City · Texas
Dayton, Texas
Dayton, city, in Liberty County, Texas. Dayton had 10,226 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 21.8% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 8,777 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 9,058 (±25). GEOID 4819432.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
10,226
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 8,777 · ACS 2020-2024: 9,058 ±25
Median household income
$59,691
±$19,094 (90% margin)
Texas: $78,476
Median home value
$227,600
±$19,913 (90% margin)
Texas: $283,800
Median gross rent
$1,045
±$128 (90% margin)
Texas: $1,403
Where is Dayton and what county is it in?
Dayton is a city in Liberty County, Texas. It covers 30.7 square miles of land, 286 residents per square mile in 2020.
Dayton is in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 10 counties (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 Dayton, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 10,226 people lived in Dayton on July 1, 2025, up 21.8% since 2020, faster than Texas (+8.8%). The 2020 Census counted 8,777 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 9,058 (±25).
| Measure | Dayton | Liberty County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 9,058 ±25 | 103,380 | +1,106 |
| Households | 3,110 ±270 | 31,183 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.80 ±0.24 | 3.15 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,471 ±310 | 36,121 | no clear change |
Dayton's population since 2000
From 5,709 in 2000 to 10,226 in 2025: up 79.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Dayton 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 Dayton?
The median resident of Dayton is 31.4 years old; 26.1% are under 18 and 14.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 53.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 26.5%. 11.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Dayton | Liberty County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 31.4 ±2.4 | 32.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 26.1% ±4.8 pts | 29.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 14.1% ±3.2 pts | 11.5% | – |
| Male | 51.1% ±3.5 pts | 49.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 26.5% ±8.8 pts | 39.6% | +11.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 53.4% ±8.4 pts | 48.7% | −16.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 13.4% ±4.7 pts | 7.5% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.6% ±2.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| 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% ±0.5 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.0% ±2.1 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.5 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 11.6% ±4.9 pts | 15.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 25.7% ±8.9 pts | 33.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.7% ±2.5 pts | 6.1% | – |
| With a disability | 16.2% ±3.9 pts | 14.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 18.4% ±5.6 pts | 26.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 82.7% ±5.3 pts | 77.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.1% ±5.0 pts | 11.9% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.4% ±3.5 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 90.7% ±3.8 pts | 88.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
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 Dayton earn?
Half of Dayton's 3,110 households earn less than $59,691 a year (±$19,094), against $68,703 in Liberty County and $78,476 in Texas. In 2015-2019 it was $64,216 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 20.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Dayton | Liberty County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $59,691 ±$19,094 | $68,703 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $95,802 ±$12,567 | $89,481 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,296 ±$4,618 | $27,195 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 20.6% ±7.1 pts | 18.7% | +10.0 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 31.1% ±13.0 pts | 23.4% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.3% ±4.7 pts | 16.6% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.9% ±2.7 pts | 95.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.4% ±4.7 pts | 90.1% | – |
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 Dayton?
Owners occupy 65.7% of Dayton's occupied homes and renters 34.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $227,600 by its owner (±$19,913). The median renter pays $1,045 a month including utilities, and 53.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Dayton | Liberty County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $227,600 ±$19,913 | $181,700 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $1,045 ±$128 | $1,044 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 53.9% ±19.1 pts | 47.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,884 ±$100 | $1,679 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 65.7% ±9.6 pts | 82.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 34.3% ±9.6 pts | 17.7% | – |
| Housing units | 3,471 ±310 | 36,121 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 10.4% ±7.6 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0% ±4.4 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 68.7% ±7.0 pts | 57.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.7% ±4.0 pts | 33.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.7% ±2.3 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 14.1% ±6.0 pts | 18.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 1.5% ±1.8 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 12.4% ±6.1 pts | 5.1% | – |
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 Dayton building?
Builders took permits for 119 new housing units in Dayton in 2025 (119 in single-family houses), 11.6 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 Dayton work and get to work?
73.7% of Dayton's workers drive alone and 9.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 32.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.1%.
| Measure | Dayton | Liberty County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.6% ±6.2 pts | 54.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% ±4.3 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 73.7% ±7.2 pts | 77.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 16.6% ±6.2 pts | 13.6% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±1.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Walked | 0.0% ±1.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.7% ±5.3 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 32.3 min ±4.2 | 39.9 min | no clear change |
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 Dayton?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Dayton, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $68,713 (Tract 7009) to $78,819 (Tract 7008.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 7008.02Liberty County | 6,338 | $78,819 |
| Tract 7009Liberty County | 6,355 | $68,713 |
| Tract 7011Liberty County | 9,339 | $84,182 |
| Tract 7010Liberty County | 6,022 | $73,542 |
| Tract 7008.01Liberty County | 5,252 | $93,025 |
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 Dayton) · Census block assignment files
How does Dayton compare with other places in Texas?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Dayton is the 3,157th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 251st-most populous of 1,224 in Texas.
Dayton ranks 594th 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 | 251st | 1,224 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 118th | 784 |
| Residents per square mile | 917th | 979 |
| Median household income | 594th | 933 |
| Per capita income | 444th | 978 |
| Median home value | 408th | 950 |
| Median gross rent | 490th | 852 |
| Poverty rate | 220th | 716 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 540th | 877 |
| Median age | 823rd | 973 |
| Owner-occupied share | 638th | 973 |
| Work from home | 362nd | 557 |
| Travel time to work | 188th | 976 |
Dayton's figures with every place in Texas (CSV)
Every place in Texas, sortable · Compare Dayton 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 Dayton?
10 of the 57 figures for Dayton 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 Dayton 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 Dayton.