City profile · Texas · Census ACS 2023

Karnes City, TX

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

3,101
Residents
$58,601
Median income
$90,400
Median home
$1,270
Median rent (state)

Karnes City - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Karnes City lands in the 33rd percentile for household income and the 72nd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

33rd
percentile, household income
6th
percentile, home value
43rd
percentile, median rent
72nd
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: Karnes City, TX

Texas's Karnes City is a small town, with 3,101 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Karnes City households earn a median of $58,601 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 14.0%. Karnes City's housing stock carries a median value of $90,400, and the median resident age is 35.4 years. Educational attainment runs 12.9% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 46.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 7 residential building permits were authorized in Karnes City (Building Boom), up 75% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Karnes City reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 803.3 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 70.2°F.

Texas tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Texas scores 97.1 (Near Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,270 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Texas's average monthly utility costs around $223 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 58.4 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Moderate).

Population

3,101 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Texas

Median Household Income

$58,601 /yr

Poverty 14.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Texas average

How does Karnes City compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 33% higher than other cities
Home value 6% pricier than other cities
Median rent 43% pricier than other cities
Safety 72% 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, Karnes City ranks #183 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

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

Texas-relative analysis

Median Home Value places Karnes City toward the bottom of Texas's cities

Among the 1,505 Texas cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Karnes City ranks #1,209 - the 20th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Karnes City only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#888 of 1,520
42nd percentile in Texas
Median Gross Rent
#596 of 1,663
64th percentile in Texas
Median Home Value
#1,209 of 1,505
20th percentile in Texas
Poverty Rate
#547 of 1,663
67th percentile in Texas
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#1,085 of 1,663
34th 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.

33rdIncome percentile
72ndSafety percentile

33rd percentile nationally for median household income · 72nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Karnes City's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Karnes City'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 60 Avg. percentile National median
Karnes City'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 Karnes City's home value compares nationally

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

$90,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 94% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Karnes City $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 - Karnes City, TX Karnes City, TX's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Karnes City, 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 Karnes City, TX median $58,601/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%
Karnes City, 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 Karnes City, TX. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 12.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 14.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 46.3%

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

Population
3,101
Median Income
$58,601
Median Home Value
$90,400
Median Age
35.4
Poverty Rate
14.0%
Labor force participation
46.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
12.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
803.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
192.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
610.5
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
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
N/A
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
6
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
3,520 residents3,540 residents3,560 residents3,580 residents3,600 residents3,620 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,599 residents 3,540 residents ▼ -1.6%
Karnes City's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
7
housing units authorized
Single-Family
7
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 4
2020 13
2021 9
2022 13
2023 13
2024 7

Permit volume increased 75% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
78.2%
Carpool
16.9%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.1%
Work from Home
2.5%
Other
2.3%

Based on 1,216 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 Karnes City sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,270/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
58.4 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Texas

Abernathy
3,108 people
Big Lake
3,092 people
Santa Rosa
3,111 people
Piney Point
3,090 people
The Homesteads
3,113 people
South Alamo
3,114 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Karnes City's 3,101 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Cottonwood CDP (Kern County), CA
3,102 people
Greenville, DE
3,100 people
Proctor, MN
3,102 people
Churchill, PA
3,102 people
Ocean Grove, MA
3,099 people
Lake Wissota, WI
3,103 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Karnes City's $58,601 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Monson Center, MA
$58,603 median income
Selma, VA
$58,603 median income
Lawrenceville, GA
$58,606 median income
DeRidder, LA
$58,596 median income
Oxford, GA
$58,594 median income
Maryd, PA
$58,594 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Karnes City, 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 Karnes City, TX - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 50.9% 6.4% 16.9% 25.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 69.9% White 50.9% Black or African American 6.4% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 16.9% Two or more races 25.6% 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 Karnes City 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
Karnes City (this city) 3,101 $58,601
Abernathy 3,108 $76,850
Big Lake 3,092 $72,067
Santa Rosa 3,111 $29,803
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TX FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Karnes City, TX?

What is the population of Karnes City, TX? +

The population of Karnes City, TX stands at 3,101 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Karnes City, TX? +

Karnes City households earn a median of $58,601 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Karnes City? +

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

Karnes City has a total crime rate of 803.3 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 Karnes City, TX? +

A typical home in Karnes City is worth $90,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Karnes City? +

The average annual temperature in Karnes City runs 70.2°F. 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.