City profile · Texas · Census ACS 2023

Brenham, TX

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

18,086
Residents
$57,207
Median income
$223,200
Median home
$1,309
Median rent (state)

Brenham - the verdict

Brenham ranks in the 31st percentile for household income and the 21st percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

31st
percentile, household income
49th
percentile, home value
47th
percentile, median rent
21st
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: Brenham, TX

Brenham is a small town in Texas, home to 18,086 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $57,207 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 13.0%. Typical homes in Brenham are valued around $223,200, and the median resident age is 34.3 years. Educational attainment runs 30.1% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 53.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 111 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 102% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2568.9 in FBI UCR data, near the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 68.0°F with 48.0 inches of precipitation per year.

Texas tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Texas at 97.1 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,309 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Texas's average monthly utility costs around $223 (state average). Commute times here average 14.3 minutes, with 80.0% driving alone and 7.4% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 72.0 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

18,086 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Texas

Median Household Income

$57,207 /yr

Poverty 13.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Texas average

How does Brenham compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 31% higher than other cities
Home value 49% pricier than other cities
Median rent 47% pricier than other cities
Safety 21% 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: Brenham ranks #528 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 Brenham'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.

31stIncome percentile
21stSafety percentile

31st percentile nationally for median household income · 21st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Brenham's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Brenham'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 35 Avg. percentile National median
Brenham'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 Brenham's home value compares nationally

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

$223,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 51% 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%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Brenham $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 - Brenham, TX Brenham, TX's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Brenham, 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 Brenham, TX median $57,207/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%
Brenham, 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 Brenham, TX. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 30.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 13.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 53.3%

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

Population
18,086
Median Income
$57,207
Median Home Value
$223,200
Median Age
34.3
Poverty Rate
13.0%
Labor force participation
53.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
30.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2568.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
531.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2037.9
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
68.0°F
Annual Precipitation
48.0"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

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 →
17,000 residents18,000 residents19,000 residents20,000 residents21,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 17,355 residents 19,957 residents ▲ +15.0%
Brenham's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
111
housing units authorized
Single-Family
107
detached homes
Multifamily
4
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
6.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 55
2020 596
2021 319
2022 181
2023 127
2024 111

Permit volume increased 102% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
14.3 minutes
Drive Alone
80.0%
Carpool
6.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.7%
Work from Home
7.4%
Other
3.5%

Based on 7,537 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 Brenham sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,309/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
72.0 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Texas

White Settlement
18,119 people
Bay City
17,816 people
Alice
17,797 people
Nederland
18,475 people
Gainesville
17,688 people
Melissa
17,497 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Brenham's 18,086 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Burlington, KY
18,090 people
Siloam Springs, AR
18,096 people
Johnstown, CO
18,075 people
McAlester, OK
18,098 people
Dumont, NJ
18,072 people
Canby, OR
18,103 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Brenham's $57,207 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Absarokee, MT
$57,212 median income
Hamburg, PA
$57,212 median income
Linden, TN
$57,212 median income
Newport, OR
$57,213 median income
Tyro, NC
$57,198 median income
Edna, KS
$57,222 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Brenham, 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 Brenham, TX - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 57.7% 22.1% 15.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 24.2% White 57.7% Black or African American 22.1% Asian 1.6% American Indian 0.8% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.2% Two or more races 15.6% 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 Brenham 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
Brenham (this city) 18,086 $57,207
White Settlement 18,119 $56,472
Bay City 17,816 $51,898
Alice 17,797 $46,963
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TX FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Brenham, TX?

What is the population of Brenham, TX? +

18,086 people live in Brenham, TX according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Brenham is $57,207 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Brenham? +

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

Brenham has a total crime rate of 2568.9 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Brenham, TX? +

The median home value in Brenham is $223,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Brenham? +

The average annual temperature in Brenham runs 68.0°F, 48.0 inches of precipitation. 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.