City profile · Texas · Census ACS 2023

College Station, TX

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

122,280
Residents
$51,776
Median income
$326,500
Median home
$1,186
Median rent (state)

College Station - the verdict

Nationally, College Station sits in the 22nd percentile for household income and the 53rd percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

22nd
percentile, household income
69th
percentile, home value
35th
percentile, median rent
53rd
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: College Station, TX

122,280 people live in College Station, Texas - a mid-sized U.S. city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $51,776 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 11.9%. Typical homes in College Station are valued around $326,500, and the median resident age is 22.9 years. 57.1% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 59.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 1,112 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 80% from five years earlier. College Station reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1273.1 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

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). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,186 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $223 across Texas, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. The average commute for College Station workers runs 15.1 minutes, with 70.8% driving alone and 12.1% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 88.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

122,280 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Texas

Median Household Income

$51,776 /yr

Poverty 11.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Texas average

How does College Station compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 22% higher than other cities
Home value 69% pricier than other cities
Median rent 35% pricier than other cities
Safety 53% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Texas alone, College Station ranks #294 of 624 Texas cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

Texas-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher is College Station's strongest outlier among Texas cities

Among the 1,663 Texas cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, College Station ranks #86 - the 95th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares College Station only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#1,083 of 1,520
29th percentile in Texas
Median Gross Rent
#735 of 1,663
55th percentile in Texas
Median Home Value
#217 of 1,505
86th percentile in Texas
Poverty Rate
#651 of 1,663
61st percentile in Texas
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#86 of 1,663
95th 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.

22ndIncome percentile
53rdSafety percentile

22nd percentile nationally for median household income · 53rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

College Station's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

College Station'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 41 Avg. percentile National median
College Station'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 College Station's home value compares nationally

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

$326,500 31st percentile more affordable than 31% 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%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $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. College Station $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 - College Station, TX College Station, TX's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not College Station, 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 College Station, TX median $51,776/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%
College Station, 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 College Station, TX. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 57.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 11.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.1%

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

Population
122,280
Median Income
$51,776
Median Home Value
$326,500
Median Age
22.9
Poverty Rate
11.9%
Labor force participation
59.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
57.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1273.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
170.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1102.6
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
24
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
120,000 residents125,000 residents130,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 120,791 residents 127,472 residents ▲ +5.5%
College Station's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
1,112
housing units authorized
Single-Family
650
detached homes
Multifamily
462
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
9.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 617
2020 1,165
2021 992
2022 689
2023 741
2024 1,112

Permit volume increased 80% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
15.1 minutes
Drive Alone
70.8%
Carpool
8.0%
Public Transit
2.3%
Walk
3.9%
Work from Home
12.1%
Other
2.9%

Based on 60,180 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 College Station sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,186/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
88.4 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Texas

Round Rock
124,288 people
Pearland
125,983 people
Richardson
118,269 people
Abilene
127,130 people
The Woodlands
116,916 people
Lewisville
128,313 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to College Station's 122,280 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Independence, MO
121,944 people
Clovis, CA
122,719 people
Arvada, CO
122,835 people
Rochester, MN
121,638 people
Lafayette, LA
121,537 people
Ann Arbor, MI
121,179 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to College Station's $51,776 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Midfield, AL
$51,776 median income
Miller, SD
$51,774 median income
Jamestown, NM
$51,779 median income
Samoset, FL
$51,780 median income
Unionville, MO
$51,771 median income
Loretto, TN
$51,771 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - College Station, 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 College Station, TX - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 67.0% 8.8% 9.6% 10.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 18.4% White 67.0% Black or African American 8.8% Asian 9.6% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 3.3% Two or more races 10.9% 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 College Station 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
College Station (this city) 122,280 $51,776
Round Rock 124,288 $97,187
Pearland 125,983 $112,470
Richardson 118,269 $96,257
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TX FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about College Station, TX?

What is the population of College Station, TX? +

College Station, TX has a population of 122,280 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in College Station, TX? +

College Station households earn a median of $51,776 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in College Station? +

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

College Station has a total crime rate of 1273.1 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 College Station, TX? +

The median home value in College Station is $326,500, 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

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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.