City · Texas
Elsa, Texas
Elsa, city, in Hidalgo County, Texas. Elsa had 5,820 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.5% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 5,668 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 5,697 (±17). GEOID 4824036.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,820
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,668 · ACS 2020-2024: 5,697 ±17
Median household income
$42,439
±$15,953 (90% margin)
Texas: $78,476
Median home value
$81,600
±$35,894 (90% margin)
Texas: $283,800
Median gross rent
$767
±$494 (90% margin)
Texas: $1,403
Where is Elsa and what county is it in?
Elsa is a city in Hidalgo County, Texas. It covers 2.1 square miles of land, 2,716 residents per square mile in 2020.
Elsa is in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, 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 Elsa, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 5,820 people lived in Elsa on July 1, 2025, up 2.5% since 2020, slower than Texas (+8.8%). The 2020 Census counted 5,668 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 5,697 (±17).
| Measure | Elsa | Hidalgo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,697 ±17 | 891,977 | −1,528 |
| Households | 1,978 ±323 | 270,210 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.88 ±0.46 | 3.27 | −0.81 |
| Housing units | 2,181 ±374 | 308,556 | no clear change |
Elsa's population since 2000
From 5,549 in 2000 to 5,820 in 2025: up 4.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Elsa 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 Elsa?
The median resident of Elsa is 34.0 years old; 29.6% are under 18 and 13.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 98.3%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 1.7%. 14.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Elsa | Hidalgo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.0 ±6.8 | 30.5 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 29.6% ±9.5 pts | 31.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.1% ±5.9 pts | 11.7% | – |
| Male | 50.1% ±7.7 pts | 49.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 98.3% ±2.1 pts | 91.9% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 1.7% ±2.1 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.9 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.9 pts | 1.0% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.9 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.9 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.9 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.9 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 14.4% ±8.3 pts | 26.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 81.1% ±10.8 pts | 80.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.6% ±3.1 pts | 3.2% | – |
| With a disability | 20.6% ±8.5 pts | 13.2% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 20.6% ±9.9 pts | 28.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 78.1% ±10.7 pts | 70.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 7.9% ±4.9 pts | 20.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 1.5% ±2.5 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 98.0% ±2.2 pts | 90.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.0% ±0.9 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 Elsa earn?
Half of Elsa's 1,978 households earn less than $42,439 a year (±$15,953), against $54,338 in Hidalgo County and $78,476 in Texas. In 2015-2019 it was $44,298 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 31.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Elsa | Hidalgo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $42,439 ±$15,953 | $54,338 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $61,226 ±$17,528 | $74,303 | – |
| Per capita income | $21,504 ±$5,114 | $23,117 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 31.8% ±15.1 pts | 26.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 48.0% ±23.2 pts | 36.4% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 43.8% ±16.1 pts | 27.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 88.5% ±8.7 pts | 93.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.5% ±9.7 pts | 88.0% | – |
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 Elsa?
Owners occupy 71.2% of Elsa's occupied homes and renters 28.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $81,600 by its owner (±$35,894). The median renter pays $767 a month including utilities, and 60.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Elsa | Hidalgo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $81,600 ±$35,894 | $140,900 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $767 ±$494 | $957 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 60.5% ±29.2 pts | 40.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,327 ±$83 | $1,486 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 71.2% ±13.5 pts | 67.5% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 28.8% ±13.5 pts | 32.5% | – |
| Housing units | 2,181 ±374 | 308,556 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 4.5% ±5.0 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.5% ±8.4 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 73.3% ±13.0 pts | 64.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 10.4% ±7.5 pts | 13.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.0% ±4.7 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 15.0% ±9.0 pts | 19.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.0% ±2.3 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 10.6% ±10.0 pts | 5.6% | – |
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 Elsa building?
Builders took permits for 28 new housing units in Elsa in 2025 (28 in single-family houses), 4.8 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 Elsa work and get to work?
82.9% of Elsa's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 12.6 minutes.
| Measure | Elsa | Hidalgo County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 54.5% ±9.0 pts | 59.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 0.5% ±0.9 pts | 7.6% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 82.9% ±8.7 pts | 74.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.5% ±6.4 pts | 10.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±2.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Walked | 0.0% ±2.2 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.0% ±5.8 pts | 9.2% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 12.6 min ±2.3 | 22.5 min | −13.0 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 Elsa?
1 census tract lies mostly in Elsa, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 244.03Hidalgo County | 5,908 | $44,704 |
| Tract 244.05Hidalgo County | 3,799 | $36,193 |
| Tract 244.04Hidalgo County | 4,354 | $48,097 |
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 Elsa) · Census block assignment files
How does Elsa compare with other places in Texas?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Elsa is the 4,494th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 353rd-most populous of 1,224 in Texas.
Elsa ranks 862nd 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 | 353rd | 1,224 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 442nd | 784 |
| Residents per square mile | 123rd | 979 |
| Median household income | 862nd | 933 |
| Per capita income | 861st | 978 |
| Median home value | 881st | 950 |
| Median gross rent | 753rd | 852 |
| Poverty rate | 54th | 716 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 851st | 877 |
| Median age | 663rd | 973 |
| Owner-occupied share | 501st | 973 |
| Travel time to work | 963rd | 976 |
Elsa's figures with every place in Texas (CSV)
Every place in Texas, sortable · Compare Elsa 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 Elsa?
21 of the 57 figures for Elsa 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 Elsa 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 Elsa.