City · Texas
Brownsville, Texas
Brownsville, city, in Cameron County, Texas. Brownsville had 192,957 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.6% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 186,738 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 189,177 (±60). GEOID 4810768.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
192,957
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 186,738 · ACS 2020-2024: 189,177 ±60
Median household income
$52,130
±$2,503 (90% margin)
Texas: $78,476
Median home value
$139,900
±$6,107 (90% margin)
Texas: $283,800
Median gross rent
$923
±$30 (90% margin)
Texas: $1,403
Where is Brownsville and what county is it in?
Brownsville is a city in Cameron County, Texas. It covers 133.4 square miles of land, 1,400 residents per square mile in 2020.
Brownsville is in the Brownsville-Harlingen, TX metropolitan 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 Brownsville, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 192,957 people lived in Brownsville on July 1, 2025, up 3.6% since 2020, slower than Texas (+8.8%). The 2020 Census counted 186,738 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 189,177 (±60).
| Measure | Brownsville | Cameron County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 189,177 ±60 | 426,120 | +6,906 |
| Households | 59,839 ±850 | 138,433 | +7,677 |
| Average household size | 3.13 ±0.04 | 3.05 | −0.34 |
| Housing units | 64,878 ±840 | 159,679 | +7,259 |
Brownsville's population since 2000
From 139,722 in 2000 to 192,957 in 2025: up 38.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Brownsville 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 Brownsville?
The median resident of Brownsville is 31.2 years old; 28.4% are under 18 and 13.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 94.0%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 4.4%. 27.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Brownsville | Cameron County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 31.2 ±0.5 | 32.7 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 28.4% ±0.7 pts | 28.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.0% ±0.6 pts | 14.3% | – |
| Male | 48.6% ±0.6 pts | 49.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 94.0% ±0.5 pts | 89.3% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 4.4% ±0.4 pts | 8.7% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.8% ±0.2 pts | 0.8% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 27.5% ±1.0 pts | 23.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 83.6% ±1.0 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 2.8% ±0.4 pts | 4.1% | – |
| With a disability | 10.7% ±0.7 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 26.2% ±1.2 pts | 25.8% | −4.9 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 72.0% ±1.1 pts | 72.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 24.5% ±1.1 pts | 22.1% | +5.6 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.3% ±0.6 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 91.0% ±1.2 pts | 91.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.7% ±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
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 Brownsville earn?
Half of Brownsville's 59,839 households earn less than $52,130 a year (±$2,503), against $52,601 in Cameron County and $78,476 in Texas. In 2015-2019 the median was $47,490 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $4,640 after inflation. 23.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Brownsville | Cameron County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $52,130 ±$2,503 | $52,601 | +$4,640 |
| Mean household income | $69,094 ±$2,425 | $71,924 | – |
| Per capita income | $22,512 ±$785 | $24,089 | +$2,143 |
| People below the poverty line | 23.7% ±1.5 pts | 24.8% | −5.6 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 30.7% ±2.6 pts | 35.6% | −10.4 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 27.7% ±1.7 pts | 24.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 91.4% ±1.1 pts | 91.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.1% ±1.3 pts | 84.4% | – |
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 Brownsville?
Owners occupy 61.7% of Brownsville's occupied homes and renters 38.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $139,900 by its owner (±$6,107). The median renter pays $923 a month including utilities, and 39.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Brownsville | Cameron County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $139,900 ±$6,107 | $136,500 | +$29,138 |
| Median gross rent | $923 ±$30 | $912 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.9% ±3.2 pts | 40.0% | −5.3 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,497 ±$56 | $1,449 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 61.7% ±1.5 pts | 65.2% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 38.3% ±1.5 pts | 34.8% | – |
| Housing units | 64,878 ±840 | 159,679 | +7,259 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.2% ±0.5 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.1% ±1.1 pts | 5.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 68.0% ±1.6 pts | 64.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.8% ±0.9 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.0% ±0.6 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 15.9% ±1.3 pts | 14.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.0% ±0.4 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.4% ±0.9 pts | 6.6% | – |
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 Brownsville building?
Builders took permits for 1,421 new housing units in Brownsville in 2025 (812 in single-family houses), 7.4 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 Brownsville work and get to work?
74.9% of Brownsville's workers drive alone and 8.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.2%.
| Measure | Brownsville | Cameron County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.4% ±0.9 pts | 58.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.2% ±0.6 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 74.9% ±1.7 pts | 75.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 13.4% ±1.2 pts | 11.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.7% ±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 1.3% ±0.4 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.4% ±1.0 pts | 9.1% | +5.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.4 min ±0.6 | 21.3 min | +1.7 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 Brownsville?
51 census tracts lie mostly in Brownsville, and 15 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $13,359 (Tract 140.01) to $117,416 (Tract 144.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 144.01Cameron County | 7,576 | $98,550 |
| Tract 144.02Cameron County | 7,194 | $117,416 |
| Tract 126.08Cameron County | 5,931 | $72,352 |
| Tract 125.17Cameron County | 5,836 | $101,913 |
| Tract 145.02Cameron County | 5,290 | $101,111 |
| Tract 126.13Cameron County | 5,215 | $79,536 |
| Tract 125.14Cameron County | 4,995 | $71,380 |
| Tract 145.01Cameron County | 4,961 | $57,200 |
| Tract 131.06Cameron County | 4,954 | $30,417 |
| Tract 128Cameron County | 5,310 | $36,588 |
| Tract 143Cameron County | 4,897 | $38,795 |
| Tract 130.02Cameron County | 4,667 | $50,343 |
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 Brownsville) · Census block assignment files
How does Brownsville compare with other places in Texas?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Brownsville is the 136th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 18th-most populous of 1,224 in Texas.
Brownsville ranks 719th 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 | 18th | 1,224 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 408th | 784 |
| Residents per square mile | 349th | 979 |
| Median household income | 719th | 933 |
| Per capita income | 832nd | 978 |
| Median home value | 684th | 950 |
| Median gross rent | 621st | 852 |
| Poverty rate | 160th | 716 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 372nd | 877 |
| Median age | 833rd | 973 |
| Owner-occupied share | 725th | 973 |
| Work from home | 399th | 557 |
| Travel time to work | 720th | 976 |
Brownsville's figures with every place in Texas (CSV)
Every place in Texas, sortable · Compare Brownsville 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 Brownsville?
4 of the 57 figures for Brownsville 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 Brownsville 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 Brownsville.