City profile · Texas · Census ACS 2023

Jefferson, TX

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

2,111
Residents
$40,865
Median income
$143,800
Median home
$973
Median rent (state)

Jefferson - the verdict

Jefferson ranks in the 8th percentile for household income and the 17th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

8th
percentile, household income
25th
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
17th
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: Jefferson, TX

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 2,111 residents in Jefferson, a small town within Texas. Median household income here is $40,865 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 18.5%. Home values in Jefferson run a median of $143,800, and the median resident age is 41.7 years. Educational attainment runs 26.7% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 53.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 15 residential building permits were authorized in Jefferson (Building Boom), up 275% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Jefferson's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 2878.9 crimes per 100,000 residents, above the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 64.7°F with 49.7 inches of precipitation per year and 1.3 inches of snowfall.

Texas tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: the state registers 97.1 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $973 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Texas's average monthly utility costs around $223 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 29.2 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

2,111 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Texas

Median Household Income

$40,865 /yr

Poverty 18.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Texas average

How does Jefferson compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 8% higher than other cities
Home value 25% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities
Safety 17% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Texas, Jefferson ranks #551 of 624 Texas cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

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 Jefferson'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.

8thIncome percentile
17thSafety percentile

8th percentile nationally for median household income · 17th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Jefferson's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Jefferson'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 36 Avg. percentile National median
Jefferson'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 Jefferson's home value compares nationally

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

$143,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 75% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Jefferson $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 - Jefferson, TX Jefferson, TX's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Jefferson, 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 Jefferson, TX median $40,865/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%
Jefferson, 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 Jefferson, TX. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 26.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 18.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 53.1%

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

Population
2,111
Median Income
$40,865
Median Home Value
$143,800
Median Age
41.7
Poverty Rate
18.5%
Labor force participation
53.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
26.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2878.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
271.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2607.3
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
64.7°F
Annual Precipitation
49.7"
Annual Snowfall
1.3"

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,950 residents2,000 residents2,050 residents2,100 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,002 residents 2,056 residents ▲ +2.7%
Jefferson's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
15
housing units authorized
Single-Family
11
detached homes
Multifamily
4
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
7.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 4
2020 11
2021 12
2022 5
2023 9
2024 15

Permit volume increased 275% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
76.0%
Carpool
15.2%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.8%
Work from Home
2.7%
Other
5.3%

Based on 896 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 Jefferson sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$973/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
29.2 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Texas

Meadowlakes
2,113 people
Bells
2,101 people
Quanah
2,100 people
Shepherd
2,124 people
Jones Creek
2,096 people
Odem
2,128 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Jefferson's 2,111 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Weston, NJ
2,111 people
New Carlisle, IN
2,110 people
Sumrall, MS
2,112 people
Crow Agency, MT
2,110 people
Questa, NM
2,112 people
Brewster, OH
2,112 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Jefferson's $40,865 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Oshkosh, NE
$40,865 median income
Horseshoe Bend, AR
$40,868 median income
Edinboro, PA
$40,862 median income
West Waynesburg, PA
$40,869 median income
Peggs, OK
$40,859 median income
Salmon, ID
$40,875 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Jefferson, 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 Jefferson, TX - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 52.7% 41.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.3% White 52.7% Black or African American 41.1% Asian 1.8% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.9% Two or more races 3.5% 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 Jefferson 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
Jefferson (this city) 2,111 $40,865
Meadowlakes 2,113 $79,635
Bells 2,101 $89,635
Quanah 2,100 $51,985
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TX FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Jefferson, TX?

What is the population of Jefferson, TX? +

Jefferson, TX has a population of 2,111 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Jefferson runs $40,865, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Jefferson? +

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

Jefferson has a total crime rate of 2878.9 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 Jefferson, TX? +

Homes in Jefferson carry a median value of $143,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Jefferson? +

The average annual temperature in Jefferson runs 64.7°F, 49.7 inches of precipitation, and 1.3 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 Editorial

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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.