City profile · Texas · Census ACS 2023

Gainesville, TX

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

17,688
Residents
$56,341
Median income
$162,900
Median home
$1,261
Median rent (state)

Gainesville - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Gainesville places in the 29th percentile for household income and the 37th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

29th
percentile, household income
31st
percentile, home value
42nd
percentile, median rent
37th
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: Gainesville, TX

Gainesville is a small town in Texas, home to 17,688 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $56,341 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 17.1%. Home values in Gainesville run a median of $162,900, and the median resident age is 35.4 years. About 19.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 58.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 130 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 233% from five years earlier. Gainesville reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1787.7 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). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 63.2°F with 42.8 inches of precipitation per year and 2.6 inches of snowfall.

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 $1,261 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Texas run around $223, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Workers in Gainesville report an average commute of 21.3 minutes, with 80.0% driving alone and 6.9% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 73.3 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

17,688 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Texas

Median Household Income

$56,341 /yr

Poverty 17.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Texas average

How does Gainesville compare to other US cities?

Here's how Gainesville stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 29% higher than other cities
Home value 31% pricier than other cities
Median rent 42% pricier than other cities
Safety 37% 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, Gainesville ranks #415 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

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 Gainesville'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.

29thIncome percentile
37thSafety percentile

29th percentile nationally for median household income · 37th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Gainesville's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Gainesville'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 43 Avg. percentile National median
Gainesville'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 Gainesville's home value compares nationally

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

$162,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 69% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $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. Gainesville $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 - Gainesville, TX Gainesville, TX's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Gainesville, 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 Gainesville, TX median $56,341/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%
Gainesville, 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 Gainesville, TX. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 19.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 17.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 58.9%

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

Population
17,688
Median Income
$56,341
Median Home Value
$162,900
Median Age
35.4
Poverty Rate
17.1%
Labor force participation
58.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
19.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1787.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
163.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1624.2
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
63.2°F
Annual Precipitation
42.8"
Annual Snowfall
2.6"

Schools

Total Schools
10
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 residents17,500 residents18,000 residents18,500 residents19,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 17,394 residents 18,528 residents ▲ +6.5%
Gainesville's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
130
housing units authorized
Single-Family
118
detached homes
Multifamily
12
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
7.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 39
2020 43
2021 24
2022 28
2023 25
2024 130

Permit volume increased 233% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
21.3 minutes
Drive Alone
80.0%
Carpool
9.3%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.8%
Work from Home
6.9%
Other
3.0%

Based on 7,982 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 Gainesville sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,261/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
73.3 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Texas

Alice
17,797 people
Bay City
17,816 people
Melissa
17,497 people
Royse City
17,357 people
Brenham
18,086 people
Stafford
17,279 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Gainesville's 17,688 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Glassmanor, MD
17,687 people
Holly Springs, GA
17,693 people
Natchitoches, LA
17,682 people
Tillmans Corner, AL
17,678 people
Norcross, GA
17,669 people
Greenfield, MA
17,662 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Gainesville's $56,341 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Millington, MI
$56,339 median income
New Florence, PA
$56,339 median income
Waterloo, IA
$56,344 median income
Plymptonville, PA
$56,346 median income
Wheeler, OR
$56,333 median income
Vienna, GA
$56,351 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Gainesville, 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 Gainesville, TX - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 67.7% 7.2% 7.2% 15.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 31.9% White 67.7% Black or African American 7.2% Asian 1.5% American Indian 0.8% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 7.2% Two or more races 15.5% 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 Gainesville 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
Gainesville (this city) 17,688 $56,341
Alice 17,797 $46,963
Bay City 17,816 $51,898
Melissa 17,497 $137,875
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TX FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Gainesville, TX?

What is the population of Gainesville, TX? +

Gainesville, TX counts 17,688 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Gainesville runs $56,341, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Gainesville? +

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

Gainesville has a total crime rate of 1787.7 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 Gainesville, TX? +

A typical home in Gainesville is worth $162,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Gainesville? +

Gainesville has an average annual temperature of 63.2°F, 42.8 inches of precipitation, and 2.6 inches of snowfall per year. 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

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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.