±325 | 14,048 | +784 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.7% ±1.5 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.6% ±3.6 pts | 7.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 77.2% ±3.2 pts | 75.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.3% ±1.2 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 6.0% ±2.0 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.5% ±2.0 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.1% ±1.9 pts | 6.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Big Spring building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units in Big Spring in 2025 (0 in single-family houses), 0.0 per 1,000 residents against 6.6 across Texas.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Big Spring work and get to work?
76.1% of Big Spring's workers drive alone and 3.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.6%.
| Measure | Big Spring | Howard County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 53.5% ±2.6 pts | 55.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% ±1.9 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 76.1% ±4.2 pts | 79.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 18.6% ±3.6 pts | 16.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±0.5 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Walked | 1.2% ±0.9 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 3.1% ±1.7 pts | 3.0% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.1 min ±2.3 | 21.7 min | +3.7 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Big Spring?
7 census tracts lie mostly in Big Spring, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $42,547 (Tract 9504) to $98,114 (Tract 9506).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9506Howard County | 4,759 | $98,114 |
| Tract 9508.02Howard County | 4,100 | $69,722 |
| Tract 9508.01Howard County | 3,834 | $79,924 |
| Tract 9504Howard County | 3,343 | $42,547 |
| Tract 9507Howard County | 2,974 | $65,363 |
| Tract 9505Howard County | 2,560 | $64,856 |
| Tract 9503Howard County | 1,899 | $43,021 |
| Tract 9509Howard County | 4,111 | $90,298 |
| Tract 9501Howard County | 2,244 | $97,960 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Big Spring) · Census block assignment files
How does Big Spring compare with other places in Texas?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Big Spring is the 1,775th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 144th-most populous of 1,224 in Texas.
Big Spring ranks 462nd of 933 places in Texas with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 144th | 1,224 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 783rd | 784 |
| Residents per square mile | 359th | 979 |
| Median household income | 462nd | 933 |
| Per capita income | 503rd | 978 |
| Median home value | 682nd | 950 |
| Median gross rent | 486th | 852 |
| Poverty rate | 315th | 716 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 714th | 877 |
| Median age | 495th | 973 |
| Owner-occupied share | 664th | 973 |
| Work from home | 549th | 557 |
| Travel time to work | 729th | 976 |
Big Spring's figures with every place in Texas (CSV)
Every place in Texas, sortable · Compare Big Spring with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Big Spring?
8 of the 57 figures for Big Spring on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Big Spring are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Big Spring.